Thread: 8208, 168 eldm 16.5” barrel 8 twist questions re max charge etc

Hi all, I’m reloading 308 using 8208 and 168 eldm I was at range today and ran up a load on my new rifle starting at 40 and ended up at 43 gns 42 and 42.5 were best groups then it opened up but at 43 started to close again so I want to go to 43.3 but wanted to ask if anyone can run it through quick load re pressure, rifle is a 16.5” 8 twist. Average speed at 42 was 2565 average at 43 was 2620, ran some super performance 165 sst as well and got 2700 average. Any info would be appreciated.

I used to use 43gns 8208 with 168gn Makers, was a getting warm. Never tried std projectiles.
Now using different powder as 8208 got too hard to get for a while

16 inch Tikka T3x, 2650fps on the Garmin.

Hodgdon says 43.3 is max for a 168 Sierra hpbt.

As requested. 42gr:



43gr:

Originally Posted by Pommy

As requested. 42gr:

Attachment 273297

43gr:

Attachment 273298

Thats quite interesting considering the loads are both max in ADI and not quite max in the Hornady manuals.
ADI

Hornady 10th

I guess we can average it and say all 3 indicate max loads

Greetings,
The GRT predictions seem to be out of line with the Hodgdons data. The very early BM8208 appears to be somewhat faster than later production based on my chronographing in the .223. Chronographing data with the .308 and BM8208 showed a good match so this appears to be the slower stuff. Your velocities seem to be in line with the Hodgdons data or perhaps a little faster. I would tend to take the Hodgdons data for the .308 as more reliable in this case.
GPM.

If your barrel were extended out to 24" to match the one in the data, the software's predicting that the 42gr load would be producing 2785. Or 2840 at 43gr. I.e. you'd be getting more velocity than either Hornady or Hodgdon/ADI got with an ELD/SMK.

Trusting the "velocity is the best predictor of pressure" approach, that would make me cautious of the 43gr load.

Originally Posted by Pommy

If your barrel were extended out to 24" to match the one in the data, the software's predicting that the 42gr load would be producing 2785. Or 2840 at 43gr. I.e. you'd be getting more velocity than either Hornady or Hodgdon/ADI got with an ELD/SMK.

Trusting the "velocity is the best predictor of pressure" approach, that would make me cautious of the 43gr load.

Where or can you still download Gordons Reloading tool thingy? Seems like a good extra "thing" you can use along with comparing multiple published reloading manuals.
I would have expected ADI to be on the warm side but the with Hornady being based in the "land of the litigious" I would have expected theirs to be quite conservative but in this case perhaps the outer way.

Below are the results of my testing on day 1, Ive loaded 42. 42.7 43 and 43.3 ill try 5 shot strings tomorrow and see how it goes, 43.3 is hot however I did see one max load was 43.9 ….. not sure I trust that. The bottom two strings were with factory ammo and the results of super performance 165 ssts were good, I think 2600 is a good number for me out to 500yds so that is where I would like to be, 42 and 42.7 seemed to be a sweet spot . thanks for the info I very much appreciate it.