22-250 Load Development with IMR XBR

[mladucer]

So i had a chance to get out the the casselton range today to try out some new loads with IMR XBR 8208 in my 22-250. It was nice out today about 18 degrees and little to no wind which is odd for this time in north dakota.
I started the loads off at 33 gr and worked my way up to 36 grs. in .5 grain incraments. The loads starting at 33 to 34.5 were horrible, they shot about 1.5 to 2.5 inches. Thinking it was my shooting i shot a group with my go to load with H380 and they grouped just fine. Once i got to 35 to 36 grains the groups closed up considerably. the better group of the day was 35.5 grains of XBR which shot under 1/2 moa at 100 yards.

Load info:
Brass- Winchester
Primer- CCI BR2
Bullet- 50 gr NBT
Powder- IMR XBR 8208
C.O.A.L.- 2.490

Here is a 3 shot goup with 35.5 gr of 8208

 

[DrMike]

That appears to be a fine load. I hope to get out with some loads using IMR8208XBR in the next couple of weeks. I can hope I find as much consistency as your shooting shows.

 

[JD338]

mladucer

Nice shooting! Any idea what the velocity is?

JD338

 

[mladucer]

According to the load data 36 grains gives 3925 fps out of a 24 inch barrel. Because I can only estimate due to the lack of a chronograph I would say around 3900 fps or maybe faster out of a 26in barrel with 35.5 gr. The chrony is next on my list for equipment.

 

[FOTIS]

Man that is smoking! Like 220 Swift velocity.

 

[JD338]

At that speed, she will shoot as flat as road kill! :lol:

JD338

 

[mladucer]

Yea now I get to have fun making a new range chart and just shooting in general. I'm pretty pumped about this new powder, it's supposed to have a better tolerance to extreme temp changes and meter really well. I'm wondering if it will shoot as good with the 55 grainers. I'll keep you guys posted.

 

[shoots_5]

You're killing me here.....I've been dying to get my hands on some of that powder to run through my 22-250 and have yet to do so. Looks like the results are about as good as I've been reading about. Might just have to bite the bullet and mail order an 8# keg of it untested. Unreal velocities and accuracy to go with it..... I really want to see what a 40 grain lead free BT going 4200 fps does to a sage rat or coyote!!!!

Keep us posted on your results with future testing of that powder!