8mm Rem Mag & Range Report - part two

[bullet]

Yes, I am ready for part two of my load work using four different groups, two different powders and two different bullets for a total of 20 rounds to be fired at the range Monday morning.


First: a five shot group using Sierra 220gr with Magnum and a five shot group using Nosler 20gr AccuBond with IMR7828

Second: a five shot group using Sierra 220gr with IMR7828 and a five shot group using Nosler 200gr AccuBond with Magnum

 

[OU812]

Can't wait to see the results.

Bill

 

[SJB358]

Looking forward to seeing how you make out Mike. It would be hard to mess with the 220 SGK after seeing how the 220 performed in the jugs.

 

[OU812]

Looking forward to seeing how you make out Mike. It would be hard to mess with the 220 SGK after seeing how the 220 performed in the jugs.

I agree but what are the chances you impacting an elk at that range? I would love to see a 100 yard jug test.

 

[bullet]

Looking forward to seeing how you make out Mike. It would be hard to mess with the 220 SGK after seeing how the 220 performed in the jugs.

Not at all, it will be a better long range performer out past 400yds than the AccuBond. Just because it came apart at 25yds, remember it took out 5 complete jugs before it came apart, and that bullet would have exited any whitetail, hog, mule deer, sheep, coyote, bobcat, black bear and even if not exiting an elk or Moose, they would have been devastated by the dynamic shock of receiving over 4300ft pounds of energy at 25yds. Sure, it would have made a mess on the elk and moose at 25yds but both would be dead.

Up close the AccuBond is a hands down winner, but not at the longer ranges. Remember the 220gr Sierra is still delivering 2,000ft pounds of energy at 593yds with the load I shot those jugs with. I am not going to drink the cool aid that just because a bullet that destroyed five jugs at 25yds before coming apart is not worth considering for specific special work.

 

[nvbroncrider]

Once the 220 AB comes out you will!

 

[bullet]

Once the 220 AB comes out you will!

If that happens I will drink two glasses of cool :mrgreen: BUT not until then. 8)

 

[JD338]

Mike,

Looking forward to your test results with the big 8.

JD338

 

[bullet]

Mike,

Looking forward to your test results with the big 8.

JD338

Thanks JD, I am curious as to how these powders will compare in accuracy and velocity with the RL-25 and RL-22 loads.

 

[OU812]

My 8mm is not as fast as yours Mike but Magnum was just stupid accurate in my 8mm with 220 hornadys but was not a super fast speed, about 2900. The sierras might be suited well close range at 2900 speed. Magpro was very accurate with good speed, about 3K in my rifle.

Bill

 

[bullet]

Will be interesting to see for sure. I really get excited about expectations when it comes to load work with my hunting rifles.

 

[JD338]

Mike,

Looking forward to your test results with the big 8.

JD338

Thanks JD, I am curious as to how these powders will compare in accuracy and velocity with the RL-25 and RL-22 loads.

Mike,

What about Retumbo?

JD338

 

[bullet]

Retumbo is to slow for the 220gr bullet. It will reach max before it has the velocities that the 8mm Rem Mag can produce with all the powders I am trying, MRP, RL-25, RL-22, IMR7828, Magnum. Also, even much slower velocities than these already mention powders when using the 200gr AccuBond. Then on top of that you don't push Retumbo, because when it reaches max it can really peak fast. Not a good choice in my opinion for the 8mm Rem Mag and Q/L seems to bear that out.

 

[bullet]

I am also waiting for a box of 50 Barnes 250gr originals that was shipped today from Alaska finally. And also some 250gr Hawk bullets coming with the intent of trying later on the Woodliegh Weldcore 250gr.

It will be interesting to see how it all turns out, but really looking forward to trying it this fall with a round from all this load work and that will be fun indeed.

 

[FOTIS]

Yeah Baby!

 

[DrMike]

Should be interesting, Mike.

 

[dchamp]

I'm excited about the test out doing and can't wait to see the results as the 8mmRM is one of my favorite cartridges. I tried the Accubonds once but didn't have much success I forget the powder I tried. I use to shoot 220gr GK's behind RL-22 at about 2900fps but only obtained 1-1.5 MOA accurracy. Probably me more than the load, shot a mule deer with it once at 60yds+/- straight on and it was the most devastating kill I've ever had, took out about 5-6 inches of the neck-spine out, sheered 4 ribs on his left side and turned his heart-lungs into soup, no bullet exit, no recovery and no entry into his intestines and very little meat damage, but I've never seen an animal drop so hard. Living in condor country, CA. I'm now shooting 200gr TSX's. I did my load work with RL-22 & MRP. Both grouped sub MOA but MRP gave me a little more consistency and velocity (3060fps). I've just returned from Namibia with my youngest son and it preformed perfectly. Ranges were from 10-200yds. When I finish this batch I've thought of trying 180gr E-Tips, but I a fan of heavier bullets,we'll see. 220gr Accubonds would be good though.....

 

[bullet]

dechamp, very interesting and I sure enjoyed that read, thanks

 

[boomer68]

Looking forward to the test results!

 

[SJB358]

Good luck with it Mike. Sounds like you have a new found favorite. Good luck with them 250's! Those should be some real penetrators!