.223 for bear, mountain goat, deer, elk, and moose.

[sierracharlie338]

Is 8208xbr worth $130 for 2 pounds?

Pretty much going rate around my area. If you can find it I would buy it personally but I really like that powder.

 

[Matt5266]

That seems like alot. Not sure I would pay it. I got lucky and posted a WTB add in my area on a different site and got 4 pounds for $40 each.

 

[sierracharlie338]

That seems like alot. Not sure I would pay it. I got lucky and posted a WTB add in my area on a different site and got 4 pounds for $40 each.

You’re lucky. Every store around my area is 57-60 a pound for most powder but haven’t had xbr in prob a year.

 

[Matt5266]

You’re lucky. Every store around my area is 57-60 a pound for most powder but haven’t had xbr in prob a year.

Dang, ya powder in the store is pretty spendy here too. I did just get lucky and found some private party that just didnt use it anymore

 

[Poe]

Particularly on deer, the neck length means you may not be causing damage for the first half of the wound channel. For that reason I choose to not use bergers regardless of caliber for smaller sized game. Have seen much faster kills with tmk/eld style bullets. Keep it off the shoulder and meat damage will be minimized.

I’m not saying that you are wrong but I had really good results with the 87 and 95gr Berger’s out of a .243 on white tails but I also didn’t have a very large sample. The 87’s also knocked down coyotes pretty good to

 

[Lawnboi]

I’m not saying that you are wrong but I had really good results with the 87 and 95gr Berger’s out of a .243 on white tails but I also didn’t have a very large sample. The 87’s also knocked down coyotes pretty good to

I’m guessing they were moving pretty good? Fast velocity seems to be a factor that brings them more in line. Most Berger kills I have and have seen are with the 6.5mm variety.

 

[FB Trout]

Is 8208xbr worth $130 for 2 pounds?

I think so, I’ve paid $59.00/lb directly from Hodgdon and once you pay hazmat, you are more than the asking price you noted. It’s a wonderful powder. I’d buy it whenever you see it reasonably.

 

[HighUintas]

Well, I've got a line on a jug of 8208. But this isn't my main hunting gun and have other items that take higher priority for this year. So.... Dang.

I haven't found many reports of accurate 2520 here, just a few. Both that and Lever seem like good options for speed. Are they accurate?

Perhaps since I'm using a 16" barrel I should use a faster powder like benchmark that might not give as much up as a slower powder in a short barrel, like varget or 2520. But, has that myth been busted for a 16" 223?

The plan was to just go with benchmark, lever, staball match, or 2520 since I can find them locally and affordably for 1lb. But then I went and found a couple 1lbers and a jug of 8208! I really want that unicorn dust but don't know if I can justify it

Anyway, black arc 77otm reman seems to shoot ok in my factory 223. This is 20shots. I think I had 120ish rounds down the barrel before these. Didn't get velocity. Had 1 cull out of a box of 50. The neck mouth was folded over and it chambered very hard and cause a bit of shaving on the bullet on the opposite side. I didn't fire it. Single shot wolf brass from a range is what the owner said. It's not bad for 0.063/round. It was gusty left to right. I didn't hold for wind and I'm pretty sure the 2 shots to the right were during a gust.

 

[HighUintas]

And this is 10-15rds of Scheels target max 5.56 55gr. Not bad for a short range practice round at 0.55/Rd

 

[Juan_ID]

Well, I've got a line on a jug of 8208. But this isn't my main hunting gun and have other items that take higher priority for this year. So.... Dang.

I haven't found many reports of accurate 2520 here, just a few. Both that and Lever seem like good options for speed. Are they accurate?

Perhaps since I'm using a 16" barrel I should use a faster powder like benchmark that might not give as much up as a slower powder in a short barrel, like varget or 2520. But, has that myth been busted for a 16" 223?

The plan was to just go with benchmark, lever, staball match, or 2520 since I can find them locally and affordably for 1lb. But then I went and found a couple 1lbers and a jug of 8208! I really want that unicorn dust but don't know if I can justify it

Anyway, black arc 77otm reman seems to shoot ok in my factory 223. This is 20shots. I think I had 120ish rounds down the barrel before these. Didn't get velocity. Had 1 cull out of a box of 50. The neck mouth was folded over and it chambered very hard and cause a bit of shaving on the bullet on the opposite side. I didn't fire it. Single shot wolf brass from a range is what the owner said. It's not bad for 0.063/round. It was gusty left to right. I didn't hold for wind and I'm pretty sure the 2 shots to the right were during a gust.
View attachment 833146

Where are you located and how much is the jug of xbr? Currently sitting on 2 but do wish I’d have snagged another one or 2 a couple years back when it could be had for $250 a jug.

 

[ztc92]

Is 8208xbr worth $130 for 2 pounds?

I paid about $60/pound last year when a local shop happened to get some in. $65/pound with how rare it’s been doesn’t seem too crazy. I’ve spent $10 on lots dumber things then the perfect 223 powder…

 

[Poe]

I’m guessing they were moving pretty good? Fast velocity seems to be a factor that brings them more in line. Most Berger kills I have and have seen are with the 6.5mm variety.

Yeah they both had around 2900 ish muzzle velocities and all kills on deer were between 200 and 300 yards. I never did push them out far enough on game to see what lower impact velocities looked like.

 

[Thegman]

I haven't found many reports of accurate 2520 here, just a few. Both that and Lever seem like good options for speed. Are they accurate?

Perhaps since I'm using a 16" barrel I should use a faster powder like benchmark that might not give as much up as a slower powder in a short barrel, like varget or 2520. But, has that myth been busted for a 16" 223?

The plan was to just go with benchmark, lever, staball match, or 2520 since I can find them locally and affordably for 1lb. But then I went and found a couple 1lbers and a jug of 8208! I really want that unicorn dust but don't know if I can justify it
View attachment 833146

2520 has worked well for me with respect to velocity and accuracy with stuff from 73 grains
to 88 grains. LVR has worked well for velocity, but less so for accuracy, for me.

I haven't tried it yet, but Shooters World Match (their version of 2520) might be another good option to 2520 and LVR.

All this has been from 16" barrels. I've not found Benchmark or other faster powders to beat the above powders for speed, in anything 16 inches or longer, anyway.

 

[justinspicher]

Has anyone heard/used ammo from Super Vel? I picked up 100rds of their 77gr OTM in 223. My buddy and I shot a ten round group last week with it from the 16” ARs and it wasn’t bad, but it was colder than what we normally shoot in. Good groups just a touch off from our zeros. This week I plan on doing some more group work with it to see how it performs.

 

[Pescetism]

I haven't tried it yet, but Shooters World Match (their version of 2520) might be another good option to 2520 and LVR.

I have found decent velocity - 20" AR 2815 fps w/ 75 gr Gold Dots - but not stellar accuracy although my sample size is small and that barrel may not love that bullet and/or powder. I've also seen pressure spikes at the top end of 5.56 load data. So far I like Shooters World AR Plus better.

The biggest issue is finding either one available but I'm sure it's out there somewhere.

 

[Serving4Him]

For someone that does not reload is there 77gr hunting ammo commercial available. What I found looks like to be for target shooting. Maybe I’m looking in the wrong place. I’ve got a 223 for my youngest boy to deer hunt with and the 55 gr have not been impressive. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[wesfromky]

For someone that does not reload is there 77gr hunting ammo commercial available. What I found looks like to be for target shooting. Maybe I’m looking in the wrong place. I’ve got a 223 for my youngest boy to deer hunt with and the 55 gr have not been impressive. Any advice is appreciated.

https://palmettostatearmory.com/aac-5-56-nato-77-grain-sierra-tmk-20rd-box-ammunition.html

 

[ChrisAU]

https://palmettostatearmory.com/aac-5-56-nato-77-grain-sierra-tmk-20rd-box-ammunition.html

You guys running that stuff in bolt actions with no issues?

 

[wind gypsy]

For someone that does not reload is there 77gr hunting ammo commercial available. What I found looks like to be for target shooting. Maybe I’m looking in the wrong place. I’ve got a 223 for my youngest boy to deer hunt with and the 55 gr have not been impressive. Any advice is appreciated.

Hornady 73 ELDm Match ammo is going to be most available.

77 gr TMK bullets is loaded by Palmeto state in their aac ammo line and by black hills. Both of which are frequently out of stock.

Federal fusion is another factory option.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

What's the word on that AAC stuff? I thought I remembered seeing a thread where the groups weren't that great compared to the Black Hills but I can't seem to search it up on my phone.