Thread: Light Loads in a .308 with BM8208

Greetings all,
For some years I have been using AR2206H for light loads in my various .30 and .303 rifles. Recently I switched to BM8208 for my .223 rifles as it needs less compression and is close to the speed to the old AR2206. AR2206H is hard to source these days and I wondered if anyone had light load experience with light loads in BM8208?
Regards Grandpamac.

Can't speak to light loads but it shoots wonderfully small groups with fantastic ES & SD's in two 308's with full house loads. Meters beautifully too!

Originally Posted by LJP

Can't speak to light loads but it shoots wonderfully small groups with fantastic ES & SD's in two 308's with full house loads. Meters beautifully too!

Shoots very well in my .223 rifles as well. I will probably go with it for the light loads as well. There just is not the background data that there is for AR2206H.

I have only recently worked up loads for 8208, having run out of 2206h. ADI-THALES list start load of 44 grains with 155gn bullets at coal 2.80". I found this to be anything BUT a light load in my 308 win. I moderatef it somwhat by increasing the coal by 40 thou while still having good jump to lands. For mild loads on 308 win I suggest minimum varget, imr 3031- 4064-4320 powders in norma capacity brass. Otherwise look to bullets lighter than 150 grain. Good luck.

Id email ADI, they are usually pretty good on the advice front . . .

Sorry only 2219 (even faster), with good results.

I would recommend gordons reloading tools (and of course adi load data)

Hornady list a start load of 39.0 grains with a 150 grain projectile max of 44.2 grains

It's faster than 2206H so you would be safe to use the "60% of max load" rule.

On the Hogden site they have data down to subsonic loads using 2206H which are waaay below the 60% rule.

If you concerned with above, emailing adi as previously suggested is a good option.

What are you trying to achieve?

Originally Posted by Woody

I have only recently worked up loads for 8208, having run out of 2206h. ADI-THALES list start load of 44 grains with 155gn bullets at coal 2.80". I found this to be anything BUT a light load in my 308 win. I moderatef it somwhat by increasing the coal by 40 thou while still having good jump to lands. For mild loads on 308 win I suggest minimum varget, imr 3031- 4064-4320 powders in norma capacity brass. Otherwise look to bullets lighter than 150 grain. Good luck.

Need to correct a mis rypo on my post above. The ADI start load for 8208/155 is 42grain, not 44. I did in fact test the low charge loads but coyld not get sufficient consistency.. mv at 42 grains was still around 2750 out of 26" bbl.