Jerry H
Different Drummer
I finally got to shoot in some dry air yesterday with the new 8208. So far my tests have shown that a 30.5 load works with Shilen, Krieger, and Bartlein barrels. Also my own 66 gr, Bart Ultra 68, and Cheek 65 FB all at .005 short of push back jam. The same results for 4 different guns and shooters. A swing of 85% to 30% RH, 40-75 degrees F, DA of 800 to 2000. I will have to wait to see what happens when the dew point temps go up to the 75-80 degree range. Lot #s 4736 and 4773 are 2fps of each other though the density is heavier by volume with the latter. I have never seen any powder do this in 25 years of BR.
Some unusual observations are; about 10 fps per .1 charge increase versus 12-14 with “typical BR powders”; rapid carbon squeak fouling in dry air; high velocity gains per inch of barrel length; low speed increase as temperature rises but high velocity increase with as RH decreases. I suspect this is the “secret” to maintaining the tune. I usually increase the load in drier air to keep the tune or drop to a lower node. This so far, has not been needed. The tune stability of this is unreal. “T” never did that! This may level the playing field dramatically. There are three nodes of tune which are typical of the good BR powders.
Normal end of aggregate or day abrasive cleaning is still needed. This carbon fouling is the same as other ADI powders.
Some unusual observations are; about 10 fps per .1 charge increase versus 12-14 with “typical BR powders”; rapid carbon squeak fouling in dry air; high velocity gains per inch of barrel length; low speed increase as temperature rises but high velocity increase with as RH decreases. I suspect this is the “secret” to maintaining the tune. I usually increase the load in drier air to keep the tune or drop to a lower node. This so far, has not been needed. The tune stability of this is unreal. “T” never did that! This may level the playing field dramatically. There are three nodes of tune which are typical of the good BR powders.
Normal end of aggregate or day abrasive cleaning is still needed. This carbon fouling is the same as other ADI powders.