Starting point for 208 eld m with 2209

[BenW]

Hi brains trust sorry if this has been asked before didn’t come up in any searches. Looking for a starting point for a 2209 load in a 308 for 208’s, can not seen to get the consistency with the 200 jacks.

[tachyon]

With 200 gr Bergers I use 42.7-43.3 gr (depends on the batch) of 2208 in Lapua palma brass for 2620 fps. This is around a 99% case fill with my 120 thou throat and 12 thou jam. This is the low node.

Match rifle shooters I know, shooting 215 Bergers, using either Lapua or Winchester brass (largest internal volume), who have really long throats (ie 200 thou plus such that the bullets are barely in the necks), use long drop tubes to stuff 47-49.5gr of 2209 in. This is a compressed load.

If you are using ADI brass (=less internal case volume) or have a short throat (= less internal case volume) or jumping (=less internal case volume) you will see higher pressures at any given charge weight. A clean barrel will run lower pressure than a fouled barrel and some barrels run faster (higher pressure) than others with the same load.

If you have not read up on what the pressure signs are, Primal Rights have a great article with lots of pictures

https://www.primalrights.com/library/ar ... g-pressure

A cheap illuminated magnifier from Jaycar is not a bad idea if your eyes are getting old like mine. Note that Federal and Remington primers show up pressure earlier than CCI primers due to their softer cups.

In the USA 2209 is sold by Hodgdon as H4350. A Google for "H4350 208 grain 308 Winchester load" will bring up a number of conversations about it.

In my rifle, if I was working up 208s, I'd start with 40gr of 2208 and go up by 0.5 expecting to see pressure in the 43-45gr area. With 2209 I'd start at 42gr and expect to run out of case volume around 47gr well before I got to pressure. I know others might well start higher but for me, peace of mind is worth more than $10 in components.

So, there are a lot of variables to consider, but start low and go slow remains sound advice. While you can easily get to pressure with 2208 in 308 pushing heavy (200+ grain) projectiles the prevailing wisdom is that it's difficult to get to pressure with 2209. With 2209 your problem will more likely be getting enough into the case to get a decent velocity.

[BATattack]

208 ELDM?

I had about .300fb and started around 47.6 and think I topped out around 49ish before I was having issues with compressed charges etc. Note that was without a drop tube. Went back to 2208 and could get more fps. If you want to run 2209 with a meaningful gain your probably going to need a long drop tube, decent neck tension to prevent projectiles being pushed back out and a long throat to suit.

[mike H]

Ben,
I used 208 A Max’s and 2209 powder for my Match Rifle shooting,in Winchester weight batched cases.A long drop tube was used to fill the cases.With moly coated projectiles,powder load was 49 to 49.4 grains.

[BenW]

Right ok mike so for uncoated probably a bit less then. What did you start at round the 45 to 46 mark.

[mike H]

Right ok mike so for uncoated probably a bit less then. What did you start at round the 45 to 46 mark.

It all depends on your rifle’s chamber and throat,my longest ammo is 3.145” COL,at that length the junction of the boat tail and body of the bullet is about halfway up the neck of the case.This allows a fair amount of grip on the projectile.
Not knowing your chamber dimensions,I would start at 46 grains and work up.
The 2209 and 208 projectiles worked very well for me and others,however today I would also give 2208 a good test.
With 2209 loads watch barrel fouling,I always cleaned my rifle at lunchtime,that final range of the day can be too much sometimes.

[BenW]

Yeah mike worked out my throat is not throated for heavies, the 208 is sitting at just below the shoulder junction 210 sierras are even worse. Pretty sure the previous owner said one barrel was throated for 185’s and the other for 200’s. The other barrel is well worn and has a very long throat with the 200 jacks at least. Might have to get it throated out when I can. Guess I’ll have to find some lighter pills to try.

[Billy308]

Hi Ben, I’m using the 208eldm in a 308 for Matchrifle shooting to 1200 yards. I’m using Lapua Palma brass with cci primers. I have set up a 1:10 twist barrel chamber with an extended throat to suit this projectile . My loaded round measures 3.149. There is about .150 of the shank inside the neck.
2700 muzzle velocity is giving me about 1300 feet per sec at the target face at 1200yards and good accuracy, without pressure signs. But barrels are all different and I keep mine very clean.
2209 is the powder to use but work up safely . I don’t use a long drop tube it’s about 4 inches below the funnel. Tip in slowly in about three stages. The lower it settles the less compression. A load that hums at 1000 and 1100 may not be enough at 1200y. A lot of testing is required. Work up not down