M1 Garand with IMR 8208 XBR - Updated

[Steve]

I have been working with IMR 8208 XBR powder for my 223 Rem rifles. The powder does all it is advertised to do. So I would like to use it with the 30-06. Test so far are listed below with 2 rifles, Service grade M1 Garand and Model 53 Ted Williams 30-06 bolt action. (The model 53 was made for Sears by Winchester, basically a model 70 copy.)

These are the loads tested so far with the IMR 8208 XBR powder. EW 43 cases. Federal 210 primers. Fired at 100 yards with forearm resting on sand bag from shooting bench.

150 grain pulled GI bullets, 47 grain XBR 8208 XBR, OAL 3.319"
Garand ejects the case between 12:00 and 1:00 o'clock. (good indication of pressure on the op-rod.) (right where they shouldd be for 150 grain bullet.) 5 shot group size = 1.5" to 2" (Same as my surplus ammo.)

Discovered a bedding problem on the model 53. Have to corect that before I can continue the test with it, but it looks good for it.

Shot some of the 165 grain Remington PSP bullets with 46 grain of IMR 8208 XBR in the Garand too. Point of impact is close to the 150 grain. Eject between 2 an 3 o'clock. (Where they should be for a 165 grain bullet.) Had some better groups with these than the GI bullets.

Summary: Both of these bullets will work in the M1 Garand with IMR 8208 XBR without presure problems. They were soft to shoot, acuracy looks like it will be good. It's the same powder I am using in several other rifles. By keeping only this one powder on hand I can take care of my Grandson's rifles and mine. Happy days.

I will edit this with more data and velocitys in the future. You should give IMR 8208 XBR a try.

EDIT: Final Load Data.
First this is a service grade Garand, Not acurized, but a very nice rifle in very good condition. I wanted a round that shot pretty good. It does 2" at 100 yards. It is the same powder I use for my 223s and my grandson's.

Bullet pulled 1943 GI bullets, this batch weighed 152 grains. EW 43 not fired cases. IMR 8208 XBR powder. Case fill is 77 percent.

Load data:
powder 47 grains IMR 8208 XBR
bullet 152 grain GI pulled bullet
Case EW 43
primer Fed 210
Over All Length 3.322"
velocity 8 shot group @ 15 feet 2654 fps SD 16 (with 1 high round removed SD was 5)
velocity 8 shot group @ 15 feet Primer up = Average 2740. (Point muzzel up before firing.)
velocity 8 shot group @ 15 feet Primer down Average 2659 (Point muzzel down before firing.)

Cases eject at the 1 o'clock position in relation to the muzzel direction. Op-rod is absolutely still perfect after 100+ rounds of this load, and there were no malfunctions.

I'm done with this load. Most of them will be shot at clay birds propped up on the tire wall and missed birds laying on the ground at 25 to 100 yards while drinking coffee and swapping lies with friends.

[RBHarter]

That is pretty sweet .
I shoot 4350 because it works w/jacketed in nearly all of the 300 Savage ,308 , 06' and the Win Mags. I had to go to another powder for the 7x 6.8 Rem except w/the very heavy for cartridge bullets. It works well in 762x39 w/200gr cast just barely hitting clean burn . The lighter bullets didn't fair well w/it .