AR 2206h OR AR2208

[fapope]

I have been shooting Long Range ( F Standard) quite casually for a number of years and always used AR2208 in my .308. This powder loaded with 46gr and the 155-5 grain Berger always seemed to give good consistent grouping/velocity. Especially when peaked with a barrel tuner. In my Lapua cases there is a slight compression of the powder at this charge. Over the past few years. I have noticed that many of the more competitive .308 shooters are now using AR 2206H. It would seem that they eventually work up to a maximum load of 44gr to 44.5 gr of AR2206H for the 155gr projectiles ? Can some tell my the advantages of AR2206H over AR2208 when used in this .308/ 155gr combination. My knowledge of propellants is basic. So I am assuming it is either more consistent velocities shot to shot ???? The ADI Charts to not seem to show a significant different in either velocity or pressures.

[Barossa_222]

You'll find 2206H is slightly faster than 2208. Your chamber must be quite short if you are compressing powder at 46gr. I don't know that there is a distinct advantage or disadvantage one powder over the other using 155gr projectiles. I tend to favor more powder in the case vs less powder. Whether it's right or wrong, I have always looked for the powder/bullet combinations that use the most powder in the case for the highest velocity and the lowest pressure. Plenty of shooters use 2206H and 2208, so it's just a matter of preference, availability and what your load development tells you.

[Rich4]

It's possible Graham Minchin may be responsible for that trend, Bill Calfee is where I first saw it theorized with Rimfire, he started using longer barrels to allow friction to equalize velocities after the powder burns but before exit, Graham calls it complete burn, either way faster powders get closer to that point in Centrefire in conjunction with longer barrels.
Not saying 2208 doesn't work, just subtle and not so subtle advantages to 2206H also 2219 is worth a look next time I stock up.

[Wingnut]

I’ve also heard of people using Benchmark for the 155’s. Cant comment on how effective it is however as it’s been years since I shot a 308 in competition.

[macguru]

Dude, 46gr 2208 155.5 is my go to load. If people are winning with 06H its coz they are better at wind reading

[neil y]

My 2cents worth.2208 worked well for me with 155.5 in warm weather but when it was cold the ES was to great. Load was 46.2 in Lapua palma cases.Warm ES under 20fps but cold over 30fps. Changed to 8208 and ES much more consistent. Never used 06h but 8208 works well so will stick with that

[Brad Y]

Do the experiments and proper work ups with both and make your decision.

[Quick]

All three work very well I've found. But my personal fave is the same as Neil Y, 8208. It just worked so well.

[DenisA]

I run 2 x .308's.

1 is Palma brass, 155.5FB, long throat and ar2206H at 3080fps.
2 is standard Lapua brass, 155.5FB, long throat and ar2208 at 2950fps.

Both are very accurate and hold great vert. Both have great node length.

1 shoots a lot flatter but wind deflection difference is not enough to be noticed. AR2206h burns cleaner.
I could not run the 2206h load in standard brass without loosening primer pockets earlier than I would like but with 10 firings so far the Palma brass pockets are still extremely firm.
The standard Lapua brass has over 20 firings so far and still going.