77gr Berger OTM Tactical with 8208 XBR and AR-Comp

Published on December 29, 2017
Duration: 19:22

This video provides a detailed comparison of two popular powders, AR-Comp and IMR 8208 XBR, when loaded with 77gr Berger OTM Tactical bullets in .223 Remington. The instructor tests various primers with AR-Comp to investigate velocity discrepancies and then evaluates IMR 8208 XBR across a range of charge weights. The content is presented by an experienced reloader, offering insights into accuracy, velocity, and standard deviation.

Quick Summary

Testing 77gr Berger OTM Tactical bullets with AR-Comp powder in .223 Remington revealed surprisingly high standard deviations across various primers, though velocities remained consistent. IMR 8208 XBR showed potential for accuracy with a best group of 0.983 inches at 20.9 grains, but also exhibited poor standard deviations and POI shifts, making AR-Comp a more reliable, albeit imperfect, choice.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: 77gr Berger OTM Tactical Reloading
  2. 00:33Powder Comparison: AR-Comp vs. IMR 8208 XBR
  3. 01:14Primer Testing with AR-Comp
  4. 02:49IMR 8208 XBR Load Development
  5. 03:40Loading Process and Range Setup
  6. 06:55Shooting at 200 Yards
  7. 07:17AR-Comp with Remington 7.5 Primer Results
  8. 08:35AR-Comp with CCI 450 Primer Results
  9. 09:09AR-Comp with CCI BR4 Primer Results
  10. 09:55AR-Comp with Winchester WSR Primer Results
  11. 10:19AR-Comp with Federal AR Match Primer Results
  12. 11:01IMR 8208 XBR Load Development: 20.6 Grains
  13. 11:40IMR 8208 XBR Load Development: 20.9 Grains
  14. 12:02IMR 8208 XBR Load Development: 21.2 Grains
  15. 12:37IMR 8208 XBR Load Development: 21.5 Grains
  16. 13:07IMR 8208 XBR Load Development: 21.8 Grains
  17. 13:45Results Analysis: AR-Comp Primer Test
  18. 14:13Analysis of AR-Comp Groups and Velocities
  19. 15:04Comparison to Previous AR-Comp Tests
  20. 17:08Case Capacity and Powder Burn Rate Discussion
  21. 17:45Results Analysis: IMR 8208 XBR Groups
  22. 18:31Conclusion: Powder and Bullet Performance
  23. 18:55Final Thoughts and Future Testing

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best powders for the 77gr Berger OTM Tactical bullet in .223 Remington?

Based on this test, AR-Comp showed consistent performance across various primers, though with surprisingly high standard deviations. IMR 8208 XBR yielded a good best group but also suffered from poor standard deviations and POI shifts. Accurate 2520 also demonstrated better standard deviations than 8208 XBR, suggesting AR-Comp might be a more reliable choice despite its own quirks.

How do different primers affect velocity with AR-Comp powder and 77gr Berger OTM Tactical bullets?

Testing with AR-Comp and 77gr Berger OTM Tactical bullets showed that primers like Remington 7.5 and CCI 41 yielded similar velocities around 2678-2686 fps. The CCI 450 Magnum primer resulted in the lowest velocity, while others like CCI BR4, Winchester WSR, and Federal AR Match also produced velocities in a similar range, though standard deviations were consistently high.

What is the maximum charge weight for IMR 8208 XBR with 77gr Berger OTM Tactical bullets?

According to the Berger manual, the maximum charge weight for IMR 8208 XBR with 77gr Berger OTM Tactical bullets is 21.8 grains. This test explored loads from 20.6 grains up to this maximum in three-tenths grain increments.

What are the typical accuracy results for 77gr Berger OTM Tactical bullets at 200 yards?

At 200 yards, the 77gr Berger OTM Tactical bullet, when loaded with AR-Comp and various primers, achieved groups as tight as 0.892 inches (0.426 MOA). With IMR 8208 XBR, the best group was 0.983 inches (0.469 MOA) at 20.9 grains. The instructor's goal was to break the one-inch mark, which was achieved multiple times.

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