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DAMMITDON
Do you know if Hodgdon Varget powder and IMR 8208 powder are the same? I was told by a saler person in a gun store that they were the same.
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7 comments

Date Votes
  • Hawkshaw
    DAMMITDON---If it were my pretty face behind the bolt, I'd be calling Hodgen, and IMR. But maybe the salesperson will cover your medical expenses. HAWKSHAW
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  • sandwarrior
    The guy behind the counter needs to find a new line of work if that is what he is telling customers....

    NO, they are not the same. Varget burns slower than IMR8208. FWIW, 8208 is IMR's first big foray into the "extreme" type powders that use a different type and increased amount of burn retardant to stabilize the effect of the powder through different temperatures as well as helping to minimize variables from each shot. {edit: which is the only similarity that 8208 has to Varget, aside from their both being extruded powder}

    8208 has a burn rate faster than 4895 and slower than 4198 or AA2015. Varget has a burn rate of slightly slower than 4895.
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  • CapnMidnight
    Sandwarrior hit the nail on the head, there are very few powders that replicate burning rates, and Varget isn't one of them. The guy who gave you that information needs to go back to selling shoes.
    Powder subsitution does nothing but cause problems, and very possibly health issues. Load what the book says, don't try to out think the manufacturer.
    W.D.
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  • tsr1965
    Since Hodgdon has acquired the rights for Winchester, and IMR powder's, I would ask them directly. Here is a link to Hodgdon's reloading site, and they list most all of the Hodgdon, Winchester, and IMR powder's. The only two, that I know are the same are H-414, and Winchester 760.

    http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

    Best
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  • Hawk Carse
    The load data site linked by tsr shows a maximum 168 gr .308 load of 8208 to be 2.7 grains LESS than for Varget. They are not the same stuff. Your salesman was ignorant or lying to you so as to sell you what he had plenty of instead of what you wanted.

    I find that IMR 8208 is made in Australia, so it likely has the same chemistry as Varget but NOT the same burning rate. I wonder why they call it an IMR instead of an H powder. Even though Hodgdon distributes IMR, they are still made in Canada... except Trail Boss and now 8208.
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  • DAMMITDON
    Thanks for the good,I am taking powder back.
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  • sandwarrior
    quote:Originally posted by Hawk Carse
    The load data site linked by tsr shows a maximum 168 gr .308 load of 8208 to be 2.7 grains LESS than for Varget. They are not the same stuff. Your salesman was ignorant or lying to you so as to sell you what he had plenty of instead of what you wanted.

    I find that IMR 8208 is made in Australia, so it likely has the same chemistry as Varget but NOT the same burning rate. I wonder why they call it an IMR instead of an H powder. Even though Hodgdon distributes IMR, they are still made in Canada... except Trail Boss and now 8208.


    Probably because it's an 'extreme' powder being made with the other 'extreme' powders in Australia. Most of Hodgdon's powders have been made in Australia for years and years now. We haven't had any good 'ol American made powder since the 70's. Just about every powder made is produced outside the USA. I'm thinking since Hodgdon acquired IMR they want to move them into the 'extreme' category. It may be a cost thing that is easier in Australia than Canada.

    But, I'm also thinking you now have a fast (8208), fast-medium (4895), medium (4350), medium-slow (4831), and slow (Magnum)(H1000) 'extreme' lineup of powders from one company/distributor, Hodgdon. Great marketing if I do say so myself.
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