Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Long Range Hunting Vihtavuori n-570

I'm looking for data, experience with this powder.

I worked up a load for my 26 Nosler, 139 gr. Scenar over 79 gr. n-570, 3,320 fps, half inch groups at a hunderd. Burn rate is about right for this round. Vv powder, although expensive, is top notch.

I don't see much data on n-570, none for the Nos., mostly .338 Lapua, etc. I calculated my load based on comparables.

I checked with Pat (Scenarshooter) about the 139 gr. Scenar at 3,300+ fps. He's used it in his 6.5 SAUM's at 3,200 fps and said it should work well.

He mentioned a 135 gr. JLK bullet with .630 G1 B.C., said it worked well. I didn't get details on terminal performance, but it's probably good if Pat said it was good. And, I'm sure he takes terminal performance into consideration.

Any assistance with n-570 will be appreciated.

DF

Quick load shows n-570 as the top powder for velocity in the 26 Nosler. I wonder why Nosler hasn't included it in their data.

It's a double based coarse stick powder that won't meter. It just stacks up.

I remove the RCBS Uniflow drop tube, dump powder in a scale pan, tweak load on the scale.

Double base with extra Nitro makes it a high energy powder. It may burn hotter, cook barrels faster. Just guessing. So far, I'm liking what I see, great velocity and accuracy.

DF

I'm going to try 80 gr. n-570 with the 139 gr. Scenar.

Velocity could be around 3,350 fps. I'm wondering about the 139 gr. Scenar velocity performance window.

I used a 90 gr. Scenar at .240 Wby speeds on a WT. Bad result, way too expansive. Now that bullet may not be as tough as the 139 Scenar, but I'm not sure.

If anyone has experience running this bullet fast, I'd like to hear about it.

DF

Barrels are replaceable. Enjoy.

Yep...

My 26 Nosler Shilen SS barrel has about 500 rounds. It doesn't foul, was Dyna Bore Coated early on. Thru the Hawkeye, it does show some early throat erosion, blackness I can't get out, not nearly the "black top" road you see with advanced erosion. Compared to those, the throat is still pretty slick.

I'm guessing maybe a thousand rounds. It still shoots sub MOA and as long as it groups, I'll shoot it regardless what the Hawkeye shows.

I think my new favorite powder may be n-570, it had been US869 and WC872. I seem to get more speed from n-570 than the other two, which are virtual twins from my experience.

n-570 is just a lot more expensive, $50 a pound. Sometimes you find it in the $40+ range. You can get an 8# jug of WC872 for not a lot more than a pound of the Vihtavuori.

DF

Dirtfarmer,

I was excited until I saw your price. That price leaves me out.

Yeah, it's a bit pricey.

But, I don't use that much, got mine at a fairly good price considering.

Pull down Vulcan WC872 powder is the best deal, more bang for the buck.

Those big block 6.5's that you and I like aren't target rounds. I don't shoot mine that much. So, that's how I justify the price. The n-570 performance is that good, IMO.

DF

I've loaded increasing charges of n-570 with 120 gr. A-Frame and 130 gr. SSII's. Those are both tough bullets, the SSII has a much better B.C.

We'll see how they group and how fast they fly.

DF

Good luck with the experimentation DF, I have no exp w/ VV powders save the N-105 for pistols, it's very clean and uniform.

The 130 SSII ought to be a real barn burner on med game at those speeds.

gunner, I'm thinking around 3,400 fps with the 130 gr. SSII's. I've seen pictures of complete expansion at 3,300 fps, 3,400 may be pushing their design window. They are tough bullets, we'll see.

The 120 A-Frames are tough bullets, too. I think I can push them near 3,500 fps. with n-570. I'd probably be getting pressure signs with US869 before I reached 3,500; n-570 seems more efficient.

SSII's have a .571 B.C. vs. the A-Frame's .344. So, the 130's should be better way out there. But, I bet those 120's will smack the heck out of a hog...

DF

I just checked the Powder Valley web site. They have n-570 for $37.65, which isn't bad, considering $50+ retail.

DF

10-4, believe I'd run the 130's, guessing you know the A-Frames can get kinda sticky and drive up pressures.

I do, gunner, but think these 120's, being on the short side, should get "unsticky" pretty quick with a big enough kick in the britches.

These 120's have considerably less bearing surface than heavier, longer A-Frames. I know they are tough bullets, won't go to pieces when driven hard. I have mono's as back up if these don't perform.

I think 130 SSII's may be a better choice, almost twice the B.C.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained...

Another thought with the 26 Nos. I have a 3.6" box mag and was loading longer than factory COAL because I could. My current thinking, go with factory 3.34" COAL and let them jump. Some bullets like to jump and a touch of "freebore" may help smooth out pressure. Ole Roy taught us that...

DF

Interested in your results.

Yeah, me too...

I'm tied up with business this weekend, maybe next weekend if the weather cooperates, I'll have some answers.

DF

BTW, Welcome to the Fire...

DF

Thank you. I've been creeping for years and years. I'm working on my us869 127gr 26n load development currently and needed to dig a little deeper since there is so little data.

So far I'm averaging 3300fps with 88gr. I wanted to start low in case the rifle ran into pressure spike issues. Anyway now I'm sighted in. Not real happy with my initial Es/sd. Hopefully it lines out with a more compressed load. I know all my barnes loads tend to like being run hot for best accuracy.

Barnes like to run fast and jump.

What do you think of my latest revelation of going factory 3.34" COAL and letting them jump even more?

That just dawned on me and may help smooth out pressure with top end loads. Not sure, just a thought.

With the longer COAL loads, I was getting ejector marks and shiny bolt marks on case heads. I was w/i accepted load limits, not going rogue, with Fire style "creative" powder charges...

These loads are with new brass, so we'll see what the case heads look like.

DF

Could be worth experimenting depending on load density. In my experience I've never really had to stray from .050" jump. Everything shoots so good I haven't felt the need to mess with em. I loaded (x3) at 92, 91.5, 91, 90.5, and 90gr. Hopefully I'll get to test after work today. Coal I believe is 2.800 ogive to base and 3.39".

I have some quick load data on us869, retumbo, and h50bmg. I'll see how well my real world data stacks up. Quick load says us869 will only reach 3327fps with 91gr. I was really hoping to see 3450-3500.