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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2014
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Interesting article MD! I rarely see this manufacture’s powder in stores in this rural area. But any more I will often buy on-line because the drive to the stores is significant. I think that I know the answer to this question, but just in case... In the table of “Select Vihtavuori Handloads” the powder used in your 6.5x55 is W-N560, correct? It looks like a miss-print.
I prefer classic. Semper Fi I used to run with the hare. Now I'm envious of the tortoise and I do my own stunts but rarely intentionally
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Joined: Jul 2001
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jul 2001
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I haven't seen the magazine yet, but yes, the powder I use with that bullet in my 6.5x55 is N560.
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2002
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I understand that the NXX powders today differ from the stuff that I have that was bought in 1994. Is this correct? My LGS has quite a selection of VV powders.
Conduct is the best proof of character.
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Joined: Jul 2001
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
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They've always been pretty temperature-resistant, but have improved there--and in 2017 they added a decoppering agent.
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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N530 is quite good in the 338 Fed. Reasonably temp stable too the time I tried it.
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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I've had a couple for quite a few years, some used to come in 2 lb cans, I have N165 and N560 in 2 pounders and N135 in a one pounder. N135 works pretty good in my 358 Win.
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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I inherited a big jug of unopened N133. When I run out of Varget I believe I'll try it for 62 grain .223/5.56
Patriotism (and religion) is the last refuge of a scoundrel.
Jesus: "Take heed that no man deceive you."
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
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I inherited a big jug of unopened N133. When I run out of Varget I believe I'll try it for 62 grain .223/5.56 Good stuff. I like it. DF
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Joined: May 2001
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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I use N560 . I bought it in the 2# jugs. I use it instead of RL 22. It a powder with very definite pressure sweet spot. If it doesn't get enough pressure, it doesn't work very well. When it's in it's happy place, it's extremely consistent. If you are not getting a single hole, it's not the powder. With more powder, it will top out with out too much drama. I use it in 308Norma, 30-06 with 180gr , and 338WM with 225gr. I've tried it in 264WM.
Last edited by downwindtracker2; 04/03/21.
You can hunt longer with wind at your back
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N560 used to be the wonder powder for the 243 before R26 was released. It may be less temperature sensitive than R26 too.
VV165 is one of those inherently accurate loads in the 280AI. Works with most any 130-150 grain bullet.
They used to be more expensive than other powders but most of the newer ones have caught up with it price wise.
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
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Vv 165 was the accuracy powder in my 6.5-284. I later started using RL-17 for a solid 3K fps with 140 gr VLD Hunting. 2,950 fps was tops with 165.
I didn’t find accuracy nodes with ‘17, like I did with 165. It shot most loads half MOA out of the Krieger barrel, whereas I could get groups in the teens with 165 at certain nodes. It’s a hunting rifle, not a match gun. So although interesting, it’s not a critical difference. Both loads kill deer and hogs. And ‘yotes.
DF
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Joined: Jul 2001
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jul 2001
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N560 used to be the wonder powder for the 243 before R26 was released. It may be less temperature sensitive than R26 too.
VV165 is one of those inherently accurate loads in the 280AI. Works with most any 130-150 grain bullet.
They used to be more expensive than other powders but most of the newer ones have caught up with it price wise. As I pointed out in the article, the N100 series is pretty close in price to a lot of so-called "American" powders these days--relatively few of which are made in the USA. The N500 powders are a little pricier, usually around $5 a pound more.
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck
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Joined: Jul 2001
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
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DF,
One of the advantages I pointed out was that VV claims a variation from lot-to-lot of 1%--which in my experience is correct. Most other powders vary at least 2-3%.
Whether this is important to most handloaders is another question, but it is to some target shooters--which is why VV powders are pretty popular among them.
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck
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I shot a lot of N-140 and 540 in 223 service and match rifle loads. Hard to beat with the heavy bullet loads. AMU shot an 80 grain custom with 135 in the 90's. Called the V8 load. Brass was one and done. Picked up some brass at Perry when shooting with them. Primer pockets were toasted
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So what's the consensus on the two different powder types? Are the double based N500 powders preferred over the single based N100 powders? Or not enough difference to worry about?
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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I inherited a big jug of unopened N133. When I run out of Varget I believe I'll try it for 62 grain .223/5.56 N133 is quite a bit faster burning powder than Varget, it is my GO-TO powder for 50-55gr bullets........for 62 grain plus Varget is better
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Joined: Nov 2006
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,652 |
So what's the consensus on the two different powder types? Are the double based N500 powders preferred over the single based N100 powders? Or not enough difference to worry about? To me I will take the 100 series powders every time for one reason.....barrel life. I only have extensive experience with 2 of the 500 series powders N550 and N560, they are barrel burners. I would much rather use N165 and double barrel life and only lose a few feet a second
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Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
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Hornady,s .224 53gr V-Max and V-133 go very well together for Me. With lots of speed and three 5 shot groups shoot .77 inches at 200 yards in my Model 700 with 26 inch barrel.
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I'm still working with 20lbs of VV530 after buying 36lbs some years ago at Camp Perry... Awesome powder for 5.56 and 308.
When people face the possibility of freezing or starving there is little chance they are going to listen to unfounded claims of climate doomsday from a bunch of ultra-rich yacht sailing private jet-setting carbon-spewing hypocrite elites
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John, Is it possible to get hold of the article, maybe buying that Handloader issue online?
I used to be a suscriber but, not liking the new set up, I quit when the new website was launched
Thank You !
Alvaro
Last edited by chamois; 04/04/21.
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