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Joined: Jan 2001
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Vihtavuori powder is some of the best. Perhaps because it's made in Finland, its very temperature resistant--and as of 2-3 years ago, it all includes a decoppering agent.
The 100-series powders are single-based, and result in longer barrel life. The 500-series a double-based and result in somewhat higher velocities. So much of the choice depends on how often you shoot a particular rifle.
In the Grendel I found N540 worked very well with heavier bullets. In the 6.5x55 you might try their relatively new N555, which was partially introduced for use in the 6.5 Creedmoor, which has a similar case capacity. I have been wanting to try the N555 for awhile now for my 6.5x55, just haven't seen any in various MT locations and online. Have you seen any in MT? Don't know, mostly because I have enough N555, so haven't been looking for it! But have generally found Sportsman's Warehouses here in Montana tend to stock VV powders more often than other stores. What are you loading with N555? I talked with a guy that claims he’s using it in his 300 WSM and switched solely to it for it.
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 26,273 Likes: 1
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 26,273 Likes: 1 |
If you look at flame temp data, the 100 series has some very cool flame temps vs. other single base powders which should only help with barrel life Mike, Where did you find flame temp data for VV powders?
Casey
Not being married to any particular political party sure makes it a lot easier to look at the world more objectively...
Having said that, MAGA.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,925
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I've found that N560 heats up the barrel of my 30-06 faster than any other powder I've tried.
Okie John
If Montana had a standing army, a 270 Win with Federal Blue Box 130's would be the standard issue.
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Joined: Mar 2005
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2005
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I've found that N560 heats up the barrel of my 30-06 faster than any other powder I've tried.
Okie John A friend says the same thing about his 270 and one of the 500 series powders--can't remember exactly which one he was using. In my mtn contour 308 H4895 heats up the bbl quicker than IMR4461. Even though velocities are similar, the recoil between the two powders is noticeably different also. One is not necessarily more recoil than the other, but 4461 is quicker recoiling than 4895.
Casey
Not being married to any particular political party sure makes it a lot easier to look at the world more objectively...
Having said that, MAGA.
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,226 Likes: 2
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2005
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If you look at flame temp data, the 100 series has some very cool flame temps vs. other single base powders which should only help with barrel life Mike, Where did you find flame temp data for VV powders? I was a little imprecise in my "flame temp data" description, been 40 years since my Thermodynamics classes. It is probably better described as heat potential, which provides a basis of comparison for temperatures. There are charts online that that should not be hard to find. Pretty sure they are from QuickLoad, and are likely copyrighted.
Too close for irons, switching to scope...
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Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 2,419
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 2,419 |
I use N160 by the 8 pounders and have for a good many years. 6.5 Swede to .30-06. In my reload logbook it is listed as 'most accurate' more than any other powder. That said, I never felt the need to chase the limits of velocity, so if that is your goal, the 165 may be a better choice (I have no history with it). If you find some, order the free VV reloading hand book. An excellent resource, because I think N160 is a little mis placed on American burn rate charts. This, I've been using N160 for over 25 years. Works well in my 300H&H and 325WSM and 06'.. Got the last 8lb'er @ Blue collar reloading when powder was hard to come by. I can't remember but I think it was under 300.00. I actually have the hardback #2 book. 1995 edition. I started using it because I didn't want to torch the barrel on my 1954 M70 and had heard or read that it burned cooler than other powders. 68.0 grains and a 195 Interlock makes really small groups with the Kimber 325. 66.5 grains and a Speer 180 GS does the same in the H&H.
"Aim right, squeeze light"
" Might as well hit what you're aiming at, it kicks the same whether you miss or not"
NRA Life, GOA
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,659
Campfire Tracker
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Joined: Nov 2006
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Vihtavuori powder is some of the best. Perhaps because it's made in Finland, its very temperature resistant--and as of 2-3 years ago, it all includes a decoppering agent.
The 100-series powders are single-based, and result in longer barrel life. The 500-series a double-based and result in somewhat higher velocities. So much of the choice depends on how often you shoot a particular rifle.
In the Grendel I found N540 worked very well with heavier bullets. In the 6.5x55 you might try their relatively new N555, which was partially introduced for use in the 6.5 Creedmoor, which has a similar case capacity. One thing I like about VihtaVuori powders is that they print what year they were manufactured along with the lot#. I had a bunch of N130 that was made in 1995 that came in 2 pound jugs, I have a few 8 pounders of N133 made in 2009 etc........they DO NOT have decoppering agent. My newest 8 pounder is N140 made in 2021 and it states on the label that it does have decoppering agent. it seems to shoot the same as the older powder but with less copper left behind, a win-win. As for myself I left the 5 series powders behind, was not worth the reduced barrel life to me after scorching a couple
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,951
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2007
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I find that I am switching to more VV powders. They burn really clean and are usually very accurate. The problem in the past has been availability and the price, Now, I see it in more places and it's not near the highest priced powders out there anymore.
"Give a lazy man the toughest job, and he will find the easiest way to do it"
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