VV n-160
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nakneker
Gold $$ Contributor
I’m using it in 6.5x55, excellent powder for that old war horse. Here’s a link to VV load data, N160 shows up on the heavier bullets for 243. I have no experience with it in 243.
VV 243 load data in link.
Rifle reloading data | Handloading | Rifle calibers | Centerfire Rifle bullets | Reload your own ammo - Vihtavuori
Vihtavuori offers rifle reloading data for numerous calibers and bullets for match and hunting purposes. Never exceed maximum loads.
www.vihtavuori.com
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Painter,
Please see the N-160 INFO IN THE LINK here" https://www.vihtavuori.com/powder/n160-rifle-powder/
And check the .243 WIN LOAD DATA on the VV WEBSITE to help with your choice of our powders here:
Reloading data tool for rifle, handgun and cowboy action shooting - Vihtavuori
VIHTAVUORI RELOADING DATA FOR RIFLE, HANDGUN AND COWBOY ACTION SHOOTING LOADS ENSURE A SUCCESSFUL AND SAFE RELOADING RESULT Vihtavuori has developed a new online search engine to make reloading data even easier to access! Our new reloading data search tool enables you to search for all the...
www.vihtavuori.com
Viht N160 has been widely and very successfully used in the 243 in Europe for several decades now.
As @barefooter56 says, look up the extensive Viht loads data on its website:
https://www.vihtavuori.com/reloading-data/rifle-reloading/?cartridge=10
and you'll see that N160 gives the highest N100 (single-based) powders' MVs for bullets in the 80 (maybe 75) to 100gn range if you set aside those from the 'hotter' N500 series 'High-Energy' powders. For 105gn and heavier bullets in fast-twist barrels, the next slowest burning grade, N165, comes into play and usually outperforms N160.
John Whidden has been shooting fast-twist, long-throated 243s for many years now and has won the US Long-Range Championship shoots at Camp Perry with this combination several times now. He loads moly'd 105gn Berger VLDs over N160 at some hot MVs.
https://www.accurateshooter.com/shooting-skills/john-whidden-shares-championship-secrets/
for a rather old piece on this site (but there are many other mentions in both the Bulletin and Forums). However, if you're loading the cartridge with less than 100 gn bullets for deerhunting or varminting in a standard 10 or 9.25-inch twist barrel rifle with lighter bullets, look again at Viht's loads data.
As @barefooter56 says, look up the extensive Viht loads data on its website:
https://www.vihtavuori.com/reloading-data/rifle-reloading/?cartridge=10
and you'll see that N160 gives the highest N100 (single-based) powders' MVs for bullets in the 80 (maybe 75) to 100gn range if you set aside those from the 'hotter' N500 series 'High-Energy' powders. For 105gn and heavier bullets in fast-twist barrels, the next slowest burning grade, N165, comes into play and usually outperforms N160.
John Whidden has been shooting fast-twist, long-throated 243s for many years now and has won the US Long-Range Championship shoots at Camp Perry with this combination several times now. He loads moly'd 105gn Berger VLDs over N160 at some hot MVs.
https://www.accurateshooter.com/shooting-skills/john-whidden-shares-championship-secrets/
for a rather old piece on this site (but there are many other mentions in both the Bulletin and Forums). However, if you're loading the cartridge with less than 100 gn bullets for deerhunting or varminting in a standard 10 or 9.25-inch twist barrel rifle with lighter bullets, look again at Viht's loads data.
Gary in MD
Gold $$ Contributor
I’ve used it some in the 243 win, used a lot in a 6mm Ackley and also some in a 22-250 with 75 grain loads. It’s a clean burning powder.
IT ( N-160 ) has produced, the SMALLEST Groups ( Sub, 1/2 MOA ) in my grandsons .243 Win Tikka with, 87 gr H-VLD Bergers @ 3,100+ FPS and he has, shot 2, Large bodied, heavy Horned, Desert Muleys with that, Load.
You WON'T go Wrong with,.. N-160 in either,.. a .243 Win, a 6 XC or,.. a 6.5 Creedmoor
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The safest is to start with Vihtavuori's load data and go from there. They use short COAL ( 2.689" - 2.709" ) with 105 / 108 gr bullets and Lapua brass. So always bare that in mind.
N-160 is a great powder for the 243win for anything 95 gr and heavier. No need to go with N-165 for the heavy bullets because N-160 works perfectly.
Your MAX will depend on COAL.
IN MY RIFLES....
I found 45.5 gr N-160 and 105 Berger or 107 SMK had no pressure signs in Winchester brass 2.850"ish COAL. Lapua brass had sticky bolt at 45 gr. on the second reload. First reload had no sticky bolt.
If using Lapua brass don't go over 44 gr. with the longer COAL.
With short COAL and Lapua brass, I would NOT go over 43 gr. with 105 - 108 gr bullets !!! You will trash the brass after 5 reloads or less if you go above 43 gr.
EVERY RIFLE IS DIFFERENT.
I didn't find Lapua brass any more accurate than the Winchester brass. Only the Winchester brass last forever. Same goes for other cartridges I handload for excluding 300winmag.
For my Hunting rifles I use Lapua brass since it doesn't get used as much.
There are so many variables it's ALWAYS best to start with manufacturers data and use a chronograph.
If most handloading manual shows 24" barrel with certain powder at max charge weight gets 3,000 fps it's important you understand they pressure test it and it's best not to exceede that velocity by much. Pay attention to what brass they're using and the COAL.
If you have tons of experience with the components and rifle you're using then you will always be able to estimate. Otherwise use the manufacturers data.
N-160 is a great powder for the 243win for anything 95 gr and heavier. No need to go with N-165 for the heavy bullets because N-160 works perfectly.
Your MAX will depend on COAL.
IN MY RIFLES....
I found 45.5 gr N-160 and 105 Berger or 107 SMK had no pressure signs in Winchester brass 2.850"ish COAL. Lapua brass had sticky bolt at 45 gr. on the second reload. First reload had no sticky bolt.
If using Lapua brass don't go over 44 gr. with the longer COAL.
With short COAL and Lapua brass, I would NOT go over 43 gr. with 105 - 108 gr bullets !!! You will trash the brass after 5 reloads or less if you go above 43 gr.
EVERY RIFLE IS DIFFERENT.
I didn't find Lapua brass any more accurate than the Winchester brass. Only the Winchester brass last forever. Same goes for other cartridges I handload for excluding 300winmag.
For my Hunting rifles I use Lapua brass since it doesn't get used as much.
There are so many variables it's ALWAYS best to start with manufacturers data and use a chronograph.
If most handloading manual shows 24" barrel with certain powder at max charge weight gets 3,000 fps it's important you understand they pressure test it and it's best not to exceede that velocity by much. Pay attention to what brass they're using and the COAL.
If you have tons of experience with the components and rifle you're using then you will always be able to estimate. Otherwise use the manufacturers data.
My Only WISH for N-160 is that,.. I wish it WAS, a Ball Powder, like StaBall 6.5 ( My Favorite !! ).
'Cause,.. I'm Old and Lazy and LIKE, "Thrown" charges of Ball Powders, whenever,.. I can use,. IT !
N-160 is,.. GOOD "Chit",.. otherwise
'Cause,.. I'm Old and Lazy and LIKE, "Thrown" charges of Ball Powders, whenever,.. I can use,. IT !
N-160 is,.. GOOD "Chit",.. otherwise
Not 243 but I use it in my 6mm Rem. with a 105 gr bullet. It is my thousand yard. load. Great powder in my opinion.
I've never used N-160 in a powder thrower, only my chargemaster 1500. But I have used N-320 in 9mm Parabellum and N-320 is a stick powder and it measured though my Dillon XL-650 thrower extremely consistently once you have it dialed in.
Just going of off memory... N-160 has either lighter kernels or smaller than N-320.
I'm all out of N-160 so I can't compare right now. Ask @barefooter56 about kernel size of N-160. If Kernels are the same size as N-320 then a power thrower will work just fine with it.
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I found N-165 to give better accuracy than N-160 in my 243AI with the 115 gr. bullets. YMMV.
243AI has a bit more capacity... only thing is the fella has a chance to get a 8 Lb jug of N-160. But who knows how much freebore he has or what he'll be using it for. Maybe he has a mag that doesn't allow longer COAL or who knows.
I was very happy about N-160 accuracy and I try to buy from local or near by gun shops. Especially the old gun shops that have that old gun and gun powder smell and floors that creak. Love talking to the guys behind the counter and other customers. Sometimes I walk in for a couple pound of powder, a case of primers and some projectiles and end up leaving 3 hours later LOL.
I don't get the same feeling in the new gun shops, and I love old guns... even just checking them out makes me feel good.
BTW: I'm north of the USA.. a small country called Canada. So we're still catching up with availability of components.
Absolutely, he may wind up better off with the N-160. It is good powder as well.
CJ6
Silver $$ Contributor
I agree N-165 performs better with the heavier bullets, though I haven't tried the 115s yet.
No tuner for me an the widest node I've ever had was in one of my 300winmags with RL-33 and 240 smk ( boy that bullet has the longest bearing surface I've ever seen !!! ). They don't make the 240 smk anymore. But it was superb for whatever reason. Maybe it was the RL-33 ?? I don't know.
Same point of impact from 75.5 to 77.5 gr... 76.5 was the sweet spot where all shots were either touching or in the same hole at 200 meters.
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