LT32 vs N133

[Jud96]

For those who have used both LT32 and N133 in a PPC for short range BR, what’s your thoughts between the two?

The majority of shooters (including myself) I shoot with in the Eastern Region are running N133, only a couple I know of are using LT32. Those that are using LT say they rarely change their load and if they do tweak their load, it’s only by 0.1gr up or down. With 133, everyone is chasing the right load and it can fluctuate from 29.7-31.0gr depending on the atmospherics and conditions. It seems to me, if LT is so stable and finding the right load is a big part of the battle, then why not shoot LT and focus on everything else? Does N133 just agg better when it is tuned whereas LT32 might not be as finicky but it won’t agg as well day after day? Thanks!

 

[Bill Norris]

Following. Good question.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

You pretty much nailed it but I think in some guns, the lt will shoot just as well as 133. It does seems less sensitive, by quite a bit in some guns. Tuners changed how I look at tune sensitivity but the consensus and my own experience is that it holds tune better. It's also about a grain faster than 133 with is nice when you get a slower lot of 133 and fight to fit it in the case. If you haven't already, I'd suggest giving it a try. 28.0-28.6 is a solid window where most everything seems to shoot it well. Just fine tune your gun in that window and you may never beat what ya find right there. It's gotten expensive but what else is new? Lol! I know some people that never change their LT load but I think all powders go out to some degree sooner or later.

 

[wvlongshot]

No expert here but lots of lt 32 burnt thru my ubr guns last 2 years. It may not have shot as small like N133 did sometimes, but never fell apart and needed tuned differently. All pre-loaded and would last for entire barrel life.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

No expert here but lots of lt 32 burnt thru my ubr guns last 2 years. It may not have shot as small like N133 did sometimes, but never fell apart and needed tuned differently. All pre-loaded and would last for entire barrel life.

Yes, I know several that do exactly that. Some or most use tuners though. I think some bbls hold tune better than others too but yes, I'm convinced that LT32 does that very well compared to n133. At least in our general neck of the woods. Can't really speak to out west etc. A big factor too, is if you load either outside vs going pre-loaded, as you said. I think this confuses the subject a bit when people talk about having to change the load but at the match.

 

[randyc]

I preload every UBR match with 2 different PPC's , the one with LT-32 seems to perform better than the one N-133. Both guns have the same barrel but different actions. The scores I shoot are always kept and LT-32 rifle averages about 6 to 8 points more.

 

[J.D.Erwin]

For those who have used both LT32 and N133 in a PPC for short range BR, what’s your thoughts between the two?

The majority of shooters (including myself) I shoot with in the Eastern Region are running N133, only a couple I know of are using LT32. Those that are using LT say they rarely change their load and if they do tweak their load, it’s only by 0.1gr up or down. With 133, everyone is chasing the right load and it can fluctuate from 29.7-31.0gr depending on the atmospherics and conditions. It seems to me, if LT is so stable and finding the right load is a big part of the battle, then why not shoot LT and focus on everything else? Does N133 just agg better when it is tuned whereas LT32 might not be as finicky but it won’t agg as well day after day? Thanks!

I think both have a piece of the pie depending on conditions when we are at our reloading tables its about the only two powders you see other than 8208. but both LT32 and N133 are the go too powders IMO.
aim small shoot small
Jerry

 

[afrench]

And, for those that can can make each work well regularly, what is the humidity range where they are shooting/loading?

 

[Jerry Wick]

It seems that more people out west are shooting LT. Maybe it's a humidity thing.

I tried it and found that it burns much dirtier than 133. It took more scrubbing to get the barrel clean.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

And, for those that can can make each work well regularly, what is the humidity range where they are shooting/loading?

Just my 2 cents now, but I don't see humidity ALONE as a tuning factor UNLESS you're loading outside in it.

 

[Murray Brook]

I have used both in my Sako 6PPC USA and both shot good. LT-32 was maybe a little more consistent than V-133, but when 133 was on it shot smaller. JME

 

[Bronsin]

Just my 2 cents now, but I don't see humidity ALONE as a tuning factor UNLESS you're loading outside in it.

What most people think humidity is versus what it actually represents are 2 totally different things.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

What most people think humidity is versus what it actually represents are 2 totally different things.

Maybe so. I use station pressure as a component to tune but that's the uncorrected weight of a cubic ft of air. Barometer for example is air pressure and humidity. Both can be used but my testing has shown me that humidity alone has either zero value to tune or is so little it gets lost in the noise. But yessir, if you load ammo outside, it matters.

 

[jimmymac]

Al Auman uses LT-32 with a lot of success, but he also has a ton of experience. He spends a good bit of time at the top of the score sheet and won the Super Shoot this year. I'm here is SW PA and Al is east of my by 50 miles or so.

I do not have enough experience with LT-32 to make any claims, but the rumor out here in the east is that the LT-32 will agg good, but it is not able keep up with the guys who have the ability to stay on top of the N133 tune.

Again...I am just repeating what I've been told by many, so take it FWIW. Al Auman would probably not agree with the above assessment.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Al Auman uses LT-32 with a lot of success, but he also has a ton of experience. He spends a good bit of time at the top of the score sheet and won the Super Shoot this year. I'm here is SW PA and Al is east of my by 50 miles or so.

I do not have enough experience with LT-32 to make any claims, but the rumor out here in the east is that the LT-32 will agg good, but it is not able keep up with the guys who have the ability to stay on top of the N133 tune.

Again...I am just repeating what I've been told by many, so take it FWIW. Al Auman would probably not agree with the above assessment.

Give it a try for yourself. I think what you said is sometimes true and sometimes not. Gotta see what your bbl thinks about it, IME.

 

[jimmymac]

Give it a try for yourself. I think what you said is sometimes true and sometimes not. Gotta see what your bbl thinks about it, IME.

Thanks Mike. I've dabbled. I've also dabbled with LT-30, but t is hard to break away from N133. With N133 and the bullets I'm shooting, seating depth and powder charge are real close from barrel to barrel, so it is hard to go a different route when the status quo has been pretty straightforward. I will say that some days it wants the high node and other days the low, but I stay prepared and can usually find a good tune on my first target of the day. Now if the shooter could teach himself to make less mistakes, the results would be more consistently good instead of random like it is now. I need to shoot more group matches. A couple a year doesn't cut it even though I practice a lot.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Thanks Mike. I've dabbled. I've also dabbled with LT-30, but t is hard to break away from N133. With N133 and the bullets I'm shooting, seating depth and powder charge are real close from barrel to barrel, so it is hard to go a different route when the status quo has been pretty straightforward. I will say that some days it wants the high node and other days the low, but I stay prepared and can usually find a good tune on my first target of the day. Now if the shooter could teach himself to make less mistakes, the results would be more consistently good instead of random like it is now. I need to shoot more group matches. A couple a year doesn't cut it even though I practice a lot.

Lol! I get that. I think most people that familiarize themselves with both will tell ya LT32 is even easier to work with though. Give it a try. Between 28.0 and 28.6 is a common area that shoots great in a lot of guns. 28.3 in several I know of and ones I shoot on occasion too. I also use it a lot in my 6 Grendel with 68's. Works the same. It's just a bit faster than 133. About a grain. Won the Nats in 2019 with it and 68s

 

[Eric Leonard]

I preload for UBR matches and don’t use a tuner and have shot some pretty decent scores along the way with LT 32 and 68 gr bullets.
I tried to use 133 4-5 years ago and it would nearly drive me to drinking ,

 

[jackieschmidt]

To answer the question, if N133 is right, (big if), it will out agg anything, especially in the upper load window.

If it’s not right, it will give you thoughts of taking the whole mess to the Pawn Shop.

I have always used 133 in my 6PPC except in places like Phoenix, where the humidity is just about zero.

I do have an unopened 8 pounder of LT32 that I bought several years ago. I guess I need to try it.

 

[TRSR8]

I’ve shot both a fair amount, including LT 30 and some LT 31. No doubt little tinkering with LT 32 but I would add, does not like moisture generally.