Vihtavuori in a 223 Rem w/55 gr bullets

[Chilly807]

For those of you that are using a 55 gr bullet in a 223 with Vihtavuori powder, which powder is working the best for you?

The VV website lists several options of course, but I'm looking for personal experience.

I prefer to stick with the 100 series of single-base powders if I can.

I'm thinking of N130, N133, or N135.

The bullets will be either a 55 V-Max or a Sierra BTHP # 1390 varmint bullet. I have both available.

I have N140 already, I've found it works best with heavier bullets in the 75-80 grain weight range.

 

[AndrewB]

N135 has worked for me

 

[padom]

N133 in a AR with 52gr and 55gr..

 

[C.E.Smith043]

133 or 135 should be perfect

 

[dusterdave173]

133 is my pet for that weight--Try the 53g Vmax it IS better in the wind

 

[seagate]

I have had better luck with n133 with 53 gr sierra mk hpfb rather than n135 .

 

[ShtrRdy]

I've been using N133 with 52 grain bullets with excellent results.

 

[HankInWisconsin]

133 w/55 grain Blitzking does it for me...

 

[SeabeeKen]

N-133 works great in my ar with 51-52 gr and N-135 worked great on my comp rifle last year with 52 gr

 

[COhunter]

I have had better luck with n133 with 53 gr sierra mk hpfb rather than n135 .

This ^^^^

 

[Rubberduckie]

Vihtavuori has a nice reloading app.

 

[Chilly807]

Some good replies, just what I was looking for. Thanks!

The rifle is a Tikka T3x Varmint, 24" barrel.

I've been using TAC with both bullets that I listed in my original post, with good results. I'd like to make the switch to VV, it's easier for me to get than anything else.

Speed isn't a critical factor, anything at 3000 fps or a bit faster will be fine.

 

[jpjulian]

135 touches several bases.....or bullet weights...

 

[Doom]

N135 with a 53gn Berger Target. Nice feature is ~100% case fill with a powder that can also be used in the M1 and 308 with 168gn bullets. Best? Who knows. Meets my needs.

 

[lgwatson]

133 w/55 grain Blitzking does it for me...

Me also.

 

[Chilly807]

If I have one criticism of the VV N100 line of powders, it's that they seem to work at their best on a narrow spread of bullet weights. Maybe that's a single base characteristic?

I've tried N140 with 69 and 77 grain bullets in the 223, but it's a bit slow burning for that weight IMO. It's better with the 77 than the 69, at least.

I remember thinking at the time that I should try some N135 with the 69's to see what it would do.

I have what may be a shaky theory that the 223 works better with a powder that's slightly fast burning for the application than it does with one that's slightly slow.

I'm leaning toward trying the 55's with N133 and seeing what happens. It's interesting to see that the first line of VV's blurb on N133 is that it was designed for the 5.56 cartridge.

 

[K22]

Some good replies, just what I was looking for. Thanks!

The rifle is a Tikka T3x Varmint, 24" barrel.

I've been using TAC with both bullets that I listed in my original post, with good results. I'd like to make the switch to VV, it's easier for me to get than anything else.

Speed isn't a critical factor, anything at 3000 fps or a bit faster will be fine.

Side bar note  , I have the same rifle - I have had outstanding results, sub 1/2 moa, with 60 Vmax bullets out to 200 yards. Haven't tested it beyond that range because that's the furthest distance I can shoot at the clubs where I belong.

(Powders: H4895 and Varget, Primer: Federal 205M; was about to make the change to VV but local shop called yesterday, H 4895 is in, placed my order and I am going to pick it up today )

 

[Chilly807]

I have some H4895 from several years ago, it's been mostly unobtainium here for 5-6 years. If I thought I could a) get it when I wanted it and b) not have to sell a kidney to buy it, I'd use some of it in the 223.

I use H4895 in a 32 Special hunting load that I don't use a lot of, but I like to shoot that rifle once in a while. I don't want to use up what I've got left in the 223.

My VV dealer is local and a friend, so I'll give them the business when I can.

I find the VV powders I've used seem to burn cleaner than most of the Hodgdon I've used. Less carbon and easier cleaning is a good thing.

 

[Chilly807]

I picked up a kilo of N133 and will give that a try soon. Thanks for the input.

 

[Chilly807]

Early results are very good with N133 and the 55 Sierra HPBT #1390 bullets using 450 mag primers.
Velocity is higher than I was expecting with a moderate charge weight, and accuracy is quite good too.

It's a good choice of powder for that bullet. Thanks again for your help.