6.5 saum load with vihtavouri N165 anyone use it?

[elmerdeer]

Hi guys my 6.5 saum build is getting ready soon.
I used the 6.5-300saum reamer with .100" freebore.
Anyone here ever used Vihtavouri N165 with this caliber using the 140 gr berger hybrids?
I know there other powders that work well but since I have this powder and its worked so well
with my 280AI and the 168 Bergers for speed and ES-SD I want to give it a go.

If you guys have used it whats your starting loads and your max charge, plus your speeds.
My barrel is a 24" benchmark 1-8 twist.

Thank you
Elmer

 

[rifleman700]

What velocity goal do you have? With H1000 and the 140 hybrid I am getting 3150 fps in a moderately pressured load - 59K. If you use N165 you can get close to 3500 fps with approximately 66 grains at 107% fill ratio depending on your case capacity at 64K. I use Norma brass and lose a little capacity to the rem brass. 3500 fps will sure burn a barrel quick. Some are reporting 2800+ rounds with the H1000 loads. IMR 7977 would also be a good powder at 3100 fps.

 

[elmerdeer]

I would like to get 3150 with whichever powder gives it to me without ruining the hornady brass I have. The reason I was wondering about N165 was in my 280 I get excellent speed and great accuracy at 62 grains, my second powder only to rl-17 which gave the fastest speeds with the 168's. All other powders I tried in the 280 were not as good in speed and accuracy, my load gives
me 2930 average in 24" barrel.
I have h1000, can get my hands on imr7977 and looking for rl-26 have, heard good things about all of these powders.
Just curious bout the vihtavuori also.
Thank you
elmer

 

[wildcat284]

I'm loading 62.5grs Hodgon Retumbo behind the Hornady 143gr ELD-X and averaging 3070fps. My rifle has a Criterion 1:8 twist and also 24 inches in length. Im getting constant 3 shot groups of 0.6 MOA. It's a hunting rifle and for my needs that does me just fine.

 

[CTK]

I also have used N165 in my 280AI. RL22 has proven more accurate for me so far. Am going to work up some new loads with the N165 and the 168 VLD and Classic Hunter. Anxious to try RL23 and 7977. No SAUM experience but interested in the cartridge. I would have thought RL26 would be too slow?

 

[Kurz]

If you use N165 you can get close to 3500 fps with approximately 66 grains at 107% fill ratio depending on your case capacity at 64K.

I've been shooting the 6.5 RSAUM for about 4 years now. I have tested several of the fast/hot powders along with the slower/cooler powders which get you longer barrel life usually. My F-class rifle has a 30" barrel and has never seen 3500 fps with anything in the 140 gr. class bullets.

The heat of explosion/potential figure in Quickload is 3500 kj/kg which basically states that this is a cooler burning powder.

I use the VVN-165 when I want to compete at the lesser velocities and gain barrel life, not to achieve higher velocities. It has been a very consistent performing powder for me in the 6.5mm cases when the volume allows for it.

Regards.

 

[ebb]

I have used V165 in 6.5-284 for years. I like it better than anything else I have used, I suspect it is better on a barrel than the others also. I don't know about a 6.5 RSAUM but you cant get enough in a 284 case to work well.