7-6.5 PRCW - N160 findings

[Hoekight]

I noticed where N160 is on the burn rate chart. 1 above N555. I’ve been using N555 and couldn’t find much discussion about N160 results (Maybe I just looked over it or wasn’t looking in the right place). So I have 8#’s… why Not? Now this was a very short, limited trial deal to see if I got pressure like the one post I did read, but from the looks of the results there will be a bigger, more thorough test in the next couple of days.

If N160 is single based it should be easier on barrels for whatever that’s worth. I didn’t change anything from my current setup other than powder, the tuner wasn’t moved nor the seating depth changed. I’m using Lapua brass, 180 hybrids seated @ 2.47 bto, cci 200 primers and the JGS no turn reamer. 32” Brux 8.5 twist. I trim my brass a bit short to 2.002 (it made a big difference in my chamber in testing). Velocity is on par with N555 but the accuracy appears to be a touch better than my average groups. More testing is coming. Just a FYI to any of you shooting this caliber who has wondered about it also. I will post an extensive version next week sometime. Maybe some of you have already worked it over, if so I’m sorry for not seeing it.

 

[323]

I messed with n160 but was not getting the velocity a lot of you were/are getting. At the end of the day I ended up with a dog of a barrel even n555 I was lucky to get over 2860 with 56.0. But that barrel gave up the Ghost at 1018 rds. Lost over .050 of rifling etc. anyhow new barrel with h4350 I’m getting 2889 with 52.6gr. So what does this all mean I might revisit N160 again with this new barrel. You can get N160 pretty cheap compared to other powders.

 

[Hoekight]

I messed with n160 but was not getting the velocity a lot of you were/are getting. At the end of the day I ended up with a dog of a barrel even n555 I was lucky to get over 2860 with 56.0. But that barrel gave up the Ghost at 1018 rds. Lost over .050 of rifling etc. anyhow new barrel with h4350 I’m getting 2889 with 52.6gr. So what does this all mean I might revisit N160 again with this new barrel. You can get N160 pretty cheap compared to other powders.

Sounds like that barrel wasn’t good. I’ve been using N555 and my rifle tuned best with 55.9 grains with velocity around 2890-2900. I’ve never used 4350 so I’m not sure about charge vs. velocity with it. And I don’t know how to explain it with it just being 11 shots, but my rifle didn’t move anywhere but straight back. No torque or twist in any other direction. It was pretty noticeable. I’m very intrigued with the N160 and yes, it is considerably less expensive than 555.

 

[Sandstorm]

N160 will work well...also N565 if you can get enough in your case for your desired velocity,
or shoot a lower node.

 

[Hoekight]

N160 will work well...also N565 if you can get enough in your case for your desired velocity,
or shoot a lower node.

Never tried 565. I’ve not had this thing long I’m coming from the 6BR to this so lots of trial and error. I’ve tried 4831sc and 555. I’m really happy with the 555. Gun tuned rather easy and is pretty consistent. But after these 3 groups I’m wondering have I left something on the table? I have my 555 load… why not see if I can improve it? It don’t take much to be significant in a match. 1 more in the ten ring or even one more X. This adventure is truly a never ending rabbit hole. And I like rabbits!

 

[Sandstorm]

never ending rabbit hole

Indeed my friend....The 7-65PRCW shoots easy with a lot of stuff, but youl find one your barrel will
love.....and you may bee there from what Im seeing.
I too am a big fan of N555 , but have tried a few for each new barrel.
I have one that prints just like your N160 does...Its scarry tight and predictable.

 

[cal4050]

Hello I am just joining this conversation today (9-21-2025). OMG now this is impressive results. Who's reamer did you use and who did your chambering if you don't mind me asking.

 

[JLT]

N-160 works very well in this cartridge. I've tried RL-23, N-160, H4350 and N-555. N-160 is what I use most often. My last barrel lasted just shy of 2,000 rounds with N-160. It is easier on the throat than most.

 

[Hoekight]

Hello I am just joining this conversation today (9-21-2025). OMG now this is impressive results. Who's reamer did you use and who did your chambering if you don't mind me asking.

Mr. Jimmy Futch chambers all of my rifles here in Cross City, FL. He has chambered many for me and does great work. Message me and I’ll give you a contact if you’re interested. It is the JGS no turn reamer that Mr. Alex Wheeler designed. Got it from Mr. Greg of @GT Accuracy when I got my barrels. I’ve never even seen a chamber drawing although I know the important stuff of it. It’s just the no turn JGS reamer.

 

[Hoekight]

N-160 works very well in this cartridge. I've tried RL-23, N-160, H4350 and N-555. N-160 is what I use most often. My last barrel lasted just shy of 2,000 rounds with N-160. It is easier on the throat than most.

It is crazy that I’ve looked and looked and couldn’t find much on the 160 in the PRCW. I am going to load up a decent ladder test to shoot at 600 yards one evening this week. I like the thought of more barrel life and the same, or even improved accuracy.

 

[JLT]

It is crazy that I’ve looked and looked and couldn’t find much on the 160 in the PRCW. I am going to load up a decent ladder test to shoot at 600 yards one evening this week. I like the thought of more barrel life and the same, or even improved accuracy.

I'm very happy with N-160 in this case. I ran it up to 2,950 - 2,960 and it shot crazy small with very little vertical at 1K, but it was a bit too spicy at that velocity. Shoots great at 2,880 - 2,900 and it's much easier on the brass.

 

[muleystalker]

Is N160 temp sensitive at all?

 

[Hoekight]

Is N160 temp sensitive at all?

I’ve read some pretty harsh tests where it was tested from 15° to 105° and it had about a 25 fps difference. Although I think that was in a 6 Creed case. Not sure how that would translate into a magnum.

 

[marchx]

I just wonder- in order to be in the node, I have to pack 55-55.7gr of N555 in that case. For n160 I must pack much more powder for the same velocity which transfers into bigger recoil. N160 would have to print much smaller griups than n555 in order to legitimize this whole operation. Does it?

 

[Hoekight]

I just wonder- in order to be in the node, I have to pack 55-55.7gr of N555 in that case. For n160 I must pack much more powder for the same velocity which transfers into bigger recoil. N160 would have to print much smaller griups than n555 in order to legitimize this whole operation. Does it?

First I don’t have to “pack” any powder. At 56 grains there is still room for more powder in the case. And the velocity is basically identical in my rifle. Your experience might vary. The whole purpose of me posting this was SMALLER groups and es/sd with N160 so it’s legitimate enough to test some more.

 

[marchx]

First I don’t have to “pack” any powder. At 56 grains there is still room for more powder in the case. And the velocity is basically identical in my rifle. Your experience might vary. And kinda the whole purpose of me posting this was. SMALLER groups and es/sd with N160 so it’s legitimate enough to test some more.

I will try with n165. It’s practically n160 plus temp stability additions.

 

[saunaking]

I will try with n165. It’s practically n160 plus temp stability additions.

My testing with 165 didn't work with the prcw for the velocity node that I was going after. The burn rate for 165 is not close to 160 in the lots that I tested.

 

[Hoekight]

I will try with n165. It’s practically n160 plus temp stability additions.

I’d like to know how that turns out. Some testing in other cartridges show a drastic difference between 160-165 for me. Maybe it was the lot I had.

 

[marchx]

I just run the VV app and it shows massive difference between n160 and n555 for a given velocity in terms of powder charge. I like 55-56gr of powder for 2850 node and with 160 I would have go much higher than that.

 

[noahburleson1]

My lot of n160 is much faster burning than my lots of n555. I’d be careful throwing random loads in the gun based on what the burn chart says alone. I definitely consider about 57gr of n555 absolute max loads for me and I consider about 54gr of n160 max load. I’ve ran n165 up to 60.5gr and I never hit pressure but it was close. For what I need, n160 & n165 are nowhere near temp stable enough for f class. N555 is a much better fit for me.