7-6.5 PRCW - N160 findings

[Laurie]

The burn rate for 165 is not close to 160 in the lots that I tested.

It never has been! That's largely because N160 is shown as slower burning in both burn-rate charts and QuickLOAD than it turns out in real life applications.

 

[Hoekight]

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

55.7 grains of n160 was 2850 in mine.

 

[Laurie]

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

No, it's not. There is a significant gap between the two. I've used N165 in 284/180, a slightly lower capacity case, for many years. A mildly compressed load gives 2,830 from a 30-inch barrel, but good results and exceptional barrel life. It won't achieve higher velocity nodes in either cartridge.

 

[Hoekight]

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.

I didn’t throw random loads at it. I done some research and came up with about where I figured the velocity would be. I started 4 grains lower than that shooting singles every 1/2 grain checking for pressures and checking the chronograph. It ended up being exactly where I’d figured it would. Wasn’t nothing random about it. I’m not interested in making shrapnel.

 

[noahburleson1]

I didn’t throw random loads at it. I done some research and came up with about where I figured the velocity would be. I started 4 grains lower than that shooting singles every 1/2 grain checking for pressures and checking the chronograph. It ended up being exactly where I’d figured it would. Wasn’t nothing random about it. I’m not interested in making shrapnel.

I’m not saying for you specifically I’m saying for anybody in the future reading this thread… people need to be careful because if I was to have gone off of your data alone, 55.7 of n160 would definitely be blowing primers OR WORSE in my guns.

 

[JLT]

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.

Agreed. It is quite a bit slower than N-160.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

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.

Just talked with Jimmy. Been to his shop/range. Good guy.

 

[Hoekight]

Just talked with Jimmy. Been to his shop/range. Good guy.

Yes sir. Im shooting 103 grain bullets in my BRA because of you two. He told me yall spoke today. He thinks very highly of you too.

 

[bks22345]

No, it's not. There is a significant gap between the two. I've used N165 in 284/180, a slightly lower capacity case, for many years. A mildly compressed load gives 2,830 from a 30-inch barrel, but good results and exceptional barrel life. It won't achieve higher velocity nodes in either cartridge.

Not to hijack, but @Laurie what do you mean by “it will not achieve higher velocity nodes in either cartridge”? Are you speaking specifically of the PRCW and 284? I run it in a 284 a little slower than you, but planning on using it as my starting powder in a SAUM capacity wildcat. Am I going in the wrong direction?

 

[Laurie]

Not to hijack, but @Laurie what do you mean by “it will not achieve higher velocity nodes in either cartridge”? Are you speaking specifically of the PRCW and 284? I run it in a 284 a little slower than you, but planning on using it as my starting powder in a SAUM capacity wildcat. Am I going in the wrong direction?

Simply that the 284 (and I'd assume the PRC which has only marginally greater case capacity than 284) don't have enough room to increase N165 charges by enough without serious charge compression.

The short magnums have larger cases and hold a bit more, especially the WSM. The base 300 SAUM case holds around 74gn water fireformed, so a bit less in any necked down version. This compares to 66-67gn for the 284 case. Of course, if you plan serious case-reforming reducing the capacity significantly, that could/would change things.

 

[bks22345]

Simply that the 284 (and I'd assume the PRC which has only marginally greater case capacity than 284) don't have enough room to increase N165 charges by enough without serious charge compression.

The short magnums have larger cases and hold a bit more, especially the WSM. The base 300 SAUM case holds around 74gn water fireformed, so a bit less in any necked down version. This compares to 66-67gn for the 284 case. Of course, if you plan serious case-reforming reducing the capacity significantly, that could/would change things.

Thanks. Just making sure I didn’t buy all this N165 the nothing….

 

[JLT]

Thanks. Just making sure I didn’t buy all this N165 the nothing….

60+ grains of N-165 can be had in Lapua brass (not compressed) with a drop tube, so give it a try! That assumes your chamber is throated to allow a 180 to be seated at or short of the neck/shoulder junction. Pretty safe assumption, given the reamer prints I've seen.

 

[cal4050]

what barrel diameter do you boys shoot and barrel length? I gather 1-8 twist seems to be the favored flavor

 

[JLT]

what barrel diameter do you boys shoot and barrel length? I gather 1-8 twist seems to be the favored flavor

I'd say most are running 1:8.5". A 1:9" will do fine with a 180 Berger. The 190 and heavier may be better off with a 1:8", but I don't run into too many that shoot the 190+ bullets.