First look with Vhitavouri-555

[Fuj]

Couple of months ago I was one of the lucky ones to snag an 8 lb
jug of V-555. My SA284 wild cat seems to enjoy any powder I stuff
in it, but it's never ending when a new powder hits the market.
I just finished fire forming new brass for this season, and starting
fresh with this new powder.....First off, I was using R-16 as my faster
powder, and Ramshot Hunter as my slowest and perfect case fill.
I was looking for a stick powder with the burn range near Reloder-19
and stable. I think I have a winner in 555 early on......I only loaded 9
to get a general velocity window.

183 SMK (touching lands) / CCI BR2 / 30" Brux / 2nd case firing

3 at 49.6 gr........2724 fps avg / ES- 24 / SD- 12.2

3 at 49.8 gr........2740 fps avg / ES- 14 / SD- 7.4

3 at 50.0 gr........2745 fps avg / ES- 4 / SD- 2

The 50 gr charge had no pressure at all. I'll load 12 more
with the first 3 repeating the 50 gr charge, and stay at 2/10th's
apart......Accuracy wise, all three were just under 1/2 inch, but that
means nothing until I can stretch it's legs out. This rifle/cartridge
combo is headed for Ridgway this year.

 

[jepp2]

It is showing promise in my 6.5CM as well.

 

[boltfluter]

It is showing promise in my 6.5CM as well.

Very nice, and some great shooting by the driver!
Paul

 

[Kracken McGraw]

It is showing promise in my 6.5CM as well.

Looks good! Your thoughts on this powder say compared to h4350, clean, recoil impulse, other? Thanks!

 

[jepp2]

Your thoughts on this powder say compared to h4350

For my 6 and 6.5 CM's I've tried many powders. But I get the best accuracy with RL16 and H4350. To me H4350 is much cleaner than RL16. N555 seems to be about the same as H4350. My notes on QuickLoad burn rate (Ba) are important to me since N555 isn't listed. So I have to select a similar powder and adjust for meaningful results.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

For my 6 and 6.5 CM's I've tried many powders. But I get the best accuracy with RL16 and H4350. To me H4350 is much cleaner than RL16. N555 seems to be about the same as H4350. My notes on QuickLoad burn rate (Ba) are important to me since N555 isn't listed. So I have to select a similar powder and adjust for meaningful results.

Thanks much! Looks like it is producing good speed at your accuracy node.
Thats interesting that RL16 is a little dirtier. I notice the same thing on Sport Pistol from Alliant compared to N320 in handguns.

 

[jepp2]

Thats interesting that RL16 is a little dirtier.

I shoot a lot of RL19 in my 25-06 and get almost 100 fps faster than any other powder. But it is really dirty for me. I clean often enough it isn't an issue.

 

[Fuj]

recoil impulse, other?

Glad you mentioned this. I shot 3 foulers of my Ramshot Hunter
2820 fps load. The 555 loads seemed to have a sharper recoil. I
thought the first one I touched off was way to much for a starting
load, but the Lab radar said no as did real easy bolt lift. After firing
those tests. I ran a dry patch, and bore was basically soot free. I'll
shoot the next tests without further cleaning.

I'll note that the grain shape of the powder is pretty square. It metered
good through an older Uniflow, then I just trickled up.

 

[Creedmoor02]

I’ve been testing it in my 6.5 CM as well decent groups, haven’t tested extensively yet though…

 

[std7mag]

Well, i bought the remainder of @Fuj 8lb of 555.

According to Vihtavouri it's good for "overbore" cartridges.
And burn rate "between N560 & N160". Which would put it in the RL19/Hunter range.

But i've heard people compare it to RL16.

Still unable to find a burn rate chart with it.

Wanted to try it in 257 Roberts AI, 25 WSSM, & 25-06.

No load data for any with 555.

Suggestions on where to start?

 

[std7mag]

Crickets....