Lapua 6BR 90gr Scenar Factory Load

[deanm]

Does anybody know what the factory load is that Lapua uses for their 6BR 90gr Scenar loaded ammo?

Thanks,
Dean

 

[fullersson]

I've been told that all factory Lapua ammo uses VV powder, but I don't know that for sure and I couldn't even guess at the charge weight.

 

[oht]

I pulled a bullet on one, 1-4-2007 (lot#431605) . Powder weighed 30.0 grains. I don't know if this helps.

 

[oht]

These were naked 90 grain Scenars (#4316045). Per Lapua specs, 2950fps from 26” barrel. Maybe N540?

http://www.lapua.com/upload/downloads/brochures/2011/vihtavuorireloadingguideed9eng.pdf

 

[bdale]

Lapua has a web site you can go to that has load data for all sorts of rounds I think N135 or N140 would be more suited for that weight

 

[deanm]

This is very helpful information!

It would be interesting to load a couple of VV powders up to 30.0 gr (if safe), and see what velocity they shoot compared to the factory ammo shot out of the same gun.

Thanks!
Dean

 

[deanm]

oht...do you still have that round that you pulled apart?

In the VV reloading manual, they list the dimensions of the various grains of powder. You might be able to measure some of the grains of powder and determine which one it is.

Also, any idea what primer they are using?

Thanks!

 

[RonAKA]

I pulled a bullet on one, 1-4-2007 (lot#431605) . Powder weighed 30.0 grains. I don't know if this helps.

30 grains of VV N540 would give you very close to the 2950 fps the factory loads are rated at. N140 would appear to fall a little short.

Lapua 6BR Load Data

 

[deanm]

I was guessing N140 and N540 would fall short of the 2950fps loaded with 30.0gr. I guessed around 2875fps with 30.0gr N140, and 2800fps with 30.0gr N540 using the VV reloading data.

I was hedging towards something a little faster like N135 or N530?

 

[deanm]

From the VV Reloading Manual #4:

Powder Length(mm) Dia(mm)
------- ----------- --------
N135 1.0 0.8
N140 1.0 0.9
N530 0.8 0.8
N540 1.0 1.0

Maybe someone could measure the grain size of a pulled round?

 

[KevinThomas]

Hey Guys,

Just a quick aside here, Lapua doesn't use only Vihtavuori powders in their factory loadings, though both companies fall under the same parent company umbrella. Those Vihtavuori powders that they do use, include some that are non-cannister powders; custom blends that aren't on the market or available to handloaders.

Careful about trying to indentify powders based on appearance or physical dimensions. Things aren't always what they appear to be!

 

[Vaughan]

Easy solution Kevin, just tell us...... ;D ;D
/Vaughan

 

[k80skeet]

Yea, KEVIN, GIVE US A LITTLE INFORMATION!!!!!!

 

[KevinThomas]

Sorry guys, can't say, because I don't know! Actually, I'd hazard a guess that there's probably several. Bear in mind that most of my experience with this is with our domestic manufacturers, both civilian and military. In loading the M118LR at Lake City, for example, there's several powders that have been used. No difference in specs, performance or designation, but many different powders. Right now, it's RL-15. For many years before that, it was WC-750, and before that, IMR4895. There have been others as well. The bottom line is, specifications; the load has to deliver X accuracy at X distance, X max chamber pressure, X velocity, X port pressure, and X variance in velocity at so and so temp extremes, etc.. Any powder that meets this criteria may be used to load that ammo, depending on availability, customer demand and a whole host of other things. Same thing holds true from civilian ammo producers. There's a range of powders that may meet the criteria for the finished ammo, and they may use several different types for any given cartridge. They do this in part to assure that they won't be shut down on production if there's a shortage of some particular powder. At any rate, many of these are (as I mentioned) non-cannister grade powders, custom blended for that run and not available to the handloader anyway.

Sorry guys, but no simple answer here.

 

[Vaughan]

Sorry guys, can't say, because I don't know!

ah well, never hurts to ask..... I shoot quite a few 90gr Scenars that I load for myself and like them, so I was curious.

/Vaughan