MP 540 rifle powder?

[Fast14riot]

Anyone familiar with the bulk powder MP540, which is a 308win type rifle powder. I see it listed for 44gr under a 168 which sounds similar to Varget. This would put it in the correct burn range for 6br and 5.56. But, I do not know if it is a single base or double base powder, or anything else about it.

Anyone have any experience with it?

 

[SeabeeKen]

VV N-540 perhaps?

 

[Fast14riot]

VV N-540 perhaps?

No, this is a bulk powder, available from various milsurp suppliers. I suspect it is pull-down powder.

 

[Doom]

MP-540 appears to be a Midwest Powder designation. If it was US M80 pulldown as listed on the site it will most likely be ball/spherical double based powder, and most likely St Marks.

 

[KMart]

MP-540 appears to be a Midwest Powder designation. If it was US M80 pulldown as listed on the site it will most likely be ball/spherical double based powder, and most likely St Marks.

It shows to be stick

MP 540 Smokeless Rifle Powder - 32 lbs​

SHIPPING & HAZMAT FEE INCLUDED IN PRICE
Condition: New product
10 Items
Stick Powder - More data below - Works well with heavier grain projectiles



Powder – MP 540

Caliber - .308

Charge – 45 grains

Bullet – 147gr FMJ

Avg. Velocity – 2700 fps

 

[Pandaman]

I did some shooting with MP540 and here are some of the results. I also used it for 7x57 and plan to use it for 6.5x55 Swede. I didn't think it would be good for 303 since it usually uses faster powder but it seemed to pretty good.

308 20" Howa
COL 2.82” 150g Hornady 3037
45.2g 2689 2665 2667 2698 2722 2672 2676 2676 2674 2689 2652 2680 2683 2646 2629 = 2674fps avg

30-06 1903a3
49 LRM 2797 2784 2812 2802 = 2799fps avg ES 28
Need a bigger test but looks to be pretty consistent

303 No4Mk1 with .308 Hornady bullets not .311. I ran out of the .311 =(. The barrel is pretty crisp so that's probably why it shoots them fine with small groups.
44 2572 2616 2612 2593 = 2598fps avg
Again need a bigger test but seemed almost identical to IMR4320

 

[Fuj]

Again need a bigger test but seemed almost identical to IMR4320

That would be nice to know. I have used 4320 in the past and
liked it. IMR 4320 is no longer available for some reason.

 

[Zero333]

Sounds like W-748 data should be very close for this MP-540 powder.
I ran @Pandaman 308win 20"bbl 2.820coal, 150 Hornady FMJ-BT 3037, and the #'s in quickload came out to 2,669 fps.
It doesn't get any closer than that.

 

[Herzo]

If it is a pull-down powder, you need to be careful as to its application. Military powders are purchased in large quantities to a general specification and prior to being put into production, they are tested to determine the load for a given cartridge. Any given lot may vary substantially from the norm.

 

[Reloading Guy]

We got some of this MP 540 and ran it through a ladder, then took it out and tested it for accuracy.

http://natoreloading.com/MP540/

Good option for 223 and 308. Its probably in between H4895 and XBR 8208, or its in between N135 and N140. If it was a VV Powder, I would name it N137.

 

[SD guy]

Have an 8 lb jug incoming. Looking to give this MP 540 a go in the 6mm ARC. This extruded powder is supposedly longer length than similar stick powders may be my only reservation. Expect to give up roughly 7% velocity over Leverevolution. Time will tell.

 

[Ray123]

Anyone familiar with the bulk powder MP540, which is a 308win type rifle powder. I see it listed for 44gr under a 168 which sounds similar to Varget. This would put it in the correct burn range for 6br and 5.56. But, I do not know if it is a single base or double base powder, or anything else about it.

Anyone have any experience with it?

Yes, bought 16 lbs MR 540 stick... I use it in 308 18" AR 10, & 1000 Lake City Primed Mil-Spec, (rejects), and 130 gr Speer Varmint HP bullets bought in bulk for 15 cents each... loaded on Dillon progressive. It will shoot around .5" 5 shot groups...alot, and Speer 168 are good too. In a 10 twist Proof Research AR10 barrel. Haven't used the MR 540 stick in any other caliber, but the max load data is pretty close to max on the powder I received with LC brass. If the wind isn't blowing you can shoot the 130s out to 1000 yds and bounce a 1 gallon milk jug around with your AR10 if ya care to,...on the cheap for accurate fun plinking.

 

[SD guy]

MP 540 turned out to be a bit slow for the 6mm Arc in my bolt action rifle for most of my use. MP 410 is looking more promising thus far. Think H355 with the lighter stuff 90 grains & under.

Any other surplus powders out there similar to CFE 223 that I may be wishing to watch for?

 

[SD guy]

MP 540 turned out to be a bit slow for the 6mm Arc in my bolt action rifle for most of my use. MP 410 is looking more promising thus far. Think H355 with the lighter stuff 90 grains & under.

Any other surplus powders out there similar to CFE 223 that I may be wishing to watch for?

MP502 Similar to Power Pro 2000MR is looking promising though temp stability leaves a lot to be desired. Was available very briefly.