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N140 or N150 for 185 jug in .308

9146gt

Gold $$ Contributor
No Varget available here but N 150 and N 140 are . Which is the better choice ?
Also have Win and Lapua Palma brass. Primers so far are not an issue:)
Existing barrel is a Schneider 24".

Thanks
Tom
 
I have loads developed in my Savage 12FV in .308 using N150 with the Lapua Scenar 167g and the Nosler 175g Custom Competition and am getting consistent 3/8 MOA's at 300 yards with both of them. I have the N140 also, but haven't loaded with it yet, but I'm pleased with the VV line of powder so far.
 
They are both good.

The N140 works well with the 185 Jugs for lots of folks, and some will like the N150. Just based on the club shooters I know, my guess is to start with N140 and see what happens. You probably would do fine with either one.

Another way to look at it...
The guys that tend to like Varget will typically like N140, the guys that tend to like 4350 will generally like N150.
 
Use large primer brass with N140. If you have small primer cases, use N150 which ignites more easily. Either works in the 308 with 185s, but here in the UK where we've used this powder make heavily for a long time, small primer Lapua 'Palma' brass, an SRM or 'match' primer and N150 is the norm with the 185gn Juggernaut and the heavier bullets that have since been introduced.

N150 works fine with lighter bullets too. I've long used it with 155s with excellent results in large primer brass.

Another way to look at it...
The guys that tend to like Varget will typically like N140, the guys that tend to like 4350 will generally like N150.

Vihtavuori serially grades its powders as slower burning than actual applications and results suggest. Neither N150 nor the slower burning N550 'high-energy' variant are anywhere near as slow burning as any of the 4350s hence their being so well suited to the 308. Nor is N160 nearly as slow burning as IMR-4831 as shown in burning rate charts being between H4350 and the 4831s, but closer to the former.

(Note that QuickLOAD's base data also apparently uses over-slow values presumably as supplied by the manufacturer and in the case of N160 especially, can lead to the adoption of seriously over-pressure loads. I subtract 5,000 psi from my QL target load for initial load trials with N160. eg if I want loads producing c. 58,000 psi as my maximum initial test charge, I substitute whatever charge is calculated to produce 53,000 psi.)
 
Use large primer brass with N140. If you have small primer cases, use N150 which ignites more easily. Either works in the 308 with 185s, but here in the UK where we've used this powder make heavily for a long time, small primer Lapua 'Palma' brass, an SRM or 'match' primer and N150 is the norm with the 185gn Juggernaut and the heavier bullets that have since been introduced.

N150 works fine with lighter bullets too. I've long used it with 155s with excellent results in large primer brass.



Vihtavuori serially grades its powders as slower burning than actual applications and results suggest. Neither N150 nor the slower burning N550 'high-energy' variant are anywhere near as slow burning as any of the 4350s hence their being so well suited to the 308. Nor is N160 nearly as slow burning as IMR-4831 as shown in burning rate charts being between H4350 and the 4831s, but closer to the former.

(Note that QuickLOAD's base data also apparently uses over-slow values presumably as supplied by the manufacturer and in the case of N160 especially, can lead to the adoption of seriously over-pressure loads. I subtract 5,000 psi from my QL target load for initial load trials with N160. eg if I want loads producing c. 58,000 psi as my maximum initial test charge, I substitute whatever charge is calculated to produce 53,000 psi.)

I've found that quickload is particularly poor for VV powder. At least with n140/n150
 
Anyone try this with V540 with 155 or 185,s ? I have some and thought about trying it.
I did do some playing with N-530 with a 185 Berger , Lapua SRP Brass , and had no problem getting it up to 2745 - 2760 , with no pressure signs . Did start getting a little bit of hard bolt lift at 43.1gr load . Going to play some more with a new barrel to see what it can do . SD was 4 and the group at 100 was five rounds touching tight .
 
N-140, 540, 150 and 550 would all work well here. I think you would have better luck with the N-150 or 550 because they are a slower burning powder than the 140 series.
 
No Varget available here but N 150 and N 140 are . Which is the better choice ?
Also have Win and Lapua Palma brass. Primers so far are not an issue:)
Existing barrel is a Schneider 24".

Thanks
Tom
I did not get a chance to load the 185 jugs,but N 150 has worked well with 200 .20x and a 30" barrel.
Tom
 

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