N140 vs N150 308 F/TR

[wolfman]

Jef- I've been shooting N150 under 185's and 200's for quite a while. I've never had temp sensativity issues, and the lot to lot consistency makes it especially attractive, especially compared to Varget.

 

[LVLAaron]

That would be nice for shooting in Canada. We can be all over the place in temperature.

You read it wrong.

 

[XTR]

You should probably stick with Varget. It's a known performer.

 

[MikeMcCasland]

So far as I'm concerned N150 is the best powder for heavies out of a .308. Maybe there's some crazy property about reamers that dictates powder preference, but with mine...N150 routinely shoots better than Varget or H4985.

That's across Krieger, Brux, Bart barrels too.

Not that it matters much to me (see thread about flat spots), but I agree with another commenter out there; N150 will win a chronograph contest with low SDs.

That's not to say that I can't get Varget, N140, or H4895 to shoot...it's just that it's so much easier and more accurate with 150 out of my tubes. A 20x will tune in every time from 44.2-44.8gr. Really just a matter of primer or depth.

I say that and my next tube will hate it...but I really like the stuff.

Edit: It's gotten to the point that if a cartridge is supposed to work well with Varget, I'll try N150 in there before trying Varget. Sometimes you run into an issue with case capacity, and maybe it won't give you the same FPS, but man does it shoot accurately.

I've also shot it from ~30 deg all the way up to ~105 and it was still in tune.

If I were forced to consolidate into just one powder across everything I commonly shoot (.22 call up to .308), N150 would be the choice by a mile.

 

[XTR]

Naaa, you guys should stay with Varget, it will make your 308 shoot like a 6.5Creedmoor.

 

[JFF]

You read it wrong.

Hahahaha! Did I ever!

 

[JFF]

So far as I'm concerned N150 is the best powder for heavies out of a .308. Maybe there's some crazy property about reamers that dictates powder preference, but with mine...N150 routinely shoots better than Varget or H4985.

That's across Krieger, Brux, Bart barrels too.

Not that it matters much to me (see thread about flat spots), but I agree with another commenter out there; N150 will win a chronograph contest with low SDs.

That's not to say that I can't get Varget, N140, or H4895 to shoot...it's just that it's so much easier and more accurate with 150 out of my tubes. A 20x will tune in every time from 44.2-44.8gr. Really just a matter of primer or depth.

I say that and my next tube will hate it...but I really like the stuff.

Edit: It's gotten to the point that if a cartridge is supposed to work well with Varget, I'll try N150 in there before trying Varget. Sometimes you run into an issue with case capacity, and maybe it won't give you the same FPS, but man does it shoot accurately.

I've also shot it from ~30 deg all the way up to ~105 and it was still in tune.

If I were forced to consolidate into just one powder across everything I commonly shoot (.22 call up to .308), N150 would be the choice by a mile.

That's awesome! I hope I have the same luck! Fingers crossed.

 

[JFF]

Naaa, you guys should stay with Varget, it will make your 308 shoot like a 6.5Creedmoor.

Some say "like a laser"

 

[velocette]

I tried many of the top recommended propellants. N 150 was the winner for accuracy and cleanliness in my .308 with Sierra 175 TMK..
Just incidentally, N133 (1:12 barrel, Berger 55s) in my .222, and in my .223 (Sierra 77s, 1:7 barrel)
I believe that Viht propellants do well in most of my rifles.

 

[Woofie]

2520 is incredibly temperature sensitive. just an FYI

You know, I live and shoot in AZ. Pretty hot here. Not an issue for me, but then I don't need an excuse for my bad shooting

 

[paulT]

So far as I'm concerned N150 is the best powder for heavies out of a .308. Maybe there's some crazy property about reamers that dictates powder preference, but with mine...N150 routinely shoots better than Varget or H4985.

That's across Krieger, Brux, Bart barrels too.

Not that it matters much to me (see thread about flat spots), but I agree with another commenter out there; N150 will win a chronograph contest with low SDs.

That's not to say that I can't get Varget, N140, or H4895 to shoot...it's just that it's so much easier and more accurate with 150 out of my tubes. A 20x will tune in every time from 44.2-44.8gr. Really just a matter of primer or depth.

I say that and my next tube will hate it...but I really like the stuff.

Edit: It's gotten to the point that if a cartridge is supposed to work well with Varget, I'll try N150 in there before trying Varget. Sometimes you run into an issue with case capacity, and maybe it won't give you the same FPS, but man does it shoot accurately.

I've also shot it from ~30 deg all the way up to ~105 and it was still in tune.

If I were forced to consolidate into just one powder across everything I commonly shoot (.22 call up to .308), N150 would be the choice by a mile.

Which primer you prefer with N150 in palma brass for 200g+ weight bullets.

 

[MikeMcCasland]

Which primer you prefer with N150 in palma brass for 200g+ weight bullets.

I've had good luck with both CCI and Federal, but each tube had it's own distinct preference.

I would probably start with Fed primers, but it's probably ~60% fed, 40% CCI in terms of preference.

 

[paulT]

I've had good luck with both CCI and Federal, but each tube had it's own distinct preference.

I would probably start with Fed primers, but it's probably ~60% fed, 40% CCI in terms of preference.

Thanks for reply.

 

[CNC-Dude]

I have used N150 in both Lapua 167g Scenar and Nosler 175g with consistent 3/8 MOA at 300 yards in my Savage 12FV. The former range master at my range has shot national competitions for decades swears by Norma 203B as being identical to Varget for his .308's, and wont really even consider using Varget anymore since Norma is much easier to get. I have some also but haven't tried it yet.

 

[JFF]

I have used N150 in both Lapua 167g Scenar and Nosler 175g with consistent 3/8 MOA at 300 yards in my Savage 12FV. The former range master at my range has shot national competitions for decades swears by Norma 203B as being identical to Varget for his .308's, and wont really even consider using Varget anymore since Norma is much easier to get. I have some also but haven't tried it yet.

I don't see much Norma powder around in Canada. Haven't had the opportunity to try it unfortunately.

 

[Ruger15151]

I've had good luck with both CCI and Federal, but each tube had it's own distinct preference.

I would probably start with Fed primers, but it's probably ~60% fed, 40% CCI in terms of preference.

Do you shoot Lapua SP brass? If so, are you shouting CCI 450s or standard Br4s?

 

[MikeMcCasland]

Do you shoot Lapua SP brass? If so, are you shouting CCI 450s or standard Br4s?

Yep, I shoot Lapua Palma brass. I have shot CCI400s and BR4s (they're nearly interchangeable in my testing). I am currently shooting some CCI41s; they seem a bit 'hotter'.

N150 will work fine with pretty much any CCI primer. Really just depends on if the gun likes CCI primers to begin with.

Some of my tubes prefer fed, some prefer CCI. Never know till you try.

 

[Ruger15151]

Yep, I shoot Lapua Palma brass. I have shot CCI400s and BR4s (they're nearly interchangeable in my testing). I am currently shooting some CCI41s; they seem a bit 'hotter'.

N150 will work fine with pretty much any CCI primer. Really just depends on if the gun likes CCI primers to begin with.

Some of my tubes prefer fed, some prefer CCI. Never know till you try.

Thanks for the quick reply Mike. Super Helpful. I have been running CCI 450s with goo success. Just curious, why CCI 41s instead of CCI 450s?

By the way, what powder /primer/load combination did you end up with in your 223 FTR rifle? I remember you had a ton of Varget and H4895 but were going to test with N150 and N140.

 

[MikeMcCasland]

Thanks for the quick reply Mike. Super Helpful. I have been running CCI 450s with goo success. Just curious, why CCI 41s instead of CCI 450s?

By the way, what powder /primer/load combination did you end up with in your 223 FTR rifle? I remember you had a ton of Varget and H4895 but were going to test with N150 and N140.

I don't have any 450s to try . If I had them and they shot the tightest of all the primers in testing, I'd shoot them in a match gun.

I didn't end up anywhere on my 223 FTR rifle. I gave up on it. I'm not good enough to win with one.

 

[JDBraddy]

I shoot the Berger 200-20X, have long thought about testing some N-150.