N140 vs N540
- Thread starter SGK
- Start date
why are you procrastinating ?
Several years ago, I had a .223 with a 1-8 twist 26" barrel. I shot the 73gr Berger (very similar to the 69 SMK) with N540. Super accurate and even with a 26" barrel, I was getting about 3040f.p.s.! I can not remember the exact charge, but it was in the vicinity of 26.0grs +/-.. My vote is for N540!....
Why are you worried about temp stability?
The only situation where temp stability may be important is if you live in Mexico, and have a hunt in Alberta, without a chance to sight your rifle in.
Otherwise it's a non factor.
What is your chamber temp after your 2 sighters at a match?
Much less what is the temp on shot 17 of a 20 round string?
I'm betting 2-3 times (4-5 times?) Hotter than was even tested for the "temp stability".
Spend your time shooting, not worrying about temp stable powders.
The only situation where temp stability may be important is if you live in Mexico, and have a hunt in Alberta, without a chance to sight your rifle in.
Otherwise it's a non factor.
What is your chamber temp after your 2 sighters at a match?
Much less what is the temp on shot 17 of a 20 round string?
I'm betting 2-3 times (4-5 times?) Hotter than was even tested for the "temp stability".
Spend your time shooting, not worrying about temp stable powders.
Ned Ludd
Silver $$ Contributor
The temperature after two sighters at a match doesn't matter, the velocity does matter. With a good temperature-stable single base powder, a chronograph tells me I don't have gross velocity changes. That will likely not be true with a much higher energy, but less temperature-stable, double base powder. Resistance to temperature-induced velocity variance most certainly does matter in disciplines where long strings (20+ shots) of fire are used.
Buy both. Your gun will like one over the other and you'll not be able to sleep at night not knowing.
Just about all of VV's powders should be quite "temp stable" now. I run N540 in 308 and it seems to be good in summer and winter here even though we don't get freezing temps over here. You get a little extra speed with 5 series but obviously that comes at a little cost
I will be the first to admit that I do NOT shoot when the temperature moves up to 100 degrees or hotter. It's bad enough out here where it's dry but in GA. where the humidity often runs 90% or higher, it's downright awful!
Now, with that out of the way, I shoot an extremely wide range of cartridge/bullet combinations. I load and shoot VVN-530, 540, 550, 560, 565 and 570 routinely without problems. This ranges from fairly cool right now in the AM (low 30s) to the upper realm of low 90s later as the weather heats up. I jockey my shoot times earlier as it warms up to avoid the extremes of shooting on the desert. Many times we will camp overnight down on our shooting range in order to be there in the coolest part of the early AM. Saves travel time.
I also burn significant amounts of Reloder powders and find the same situation occurs, no problems. Others disagree and stand by their opinions so we agree to disagree and move on.
Many of these same loads have been used in the higher elevations while hunting in snow without any hiccups.
As has been stated before, YMMV!
Now, with that out of the way, I shoot an extremely wide range of cartridge/bullet combinations. I load and shoot VVN-530, 540, 550, 560, 565 and 570 routinely without problems. This ranges from fairly cool right now in the AM (low 30s) to the upper realm of low 90s later as the weather heats up. I jockey my shoot times earlier as it warms up to avoid the extremes of shooting on the desert. Many times we will camp overnight down on our shooting range in order to be there in the coolest part of the early AM. Saves travel time.
I also burn significant amounts of Reloder powders and find the same situation occurs, no problems. Others disagree and stand by their opinions so we agree to disagree and move on.
Many of these same loads have been used in the higher elevations while hunting in snow without any hiccups.
As has been stated before, YMMV!
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I will be the first to admit that I do NOT shoot when the temperature moves up to 100 degrees or hotter. It's bad enough out here where it's dry but in GA. where the humidity often runs 90% or higher, it's downright awful!
Now, with that out of the way, I shoot an extremely wide range of cartridge/bullet combinations. I load and shoot VVN-530, 540, 550, 560, 565 and 570 routinely without problems. This ranges from fairly cool right now in the AM (low 30s) to the upper realm of low 90s later as the weather heats up. I jockey my shoot times earlier as it warms up to avoid the extremes of shooting on the desert. Many times we will camp overnight down on our shooting range in order to be there in the coolest part of the early AM. Saves travel time.
I also burn significant amounts of Reloder powders and find the same situation occurs, no problems. Others disagree and stand by their opinions so we agree to disagree and move on.
Many of these same loads have been used in the higher elevations while hunting in snow without any hiccups.
As has been stated before, YMMV!
I use only VV powders and have the same experience as you, I use allot of N160 and have never experienced the drastic temp swings that people talk about on here but maybe im just doing it all wrong. I have shot all of the 1 and 5 series I use from 90F down to around 45F and they generally go where I aim them
No way. No such thing as chickening out! You made a choice and now load and test what you have then let us know how it works out. We as members here have a great desire to read about the findings of other members in testing circumstances such as you are about to experience. Please try to post your findings for us.
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