Substitude Smokeless Powder for .308 WIN

[gsg5pk]

Hi,


Due to run out of stock period for my favor Smokeless Powder, Can anyone suggest a substitude powder of .308 win for competition in F-TR

My current Powders ;

Hodgdon Varget
IMR 4064
IMR 489


Seem like VIHTAVUORI are currently in stock.

Need some suggest powder type for competition in F-TR.

My reloading components,
Lapua Brass
CCI BR-2
Berger 175 LRBT , Berger 185 LRBT

 

[nonliberal]

I have had good luck with N-140 in the 170-190 grain range, and N-135 for 168gr and under.

 

[gsg5pk]

What is the main different between N1XX Series and N5XX Series.




Which powder number is nearly characteristic as Hodgdon Varget?

I currently using IMR 4064 with 168 gr. and Hodgdon Varget for 175 - 185 gr.

 

[rain164845]

Alliant AR Comp seems to be in the same burning rate.
Works well as a Varget substitute in my .223 with heavy bullets, but of course the charge weights will vary. It meters more consistently than varget for me.

 

[Laurie]

What is the main different between N1XX Series and N5XX Series.




Which powder number is nearly characteristic as Hodgdon Varget?

I currently using IMR 4064 with 168 gr. and Hodgdon Varget for 175 - 185 gr.

N100 series powder are single-base; N500 series are the same powders, but are double-base through nitro-glycerine infusion, this accounting for around 10-12% of their total weight. The N500s allegedly have the same burning rate as their 100-series equivalents, but in practice are noticeably slower burning. They're also denser due to the added molecules, so you can get a heavier charge weight into a space constrained case without going into heavily compressed loads. Some (such as N550 v N150) have a different grain size too.

N140 is the almost standard UK powder for 155s in 308 Win, but using considerably heavier charges than those in Viht's loading data, and that in Lapua brass which has a smaller capacity than Winchester. For some reason, Viht's 308W data are very conservative.

Some F/TR shooters use N540 which can coax another 100 fps or so out of a 155gn load. N140 is usable right up to 200gn bullets, but for long-range high velocity loads. N150 / 550 are better for 185gn and heavier bullets. If you try Viht powders, I'd recommend N140 for 168s and you could use either N140 or N150 for 175s. N540 + 175 would make for a very high velocity combination.

I've used N150 and N550 with Berger 185s, both with good results. The 185gn Berger LRBT 'Juggernaut' + N550 can be a killer load in long-range F/TR giving 2,800-2,825 fps from a 30-inch barrel.

BUT ... you don't get any freebies here as elsewhere. High-velocity N540 and 550 loads are barrel-burners. That's why more than one or two GB League competitors have dropped them returning to N100 series powders and reduced MVs. 2,000 round barrel life is just a little on the short side.

 

[gsg5pk]

For my F-TR Load (24" Barrel with 1:10" tw)

175 LRBT with 43.5 of Varget
MV 2,650 fps.
SD 6.9

185 LRBT with 43.0 of Varget
MV 2,590 fps.
SD 3.3


Which number of VV should I start?

 

[XTR]

For my F-TR Load (24" Barrel with 1:10" tw)

175 LRBT with 43.5 of Varget
MV 2,650 fps.
SD 6.9

185 LRBT with 43.0 of Varget
MV 2,590 fps.
SD 3.3


Which number of VV should I start?

Looking at the burn tables both N140 and N150 are slower than Varget, and based on what Laurie wrote above I think either will work for you.

 

[nonliberal]

I would get a pound of each, but my .308 does better with N-140 and my .260 does better with N-150. The diference is I shoot just a little lighter bullet than you so its not apples to apples. As you go heavier on the bullet you generally go slower on the powder. Your combo is right on the line of either one getting the job done equally well.

If I were only going to grab 1 bottle though it would be the n-140 since its closer to your Varget burn rate.

 

[gsg5pk]

Just check with guide load from Berger and see these chart;

175 LRBT
N135 37.5 - 41.6 gr.
N140 37.5 - 42.1 gr.
N540 39.0 - 43.5 gr.
N550 42.0 - 46.6 gr.

185 LRBT
N550 41.5 - 46 gr.


There is only one guide load for 185 LRBT

 

[nonliberal]

You can usually add 1 grain to the n140 chart and see no additional pressure signs.
So if the chart for N140 says 37.5-42.1, I feel perfectly safe with a 38.5-43.1 parameter.

 

[cjames]

I've had good results with H4895.

 

[Cody Richardson]

Check mid-south. I back ordered varget, back in stock in a week. Expecting it in 2 weeks.

 

[broncman]

RL 15 ??

 

[Johnboy]

It's a pins and needle's game when it comes to powder and primers these days.AS the Op said VV powders are in stock at most of the places I too buy from.You just need to be able to grab a pound or two, even an eight pound-er really fast when the door is open.This being the problem,the door when opened is just a view seconds,so you better have a knife glove on and be really fast.

example) I just watched a day ago all the primers at PowderValley get gone in less than two days.I think they just had gotton in 5 million CCI.The backorders and lucky people I say lucky people get the product.

I'd bet that if VV powder was as cheap as the others it too would be gone

 

[BaconFat]

Bruno's had some 8lb containers of Varget in stock this afternoon. I "think" I ordered 16lb, I got a confirmation email, but when I checked back a few hours later, it was out of stock again.

 

[Johnboy]

See you just gotta be fast .You almost need to have the computer in your lap all day