Temp sensitivity of V V powders
- Thread starter TAJ45
- Start date
Down South
FTR Junkie
Shot a lot of N-150 and never had issues with temp changes. This was .308 in FTR. I've heard the 500 series (540, 550 etc.) are more sensitive to temp changes.
Yes! The N 500 series are double based and perform differently in cold weather vs hot weather...learned the hard way. N540 in my 22-250 with a 55 gr bullet shot bugholes when worked up in cold weather. When they were shot in August i could barely get bolt open and primers were FLAT! N100 series are single based( nitrocellulose) and I believe are less sensitive, but I defer to the benchrest shooters who shoot a lot on N 133.
Dusty Stevens
Shiner
N133 has to be changed all the time to keep perfect. Thats why br shooters load at the range
I have no first hand experience with either N140 or N160. However, I have a fair amount of experience with N150. Excellent powder. Not too bad temp stability wise. Remember, ANY powder loaded either at the top of the node or bottom of the node, once you get a sizable temp swing, will push it out of it's node. Get a node with a W-I-D-E window and generally speaking you will be good to go. However, since you are talking about the 6XC and the 6 Creed, if you wanted ONE powder, I would opt for RL-16. Then there will be no worries about temp swings!
VihtaVouri powders will all have temperature stability and de-coppering agents through the whole line of powders in the future. Right now N-150 has this. I have not heard anything yet on the other powders. I used N-550 for my PALMA loads and had no issues due to heat. But I did my work up for that load in extremely warm weather since that is when it would be used.
If you change formulas, retardants, etc, you should really give the powder a new name, like N151. First, it brings attention, hype, and sales to your new formulation, and helps recap your R&D investment. Second, even if the burn rate is similar, differently formulated powders don't really perform the same. I really dislike companies changing their products without delineation.
Dusty Stevens
Shiner
If you change n133 at all thatll spell disaster for benchrest shooter’s business- the folks that buy cases at a time, multiple times a year. Accurate powder will be putting in another shift to churn out lt32.
Phil, I know that N165 is coming out very soon with N565, the Temp Stable, De-Coppering agent etc... Is this going to be the "forerunner" of the other powders. I have used N150 "fairly" regularly and would LOVE to see N150, N160 and N165 become like N565! Any news on this front?
Steve Donaldson one of the UK's top F/TR shooters has used Lapua Palma brass, 210gn Berger LR BT and Viht N550 for several years. His loads aren't exactly mild - nearly 2,700 fps, but he runs one helluva barrel length!
He shot at Raton in the US F-Nationals and FCWC in 2013 with temperatures in the mid to high 90s for the first week and only a little lower in week 2. He shot every individual and team match on the program and his rifle was used by some of his fellow Rutland team members (can't remember what they were called, US shooter and great all round guy Biff Conlon put it together and funded it).
I asked him afterwards if he'd had to change his UK load (80s is very warm for us, so as we shoot all year round, we're talking just above freezing to around 80, but more often 70s) knowing the 500 series reputation for temperature sensitivity. The answer was no - he tried his usual load, it shot well without pressure problems and he just carried on as usual.
(UK competitors took brass and bullets over as hold luggage and handloaded on site with locally supplied powders and primers.)
He shot at Raton in the US F-Nationals and FCWC in 2013 with temperatures in the mid to high 90s for the first week and only a little lower in week 2. He shot every individual and team match on the program and his rifle was used by some of his fellow Rutland team members (can't remember what they were called, US shooter and great all round guy Biff Conlon put it together and funded it).
I asked him afterwards if he'd had to change his UK load (80s is very warm for us, so as we shoot all year round, we're talking just above freezing to around 80, but more often 70s) knowing the 500 series reputation for temperature sensitivity. The answer was no - he tried his usual load, it shot well without pressure problems and he just carried on as usual.
(UK competitors took brass and bullets over as hold luggage and handloaded on site with locally supplied powders and primers.)
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.