VV N-540 DATA

[jpjulian]

I found a 2# can of VV N-540 in my stash. I see it listed for 6mm Creedmoor but the data on the VV site seems to be very conservative used with Berger 108's. VV lists a max charge of 34.6 grains of 540 with the 108. For 6XC, which I believe has slightly less capacity, Berger lists a max of 37.0 grains while VV only lists a 105 grain bullet and a max charge of 34.0 grains. Does anyone have any personal experience with this powder/bullet combo? I am using Lapua cases & CCI 450 primers with Berger 108's. TIA

 

[6MMsteve]

VV is on the lighter side with their max loads but just work up..I use 550 in my 6xc works great, 540 I would use caution

 

[Kurz]

but the data on the VV site seems to be very conservative used with Berger 108's.

ALL manufacturer's SUGGESTED reloading data is conservative by order of the lawyers that run the litigation departments. They are all trying to avoid litigation from the inexperienced reloaders trying to reload without a good knowledge base combined with experience.

The mantra for reloaders is:

Start low and work up slowly, watching for signs of pressure.

If you have no background and experience with reloading and signs of pressure, stop.

With the number of powders and bullet combinations available, it would cost a fortune for each manufacturer to test every combination. That cost would be passed on to the consumer, of course, resulting in even higher prices for components.

When I tested VihtaVuori powders in various cartridges, VVN-540 was found to be too fast for the 6mm Creedmoor with the heavy Match or Target bullets.

My combination for the Hornady 110 A-Tips is VVN-555.

Enjoy the process!

 

[dthomas]

N540 has a charge weight very similar to varget.

 

[SeabeeKen]

540 might be a bit fast burning for 108's but cant hurt to try.

 

[KMart]

I found a 2# can of VV N-540 in my stash. I see it listed for 6mm Creedmoor but the data on the VV site seems to be very conservative used with Berger 108's. VV lists a max charge of 34.6 grains of 540 with the 108. For 6XC, which I believe has slightly less capacity, Berger lists a max of 37.0 grains while VV only lists a 105 grain bullet and a max charge of 34.0 grains. Does anyone have any personal experience with this powder/bullet combo? I am using Lapua cases & CCI 450 primers with Berger 108's. TIA

The latest Sierra manual has 540 listed for the 107 SMK in the 6 CM

Start---31.1---2500fps
Max----37.1---2900fps

 

[jpjulian]

I put together a few rounds using both Lapua & Hornady cases. I started well under Vihtavuori"s listed max. increasing .3 grains per step up to 35.8 in the Lapua cases & stopped at 35.5 in the Hornady cases. Won't be too many to take apart if they are too hot. I'll let ya know how it goes tomorrow.

 

[jpjulian]

Well I had both good and not so good results at the range today. Short story, VV N-540 doesn't seem to like small rifle primers in 6mm Creedmoor, at least in my rifle. Accuracy was only so-so but the real issue was hang-fires. Of the 8 charge weights I thought I sensed a hang-fire on the lower end but as charge weight increased, so did the incidence of hang-fire. They were not drastic but noticeable and I am sure contributed to the so-so accuracy. I used CCI 450 small rifle magnum primers with these loads. There was also some mild cratering at 35.5 & 35.8 grains. The good results were very good! Hornady case, CCI 200 LRP, Berger 108 seated to 2.140 BTO, and a charge weight of 34.3 & 34.9 produced 3-shot groups of about 1/4 moa. There were no pressure signs at all and no hang-fires. I have no chrono data. Hodgdon's burn chart lists 540 at #117 and RL15 at #110. I had considerable hang-fires with RL15 trying to get that powder to work with this cartridge and small primers. As there are similarities in their applications, maybe that is the issue.
I've loaded another 25 rounds at the 34.9 charge weight and see if the good accuracy repeats. Enough with the lengthy post.

 

[KMart]

Well I had both good and not so good results at the range today. Short story, VV N-540 doesn't seem to like small rifle primers in 6mm Creedmoor, at least in my rifle. Accuracy was only so-so but the real issue was hang-fires. Of the 8 charge weights I thought I sensed a hang-fire on the lower end but as charge weight increased, so did the incidence of hang-fire. They were not drastic but noticeable and I am sure contributed to the so-so accuracy. I used CCI 450 small rifle magnum primers with these loads. There was also some mild cratering at 35.5 & 35.8 grains. The good results were very good! Hornady case, CCI 200 LRP, Berger 108 seated to 2.140 BTO, and a charge weight of 34.3 & 34.9 produced 3-shot groups of about 1/4 moa. There were no pressure signs at all and no hang-fires. I have no chrono data. Hodgdon's burn chart lists 540 at #117 and RL15 at #110. I had considerable hang-fires with RL15 trying to get that powder to work with this cartridge and small primers. As there are similarities in their applications, maybe that is the issue.
I've loaded another 25 rounds at the 34.9 charge weight and see if the good accuracy repeats. Enough with the lengthy post.

Thanks for the update. From reading your post, I get the feeling that you are having a problem with hang fires. If you are having trouble lighting RE-15 with a CCI450, I think you should start looking at other things that is giving you the hang fires. It could be something as simple as oversizing (setting the shoulder back too far) the cases. When you changed the cases from Small to LR primers, the problem went away. Was it because of the primer or the case size? It could be your primer seating habits.
I don't know anything about your rifle, but it may not hurt anything if you take a look into your fire control mechanism to insure that it is working properly.

 

[jpjulian]

Thanks for the update. From reading your post, I get the feeling that you are having a problem with hang fires. If you are having trouble lighting RE-15 with a CCI450, I think you should start looking at other things that is giving you the hang fires. It could be something as simple as oversizing (setting the shoulder back too far) the cases. When you changed the cases from Small to LR primers, the problem went away. Was it because of the primer or the case size? It could be your primer seating habits.
I don't know anything about your rifle, but it may not hurt anything if you take a look into your fire control mechanism to insure that it is working properly.

Thanks for your comments. I had some hang fire issues a while back trying to use RL15 as I have a significant supply of it from my highpower days. I was warned of ignition problems with that powder and small primers in the Creedmoor case. I tried anyway. It didn't work. No mechanical issues with either of my rifles and I shot my GA Precision rifle yesterday and it is only about a year old. No, it is just the powder/primer size/case capacity combination that sometimes just does not work. As I was informed previously, switching to the large primer, and loading both for the test, confirmed large primers are preferred with this powder in this case. The 25 loaded and shot today @ 34.9 grains with CCI #200 primers worked extremely well. 4 out of 5, 5-shot groups produce sub 1/2 moa groups with 2 groups having 4 of 5 into one ragged hole. The jerk behind the trigger blew it on the 5th shot. VV540 seems to work well but seems to peak quickly pressure wise. I'll continue to use H4350, (the IMR variety also), but I think a slower VV powder would be the better choice. Also, small primers in both Lapua & Peterson cases work well with the 4350's and RL17 in 6mm Creedmoor in both my rifles.

 

[jpjulian]

Oh, forgot to say, I did service the fire control just to cover all the bases.

 

[SecondsCount]

@jpjulian
Do you wet tumble your brass?

 

[jpjulian]

@jpjulian
Do you wet tumble your brass?

yes I do without pins and dry thoroughly in a convection oven. The prepped brass above was washed & dried some weeks prior to loading so no chance of moisture contamination if that was your thought.