VV N160 Too Hot?

[Scott Harris]

I tried working up some new loads using VV N160 for the first time. Most of the manuals say 42.0gr is a max 243 WIN load. However, I was blowing primers big-time. I've settled on 38.7 gr with any of the 105 gr bullets: berger, hornady, etc. This seems way lighter than the manuals suggest. Anyone with experience out there?

 

[English]

what brass are you using ?? as Iam having primer pocket problems as well using 160 Ive tried the lowest of charges and finding the pockets are loose my brass has been fired 3 times
iam going to try Norma brass this afternoon as my mate uses it and his pocket are as tight as a nuns private parts,Iam think its brass problem as I spoke to a guy the other day who first firing of a 300 win mag the brass is goosed

 

[6XC]

I find vvn160 great for my 6xc .No pressure signs at all up to 42gr .

 

[H2OBUG]

I can get nowhere near the max load listed in my 270 Win--I am at mid range on the published data and that is about all I care to do.. Primers are flat--

 

[bheadboy]

I have tried it in the 280ai and 300wm and found low velocity and hi pressure
got some i would give away
Bob

 

[Scott Harris]

what brass are you using ?? as Iam having primer pocket problems as well using 160 Ive tried the lowest of charges and finding the pockets are loose my brass has been fired 3 times
iam going to try Norma brass this afternoon as my mate uses it and his pocket are as tight as a nuns private parts,Iam think its brass problem as I spoke to a guy the other day who first firing of a 300 win mag the brass is goosed

I'm using brand new lapua 243WIN brass,which has proven very tough in the past: over a dozen reloads without the primer pockets loosening. As mentioned, I am getting good accuracy at 100yds with 38.7 grains in the hornady 105 a-max, 105hpbt, and the berger 105 vld. So,I'm going to use it in a few matches and see how it does.

 

[HPMike800]

Scott:
I'm running N160 in my 6SLR with 105 berger vld.s (HBN Coated), and 42.0grs is a light load. I've shot in hot summer temps in a hot rifle and don't get hard bolt lift until around 44.0gr. My load right now is 43.2grs at 3180 fps. ???

Mike

 

[WyleWD]

I tried working up some new loads using VV N160 for the first time. Most of the manuals say 42.0gr is a max 243 WIN load. However, I was blowing primers big-time. I've settled on 38.7 gr with any of the 105 gr bullets: berger, hornady, etc. This seems way lighter than the manuals suggest. Anyone with experience out there?

If you're using the VV / Lapua manual.... BEWARE. I've found some of those loads WAY off the chart too hot even at the starting loads. Also, the one I had was in both grains and grams..... there's a big difference there obviously and need to watch that too. WD

 

[Scott Harris]

Scott:
I'm running N160 in my 6SLR with 105 berger vld.s (HBN Coated), and 42.0grs is a light load. I've shot in hot summer temps in a hot rifle and don't get hard bolt lift until around 44.0gr. My load right now is 43.2grs at 3180 fps. ???

Mike

I can only conclude that there is a big difference in lots then, because 42.0 grains was melting the case to my bolt face....literally.

 

[flatlander]

Scott, I've used a lot of N160 in several 6x47 Lapuas, along with a couple of 6XCs. 41grs is close to max with moly'd or HBN'd 105-107s in my rifles, but accuracy's great at that level, and neither primers nor cases show any sign(s) of excess pressure. Dunno why you're having issues - almost sounds like someone got some N150 mixed in with your jug of N160. N150 is quirky & peaky when you approach max loads with it, while N160 seems a bit more forgiving. All-in-all, I'd have to say that N160 is my favorite powder in the 6x47.

 

[paulT]

N160 has yielded best results to date with my 1 in 10 twist 243 barrel and the Lapua 90g scenar and berger 95g vld molly bullets, Lapua brass and cci br, 46g n160 = 3,160 fps av fl with the Lapua 90g coated scenar, no high pressure signs with my barrel, Have you confirmed that you using n160 and not n150 as earlier post mentions.

 

[Shynloco]

Scothar,
The only thing you didn't mention is your bullet depth seating. If you are jammed, that'll drive the pressure up on some rifles, especially on a tight chamber. If not, what rifle are you shooting? It strikes me that a number of guys I know are shooting various versions of 6.5's and some use VVN160 and are in the low 40's when it comes to their loads. The one I've shot is at 42.2 grs with the bullet jammed Berger 140VLD Targets. So again, it is possible it's just that your rifle doesn't like that load. And all the above that I mentioned are using Lapua brass.