What's the Best VECTAN powder for .308?

[TQB]

Hello,

Due to the dificulty in adquiring any other brand of Powders in Portugal, I am "stuck" with Vectan Powders.

I had been using Vectan Tubal 3000 to load .308 WIn, 7,5x55 Swiss and 8x57 IS, but, recently the distribuitor is out of stock.

My questions:

- Is Tubal 3000 the best suited powder for any the listed calibers (of the Vectan product range)?
- Are ther any other Vectan powders suitable? And if yes, what is your recomendation?

I know this might be a little outside your confort zone, but even other european powders such as Vihtavouri are dificult to come by in Portugal. Therefore, Vectan is the only real choice for us...

Thank You.

 

[jonbearman]

Try this link www.balleurope.com/recharge/

 

[JohnHenry]

TQB, As you may know, it has been a number of years since Vectan powders have been imported into the U.S. You may want to email Duane Siercks who is a ballistic technician with Sierra Bullets. I know Duane has a Vectan/Tubal reloading manual and has shot some of the Vectan powders. His email is duane@sierrabullets.com

 

[seymour fish]

Quickload

 

[TQB]

Hello,

I have e-mailed Duane Siercks at Sierra bullets and I am waiting for his reply.

As far as I could see Quickload doesn't have Vectan powder in its database.

 

[Bindi2]

TU 5000 is a little slower than TU 3000.
TU 5000 sits in the same slot as H4895, IMR4895, AA2230 and is a little faster than AR2208,Varget,IMR4064 and AA2460 all used in the 308.

 

[lpreddick]

Bindi2: i have and shoot tubal 3000 and it's burn rate is around A2230 and benchmark while tubal 5000 based on the burn rate chart i'v found most correct is quite a bit slower...around A4064, N140, H 380, rel 15.

 

[TQB]

Ipreddick, since you use Tubal 3000, what's your advice on load weights with 168 gr. bullets for 300m benchrest?

Currently I'm using 41gr. loads (average speed 2576 f/s) because they seemed to group better than 37 or 39gr.

I am thinking about using the OWC method to determine a more sutable load, but until I do, sugestions would be apreciated.

Thank You,

 

[lpreddick]

my only use has been in a 6mmbr. i was not overly impressed when compared to the other fast burners. i have an 8# jug so i may get around to trying it again. asked abut this powder awhile back and there were some responses about the powder being unsafe to store...letting off fumes or decomposing. my jug sits in a cool dry place and smells fine. good luck.