Anyone have experience with Vihta Vuori ?

[BravoXray]

So, I finally got a chance to do some load developing. In the past I found good results with Lapua loaded 175 scenar ammo so I figured I'd try to somewhat duplicate it. I got my hands on some Vihta Vuori N140 and loaded some with Lapua Brass and 175 SMK's. I know this powder burns a bit slower than the Varget that I've been using and I like the way the rifle shoots using this powder. Seems like the recoil impulse is a lot smoother.

Any way VV's site listed its lowest and highest recommended charge loads. So I loaded accordingly but also loaded a few rounds just above max just to see. The highest load was at 43.2 gr similar to a load I use with Varget and I had no signs of pressure at all!!! Does anyone know if VV's purposely list its charge weights on the low (safe) side? Or were my results out of the norm?
its max load showed 41.1 with a velocity of only 2501, which seemed to shoot accurate but man is that slow.
I haven't chronoed anything yet but if 43.2 gets me close to a velocity that I can still push the 175 smk to 1000 that's my goal. If not I'm wondering if it would be safe to push these a little hotter. With Lapua brass, I haven't reached the case's full capacity yet.

Just for the record:

.308 Rem Action
Schneider 26in barrel 1.11.25 twist
SMK 175, Lapua Brass trimmed to mag length
CCI BR primers
VV N-140

Just curious if anyone else out there is using something close to this combination and what they're experience is.

 

[fx77]

Like N 140 very much and it so happens for the 175 my load is also 43.2 gr as well...but I do not know specifically if VV under loads in its loading manual, but in general most manuals run to the conservative side.

 

[BravoXray]

Thanks, good to know someone else is running that load so at least it's not just me. Just out of curiosity because it may be a while before I can get back out with the chrono, what kind of velocities are you seeing?