Vihtavuori Powders - Am I missing out on performance in my 6.5 CM

[ChristianSilver]

H4350 and RL 16 have been my go to powder for my loads. Just wondering if there’s anything I am missing with Vihtavuori Powder. It’s so hard nowadays to find the 4350 and RL16.
Found a good supply of N160 and N550 in good quantities just on the fence.
Lapua brass SRP
135 ATips and 140 ELD’s

 

[Ankeny]

I have used a lot of VV powder through the years, especially the 500 series. It's good stuff, but I now mostly use the extreme series Hodgdon powders. The new VV 555 is supposed to be a great substitute for H4350. Hell of it is, about the time you make the switch you will probably find 8 lb jugs of H4350.

 

[ChristianSilver]

Thanks for the feedback, I hate changing but have heard good things about VV. Your right as soon as I pull the trigger the shelves will be loaded up with 4350, if I set back and wait the glut will continue..

 

[memilanuk]

What about N160? Though it was supposed to right in there with H4350?

 

[Dthomas3523]

N150 is the varget substitute as well.

 

[rjz5400]

is it just availablity, or performance got you considering the switch? because seems like everybody agrees on h4350, right?

 

[b2lee]

I've always had really good luck with Vihtavuori powders....especially N565 in my 300PRC.

***Note*** Powder Valley has H4350 in stock. I ordered some a few weeks ago and it shipped quicker than the website said it would. Currently showing in stock for 8lbs jugs for $201.00

 

[ChristianSilver]

Yea I’ve found a few places that has 4350, leaning towards giving VV a try...

 

[yakstone]

Ive always used VV powders in my .45 and 9mm. Started using N120 in the 300BO and like the way it runs.

VV is the cleanest burning powder that I have used and to me, that's worth the premium.

I do use 4350 and Varget in my rifle rounds and seem to be in pretty good shape there, otherwise I would give VV a shot in those too.

 

[b2lee]

Started using N120 in the 300BO and like the way it runs.

Oh...do tell....still using Lil' Gun in my 300BO...can you PM me some load info for N120 in 300BO? I normally run big heavy lead bullets...the hogs absolutely hate them.

 

[yakstone]

I have been running Berger 200g hybrids over and getting 1170-ish fps. good accuracy ot 50 yards, haven't taken them out past that yet. Plan to run them to 100 yards next week. I'm outside Denver FYI.

 

[mavrick10_2000]

Are the VV Varget and H4350 substitutes temp insensitive? I'm talking above 95F to below freezing?

 

[GIXXER2000]

I can only speak on N570 and have not have any issue in the 35 to over 100 temp range in my 375CT and 338 LM.

 

[Txmxracer]

Has anyone tried n140 with the 120 class bullets? Looks like it's close to target on the burn chart.

 

[3-0-hate]

I tried VV powders in my 7mm RM and never had great luck with it. I switched over to Retumbo and have seen EXCELLENT results. Im guessing it all comes down to if your rifle/chamber/barrel like it.

 

[giumau1]

good results here with N150 (Varget-like powder) with 120-130gn bullets and N160 with 140gn class bullets outstanding temp insensitive powders. Not the same with 5XX family, sometimes too much temp sensitive, sometimes simply speed was there, not accuracy

 

[cruze5]

VVN540 is excellent powder for the 260 Remington/ 264 projectile i am using a Tikka 20" bbl

40 grains with a 140 grain SMK @ 2.825 is my current max load for the rifle at 85 degrees 2800 FPS