What powders give good velocities for 180 gr bullets in .308 Win. I only have access to Vihtavuori and Norma powders. I'd guess that VV N150 and Norma 203-B would produce the highest velocities (2600 fps/795 m/s) or ????

Peter

For a 24 inch barrel, moderate pressure (55,000PSI) and a 180 gr. Nosler Partition, QuickLoad says VV-N550, Norma 203B and VV- N150 in that order from fastest to slowest. They all get 2615 to 2665 fps in the model.

Don

Thanks!
This is similar to what I had gathered from different manuals.

The max safe load I've seen for the 203-B is 46.2 grains. For VV N150 around 45-48 grains.

Is it the same loads in Quickload?? Would another bullet than the Nosler change the max safe load??

Peter

Peter,

The max load will change with different bullets due to COL and metallurgy changes. QuickLoad has a default starting pressure fro the various bullets that reflects the metallurgy. Cartridge Overall Length is a direct entry.

N-550 was 47.4 gr, 2660 fps
Norma 203B was 43.2 2636 fps
N150 was 44.9 gr, 2615 fps

These are max loads! Start 10% below and work up to them. I load a lot in 308, but have not tried these powders.

Don

Hej Peter!

203-B and N-150 seemes very similar to me. The loads I have tried in my .308 Win with these two powders have resulted in similar accuracy and velocity.

I use 45,5 gr. N-150 and 180 gr. SAKO Hammerhead or norma Oryx in my .308 Win.

Stefan.

A friend of mine uses 50 grs of Norma 204 with a RWS 5333 magnum primer and a 180 grs partition. This gives him 805 m/s and very good accuracy.
Strange load, but it works for him. Havent tried it myself.
Martin

Hej på dig Stefan. Jag tror att Norma 203B är liksom N-140.
In USA; I think Norma 203B is like VihtaVuori N-140.
Kauko från Finland.

Since this is a 2001 post I doubt that the poster still wants to know.

just in case.....N-140 for 150 grain bullets and N-150 for the 180 grain bullets

Stefan was waiting me all these years. Now he can to sleep tight, you know.
PS; Norma 203B = N-140.
You can use N-540 too.
I use N-550 powder for 180gr/11,7g.

For .308 Win I have these loads from my Norwegian "Ladeboken".

This data is for 180 Hornady SP bullet.
COL = 71,0mm

N140 Min 42 grains Max 43 (quite hot) - 2488fps
N540 Min 43 grains max 44 - 2541 fps
Norma 202 Min 42 grains Max 44 - 2594 fps
N150 Min 43 grains Max 45 (compressed) - 2539 fps

Hej David.
Your "data" near to VihtaVuori Edition 6. It means 2008.

180gr/11,7g SP Hornady:

N-140 min 38,1gr 2196fps. max 44,1gr 2561fps
N-150 min 38,3gr 2220fps. max 46,3gr 2601fps

180gr XFP Barnes
N-540 min 32,2gr 1938fps. max 39,3gr 2346fps
N-550 min 35,5gr 2043fps max 42,4gr 2408fps

180gr Lapua Naturlis

N-540 min 40,6gr 2306fps max 44,7gr 2523fps
N-550 min 43,8gr 2349fps max 48,3gr 2595fps

Testing barrel 24" 12" twist. Cases Lapua.
C.O.L. 2,795". Naturlis 2,681".

Kauko.