according to factory claims these powders give higher speeds at the same pressure than conventional powders and I would like to hear from those of you who have had experience with them.
regarding their 560, by burning rate where would you place it compared norma 204 and mrp, or to h4350 and h4831?
thanks in advance,
montero

I have used N540 and N550, they are good powders, but they seem to vary quite a bit from lot to lot. You do get an extra 50-100 fps from them in most cases. I have never used N560.

Don

I've used all the 500 series powders and truly found no significant difference in them, other than their burn rate. I tried N560 in 338 Win Mag and 300 Win Mag. It was slower than H4350 and close to RL22. I wasn't using much H4831 at the time so I made no comparison but it seems it's about the same burn rate. It did not seem to me that factory's claim of faster velocity with less pressure was accurate. I had also understood the powder was temperature tolerant and that too didn't prove to be the case, in contrast to the Hodgdon Extreme powders in this regard.

I've had some success with N550 in 30-06 and in another short, fat cartridge in the accuracy department but again found no gain in velocities. Without pressure testing equipment my guideline was a stiff bolt and ejector marks on the case, and that occurred at approximately the same velocity as other appropriate powders. This series seems to be just another powder to try, but nothing special to me. Bob

Hi Montero ,
I use such some years Vihta 500 series powder and I find there are very good powder. Burnig rate from 560 is beetwen Norma 204 and MRP, it's very similar to Hodgon 4831, but I find it give a bit low pressure. In some calibers (7 Rem M., 338 Lapua, ecc.)the Vihta 560 work fantastic also with very high loads and give outstanding accuracy.
If you need more informations about the 500 series powder send me an e-mail, I hope that I can help you.
ciao FAINA

Montero, I have used quite a lot of Vn. 560. I have used it in my 577 Tyrannosaur, 460 wby. 416 wby. 378 wby. and 340 wby. In each of these rifles it has given outstanding accuracy especially in the 577 and the 460 wby. I agree with the others it's burning rate is similar to H4831, but I would say that it might be just a tad faster burning. I don't have pressure measuring equipment but 560 has given the highest velocitys with my 577 t.rex. Check the reloading section Saeed has used the Vihtavouri 500 powders in some of his tests. If memory serves he seemed to get high velocitys with these powders.

[This message has been edited by Mitch (edited 06-22-2001).]

Have tried the 540 and the 550 with the 540 giving the very best accuracy in one .308, but the velocity claims seem to be Bullfeathers. I do like the way they meter, and I am a big fan of the Vita series. I don't expect a free lunch though and neither should the average man.

Sako308,

Would you mind sharing your .308 loads???

Thanks,

Pete

308 Win
Fed Match 210GM
Fed Gold Medal Brass
COL 2.80"
165 Nosler BT

N140 at 44.0
N540 at 44.0

I had very good experiences with the N540 in the 8x57 IS. You get 770m/s (2560fps) out of a 25" barrel with a 200grs A-Frame. The pressure (tested by the proofhouse in munich) is near maximum, but absolutely safe.

ALASKA BUSH MAN.
Since you recomend both 44 gr of V140 and V540 do you see any difference in those loads.

I have a can of it in my shed, but don't recall exactly what I got it for...

[ 01-26-2003, 22:03: Message edited by: EXPRESS ]

i have tested vv560 against R22 and have got the same velocity in my 06 with the same powder charge 58 gn of R22 gives me 2660 with a 200 gn nosler part the same charge of vv 560 gives me the same velocity as R22..2660
just recentley i pressure tested R22 VV560 H4831 and winchester wxr in the 06 with a charge of 58 gns of each powder behind the 200 gn nosler
very little diffrence between the four powders
if ant body is intrested i can give you the exact pressures
regards daniel

Faster to slower:

94. Varget
95. IMR-4064
96. AA-2520

97. Brig 4065
98. IMR-4320
99. N-202

100. N-140
101. N-540
102. AA-2700

103. RL-15
104. H-380
105. W-760

106. H-414
107. N-150
108. Brig 4351

109. N-550
110. AA-4350
111. IMR-4350

112. H-4350
113. N-204
114. RL-19

115. N-160
116. IMR-4831
117. AA-3100

118. WMR
119. H-4831
120. MRP

121. H-450
122. N-165
123. RL-22

I agree that the increased velocity may be hype, but I have found N540 to be an excellent performer in the 223 using both the 69 gr. MK and the 75 gr. AMax. I have been able to drive the 69 MK to 3140 avg., and the 75 gr. AMax to 3024 avg. with no pressure issues and sub 1/2 MOA groups. It has replaced both IMR 4064 and Varget as my powder of choise with the 155 Palma bullet in my 308 Win.

N550 works very well in a medium weight sporter barrel with the 156 Sierra GK. @ 2700 fps and change. It gives consistent groups in the .6's. And I use N550 in my F class 300 WSM behind the 175 MK @ 2963 fps avg. It shoots better than I can hold it.I am going to try N560 in the my 260 Rem. behind the 142 MK when the weather breaks.

Hope this is of some help.

Shoot Safe, Shoot Straight....RiverRat

I tried N-560 at 61.3in 30.06 with 180gr SSTs,worked and well.This was with two different rifles,2740 out of 22",just under MOA and just over MOA.This a moderate pressure,no flattened primers.It shot ragged until I went to full case.It seems to need a certain level of pressure.

Highpower Competitors are commonly using N540 to drive an 80 gr bullet approximately 100-150 fps faster out of a 20" 223 than other commonly used powders such as Re15 and Varget.

Service Rifle competitors are typically shooting 80's at 2750fps. VV N540 is giving 2900 or better in some cases.

In my strain gauge equipped barrel, N540/80Berger at 2850fps showed similar pressure to Re15 at 2700 fps.

My best guess is that 500 Series powders prolong peak pressures (increasing the Area Under the Curve).