I am a fan of VV powders. I have had good results with N160 in my 20 inch barrel full stock 6.5x55. I also like Rel 19. However, while working up a 125 partition load with Rel 19 I found that the best accuracy with 45 grains is only producing a velocity of 2650 fps. I�d like to get the speed up to 2700+. VV state that the 500 series add about 100 fps to the VV100 series velocities so I guess the same sort of effect would be seen switching from Rel 19 to a VV500 series powder.

The only way to find out is to give it a go but I just wondered what sort of comparisons anybody had made comparing VV100 powders with VV500 powders?

The other thing is that in a short barrel, I am not convinced that the powder is all burnt when the bullet exits the muzzle resulting in blast turbulence around the bullet base and detrimental effect on accuracy.

Do you think I would be better going for a quicker burning powder like VV150/VV550 in order to get the maximum benefit of the combustion in a short barrel?

Thanks

[This message has been edited by Deerdogs (edited 08-06-2001).]

I also use the VVN160 in the 6.5 Swede and find it to be quite accurate, though I am shooting it out of one of those 29+ inch M1896 barrels. Currently I am using it with the 155 gr Sierra's, though I have used it with the 142 gr Matchkings as well with good results. The same load out of a 24" barreled Cavalry Carbine still gives good accuracy, but has more noticible blast and recoil. The blast should not affect accuracy as long as your muzzel is in good condition.

This is one for Mats .
I also like to use VV but it is a pain when you are stuck with a 1kg canister after realising that it is not the correct powder for you - they should sell them in sample sizes ! Then you can shoot diffenernt powers and select the one you want .
Sure you can use VV 150 - I personally do not think the extra performance justifies the extra cost of the 500 series .
VV website is confusing - different data in Imperial and Metric sections . My suggestion : work up from 38 gr with expected velocity in the region of 2800fps max.

You might try Reloader 15. I would start at 38.5 grains and work up. Somewhere around 39.5 grains you will get your velocity. 40.0 grains should produce roughly 2740 fps @ 54 kPSI.

Scott

With 120gr ballistic tips
43gr N550 gave 2800fps
45gr N160 gave 2850fps
neither any day time muzzle flash

N150 was bad news in my rifle that it went from sooty cases to pressure signs in one grain (as it did in Mats). N150 is only a micron slower than N140 which ordinarily is thought too fast for the 6.5. On the velocity front I doubt you'll increase by going to N150 and you'll note in the Nosler book that the lowest charge is the most accurate.

N550 was very easy to load and gave excellent accuracy thought no more so than the N160.Re velocity from the above it didn't seem worth the extra cost in a 24" barrel but might be just the ticket in your 20".

VV make the velocity gain statement because the 100 series are single base and the 500 series are double base. As Rl 19 is a double base powder it is unlikely you would gain 100fps or indeed any velocity, however you might hit the sweet spot in your rifle at a higher velocity.

I suspect if I was faced with a similar problem I would try some IMR 4350 (failing that h4350)- you can buy it in pound tins, it is quoted for all 4 of the nosler bullets and is about right burn wise. From memory it also tends to be accurate more often at higher charge weights in the Nosler book.

Also it is hard to beat physics, if you take 2,800fps from a 24" barrel as a sensible target then from a 20" barrel (-4*40)2650 is about parity? I do think some of the 3000fps loads you see in the book (from a 24" barrel) must be ghastly to shoot.

I have kegends of both n550 and n560 which you are welcome to have gratis.

Ps I've just seen your group, unless 200 yard shots are the norm I'd call that a logical end to load development.

[This message has been edited by 1894 (edited 08-07-2001).]

With 120gr ballistic tips
43gr N550 gave 2800fps
45gr N160 gave 2850fps
neither any day time muzzle flash

N150 was bad news in my rifle that it went from sooty cases to pressure signs in one grain (as it did in Mats). N150 is only a micron slower than N140 which ordinarily is thought too fast for the 6.5. On the velocity front I doubt you'll increase by going to N150 and you'll note in the Nosler book that the lowest charge is the most accurate.

N550 was very easy to load and gave excellent accuracy thought no more so than the N160.Re velocity from the above it didn't seem worth the extra cost in a 24" barrel.

VV make the velocity gain statement because the 100 series are single base and the 500 series are double base. As Rl 19 is a double base powder it is unlikely you would gain 100fps or indeed any velocity, however you might hit the sweet spot in your rifle at a higher velocity.

I suspect if I was faced with a similar problem I would try some IMR 4350 (failing that h4350)- you can buy it in pound tins, it is quoted for all 4 of the nosler bullets and is about right burn wise. From memory it also tends to be accurate more often at higher charge weights in the Nosler book.

Also it is hard to beat physics, if you take 2,800fps from a 24" barrel as a sensible target then from a 20" barrel (-4*40)2650 is about parity? I do think some of the 3000fps loads you see in the book (from a 24" barrel) must be ghastly to shoot.

I have kegends of both n550 and n560 which you are welcome to have gratis.

The idea of decreasing muzzle blast to increase the accuracy of your partitions does of course run against increasing velocity. As your 100gr loads are fine with ?N160 dare I suggest that it is much more the imperfections of the partitions base that are to blame and that in order to increase the velocity you'll have to move to a different bullet. The speer hot core 120gr spitzers are supposed to be very good if a little short, I have had very very good results from the 140s.