VV N160 Load advice

[YetiSlayer]

So here is the deal. I made a great score on a 8 pound keg of Vihtavuori N160. I would like to use this powder for my Remington 700MLR .338 LM but the heaviest bullet that they have load data for is for a 225gr. bullet. I prefer 250gr. bullets and was wondering if anyone has any advice since the 700MLR only runs a 24" barrel and not a 28" to 30" barrel that most other .338LM have. Any ideas? I could load 225gr bullets but I already have so many 250gr ones and getting bullets is not exactly easy.

Thanks.

 

[milo 2.0]

I've been eyeing your post all day, my first impression is that it's too fast of a powder. Went to Lapua's website, load data and they don't recommend it either for bullets above 225. You may get lucky, but usually heavier bullets, slower powder.
Good luck;

Products - Lapua

N560 would have been more forgiving.

 

[Down South]

I've been eyeing your post all day, my first impression is that it's too fast of a powder. Went to Lapua's website, load data and they don't recommend it either for bullets above 225. You may get lucky, but usually heavier bullets, slower powder.
Good luck;

Products - Lapua

N560 would have been more forgiving.

I was thinking the same thing, too fast of a burn rate for that combo......After a lot of testing with N-150 I find its closer to Varget than H4350 in burn rate contrary to what the burn charts say, I've never shot N-160 but talked to guys that have and they said it wasn't that far off from H4350 so i would guess N-170 would be a better fit for his application but it don't hurt to try N-160 if he has it on hand.

 

[Deej]

I think it is going to be too fast also. I use N160 in 243, 30-06 7.5x55 and 260. Was too fast for 300 Rum and 7 mag. Even with lighter bullets. Can always give it a whirl but even if get it to group going to be lacking in speed.

 

[jagged77]

N160 runs very close to H4350 and really is too fast for .338, N165 is really what you need for the 250's.

 

[YetiSlayer]

Thanks for the replies guys. Your answers were pretty much what I figured, but it never hurts to ask a dumb question. A couple more dumb questions if you all don't mind. Do you all think that it still adequate for 225 gr. bullets in the .338LM? I can always get a bunch of 225gr bullets an develop a load for it. Or, should I task it to another caliber? After perusing VV's load manual this seems to be a real niche powder, mainly for the .30 caliber family of magnums. The problem is that I got it for only $100 and these days you do not pass up a good powder deal when it presents itself. I was really hoping to use it on my .338 since it is by far my most powder hungry (and most shot) rifle.

 

[milo 2.0]

Shooting the 225's is purely your decision, the trend has been to go with the high bc heavies. Don't fret on the 160, it's good for a lot of 6.5's, 270. some 7mm's, 22-250 and more.

 

[jagged77]

I use N160 in both my .260's and have used it in .243. Very good and consistent powder. Costs around $100 for 2.2lbs over here, very nice score...!

 

[RHunter]

You can always sell it to me for twice the price you paid if you can ship it!