Viht N140 with 168 .308 hornady a max bullet....

[Outandabout-goneshooting]

Evening All,

Can I just check if anyone runs this combo please? I use N140 in 223 and 243,and have got good results out of it with 150 grn in .308, but the hornady book doesn't list N140 for 168 grn. The viht website does, with a 39.4 starting load up to a 42 grn max.

I don t really want to buy a different powder for just the one bullet weight so if I can make 140 work, that would be great. Looking at boar out to 100 yards, so 1.5 inches at 100 yards would be acceptable, under 1 inch preferable.

Thanks.

 

[eldon]

I run 44.5gr vit 140 behind a sierra 2140, so 165gr, if that helps?

Being a hollow point I can run them a little long and they run about 2725 fps out of 24" barrel. Regularly group 1/2 to 5/8" groups if I do my bit.

 

[ashray]

have a look on the nosler reloading site. not the same bullet but is the same weight n140 start load 42.5 up to 44.5 max ! start low and work up.

 

[addjunkie]

I use 140 with Nosler 168gr Custom Competition Bullets, works fine.

 

[Outandabout-goneshooting]

Thats helpful. Thanks all. Looks like the viht website may be on the cautious side. I'll definitely start at 40 though and go steady from there.

 

[Lever357]

I find 43.5 grain of N140 works very well from 147gr to 168gr bullets

 

[phaedra]

Go to load for 167/168 bullets is 42gr of N140

 

[plumber01]

N140 very good with 308, probably start around 42-5 gn might get tighter groups with a little more, but might need to start pressure checking
I'm interested in you using n140 in a 243, I would have thought it way too quick burning, most people are in the N165 mark , or N560, are you using very light bullets ?
good luck

 

[safer]

43gr worked really well for me in the past with 168 SMKs

 

[Outandabout-goneshooting]

Thanks All. I have much more confidence in giving it a go now.

 

[Outandabout-goneshooting]

N140 very good with 308, probably start around 42-5 gn might get tighter groups with a little more, but might need to start pressure checking
I'm interested in you using n140 in a 243, I would have thought it way too quick burning, most people are in the N165 mark , or N560, are you using very light bullets ?
good luck

I use n140 in 243 for 70 grain bullets, but the hornady book lists it up to 88 grain. I've made up a few with an 88 grain bullet but have yet to test. The 70s are well within an inch at 100 yards.

 

[DRN]

I use 44gr N140 with 168gr A max. Works fine for me in Lapua brass. Several hundred rounds so far.
Like all things reloading. Work carefully up in your rifle.
That gives me 2639 fps average from a 20 in barrel.
I also use N140 in my .243 with 85gr seirras.

 

[Outandabout-goneshooting]

Thank you!

 

[Outandabout-goneshooting]

Just a follow up to the original post...

I've worked my way up to 42 grains n140 with a 168grn a max bullet. Using Winchester and sako cases. At 42 grains, there appears no free space in the case and no rattle of the powder when shaken, from a tiny gap as with most factory ammo. Can I just check this is normal? I'm guessing those using beyond 42 grains will have the same? Don't want to be shooting too much of a compressed load.

Thanks

 

[plumber01]

While others may have different experience, I almost always find a "full case" gets better results, I often use a slower burning powder to make sure the case is full. This is mainly for target work. If you are using "fast" charges, its quite important not to have the bullet pressed up against the lands, the reason being, when the bullet exits the case, it needs to get momentum to travel up the barrel, and build up the pressure to do so. If squashed into the lands it doesn't get this initial momentum, and that can cause very nasty accidents. ( At least this was how it was explained to me by a very experienced gun smith/shooter) I think older Viht data showed a different max of N140 powder. Im not sure why, guessing safety reasons, my most accurate load for a 168 Amax is nearly 3gn over yours, but this is in a modern Sauer with heavy barrel etc, and its a load i worked up to. Reloading is a great hobby in its own right, but please be careful with working up loads , looking out for pressure signs, (inspect primers, check for a tight bolt on extraction etc) and if not sure just don't do it. good luck.

 

[Bavarianbrit]

Plus measure the before and after case web diameters.

 

[ChesterP]

While others may have different experience, I almost always find a "full case" gets better results, I often use a slower burning powder to make sure the case is full. This is mainly for target work. If you are using "fast" charges, its quite important not to have the bullet pressed up against the lands, the reason being, when the bullet exits the case, it needs to get momentum to travel up the barrel, and build up the pressure to do so. If squashed into the lands it doesn't get this initial momentum, and that can cause very nasty accidents. ( At least this was how it was explained to me by a very experienced gun smith/shooter) I think older Viht data showed a different max of N140 powder. Im not sure why, guessing safety reasons, my most accurate load for a 168 Amax is nearly 3gn over yours, but this is in a modern Sauer with heavy barrel etc, and its a load i worked up to. Reloading is a great hobby in its own right, but please be careful with working up loads , looking out for pressure signs, (inspect primers, check for a tight bolt on extraction etc) and if not sure just don't do it. good luck.

Yes, that's about the height of it.

Two main pressure waves formed, the first after detonation when obturation occurs, peaking at the point the bullet frees the frictional forces of the crimp/neck tension holding it in place, then dipping slightly as it travels across the freebore, then peaking a second time as the bullet engaged the lands and is swaged. You don't really want the two being additive which can lead to overpressure if you haven't developed your loads for that, which personally I think is asking for trouble.

 

[jaseo69er]

Evening All,

Can I just check if anyone runs this combo please? I use N140 in 223 and 243,and have got good results out of it with 150 grn in .308, but the hornady book doesn't list N140 for 168 grn. The viht website does, with a 39.4 starting load up to a 42 grn max.

I don t really want to buy a different powder for just the one bullet weight so if I can make 140 work, that would be great. Looking at boar out to 100 yards, so 1.5 inches at 100 yards would be acceptable, under 1 inch preferable.

Thanks.

I use 140 VIT on 223 6.5 And .308 with fantastic comp results it's a versatile powder I've never used it for 243 on n160 for that