Viht N550 vs N560 for 6.5CM

[NullMac]

Advice please.
I am loading with N550, all is good getting 2774fps with 123gr SST's.
Cant find any more N550.
Can buy N560, which is listed in tables for 6.5CM. I believe it is slightly slower burning than 550. Tables suggest more grains of powder needed and nearing max it will be compressed.
Will it matter in my 22 inch barrel rifle?

Not being a smart arse I hope but there may well be scope for more mv if that is something you desire. I am running 123gr ELD-M at a shade north of 3000fps. 24" barrel but still. If you are happy just ignore me. 45gr N550 off the top of my head but obviously that is tailored for my shooter so not a recommendation.

Your load is giving what the Hornady factory 120gr (?) ELD-M archives despite the box saying 2900fps.

 

[hammo]

Not being a smart arse I hope but there may well be scope for more mv if that is something you desire. I am running 123gr ELD-M at a shade north of 3000fps. 24" barrel but still. If you are happy just ignore me. 45gr N550 off the top of my head but obviously that is tailored for my shooter so not a recommendation.

Your load is giving what the Hornady factory 120gr (?) ELD-M archives despite the box saying 2900fps.

Got you, but my barrel is shorter. Take off around 100fps per inch and that's roughly where I am. I'm on 42.9gr N550.
Also my crono is 5 or so metres from muzzle to get a clean reading so might be closer to 2800fps at muzzle.

 

[Totsy]

For a 123gn bullet in 6.5creedmoor you will not beat N150. If you want more speed then N550 or with a bit more charge weight N555 will produce the results.

N150 at a middle charge weight is excellent from a 26” barrel. 0.25 MOA 5 shot groups and SD way < 10. I’d guess that you don’t want SST ripping along, they can be a bit smashy.

Also you have the advantage of using a single base powder.

 

[NullMac]

For a 123gn bullet in 6.5creedmoor you will not beat N150. If you want more speed then N550 or with a bit more charge weight N555 will produce the results.

N150 at a middle charge weight is excellent from a 26” barrel. 0.25 MOA 5 shot groups and SD way < 10. I’d guess that you don’t want SST ripping along, they can be a bit smashy.

Also you have the advantage of using a single base powder.

yeah i am getting single figure sd's and it shoots 7mm @ 100m out a blaser barrel off a bipod. surprised me to be honest particularly given the cheap kit i use.

i saw an article somewhere that suggested N550 was actually more temp stable than the equivalent single base. can't remember what it was and its only one set of data but still it challenged the common assumptions which is why i tried it in the first place.

Happy to report ELD-M's as highly effective on all deer species. I mainly shoot Sika. Nae need for a 300 Win Mag

 

[ASl sniper.177]

yeah i am getting single figure sd's and it shoots 7mm @ 100m out a blaser barrel off a bipod. surprised me to be honest particularly given the cheap kit i use.

i saw an article somewhere that suggested N550 was actually more temp stable than the equivalent single base. can't remember what it was and its only one set of data but still it challenged the common assumptions which is why i tried it in the first place.

Happy to report ELD-M's as highly effective on all deer species. I mainly shoot Sika. Nae need for a 300 Win Mag

I've recently started using 120 grain Eld-m bullets in 6.5 creedmoor on deer and foxes. Early results are very positive,neither blowing things to bits,or,pencilling through. If you look at the bullet construction on the Hornady website of the Eld-m range of bullets compared to the Eld-x or sst range,you'll notice that the Eld-m are slightly thicker at the meplat than the Eld-x or sst,but have a thinner jacket on the main bearing surface. Plus,less thickness at the boat tail. I've not definitely decided to use the Eld-m bullets until I've shot a few more deer to assess any carcass damage.

 

[hammo]

Yes I may try N150. Currently can't find anything except the N560 which is listed as good for my needs.
I am only part way through my current tub of N550, so it will probably see me through until I find some more.

 

[Burger]

I’m currently using Staball 6.5 with SSTs

 

[hammo]

I spoke to a super helpful chap at Hannams earlier, no N550 left but gave me a couple of places to try - both closed mondays of course!!
I am sure I will get sorted eventually, or just work a load up with my stock of N140. Might lose a bit of muzzle velocity, but not a huge amount.

 

[Laurie]

i saw an article somewhere that suggested N550 was actually more temp stable than the equivalent single base. can't remember what it was and its only one set of data but still it challenged the common assumptions which is why i tried it in the first place.

Forget temperature stability in this country with its temperate climate. It's a big deal in many parts of North America and Down Under that see huge seasonal and even sometimes daily temp ranges, but rarely for us. Just two things to watch in this regard: 1) in target style shooting don't have an open ammo box in full sun, shade it. Even here, the summer sun will heat up brass cases a surprising amount over the course of a match or two. 2) Be careful working up loads to absolute max pressure levels in mid winter, as they will likely behave differently / produce higher pressures in the warmest summer days.

Even so-called temperature stable powders see behaviour changes in different temps, only some see less change than others. Older ball-type powders (and some recent ones such as Hodgdon CFE-223 if American shooters are to be believed) are the worst, but note that even this group meet NATO requirements as that's what most military smallarms ammo is loaded with. Viht N150 has a good reputation in this regard. It is the most widely used powder by GB F/TR 308 Win competitors who run some very high-performance/ pressure loads with heavy bullets all year round in every temperature the British Isles have to offer.

 

[Laurie]

PS I can't comment directly on the 6.5 Creedmoor, but over the years I've worked up high-MV and very effective match loads with the 123gn Scenar over N150 in 6.5X47, 260 Rem, and 6.5X55 which share the Creedmoor's characteristics in this regard. For 140s, I'd likely look at the more recent N555 first in the 260, 6.5CM, 6.5X55 trio.

 

[Tikkat1x]

I spoke to a super helpful chap at Hannams earlier, no N550 left but gave me a couple of places to try - both closed mondays of course!!
I am sure I will get sorted eventually, or just work a load up with my stock of N140. Might lose a bit of muzzle velocity, but not a huge amount.

Wildcat moderators have N550 in stock mate. Just spoken to them earlier. Don’t know if they deliver or not. Or how close you are to them. It’s just falling lucky on what shops you ask. Try as you may you can never think of every place. And most folk would rather keep stock locations to themselves. I’m not telling anyone where I get my N555 from

 

[ASl sniper.177]

A good call on max loads worked up in the autumn or winter,Laurie. Back in the day,when I was shooting. 243 Ackley with 55 grain NBT at 4200 fps for fox shooting (Just over an inch drop at 300 yards) I had a winter load,and a summer load. The winter load would shoot .250 moa,or less. But the same load in summer temperatures would open up to .750 moa,plus tight bolt lift. Small details when reloading can make a massive difference to the groups you get. And,that doesn't even get into the getting it dangerous wrong zone! Been there,done that!

 

[Hotrodders1966]

Advice please.
I am loading with N550, all is good getting 2774fps with 123gr SST's.
Cant find any more N550.
Can buy N560, which is listed in tables for 6.5CM. I believe it is slightly slower burning than 550. Tables suggest more grains of powder needed and nearing max it will be compressed.
Will it matter in my 22 inch barrel rifle?

Hi,
I shot at 600 mtrs on Sat, good results wi N555 same heads 2699fps
A few peeps say 555 is best for CM
Rod

 

[scotch_egg]

I have got some N560 for my 7mm SAUM.

I will put my 24” barrel on my 6.5 creedmoor and load up some 140gr 6.5 bullets. I recon it should be a good performer. As the OP states it’s listed for 6.5 creedbro on viht’s app. Let’s see how it goes.

 

[Tikkat1x]

Wildcat moderators have N550 in stock mate. Just spoken to them earlier. Don’t know if they deliver or not. Or how close you are to them. It’s just falling lucky on what shops you ask. Try as you may you can never think of every place. And most folk would rather keep stock locations to themselves. I’m not telling anyone where I get my N555 from

they have just informed me postage for there powder is £72

 

[hammo]

they have just informed me postage for there powder is £72

Actually might cost me that indiesel to drive the truck there and back

 

[Tikkat1x]

Actually might cost me that indiesel to drive the truck there and back

well i guess its worth it if you can get a decent supply of what your after

 

[Tikkat1x]

Yes indeed! @tikkat1x, Hannams Reloading sits immediately adjacent to the southbound carriageway of the old A1, the road that was bypassed by the new A1(M) some years back. Coming from the West, your best bet is to get onto the eastbound A63, the Selby road, and carry on until the old 'Boot & Shoe' roundabout where it joins the old A1/Great North Road and they merge to run due south as a joint-name road. Hannams is off that road a half-mile or so north of the Selby Fork roundabout on the East (southbound) side. Neither the exit nor Hannams are signposted and there is no exit slip, just a small gap in the verge that apparently allows access to a farmyard (and actually a minor country lane that carries on to Milford), so you have to go slowly and be vigilant. As you approach Hannams on the A63/A1, you see on your left an iron post fence, trees, and a large country house behind the fence and the exit is just past them. On exiting the main road, turn immediately left again into a gated driveway and short track that leads to the big house you just passed and Hannams is there, the office and sales side on the right side.

you were not wrong, bit of a bugger to find, went up and down the dule carriageway several times, on and off it, turns out the first place i pulled in originally was the correct place, a sign wouldnt go amiss, they seemed to be well stocked in everything i needed, not done my bank balance much good

 

[hammo]

Well I have gone for N560. Promises good velocity. Don't need to rush working a load up as not run out of 550 yet. Curiosity will probably get the better of me though!

 

[hammo]

Had a go with the N560, top three groups, 45gr the clear winner at 3/4" .
Bottom pic is my current N550 load just under an inch aiming for the pen drawn bull after a bit of fine adjustment on my zero.
Happy with both, and will fall back to the N560 once I finish the tub of N550.
Please work up loads safely with your gat, don't presume my loads safe for you!