Viht N550 vs N560 for 6.5CM

[hammo]

Finally got round to testing the speed of the N560 load. My barrel is seems to be a shade under 22 inches, so I dont think I will ever get much above 2800fps without silly powder charges.
So for comparison. 123gr SST, Lapua SR cases, Magtech SR primers.

N560 2570 fps
N550 2790 fps

N560 perfectly useable, and shows promise of a cloverleaf group. A bit slower than I hoped for.
N550 more the speed I was after, but cant find any more of this powder at this time

 

[scotch_egg]

Finally got round to testing the speed of the N560 load. My barrel is seems to be a shade under 22 inches, so I dont think I will ever get much above 2800fps without silly powder charges.
So for comparison. 123gr SST, Lapua SR cases, Magtech SR primers.

N560 2570 fps
N550 2790 fps

N560 perfectly useable, and shows promise of a cloverleaf group. A bit slower than I hoped for.
N550 more the speed I was after, but cant find any more of this powder at this time

N560 will work a lot better with a heavier bullet.

 

[JamesH]

N560 will work a lot better with a heavier bullet.

Yep and a longer barrel helps but can’t change that easily!

6.5x55 123gr Scenar gets to 2800-2850 ok but 23.5” barrel (49.3 gr N560) for me.

 

[hammo]

Yep and a longer barrel helps but can’t change that easily!

6.5x55 123gr Scenar gets to 2800-2850 ok but 23.5” barrel (49.3 gr N560) for me.

I am on a a good accuracy node at 45gr, but wonder how far up the next node is?
I ladder tested up to 47gr, but that's book max for my 6.5CM.
Guess Im stuck.

 

[ASl sniper.177]

Yep and a longer barrel helps but can’t change that easily!

6.5x55 123gr Scenar gets to 2800-2850 ok but 23.5” barrel (49.3 gr N560) for me.

I shoot 6.5 creedmoor in a Bergara B14 hunter with a 22 inch barrel using Hornady 120 grain Eld-m match factory ammunition. I'm getting 2915 fps over the chronograph. I'm just about to work up some loads using Hornady 123 grain Eld-m and N555. I'm hoping to get 2850 fps ish through the same rifle. The combination of the Bergara B14 and Hornady factory ammunition was fantastic. If I can match the factory ammunition,I'll be made up.

 

[hammo]

All I want for Christmas is some N550!!!!!!

 

[hammo]

Having a play around with the strelok pro, and the slower N560 makes little real world difference.

1/2" higher at 100m.
1/2" lower at 200m.

Almost not worth adjusting the scope for, and should still be 1137ft/lb at 300m, so plenty of power.
Still only an extra 6.5cm or 2 1/2" drop at 300m.
In my average distances, usually around 100m it probably not even a concern.

Do we all worry too much about plus or minus 200fps when we are north of 2500fps ??

 

[scotch_egg]

Having a play around with the strelok pro, and the slower N560 makes little real world difference.

1/2" higher at 100m.
1/2" lower at 200m.

Almost not worth adjusting the scope for, and should still be 1137ft/lb at 300m, so plenty of power.
Still only an extra 6.5cm or 2 1/2" drop at 300m.
In my average distances, usually around 100m it probably not even a concern.

Do we all worry too much about plus or minus 200fps when we are north of 2500fps ??

As long as the bullet is working. Most Lighter 6mm bullets are designed to be shot at higher velocity.

My 6mm creedmoor with a 20” barrel is shooting 87gr V-vax at 2700fps. At 300 yards I’ve got .9 mils drop. I’m consistently hitting a 5” gong. I’ll be happy with that.

 

[hammo]

I shoot 6.5 creedmoor in a Bergara B14 hunter with a 22 inch barrel using Hornady 120 grain Eld-m match factory ammunition. I'm getting 2915 fps over the chronograph. I'm just about to work up some loads using Hornady 123 grain Eld-m and N555. I'm hoping to get 2850 fps ish through the same rifle. The combination of the Bergara B14 and Hornady factory ammunition was fantastic. If I can match the factory ammunition,I'll be made up.

Let us know how you get on.
I have now managed to get some N555, so back to load testing for me. Will be using 123gr SST's

 

[ASl sniper.177]

Let us know how you get on.
I have now managed to get some N555, so back to load testing for me. Will be using 123gr SST's

Will do. I was hoping to get out yesterday,but it was way to windy.

 

[jacre1993]

How did you get on with the n555?

 

[Tikkat1x]

very well mate, after reading up on it, it seemed the powder of choice

 

[disco_ike]

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?

Try MBR Sporting at Bisley. He just had a load of Vhit and was able to sort me some

 

[hammo]

For anyone looking for some, Dauntsey's have loads of N555 in.

 

[ASl sniper.177]

For anyone looking for some, Dauntsey's have loads of N555 in.

Sorry hammo,I said I'd keep you updated on my load development with my 6.5 creedmoor. As a Gamekeeper,I'm very busy,but I have done some load development. So far,44.5 grains of N555 with a Hornady 123 Eld-m has achieved 2816 fps,and .4 moa groups. I pretty sure there's more velocity and tighter groups to come. Cheers.

 

[markymark]

Sorry hammo,I said I'd keep you updated on my load development with my 6.5 creedmoor. As a Gamekeeper,I'm very busy,but I have done some load development. So far,44.5 grains of N555 with a Hornady 123 Eld-m has achieved 2816 fps,and .4 moa groups. I pretty sure there's more velocity and tighter groups to come. Cheers.

Barrel length?

 

[ASl sniper.177]

Barrel length?

22 inch barrel. Hornady cases ànd RWS primers. The next test batches will increase by .1-.2 of a grain.

 

[markymark]

When I had my 18” barrel I worked up several excellent loads with N140 because that’s all I had and wanted to use.

Now I have an 20” Creedmoor barrel and using the same 120gr projectiles… I wonder what is ideal powder for that barrel length, bullet weight including case capacity, velocity and complete powder burn (N140, N150, N555)

 

[hammo]

Sorry hammo,I said I'd keep you updated on my load development with my 6.5 creedmoor. As a Gamekeeper,I'm very busy,but I have done some load development. So far,44.5 grains of N555 with a Hornady 123 Eld-m has achieved 2816 fps,and .4 moa groups. I pretty sure there's more velocity and tighter groups to come. Cheers.

N555 45gr with 123gr SST's was giving me 2710fps out of my barrel, it's just under 22 inch.

 

[ASl sniper.177]

N555 45gr with 123gr SST's was giving me 2710fps out of my barrel, it's just under 22 inch.

It just goes to show the need for proper load work up,even when using similar reloading components. I think I've a fast barrel on my bergara b14 as I get over 2900 fps from factory Hornady 120 grain Eld-m bullets.