Propellants for 6.5 CM: N160 or N555

[Cloudhopper]

Hi All,

I'm about to start developing a load for a 6.5 CM using bullets at the heavier end of the spectrum, probably 143gr Hornady ELD X. I'm looking at Viht N160 and N555 as potential propellants. I understand that N555 was developed specifically for the 6.5 CM but I've tended to shy away from double base powders in the past because of barrel wear concerns. I'm interested to hear peoples opinions and experiences.
CH

 

[Malxwal]

N555 is good for low spreads, and is a wee bit manky. It's said to be the coolest of all the N500 series, so not as nasty, assuming you're not running it balls out.

 

[Hunter 6.5]

I've good results with 147grains eldm and N165. It's compressed load but works well. And then even better with staball 6.5

 

[25 Sharps]

If you’re looking for top end speeds N160 is unlikely to get you there, it does however produce very accurate creedmoor ammunition.

 

[Cloudhopper]

If you’re looking for top end speeds N160 is unlikely to get you there, it does however produce very accurate creedmoor ammunition.

Would N150 be a better choice?
CH

 

[oldhamstocks]

Staball 6.5 with 147gr

 

[kenbro]

N150 would give slow speed and N565 is Vhits fastest loading for that particular 243 bullet.
KB.

 

[25 Sharps]

Would N150 be a better choice?
CH

If you want speed you need a double base or high energy powder.

N555 sits somewhere between those and single base I believe.

If using viht then the 5series powders are the ones to go for.

 

[DRN]

How long is your barrel? N160 would be OK if its 24 inches plus. N555 will get you 100fps more at least ( from memory) I can check my data later.
N150 is better for lighter copper offerings such as the yew tree 114gr.

 

[bri2506]

I’m running n150 with 143 eldx
22 inch barrel

 

[Cloudhopper]

How long is your barrel? N160 would be OK if its 24 inches plus. N555 will get you 100fps more at least ( from memory) I can check my data later.
N150 is better for lighter copper offerings such as the yew tree 114gr.

26 inch barrel. It's a Sako TRG 22.
CH

 

[Malxwal]

I ran 130gr out of a 22" at 2850 with N555.
Currently running 131 and 135 out of a 25 Creed at a sedate 2760 with N555.

 

[Utectok]

N555 is fastest

 

[Tarquin]

either will probably work fine. how far are you shooting? If you look on viht website it gives you the energy of each powder. N555 is relatively tame.

 

[btd1975]

I’m using 42.5gr of N555 out of a 24” Sako S20, with ELDM 140gr bullets. I get an accurate load supersonic out to 1200yards. Muzzle velocity @ 2650fps.

 

[Mungo]

Hi All,

I'm about to start developing a load for a 6.5 CM using bullets at the heavier end of the spectrum, probably 143gr Hornady ELD X. I'm looking at Viht N160 and N555 as potential propellants. I understand that N555 was developed specifically for the 6.5 CM but I've tended to shy away from double base powders in the past because of barrel wear concerns. I'm interested to hear peoples opinions and experiences.
CH

RS60!

Fairy dust. I use it with 143gr from a 20” barrel.

I get 2750fps, but that’s well back from the highest load I could have got (I went up as fast as 2820 and never saw pressure signs).

 

[Triffid]

Reload Swiss RS62.
Good availability, particularly if you go to Bisley.
I aim for 2750 as a sweet-spot for the 140gn bullets - currently using Lapua Scenars. And like Mungo I easily achieve that with no pressure signs.
Triffid

 

[Bowland blades]

Study the free data from vhit online or in the little booklet they produced . As both your choices are from them

 

[Scipio]

RS60!

Fairy dust. I use it with 143gr from a 20” barrel.

I get 2750fps, but that’s well back from the highest load I could have got (I went up as fast as 2820 and never saw pressure signs).

Yep, rs60 does produce impressive numbers, but as i understand it, it does comes at a cost of elevated barrel wear. Then again if that means one gets 15 years of stalking out of the barrel instead of 18 or 19, but with what one considers better loads it might well be worth it

 

[Mungo]

Yep, rs60 does produce impressive numbers, but as i understand it, it does comes at a cost of elevated barrel wear. Then again if that means one gets 15 years of stalking out of the barrel instead of 18 or 19, but with what one considers better loads it might well be worth it

I worked out that I’m very unlikely to wear the barrel out in my lifetime.