338 powder for 230gr heads

[Scottylamb]

Gents,

Little of your wisdom and experience please...

I’m reloading for 338 Blaser Magnum, the case capacity is similar to 338 Win Mag, so I’ve been using those data for starting loads, safely enough.

I’m using Viht N565 in a 650mm barrel, and seeing velocities a good little bit lower than I expected. I’m guessing this is because N565 is maybe just a little too slow.

I’m at the limit of case capacity with no pressure signs at all. So nowhere to go further with that powder, other than to accept the lower MV (which I yet might, accuracy is very good and it’s still kicking out some serious ft.lbs... )

I’m considering swapping for a trial with N560, but I understand it’s a little hotter than n565 and I’d like to keep the barrel in good shape for as long as possible.

Anyone have any experience of using the Vihtavuori single base powders like N165 for instance in a similar 338, and how did they fare?

@Laurie

any sage advice appreciated...

Cheers!

 

[finnbear270]

I will refrain Laurie, but pretty sure someone will mention it,

 

[Bavarianbrit]

Kent feo would only allow the possession of my Winchester M70 .338 winmag but not allowme shooting it in the UK not even on a range?

 

[awmc]

I’ve used Viht N160, N165 and N560 in .338.
The main issue I had was with cases and had to settle on using Lapua.
I found the Viht N165 loads with Lapua Scenar 250 GR bullets gave my best results

 

[NigelM]

Gents,

Little of your wisdom and experience please...

I’m reloading for 338 Blaser Magnum, the case capacity is similar to 338 Win Mag, so I’ve been using those data for starting loads, safely enough.

I’m using Viht N565 in a 650mm barrel, and seeing velocities a good little bit lower than I expected. I’m guessing this is because N565 is maybe just a little too slow.

I’m at the limit of case capacity with no pressure signs at all. So nowhere to go further with that powder, other than to accept the lower MV (which I yet might, accuracy is very good and it’s still kicking out some serious ft.lbs... )

I’m considering swapping for a trial with N560, but I understand it’s a little hotter than n565 and I’d like to keep the barrel in good shape for as long as possible.

Anyone have any experience of using the Vihtavuori single base powders like N165 for instance in a similar 338, and how did they fare?

@Laurie

any sage advice appreciated...

Cheers!

I'm using RL16 in a 338 win mag with 215gr bullets. 98% fill has it running at 2860 fps. Would be fine with bullets up to around 250 gr. Accurate and very consistent. Zero temperature sensitivity.

 

[Scottylamb]

I will refrain Laurie, but pretty sure someone will mention it,

Don’t hold back, @finnbear270

 

[Laurie]

Large 338s (or any 338 for that matter)? Experience level: nil.

Looking at Viht's 338 Lapua and Winchester Mag data-sets and playing a little with QuickLOAD (unfortunately, my old v3.6 lacks N565 though), N560 looks a better bet than N565 if velocity is the sole criterion. N565 was developed very much with 338 Lapua Magnum in mind, a significantly larger case round (`16% higher default volume in QL than the Blaser Mag) and this would make it a bit too slow burning.

QuickLOAD suggests N165 will give reasonable results being very well matched to the Blaser Mag's case capacity to bore ratio, but the problem may be getting enough powder into the case to get full pressures and MVs. However, Viht's 338 Win Mag data is encouraging, where it performs as well as, and with some bullets, a little better than N560. Given that the Winchester Mag has a smaller case capacity (some 7 to 8% less) than the Blaser version, if N165 does well there, then it should do better still in the bigger Blaser.

Having used N165 a fair bit in other cartridges, I can say it has two great pluses - it's a very tolerant non-finicky powder (unlike N560) which works well over a large range of loads, fill-ratios and pressures; secondly it's as kind to barrels as you'll get with otherwise barrel burning over bore-capacity cartridges. Although having lower energy than N565, it'll likely be a tad faster burning in actual use assuming the behaviour pattern for other Viht N1XX v N5XX powders applies thereby needing less powder to attain same MVs. Given that it may only just be possible to get enough N165 into the case for full pressures, then N565 will need another 2 to 4gn to achieve its full potential which is probably why you've found MVs disappointing. (IME, most N500 series need to be on or close to full working pressures to deliver their potential too.)

 

[Scottylamb]

Thanks guys.

I’ll give the N165 a shot then over N560 and see how she goes. Even if it ends up in the same ballpark muzzle velocity I’d likely use it instead if it’s kinder on the barrel and shoots well.

The N565 load is a bit slow, but can’t fault it’s accuracy - so can always fall back to that.

It would be a very happy accident if it went well in the 338 - I use N165 in the 6.5-284 and think it’s brilliant.

 

[Odders]

It's a bullet, not a head.
Ever seen "head holes" in a target?

 

[Penyard]

When will it end?

 

[hendrix's rifle]

To be fair, no one actually mentioned it for a good 14 hours, record maybe?

 

[Laurie]

I’ll give the N165 a shot then over N560 and see how she goes. Even if it ends up in the same ballpark muzzle velocity I’d likely use it instead if it’s kinder on the barrel and shoots well.

Say how you get on please Scottylamb. It's always useful to see how such combinations work out in practice with paper exercises only taking you so far.

 

[Odders]

When will it end?

When people stop using incorrect & unprofessional names for ammunition components.

 

[Lateral]

Quickload lists the 338 Blaser Magnum, but you'd need to give more info to be able to run the numbers.

Barrel length, what bullet, AOL ?

 

[finnbear270]

To be fair, no one actually mentioned it for a good 14 hours, record maybe?

see post 2?

 

[hendrix's rifle]

see post 2?

You still didn't actually say it we all knew what you were getting at

 

[finnbear270]

 

[Scottylamb]

Thanks for the nomenclature clarification gentlemen.

Got any useful input on powder choice?