anyone using N165 for a 6.5 PRC

[Yorkshire Viking]

Anyone used N165 for running 140 hornady SST or 143 ELDX. Struggling to buy or find any other powder. Has anyone loaded or used this powder with a 6.5 PRC?

Thanks in advance.

 

[C h r i s]

Timely question, literally just made up a batch with 140gn ELDM and N165, will test at weekend and let you know!

 

[Yorkshire Viking]

Timely question, literally just made up a batch with 140gn ELDM and N165, will test at weekend and let you know!

Ok that’s great - good luck bud.

 

[Jelen]

Yes. With Yew Tree 114gr TLR bullets. Very good.

 

[Yorkshire Viking]

Yes. With Yew Tree 114gr TLR bullets. Very good.

Anything heavier?

 

[C h r i s]

Yes. With Yew Tree 114gr TLR bullets. Very good.

Must be travelling pretty quick with such a light bullet?!

 

[Jelen]

Anything heavier?

Sorry, no. The TLR does it all .

 

[Jelen]

Must be travelling pretty quick with such a light bullet?!

Yes, over 3,000. I can't remember the exact speed as Richard of Yew Tree developed the original load. I now reload it for a friend so copy the original recipe.

 

[C h r i s]

What load are you using? Quickload is giving me 100% fill at 56grains, for 2977ft/sec from a 24" barrel. (Lapua cases, 67gn H2O capacity)

 

[Jelen]

What load are you using? Quickload is giving me 100% fill at 56grains, for 2977ft/sec from a 24" barrel. (Lapua cases, 67gn H2O capacity)

If that's for me? I've just found the load on my phone, MV 3240fps. 54.5gr N165. Lapua case.70th off through a Bergara Wilderness. That is near the top end mind.

 

[6.5_shooter]

Anything heavier?

I imagined it would be a bit too fast burning with heavier 140+ class bullets, but interested to hear if others have success - as above it certainly sounds like it works well with the 114 TLR!

 

[C h r i s]

vihtavuori.com list the N165 as ok for a 153gn Hornady A-tip

 

[C h r i s]

Seems that Vihtavuori data is getting more risk averse. Just tried a near "max" load of 50.0gn, which should have produced an MV of 2780ft/sec according to the somewhat optimistic online Vit data, but only actually managed a muzzle velocity of 2480ft/sec (average of 5) from a 24" Sako S20, one of the cases very sooty so insufficient pressure for obturation. Quickload predicted 2553ft/sec so not too far off the real world data, and claims the load will stay 15% below max chamber pressure right up 55.5gn, whilst generating a respectable MV of 2825 - however that is a seemingly crazy 10% higher than manufacturers data.....

On the plus side, 3 rounds though one hole at 100y, but at that MV no use for very long distance.

 

[Outback]

I used Viht 165 in a WM and carried on using it in a 6.5x55 , I don't know the case comparison with your 6.5 PRC but I fill 50grns for a velocity of 2691 out of a 21" barrel with 140 eld-m .
I might have the wrong calibre but I think some body was using Viht 140 with 130 eld-m in a 6.5 PRC .

 

[C h r i s]

Done some more testing today, velocity seems to be well down on what I was expecting. This is a new S20 so might speed up as it wears in.

140gn Hornady ELDM, new Lapua cases, COL 2.950", Vit N165. Measured the average H20 capacity over more cases, so QL data slightly different that 1st predictions above.

3 shots per powder charge

50gn = 2479 ft/sec [QL prediction was 2567ft/sec @ 41212 psi]
52gn = 2572 ft/sec [QL prediction was 2662]
54gn = 2659 ft/sec [QL prediction was 2762]
55gn = 2681 ft/sec [QL prediction was 2811ft/sec @ 54793 psi]

Easy extractions, no sooty cases this time, no flattened/mushroomed primers on any of the above.

Accuracy wasn't tested, that'll come next.

Will check primer pockets for any expansion. Feels like the cartridge is capable of a lot more.

BEWARE! all loads over 50gn are ABOVE the Vit maximum, so I don't advise anyone uses this data - for research only!

 

[C h r i s]

Update... primer pockets still nice and tight at 55gn load, however I think there are better powders for this bullet weight. Will try magnum primers tomorrow before moving onto a double base powder.

 

[hendrix's rifle]

Update... primer pockets still nice and tight at 55gn load, however I think there are better powders for this bullet weight. Will try magnum primers tomorrow before moving onto a double base powder.

How did you get on with this? I've just sussed a load at 54.5g however still need to run it over a chrono to see what it's doing. I'm expecting 2800's however given your research maybe not

 

[C h r i s]

I stopped using the N165 and went to N565, much better MV and very consistent. Have done a bit of accuracy testing at 985 yards and it was superb, boring in fact. I don't have my notes but was around 2950 ft/sec with 147gn ELD-M. Some slight pressure signs after 40 rounds without a clean (range use with a moderator so gets dirty quicker), but brass ok and no obvious primer pocket expansion.

Just loaded up another batch using RS76, another double base powder, yet to test this properly.

 

[hendrix's rifle]

I stopped using the N165 and went to N565, much better MV and very consistent. Have done a bit of accuracy testing at 985 yards and it was superb, boring in fact. I don't have my notes but was around 2950 ft/sec with 147gn ELD-M. Some slight pressure signs after 40 rounds without a clean (range use with a moderator so gets dirty quicker), but brass ok and no obvious primer pocket expansion.

Just loaded up another batch using RS76, another double base powder, yet to test this properly.

Cheers for that. I'm hoping to run these over the chrono tomorrow and if I've got a semi decent velocity I'll stick with it as my reloads were surprisingly accurate considering it was only powder charge. I'd like to stay away from double base if I can but needs must

 

[hendrix's rifle]

Seems that Vihtavuori data is getting more risk averse. Just tried a near "max" load of 50.0gn, which should have produced an MV of 2780ft/sec according to the somewhat optimistic online Vit data, but only actually managed a muzzle velocity of 2480ft/sec (average of 5) from a 24" Sako S20, one of the cases very sooty so insufficient pressure for obturation. Quickload predicted 2553ft/sec so not too far off the real world data, and claims the load will stay 15% below max chamber pressure right up 55.5gn, whilst generating a respectable MV of 2825 - however that is a seemingly crazy 10% higher than manufacturers data.....

On the plus side, 3 rounds though one hole at 100y, but at that MV no use for very long distance.

Figured I'd let you know - I went up to 55g of viht n165 (started getting slight pressure signs, slight ejector marks on the case head however primers not cratered) and sent them over the chrono, average velocity of 2690fps with an ES of 19
I've bought some rl25 to try out instead. N165 Would appear to be a poor powder choice although extremely bloody accurate, putting 9 rounds in to 3 groups which produced a clover leaf. Shame. I'd have been well happy if it was a creedmoor