Powder Question

[Antonyweeks]

Looking at different powders (and availability) and as a relative newcomer to reloading (about a year) I wondered if there were significant differences between the Viht N135 & N140 powders? I currently use N150 for my 30-06 and I'm happy with that. I will be reloading for a .308 and possibly a 7x57. N140 in particular seems to cover all three calibres according to the reloading data on the Viht website. I won't be using heavy bullets: all under 150gn. Apprecitate this might be a very subjective question (!) but looking at the Viht website it seems both 135 & 140 are interchangeable and so I thought I'd ask if I'd notice any real world difference between them?

 

[Rory]

Yes, the Viht N135 is a faster burning powder, so would not be interchangeable with N140. N140 covers most bases very efficiently and would be my choice to cover all the calibres you mention.

 

[DavyG]

Yes, the Viht N135 is a faster burning powder, so would not be interchangeable with N140. N140 covers most bases very efficiently and would be my choice to cover all the calibres you mention.

Really…? If the OP runs a heavy bullet in 30-06…?

 

[Laurie]

N135 is a very much 'quicker' powder than N140, likewise 'quicker' than comparative burn rate charts show. This soon becomes obvious when you look at actual recommended maximum charges for the two powders in reloading manuals and Viht's own data for cartridges like 223 Rem and 308 Winchester.

N135 was originally developed as the company's bulk powder for standard 7.62mm NATO ball cartridges, ie a 144-147gn FMJBT bullet in a heavy 308 case to meet the appropriate NATO MV and gas port pressure standards.

To see the difference between it and N140 see my look at the powder in heavy-bullet 223 Rem:

N140

reach-out 7 – eu compliant powders by laurie holland

and N135

THE HANDLOADING BENCH REACH-OUT 8 (EU COMPLIANT POWDERS)

NB the charges used in these reports are above those in Viht and other data sources, these using standard SAAMI/CIP 223 Rem test barrels and chambers. The powders were tested in a custom 223 Rem F-Class rifle with 30-inch barrel and a very long-freebore chamber allowing bullets to be seated much further out which reduces pressures / allows heavier loads.

 

[Antonyweeks]

N135 is a very much 'quicker' powder than N140, likewise 'quicker' than comparative burn rate charts show. This soon becomes obvious when you look at actual recommended maximum charges for the two powders in reloading manuals and Viht's own data for cartridges like 223 Rem and 308 Winchester.

N135 was originally developed as the company's bulk powder for standard 7.62mm NATO ball cartridges, ie a 144-147gn FMJBT bullet in a heavy 308 case to meet the appropriate NATO MV and gas port pressure standards.

To see the difference between it and N140 see my look at the powder in heavy-bullet 223 Rem:

N140

reach-out 7 – eu compliant powders by laurie holland

and N135

THE HANDLOADING BENCH REACH-OUT 8 (EU COMPLIANT POWDERS)

NB the charges used in these reports are above those in Viht and other data sources, these using standard SAAMI/CIP 223 Rem test barrels and chambers. The powders were tested in a custom 223 Rem F-Class rifle with 30-inch barrel and a very long-freebore chamber allowing bullets to be seated much further out which reduces pressures / allows heavier loads.

Thanks for this. TBH I feel a bit like an infant school pupil being put into a class of degree level folk! However, one take away was that N140 could also be used for 7.92 x 57 and I also have an old Mauser which I was planning to reload for! So actually N140 would cover a lot of bases for me it seems.

 

[Stalker62]

I feel a bit like an infant school pupil being put into a class of degree level folk!

@Antonyweeks

FWIW - when it comes to this topic - you can take what @Laurie says; to the bank.

Not always the case on any t'internet forum.

 

[Heym SR20]

My reckoning with powder is to choose the best powder for each cartridge as you will end with better results overall. What is best - read the manufacturers literature.

Powders are all expensive, but they are all pretty much the same sort of price so having two different powders for two different cartridges does work out at similar cost per cartridge.

Have sub optimal powders that give poor performance - you end up just chasing loads and never getting decent results.

 

[Cyres]

N140 is very versatile. Can use for 39Bk in .204 69TMK in .223 and for 75/87 vmax in .243.
My go too powder for last two.
D

 

[A Guy Out West]

I was enlightened to N140 by a SD member, it works wonderful in .308 Win capacity cases. I’ll bet it would be dandy in the 8x57, especially with about a 150 gr. bullet. Get a manual and read it through a couple of times, you will be very comfortable in short order. I like the Nosler manual, I think it’s online for free. I know the recipes are on the net for free. Hogdon is there for the asking too. Good shooting,

 

[Heym SR20]

Viht give a wealth of information on their own website about what each powder is designed for and suitable applications.

They also give lots of load data for many different cartridges and lots of different bullets.

With any cartridge choice of powder depends on matching cartridge size, bullet weight, bore diameter and barrel length.

Where you have a light for calibre bullet in a shorter barrel you want a faster burning powder so that powder keeps up with the bullet. As you get to heavier bullets and longer barrels you want slower powders to provide a continued acceleration down the barrel.

N100 Smokeless Powders | Reloading | Handloading | Single base Rifle powder - Vihtavuori

The Vihtavuori N100 powders are rifle powders with different burning rates to optimize your rifle loads. N100 powders are well-known in eg. benchrest.

www.vihtavuori.com

If you want more energy for higher velocities with heavier bullets then a double base powder might be worth a look, but cost is a bit higher.

N500 High Energy Rifle Powders | Reloading | Handloading | Gun powder - Vihtavuori

Vihtavuori N500 high energy rifle powders are the perfect reloading option for a shooter who is looking for added velocity and range with heavy bullets.

www.vihtavuori.com

 

[HistoricBore]

I love Viht. N140, and have used it in 6.5 x 54 Mannlicher Schoenauer plus 300 Savage and 22 Savage High Power. For these older cartridges its burn rate is very similar to what was available 100 years ago. Apparently it also works well in .303 British, but I have limited experience with this calibre.

HB

 

[Druid]

Really…? If the OP runs a heavy bullet in 30-06…?

He did state all bullets will be under 150g.
Nothing about heavy bullets.

 

[DavyG]

He did state all bullets will be under 150g.
Nothing about heavy bullets.

“If”…?

 

[Druid]

“If”…?

If What? the op stated that he was looking at bullets under 150g.

 

[DavyG]

If What? the op stated that he was looking at bullets under 150g.

IF the OP runs a heavy bullet in 30-06…?

 

[Antonyweeks]

Thanks for the answers folks. I actually don't run any heavy bullets other than the factory RWS H Mantel ones which come in around 180g and are lead. It's the copper bullets I'll be loading and mostly these are light for calibre. Good to know for my level of expertise and predominantly for hunting purposes (other than plinking with the 8x57) N140 seems to cover a lot of bases. Appreciate you guys (generic in case there are any 'others' on here ) coming back to me. Thanks again.

 

[Druid]

IF the OP runs a heavy bullet in 30-06…?

Indeed.
Apart from the statement that he wasn’t looking to run heavy bullets.
If he hadn’t specifically stated that it would all be different.

but never mind.