Vihtavuori N135

[Bucksdeermanager]

Does anyone have any experience of N135 with 110 / 130gr .308 bullets? Good? Bad? Indifferent? Any hints or tips? I'll be working up a load shortly with it so am keen to hear of others experiences / opinions.

Thanks

 

[Totsy]

I use it for both. Viht data for the 110gn and the 130gn. It works better than N140 in my 20” barrel when loading the 130gn.

 

[Edinburgh Rifles]

We use it in the factory Fox 130gr
45gr
Very accurate and potent

 

[Cloudhopper]

Use N135 with Hornady 130gr SP, SGK 150gr and Nosler Accubond 150gr. 46gr for all and works very well out of my 20" barrelled Sako 85.
CH

 

[H.hunter83]

I use N135 with Nosler partition 150gr. 45gr powder in my Tikka t3 tactical work good

 

[borbal]

We use it in the factory Fox 130gr
45gr
Very accurate and potent

Is that a fairly compressed load? What MV for what barrel length?

 

[Edinburgh Rifles]

Is that a fairly compressed load? What MV for what barrel length?

107%
3050 for 24”

 

[borbal]

107%
3050 for 24”

Thanks.... from which it would seem that Fox bullets should be treated as 'monolithics', in P-Max (and other internal ballistics simulators) as far as bore friction and shot-start-pressure are concerned, similar to Barnes and Woodleigh bullets. With 49 grains H2O powder space I then get 3040 ft/sec. for that load in P-Max . Because bore friction and shot-start-pressure are higher for monolithics, muzzle velocity is also higher - but pressures are higher too. A load which may be quite benign with a cup-and-core bullet may be quite feisty with a monolithic of the same weight.

Other solids like Neilsen and Peregrine are more like bore riding bullets with driving bands and these have lower shot-start-pressures and bore friction than conventional cup-and-core bullets. Neilsen explained to me that in consequence, his bullets will be slower than conventional bullets of the same weight (for the same powder charge) and you need to go to the "next powder up the list" in burning rate from a given powder manufacturer, to get the velocity back.

 

[Edinburgh Rifles]

“Because bore friction and shot-start-pressure are higher for monolithics, muzzle velocity is also higher - but pressures are higher too.”

I keep reading this but it doesn’t appear to be the case with real world results on the Bullets I have loaded
Like for like powder charge for weight class sees higher pressure in the lead load with all the usual signs of flattened primers, head swipe and stiff bolt.
The longer bullet takes up some more case volume than the lead Bullet
This in turn lowers volumes, raises pressures but also reduces the amount of like for like powder that can be fitted in he case

But yes, some bullets are better with a faster powder which in turn allows them to be optimised for shorter barrels

 

[tomblincoe]

Thanks.... from which it would seem that Fox bullets should be treated as 'monolithics', in P-Max (and other internal ballistics simulators) as far as bore friction and shot-start-pressure are concerned, similar to Barnes and Woodleigh bullets. With 49 grains H2O powder space I then get 3040 ft/sec. for that load in P-Max . Because bore friction and shot-start-pressure are higher for monolithics, muzzle velocity is also higher - but pressures are higher too. A load which may be quite benign with a cup-and-core bullet may be quite feisty with a monolithic of the same weight.

Other solids like Neilsen and Peregrine are more like bore riding bullets with driving bands and these have lower shot-start-pressures and bore friction than conventional cup-and-core bullets. Neilsen explained to me that in consequence, his bullets will be slower than conventional bullets of the same weight (for the same powder charge) and you need to go to the "next powder up the list" in burning rate from a given powder manufacturer, to get the velocity back.

Thats interesting. I have heard the exact opposite with regards to the Nielson bullets ie that they are lower friction/pressure and therefore you get higher MVs for a given load...

I am starting to work up a load with the .308140gr Nielson Sonics and N135. So far 43grs (Vita website max for 140gr FMJ bullets) shows no pressure signs and groups about 3/4 inch. I worked up from 40grs. I am waiting to get my chrono back from a mate so don't know the velocity.

I used fox bullets in my 6.5x55 with good effect. I will try some of the .308 130gr as well I think...

 

[Bucksdeermanager]

I use it for both. Viht data for the 110gn and the 130gn. It works better than N140 in my 20” barrel when loading the 130gn.

What powder charge are you using for the 110gr out of interest?

 

[Totsy]

What powder charge are you using for the 110gr out of interest?

Max Viht load.