Talk to me about VihtaVuori

[6.5_sWv]

Last weekend Graf's was running a free hazmat promo and my dad and I capitalized on that by ordering some primers and powder. For a while I've always read good things about VihtaVuori powders so I decided to try some. I figure since Alliant is rare as hens teeth and expensive, Id try something new. I currently load for the 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5x55, 7x57, 280 Ackley Imp, 8x57, and 338-06. I have enough reloading manuals and have seen several loads listed for the cartridges I mentioned. Im curious if anyone has loaded VV powder in any of these, and Im not looking for your loads, just your experiences. I have also consulted the online VV reloading data they have listed online. Good accuracy, clean burning, good velocity etc. I bought 1# of N150 / 2# of N160 / and 1# of N165. I bought 2# of the N160 because several manuals mention it for more than a few cartridges (6.5cm, 6.5x55, 280AI). If these do well, I might buy some of the N500 series later down the road, but for now I'll get my feet wet with the N100 series. If you have any input, Id appreciate it.
Thanks
Ben

 

[salmonchaser]

I’m transitioning to VV but to date I’ve just used N560 in my 300 HH. Good velocity , 3000 fps and accurate. just about out of RL 15 so I’ll be getting some VV 550 and 555 in my 375. Should also work in the 06. Seems like the 500 series gives better velocity.
Looking forward to your reviews.

 

[Joe C.]

Before Covid VV powders were what most other powders were compared to. It was the Cadillac of powders. Since Hodgdon and Alliant blew their prices sky high they have kinda been passed over. Hodgdon and Alliant invest so much in advertising that I think they have caused many to forget about VV powders. VV is still the Cadillac, they just didn’t raise their prices.

 

[michsteve]

Before Covid VV powders were what most other powders were compared to. It was the Cadillac of powders. Since Hodgdon and Alliant blew their prices sky high they have kinda been passed over. Hodgdon and Alliant invest so much in advertising that I think they have caused many to forget about VV powders. VV is still the Cadillac, they just didn’t raise their prices.

VV and Norma were considered the two best for consistency but now you can only get 1 of the 2 but like you said VV seemed to not raise their prices as much. One of the cheapest powders used to be the shooters world powders but they decided to join the over priced party.

 

[RL338]

What we have on the shelf here for Viht.
My son uses N140 (223 Wylde) and N160 for multiple calibers.
Myself N555 , N560 (not openned) and N570.

 

[Blkram]

I have limited first hand experience with VV powders so far, but what I have has been good.
Hasn't always provided the most accurate groups with various bullets in cartridges tried so far, but they have been acceptable (sub-MOA). (My load of WXR with 180 gr AB 0.442" groups at 100 yards)

If I recall correctly, the 500 series powders are double base powders that provide better velocities with less pressure than the 100 series single base powders.

I just bought a 8 lb jug of N555 at a decent price (compared to others today!) for use in the 25 Creedmoor with 115 -128 gr bullets when the rebarrel job is complete.

E.g., I have tried:

• N165 in 300 WSM with 180 gr AccuBonds (0.817" 3 shot groups at 100 yards) and Scirocco II (0.786" 3 shot groups at 100 yards)- both sub-MOA accuracy

Others I have yet to try are:

• N160
• N170
• N530
• N550
• N560
• N570

 

[AFG270]

I've had good success with N550 in my 22-250 and 243. Soon to give it a try in my 6.5 cm.

 

[6.5_sWv]

Thanks to everyone for chiming in. Im looking forward to trying out the VV powders. More experience / reports will gladly be welcomed

 

[West Fork]

Last weekend Graf's was running a free hazmat promo and my dad and I capitalized on that by ordering some primers and powder. For a while I've always read good things about VihtaVuori powders so I decided to try some. I figure since Alliant is rare as hens teeth and expensive, Id try something new. I currently load for the 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5x55, 7x57, 280 Ackley Imp, 8x57, and 338-06. I have enough reloading manuals and have seen several loads listed for the cartridges I mentioned. Im curious if anyone has loaded VV powder in any of these, and Im not looking for your loads, just your experiences. I have also consulted the online VV reloading data they have listed online. Good accuracy, clean burning, good velocity etc. I bought 1# of N150 / 2# of N160 / and 1# of N165. I bought 2# of the N160 because several manuals mention it for more than a few cartridges (6.5cm, 6.5x55, 280AI). If these do well, I might buy some of the N500 series later down the road, but for now I'll get my feet wet with the N100 series. If you have any input, Id appreciate it.
Thanks
Ben

Your first patch with the VV single base powders will come out black…..

VV single base powders are thought to be among the cooler burning powders available, and can produce low ES. The double base powders are considered among the hottest burning. Flame temp and throat erosion are a consideration among high volume shooters.

VV is good powder. Not necessarily better or worse than other brands. Just depends on our application. Right now VV is cheaper than other manufacturers but I expect price increases are on their way. If you like it, might want to stock up.

 

[Hunter26]

I have a couple pounds of N565 to try in my 6.5 & 7 PRC's. N565 has consistently been getting rave reviews for accuracy and velocity in those cartridges and others. It has a decoppering agent and is suppose to be temp stable. IIRC all their newer powders have the decoppering agent.

 

[ElmerThud]

Last weekend Graf's was running a free hazmat promo and my dad and I capitalized on that by ordering some primers and powder. For a while I've always read good things about VihtaVuori powders so I decided to try some. I figure since Alliant is rare as hens teeth and expensive, Id try something new. I currently load for the 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5x55, 7x57, 280 Ackley Imp, 8x57, and 338-06. I have enough reloading manuals and have seen several loads listed for the cartridges I mentioned. Im curious if anyone has loaded VV powder in any of these, and Im not looking for your loads, just your experiences. I have also consulted the online VV reloading data they have listed online. Good accuracy, clean burning, good velocity etc. I bought 1# of N150 / 2# of N160 / and 1# of N165. I bought 2# of the N160 because several manuals mention it for more than a few cartridges (6.5cm, 6.5x55, 280AI). If these do well, I might buy some of the N500 series later down the road, but for now I'll get my feet wet with the N100 series. If you have any input, Id appreciate it.
Thanks
Ben

I use Vihtavuori N550 for 6.5x55 & N560 in .25-06 excellent propellants that I moved to after the EU REACH system banned USA powders I was using - IMR4350/4831 so those propellants were no longer stocked in gun stores in the UK. VV N160 was a great propellant to use for .243

 

[SJB358]

Mike always raved about VV powders. I started dabbling some and now buy more and more of them. 570 is king in the 7 Mashburn super. 540 is an awesome 223 powder with heavies. As was said the price hike on others made me look at VV powders and I’ve found no reason to dislike them. They make great speed and seem to make easy accurate ammo. 560 is supposed to be THE powder for 270/280 stuff so that’s on my radar to grab a jug when I see it.

 

[Blkram]

I definitely need to run more QuickLoad data for my rifles with VV powders!
Starting with the 280 Rem, 150 gr AB and BT, and VN560...and then the 270 WSM...

 

[RL338]

I just bought a 8 lb jug of N555 at a decent price (compared to others today!) for use in the 25 Creedmoor with 115 -128 gr bullets when the rebarrel job is complete.

I’m currently running 44grs in Peterson SRP brass with 115gr BT. This is full case , N555 was designed for the Creedmoor’s but it is sure a tight fit.

 

[Blkram]

Online research showed N560 as a preferred powder, but QuickLoad showed better performance with N555 so ‘ll try it first. I just didn’t have any, but do have the N560 on hand. I’ll be sticking the LRP brass, for hunting here in the great white north.
Looking forward to seeing how it performs!
Ordered the barrel for the 25 CM this morning; Benchmark 5R barrel, 24” fluted hunting contour with 1:7.5 twist. Should be here about the time we get home from Africa!

 

[Backcast88]

I have a couple pounds of N565 to try in my 6.5 & 7 PRC's. N565 has consistently been getting rave reviews for accuracy and velocity in those cartridges and others. It has a decoppering agent and is suppose to be temp stable. IIRC all their newer powders have the decoppering agent.

565 is the ticket for 6.5 prc. Should work well in 7 prc also. 565 is what i shot in my Seekins 6.5 prc and shot many sub 1/2 moa groups with it. 59gr and a 140 ELD-M or 140 TGK was 2950+ fps.

I've also used n550 in 30-06. Great velocity. 165 bullets is 2900ish with 56.5gr. Still havent found a super accurate load with it. But velocity is good.

555 didnt work out in 30-06 for me. But its working great in 6.5cm for my buddy. Loading 130 SST for his daughter and getting good results.

I've played with n165 and 560. Got good velocity and accuracy in 6.5 PRC but stayed with 565 since it was a little easier to get locally for me.

 

[IdahoCTD]

N565 and H1000 produced nearly identical velocities with the same loads in a 6.5PRC when I tested them. I still prefer R-26 in a 6.5PRC but either of those two are a close second.

 

[Scrumbag]

Excellent powder and Vihtavouri website good for data.