N540 with .308

[Sasman]

Hi .
I just bought some N540 to try with my trusty Old Tikka T3 Tactical .
I typically use IMR 4064 with pretty amazing results in this rifle being that its still the original barrel .
I Just wanted to try N540 as it seems more available now and less expensive the the 4064 .
Does anyone have a "pet load " they wouldn't mind sharing with this powder and either 168g Hornady BTHP Match or 175g Sierra match kings .
I use Lapua SRP and have CC1400 , 450 mag or BR4 primers to try .
I'm not fussy at all about speed, this is just for accuracy loads .
Thanks in advance for any help offered .
Kaz .

 

[Shane Lindsey]

Gotta test it in your rifle. Plenty on their site to start.

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vihtavuori.com

Not that lightweight, but when Berger loaded the 200.20x for 308, I contacted them. N540 is what I was told they used.

 

[Seabeeken]

N-540 shoots great in mine but you will have to see what your rifle likes. Each has its own personality.
Im testing it in my 25 creedmoor next week

 

[kram7088]

I just picked up some n-540, anxious to see how it works

 

[K.E.C. Darkside]

308 win. 168 hpbt
N-540= 39 to 45gr.
Work up from 39/40
Hope this helps.

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

just another 4895 speed powder. Just like 4320, 4895, and 4064 you will have to work up in your rifle.
I will say I wore out a Savage Striker pistol in 243 pushing Hornady pills with v540. A mess of prairie mutts fell to the combo. In the short barrel I was lighting the stuff with a 215 and it was plenty accurate, so don't rule out using a warmer primer with this powder.

 

[ARlife4me]

550 is all I've tried as far as the brand. Bought it to use lapua loc-base 150, 170 & 185's. Case fill is very high and 540 could be a better choice with less fill (100% or less as 550 is over 100%).

 

[Sasman]

I Reloaded a batch of the following just to see how it would group .
These were 3 rnd groups and are as follows
N540 ,40.5 g =0.522 ,
N540 ,41.5g =0.382 ,
N540 ,42.5g =0.984 ,
N540 ,43.5g =1.383.
Needless to say the groups started to open up with the higher charge weight .
Would most people explore the area from 40.5 up to say 42g using 3g increments at a time ?

 

[K.E.C. Darkside]

I Reloaded a batch of the following just to see how it would group .
These were 3 rnd groups and are as follows
N540 ,40.5 g =0.522 ,
N540 ,41.5g =0.382 ,
N540 ,42.5g =0.984 ,
N540 ,43.5g =1.383.
Needless to say the groups started to open up with the higher charge weight .
Would most people explore the area from 40.5 up to say 42g using 3g increments at a time ?

Looks like I would tinker around 41.5. Looking good

 

[Sasman]

just another 4895 speed powder. Just like 4320, 4895, and 4064 you will have to work up in your rifle.
I will say I wore out a Savage Striker pistol in 243 pushing Hornady pills with v540. A mess of prairie mutts fell to the combo. In the short barrel I was lighting the stuff with a 215 and it was plenty accurate, so don't rule out using a warmer primer with this powder.

Im using SRP BR4,s with this batch .
I do have SRP 450 Mag primers as well .