SmallCaliberCentral

I got a couple of pounds of Vihtavuori N140 from Brownell's for my 204 but didn't see much info on it in the favorite loads thread. Has anyone used this powder for the 204 Ruger, and if you did what were your loads and how did they group.

No Viht N140 users? This could get interesting.

The NN140 I have, which is about 20 years old, is about the same speed as the 4350 group of powders. It may be too slow for the 204 unless
you are going to shoot awful heavy bullets. Be careful. Rogina

Thanks I will. I know it's a bit slow but it has a very similar burn rate to Reloder 15 and people seem to have good results with that so I thought I'd give it a try. The chart I have from the Vihtavuori reloading manual rates N140 as faster than the 4350s.

I remember trying n140 a few years ago with 40 grain vmax bullets.
I got good accuracy at the published max load but velocity was less than I was getting with h4895 so I stuck with that.
I cant remember the figures but its worth trying to see.

Accuracy is all I'm concerned with. Higher velocity isn't much good if you can't hit what you're aming at.

Tokimini wrote:Accuracy is all I'm concerned with. Higher velocity isn't much good if you can't hit what you're aming at.

I agree but its nice to have both.
I still use n140 in my 308 so I might work up a load again for my 204. I have quickload now so I can use their data based on my case capacity and seating depth.

I'll have to check out quickload.

Ive started to run the n140.

Some data I collected. Running nosler 32 grain (maroon tip), cci 400 primers, and a mix of winchester, hornady and Remington brass. OAL 2.30. Regardless of grains, primers were all the same no flattening etc. I do have a small issue with craters forming, but otherwise good. Id highly recommend some thicker primers with that in mind.

29 grains - AVG 4012 fps (max)

- 29 grains with (26 grain barnes grenades) AVG - 4100 fps

28.5 grains - AVG 3857 fps

28 grains - AVG 3800 fps

Thanks Rasper

http://www.rugerhunting.com/204_data_hornady.php


A little problem I found with all Viht powders in the 204. Keep an eye out for your necks not expanding after firing. Check this frequently. good luck.

If you've never tried this powder do yourself a favor and pick some up. In my 700 N140 consistently shoots smaller groups that R10X or CFE223, and by a lot. For the first time ever I got a sub .200" 3 shot group at 100yards - .177 with this powder at 27.6 grains with 40 gr Vmax.