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Hi,
I use N550 with a Lapua Lockbase 150gr bullet for reloading for my 30-06. According to Vihtavuori, N540 can be used to reload 303 but not N550. Has anyone worked up a load for the 303 using N550, or is it just too slow burning to be useful? Normally I use N135 for my 303, so just wondering.
Thanks,
VG

I have only ever used N140 for my .303,s.

N540 and N550 are double base powders and not something I would consider for an ageing .303 so as above, N140 is my preferred choice with the 174SMK for the 303.

The N5xx series of Viht powders are double base and quite energetic so I wouldn't reccomend using it with milsurp rifles if you want to prevent throat erosion etc.

That being said, I found Reload Swiss RS60 to work well with 180gr S&B bullets (if you check the burn rate chart on Reload Swiss website you'll see it's similar to N550) until I realised that that too was a double base powder. Now I stick with N140 and 180gr S&B bullets and achieve fantastic results. 38.5gr with new cases or 39.7gr with fired cases which have been shoulder bumped. Haven't loaded 174gr in years.

Note: your mileage may vary, even though the above load is "in spec" always work with published load data.

I preferred RS50 or as was TR140 for .303 when shooting my 4(T) out to 1000 yards. Recently I have been using Varget and H-4895 with OK results. The .303 always seems to be more velocity sensitive than powder sensitive to me.

Yeah I tried TR140 and RS50 eventually when it came out but I didn't really get on with it. Probably due to the poor 174gr ppu bullets I was using at the time. That reminds me, I have a couple of boxes of SMK's I never got around to trying. As I understand, RS50 is essentially an "improved" N140 since they use the same recipe with some minor changes (if I recall from an old thread from Laurie).

Do you see any noticeable improvement using this powder over N140? One improvement I see is cleaning of cases in tumbler, the viht powder comes off easily whereas the Reload Swiss kinda bakes on the outside case necks and requires IPA/meth spirits on a cloth to physically remove it. I don't like putting dirty cases through my sizing dies.

Yes, the RS/TR is a bit dirtier, I invariably load low unless it is for longer distances, so around 39.9 through to 40.3 dependant on which rifle with TR140, which always seemed a tad slower than N140. I did like TR140. Varget and 4895 both work well as an alternative. Having said that, I heard of Varget being advertised for £75.00 a tub (1lb) start of this year. Being non REACH compliant it is never going to come back in so existing stock must be thin on the ground. Luckily I have a bit as I also use it in my 22-250

Most recently I have been reloading with 180 Spitzer's I picked up some ages ago and found two bags on a shelf above my desk.

Anyone use Ramshot Big Game and/or Alliant RL-15 for .303?.

Not here.

No I have only ever used 41 grains of N140 with a flat based bullet. It just works.