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Hello all,

Due to a forced change in powder i'm starting afresh with working up a .308 load. I had been using All. RE15 for .223 and .208 but the insane price increase has drove me to Vit. I did want to use N140 as its the closest burn rate to RE15 you can get but I couldn't find any at the time. As I could get load data for it, I ended up with Vit N540.

I'd gone onto the Vit website for the load data a few months ago and screenshotted the relevant info for my bullet choice (168gr SMK), for ease of use. Anyway I loaded up a few batches of test rounds yesterday using the screenshot info, which gave a starting load of 37.7grs up to a max of 44.5grs.

I just happened to have a quick look on their website this morning and notice that this has now changed to 40.4 - 43.7grs, which in my book is pretty significant. As i'm working up loads I naturally started at the bottom so thankfully no safety issue, however I now have a couple of batches which are well under the 'new' starting load Has anyone else noticed any changes like this from any other powder manufacturers?

I've seen or heard of it reducing from batch to batch, but the window shrinking at both ends of the scale is a new one on me!

Blackstuff wrote: ↑Tue May 16, 2023 12:53 pm As i'm working up loads I naturally started at the bottom so thankfully no safety issue, however I now have a couple of batches which are well under the 'new' starting load

remember, underloading slower burning powders is where the danger occurs from so called detonation. I don't think the powder levels discussed are at risk, but just keep it in mind.

bradaz11 wrote: ↑Fri May 19, 2023 3:28 am

Blackstuff wrote: ↑Tue May 16, 2023 12:53 pm As i'm working up loads I naturally started at the bottom so thankfully no safety issue, however I now have a couple of batches which are well under the 'new' starting load

remember, underloading slower burning powders is where the danger occurs from so called detonation. I don't think the powder levels discussed are at risk, but just keep it in mind.

No harm in warning, however i'm not 'underloading' by any stretch, just starting at the bottom of their original starting load data, which is now nearly 3grs lower than the current figure

I'm wondering whether to even burn the powder/primers in the lowest batches or just pull them and start again

I get the feeling that lawyers compile load data info these days!
ukrifleman

You'll probably find 42gr gives very nice results, it's the go to load for my 167/168gr bullets, usually set at 2.795" COAL as per Vihts load data.

Viht have an App for your mobile you can download. It updates regularly. I find it very useful.

Well I tested 3 rounds from the lowest and highest of my batches at the weekend and the lower came out as ~2300fps and the upper ~2450fps. Given i'm looking for around 2650fps I guess I'd best warm up the old kinetic bullet puller

Will give the app a go. Probably says something different again