Smokeless Powder Sleuths Need Help Identifying Powder?

[BrandonQuixote]

I believe they have had Accurate brand powders repacked as midwest powder before.

maybe its 2520? Nevemind 2520 looks like a spherical powder.


Maybe N140?

I got 8 pounds of 2520 direct from Hodgdon two weeks ago- it's definitely spherical.

 

[BrandonQuixote]

The burn rate range would be more helpful if they provided which burn rate chart they are using. They seem to really vary a lot.

The one I'm looking at wasn't very optimistic

 

[BrandonQuixote]

Hodgdon Powder Relative Burn Rate Chart published by Hodgdon Powder Company

This one makes me think I've got a chance.

 

[BrandonQuixote]

The suspense is killing me!!! Thanks for the update! @BrandonQuixote, I'd love to see what your experience with the powder is.

Absolutely will do!

 

[Longwalkhome]

This one makes me think I've got a chance.

When I want to try a new powder I look at a number of places for help. One is Grafs and sons then click on the powder and read the description.

Vihtavuori N540 Smokeless Powder 1 Pound - Graf & Sons

Vihtavuori N540 is a universal rifle powder for wide variety of medium-sized calibers suitable for both hunting and target shooting. It is an excellent choice for cartridges running from .223/5.56 mm to .308 Winchester and 30-06 Springfield with heavier bullet weights. Vihtavuori N540 delivers...

www.grafs.com

 

[BrandonQuixote]

As for the rebranded Accurate- I bought 16 pounds of WC680 from the guy who ran DumpLordz ammo in the Clackamas area. He used it in his 220gr subs and said it was the same as A1680 but with more flash supressant so you had to add a few tenths to get 1680 performance. I'm on my second 8 pound jug now and i worked it up as 1680 with great results.

 

[arakboss]

As for the rebranded Accurate- I bought 16 pounds of WC680 from the guy who ran DumpLordz ammo in the Clackamas area. He used it in his 220gr subs and said it was the same as A1680 but with more flash supressant so you had to add a few tenths to get 1680 performance. I'm on my second 8 pound jug now and i worked it up as 1680 with great results.

I bought some MP 350 from another member which says to use Accurate 1680 data. I haven't used any yet.

 

[Longwalkhome]

A lot of folks have gone to heavy duty progressive loaders so powder companies came out with ball powders that are pretty consistent in throw weight. I love aa2230 and 2520 as they run through the powder measure fast and accurate.

However if I am not making blasting ammo and want perfection I load on a single stage and measure powder separately.

In the shortages I have tried a number of powders just for fun.

 

[arakboss]

I think if we were to look at only the stick powders in the 104 to 110 burn rate range on a few different burn rate charts, we could narrow down the few powders that this MP 540 compares too.

I am pretty sure based on the burn rate range they quoted that it will work for heavier bullet loads which was what I have been looking for.







I am not sure what other charts could be included for comparison?

 

[arakboss]

I sent one more email to American Reloading asking them which burn rate charts they use. I am probably not going to wait for a reply before placing an order. I will report back here if they send the info on which charts they use. Even if we were able to determine which powder this was, it could be a bad batch that was either too fast or too slow to sell as canister grade by the manufacture. I believe we can safely work up loads with the info we have.

 

[arakboss]

I sent one more email to American Reloading asking them which burn rate charts they use. I am probably not going to wait for a reply before placing an order. I will report back here if they send the info on which charts they use. Even if we were able to determine which powder this was, it could be a bad batch that was either too fast or too slow to sell as canister grade by the manufacture. I believe we can safely work up loads with the info we have.

Here is the reply I received to my last email asking which burn rate chart they were using.

"Yes its bases on the first one. Between W748 and W760"

Here is the chart he referred to as the first one.




I am about 99% sure this is MP 540 powder is VV540.

 

[BrandonQuixote]

Here is the reply I received to my last email asking which burn rate chart they were using.

"Yes its bases on the first one. Between W748 and W760"

Here is the chart he referred to as the first one.

View attachment 1071828


I am about 99% sure this is MP 540 powder is VV540.

This bodes very well.

 

[arakboss]

This bodes very well.

Yes it does, I don't think it's a coincidence that they labeled it MP 540.


This would give us load data from VV for the following.

 

[arakboss]

Yes it does, I don't think it's a coincidence that they labeled it MP 540.


This would give us load data from VV for the following.


View attachment 1071906

Hopefully it's not IMR 4007

 

[arakboss]

This bodes very well.

This may not bode well for the powder if it is VV N540.

"I have used it in a 6mmBR, 6 Dasher and a 6.5 x 47L. It is a phenomenally accurate powder. However, there are 2 BIG drawbacks. 1.) it IS a bit temp sensitive. You will need a cold weather and a warm weather load. and 2.) it WILL eat your throat up like candy! The heat explosion number shows it to be THEE hottest powder made. The 6 Dasher I had loved it. BUT I only got 1600 or so rounds out of it and the barrel was toast. It is a GREAT powder for accuracy and speed>>>however, it has it's limitations like any thing else.."


Source: https://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/viht-n540-and-stability.3937593/

 

[DLS]

Guys shooting cartridges like the Dasher seldom get more than 16-1800 rounds down the pipe before a noticeable drop in accuracy becomes apparent.

 

[arakboss]

This may not bode well for the powder if it is VV N540.

"I have used it in a 6mmBR, 6 Dasher and a 6.5 x 47L. It is a phenomenally accurate powder. However, there are 2 BIG drawbacks. 1.) it IS a bit temp sensitive. You will need a cold weather and a warm weather load. and 2.) it WILL eat your throat up like candy! The heat explosion number shows it to be THEE hottest powder made. The 6 Dasher I had loved it. BUT I only got 1600 or so rounds out of it and the barrel was toast. It is a GREAT powder for accuracy and speed>>>however, it has it's limitations like any thing else.."


Source: https://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/viht-n540-and-stability.3937593/

"Among Vihtavuori product line we have only five types we call N500 (N530 ... N570) which are by composition double base powders. N500 rifle powders contain small amount of nitroglycerol to add a bit more performance required mainly for extremely long distances. Even with these products we have added a special additive as well kept nitroglycerol content rather low in order to minimize the barrel erosion effect.
So, my opinion and advice is to keep barrel and throat erosion on minimum by using only single base powders like Vihtavuori N100, N300 and 3N.
Best Regards,
Mikko Vuoristo
EURENCO Vihtavuori O"

 

[arakboss]

Bummer. I ordered an 8# keg just to try out. I had dissatisfying results with A2520, A2230 and Tac- albeit it was 35°. Hopefully this stick is less temp sensitive and gets me my velocity targets.

This MP 540 powder might help you clone that cbc round.

 

[arakboss]

Here is my MP540 purchase plan. I'm going to watch the inventory and hope that it remains in stock through Black Friday and that American Reloading offers a Promo code for powder on Black Friday.

 

[BrandonQuixote]

This MP 540 powder might help you clone that cbc round.

I watch a LOT of Johnny's reloading bench. So much so my wife jokes about "bullet base to ogive" all the time. I must have watched his MK262 series five times over.