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Absolutely will do!
Have you received your MP 540 powder yet? If you decide to break the seal after arrival can you post a close up pic of the powder kernels? The best pic of the N540 I could find was on the vv website.

Vihtavuori-N540-1024x768.png
 
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.
The 32lb listing is showing only 10 batches remaining and the 16lb listing shows only 27 batches remaining. The 8lb batch has sold out. I thought for sure they would have some Black Fridays promo codes today (at least for bullets) but so far nothing. Maybe for cyber Monday:)

Edit: I lied they have one more 8lb container in stock, for some reason it didn't show up when I filtered by in stock powders.

 
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Powder is a darker black color, with kernels of powder measuring approx 2.20mm long by .90mm wide. Doesn't fit with vv n540s dimensions. Pictures of the powder


Been looking for a discussion on this power. Loaded up a ladder test from 40.5gr to 44.5 with 147gr fmj. Will post the velocity I'm getting once I get a chance to get out to the range this week
 
Powder is a darker black color, with kernels of powder measuring approx 2.20mm long by .90mm wide. Doesn't fit with vv n540s dimensions. Pictures of the powder


Been looking for a discussion on this power. Loaded up a ladder test from 40.5gr to 44.5 with 147gr fmj. Will post the velocity I'm getting once I get a chance to get out to the range this week
Thanks for posting those pics, look forward to your ladder test results and welcome to the forum.
 
Finally got around to doing my ladder tests. Velocities are averages from a 3 shot group. Test rifle is an AR10 with criterion 18" hybrid barrel with a Dead Air Sandman S. Velocities were measured using a magnetospeed. Atmospherics were 77° and humidity of 70%.

Brass was once fired PPU brass, CCI 200 primers. 147gr had an OAL of 2.800", 168gr 2.805", and 178gr were 2.815" (OAL used in my other loads with the same bullets)

MP540
Control PPU M80 147gr 2712 fps
147gr FMJ-BT
40.5 - 2338
41.0 - 2379
41.5 - 2388
42.0 - 2460
42.5 - 2496
43.0 - 2541
43.5 - 2568
44.0 - 2601
44.5 - 2634

168gr Hornady HPBT
Control 168gr IMR 4166 43.2gr 2587 fps
40.5 - 2363
41.0 - 2424
41.5 - 2458
42.0 - 2501
42.5 - 2552
43.0 - 2555
43.5 - 2589
44.0 -
44.5 - 2637

178gr Hornady ELD-M
Control M118LR 2565 fps
40.5 - 2404
41.0 - 2448
41.5 - 2492
42.0 - 2502
42.5 - 2535
43.0 - 2549
43.5 - 2595

All rounds cycled and ejected 2-3 o'clock (rifle is decently over gassed). No pressure signs observed. Powder was compressed in the last few loads with the 168 and 175, unfortunately didn't take good notes on this.
 
Finally got around to doing my ladder tests. Velocities are averages from a 3 shot group. Test rifle is an AR10 with criterion 18" hybrid barrel with a Dead Air Sandman S. Velocities were measured using a magnetospeed. Atmospherics were 77° and humidity of 70%.

Brass was once fired PPU brass, CCI 200 primers. 147gr had an OAL of 2.800", 168gr 2.805", and 178gr were 2.815" (OAL used in my other loads with the same bullets)

MP540
Control PPU M80 147gr 2712 fps
147gr FMJ-BT
40.5 - 2338
41.0 - 2379
41.5 - 2388
42.0 - 2460
42.5 - 2496
43.0 - 2541
43.5 - 2568
44.0 - 2601
44.5 - 2634

168gr Hornady HPBT
Control 168gr IMR 4166 43.2gr 2587 fps
40.5 - 2363
41.0 - 2424
41.5 - 2458
42.0 - 2501
42.5 - 2552
43.0 - 2555
43.5 - 2589
44.0 -
44.5 - 2637

178gr Hornady ELD-M
Control M118LR 2565 fps
40.5 - 2404
41.0 - 2448
41.5 - 2492
42.0 - 2502
42.5 - 2535
43.0 - 2549
43.5 - 2595

All rounds cycled and ejected 2-3 o'clock (rifle is decently over gassed). No pressure signs observed. Powder was compressed in the last few loads with the 168 and 175, unfortunately didn't take good notes on this.
It really does seem to like the heavier projectiles. This is awesome data, thank you.
 
Finally got around to doing my ladder tests. Velocities are averages from a 3 shot group. Test rifle is an AR10 with criterion 18" hybrid barrel with a Dead Air Sandman S. Velocities were measured using a magnetospeed. Atmospherics were 77° and humidity of 70%.

Brass was once fired PPU brass, CCI 200 primers. 147gr had an OAL of 2.800", 168gr 2.805", and 178gr were 2.815" (OAL used in my other loads with the same bullets)

MP540
Control PPU M80 147gr 2712 fps
147gr FMJ-BT
40.5 - 2338
41.0 - 2379
41.5 - 2388
42.0 - 2460
42.5 - 2496
43.0 - 2541
43.5 - 2568
44.0 - 2601
44.5 - 2634

168gr Hornady HPBT
Control 168gr IMR 4166 43.2gr 2587 fps
40.5 - 2363
41.0 - 2424
41.5 - 2458
42.0 - 2501
42.5 - 2552
43.0 - 2555
43.5 - 2589
44.0 -
44.5 - 2637

178gr Hornady ELD-M
Control M118LR 2565 fps
40.5 - 2404
41.0 - 2448
41.5 - 2492
42.0 - 2502
42.5 - 2535
43.0 - 2549
43.5 - 2595

All rounds cycled and ejected 2-3 o'clock (rifle is decently over gassed). No pressure signs observed. Powder was compressed in the last few loads with the 168 and 175, unfortunately didn't take good notes on this.
Awesome info, glad you found this forum and the thread.
 
So I finally got my MP540 last night, after a huge cluster with Fed ex. Loaded up ten rounds on the hot side and gave it a whirl this morning along with a few others i wanted to retest. It was about 35F and blustery at my shooting spot. My results, although piss-poor are consistent :rolleyes:. The lack of increased velocity over the 14.5 and 16 when using my new 20" is discouraging. I'm well aware that cold weather inhibits ball powders especially bad but MP540 being a stick- was still anemic at best. Pressure signs were non existent though. This gives me the courage to keep going higher. Also, I ran some of my spicy M193+P hand loads and got 3340FPS out of my 20". very pleased with that. I'm starting to think mp540 is actually faster than they suggested and may be closer to 4320, which is only one notch above the supposed burn rate range, according to their chart. It's also a short cut extruded powder. I, for the life of me cant figure out why im so short on velocity. I have about 1k Hornady 75gr and only about 30-40 77gr sierras left. I think im going to bump up a few charges, the ones that show the most promise, like AR PLUS and see if i can't (and i quote) "Blow my face off". Chart of disappointment attached;

barrel lengths are as follows: 10" - 11.5" - 12.5" - 14.5" - 16" - 20"
mk262 data.PNG
 
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Alright gents. After an eventful end of the year, I've finally got some good data. I decided to load WAY past published max for 77gr but not much higher than the max for 75gr
almost all of my loads passed the 2750fps mark. But since this is pertaining to MP540;
26.0gr yielded a 5 shot average of 2763 out of a 20" 1:9 barrel.
Recoil wasn't stout and the pressure signs were limited to some light ejector swipes, primers looked absolutely fine.
25.8 might be better for shooting when its NOT 20* and snowing.

The WC747 and WC732 that American Reloading often stocks both also gave good velocities.
WC747 @ 25.0gr - 2682
WC732 @ 25.5gr- 2782

Your mileage and safety may vary. I wouldn't hesitate to shoot any of these or the other loads i tested today.
25gr of Shooter's world AR PLUS got me 2899fps!!!!! No serious issues though- beyond some obvious ejector swipes.
 
Last Edited:
Alright gents. After and eventful end of the year, I've finally got some good data. I decided to load WAY past published max for 77gr but not much higher than the max for 75gr
almost all of my loads passed the 2750fps mark. But since this is pertaining to MP540;
26.0gr yielded a 5 shot average of 2763 out of a 20" 1:9 barrel.
Recoil wasn't stout and the pressure signs were limited to some light ejector swipes, primers looked absolutely fine.
25.8 might be better for shooting when its NOT 20* and snowing.

The WC747 and WC732 that American Reloading often stocks both also gave good velocities.
WC747 @ 25.0gr - 2682
WC732 @ 25.5gr- 2782

Your mileage and safety may vary. I wouldn't hesitate to shoot any of these or the other loads i tested today.
25gr of Shooter's world AR PLUS got me 2899fps!!!!! No serious issues though- beyond some obvious ejector swipes.
Thanks for sharing! How was your accuracy? I'd also be interested in a follow up in 6-7 months once its warmed up a bit!
 
Unfortunately I only shot five round strings for velocity. Shooting for accuracy maybe in the spring or when my spot isn't under two feet of snow.
Have you had a chance to test accuracy with the MP 540 powder? This deal on 32lbs works out to under $22 a lb delivered with code "powder"

 

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