N555 powder in the 6.5 CM

Tikka ace target, 24" barrel, lapua sp brass, 139gr lapua senar, cci 450, 42.8gr n555, velocity 2690fps (tikka barrel I've read are a little slow)
42.8 gr is above the listed max. I went off ultimate reloaders testing with n555 in 6.5 creedmoor and I have zero pressure signs with this load.
Accuracy is very good,3/4 moa or less at 100m, no problems with the 18" plate at 1000m and can hit the 12" every once in a while, my first summer shooting at those distances.
 
Sako S20, Peterson SRP, Lapua 139gr Scenar (GB458), 45.0gr N555, Federal Match Small Rifle Primer
About 0.003 jump, so loaded longer OAL than the book value, yields ~2800 fps muzzle velocity and shoots about 3/4 MOA (verified at 500m)
 
Ditch the N555 and get RL16!

I know you wanted to hear that Jim! :cool:

I did try it out just in case as I was starting to get short on my RL16. I'll have to look up my loading manual when I get home and have a look for ya.

But short of the story, once I found more RL I ditched the N555. Tried stabal as well as 4350.

Using 139 scenar, in starline brass, 26" 1-8 twist barrel with cci450.
 
Just had a chance to look at my older data.
I was actually using lapua brass, LRP, GM210Match primers at that time. I think it was one of my first loads on the new chrony as well, as I did not have one before.
2799 fps avg, ES: 28.9, SD: 8.9, so totally acceptable. 10 shot group. My node was right in that 42.0 gr area.

I ended up running RL 16: 2903.4 fps average, ES: 16.8 SD 6.0, again 10 shot group.

50 shot group: 2917.8 fps, ES: 36.5, SD: 8.7. Dec 2023.
Ended up pushing them @ 2950.1 fps for a while as well: 50 shot group: ES: 32.2 and SD 7.2. This was March 2024.

When I say group I mean a 50 shot string as I was shooting any where from 500m to 1378M on our range.

I've since slowed them down a bit as the barrel is wearing now as I'm in that 3K rounds mark, +/- a few hundred. Now also running starline srp brass, and the cci450 with RL16. 2856.4 fps, ES: 42.9 and SD 8.9 for a 38 shot string just here at the beginning of July.


If I didn't have any RL 16 it would for sure be N555 I'd run.
 
Jimothy said:
I’m trying the 555 in 6.5creedmoor got great accuracy with 147eldm’s out of tikka varmint 1:8 twist.
Click to expand...
I’m finally shooting mine this week I have lots of 147 ELDM s
I’m not gonna copy your load - but what did you use ? Brass Primer Grains Coal just wanting to know for interest sake 🤷‍♂️
 
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remington jim said:
I’m finally shooting mine this week I have lots of 147 ELDM s
I’m not gonna copy your load - but what did you use ? Brass Primer Grains Coal just wanting to know for interest sake 🤷‍♂️
Click to expand...
Still developing but 0.5moa with 40.5 grains and also 42.5 grains n555 and seated to max magazine length at 2.220 bto measured with the hornady comparator. CCI br2 primers a bit flat but not overboard. Probably wont push it higher as I’m strictly shooting paper.
 

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boxhitch said:
Why 555? does it fill a case better than other Vihts?
I've heard others like N165
idk
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They market the powder thusly:

“The most temperature stable reloading powder in its class, N555 features unprecedented performance in the 6.5 Creedmoor.”

Such claims pique the interest of 6.5 shooters since it often is available and cheaper than H4350…
 
All testing has shown that if your barrel is, less then 30 inches long, and or hammer forged, it is to slow a powder to get the velocity required to make it to the target in a timely manner
 
Jimothy said:
Still developing but 0.5moa with 40.5 grains and also 42.5 grains n555 and seated to max magazine length at 2.220 bto measured with the hornady comparator. CCI br2 primers a bit flat but not overboard. Probably wont push it higher as I’m strictly shooting paper.
Click to expand...
Your primers look absolutely Find in your pictures 👍 Accuracy is King 😊
Do you know your Speed ?
 
boxhitch said:
Why 555? does it fill a case better than other Vihts?
I've heard others like N165
idk
Click to expand...
VihtaVuori N555 is a high-energy, temperature-stable rifle powder with a burn rate positioned
between N550 and N160, specifically designed for competitive shooting, particularly in 6.5 Creedmoor. It is similar in speed to popular powders like H4350 and Reloder 16, offering excellent performance for medium-sized cartridges 👍
Hopefully 😊
 
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For those interested just started some new load testing with N555 with Lapua 139 scenars. Above 41gr I was getting consistent SD less than 10 and groups less than 1/2 MOA. Some I was getting 1/3 MOA on. Still more testing to dial in the load. The N555 is working significantly better for my rifle than H4350 was.
 
remington jim said:
Who’s burning V N555 in there 6.5 CM . 🤷‍♂️ how’s it working out for you for accuracy and velocity .
What are ur loads with what Bullet - brass - primer etc 😊
What barrel lenght ?
Thxs 👍

And NO I don’t CARE OR WANT to hear about any other powder ! Thank You 😊
Click to expand...
Bergara B14 HMR Wilderness in MDT ESS (24" barrel) chassis.

Lapua brass SRP
Lapua 136gr Scenar L
Federal GMM 205 Primer
43.1gr N555

Velocity - 2727fps

Shoots 1/2 - 3/4 moa consistently
 
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I used 43.5 grains of VV555, over 139 grain Hornady ILs, in my 6.5cm, which only has a 22 in bbl, with a 1-8 twist rate, with CCI 450 primers, in (gasp)Federal, small primer cases. Henry N had them on sale priced below the value of the primers in them, at the time.

Velocities were just over 2600fps.

It's on a medium weight, walnut stocked, hunting rifle.

As mentioned, velocities were on the slow side, but my rifle shot them as well as it did with H100V, which is sub moa. Not match accuracy, which is what you're looking for.

I only had a one pound jug, and I have a lot of H100V/Superformance, which were very close, but gave me a bit more velocity, with similar accuracy.

I didn't pursue VV555 because I have other powders that work as well, with similar burn rates.

RJ, I can see it being a very good powder. The extreme spreads were less than 20fps between shots, and I shot 50 rounds.

I used up the pound of VV555 in testing, and wouldn't feel bad if it were the only powder available.
 
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