[trenchmonkey]

Hello folks,
What would be the best Vihtavuori powder for M14 and 168 gr Lapua Scenar combination?
I know that too slow powders can increase the port pressure but where do you draw the line?

[Art Eatman]

I'm looking at my Speer #13 handbook. .308, 168-grain Match. With the Speer bullet, overall length of 2.800 inches, or about 71.1 mm.

It shows Viht N150. Starting load of 43.0 grains; MV of 2,410 ft/sec. Max load of 47.0 grains, (compressed); 2,739 ft/sec.

However, a footnote says that this loading is not recommended for gas-operated semi-automatic match rifles.

Looking at the 165-grain hunting bullet loadings, Viht N140 is one of the choices. Starting, 42.0 at 2,534; max, 46.0, (compressed); 2,744 ft/sec.

Given what I understand about pressure curves of the burn rates of powders, and the problems of operating-rod damage, here's my opinion: I would use the N140, but a max load of 44.0 grains. From the Speer charts, a muzzle velocity of some 2,650 to 2,700 ft/sec is about par for the course.

I guess my question would be, what other powders are readily available to you?

Art

(After the above babble, it occurs to me that I ought to move this to the Reloading forum. :D )

[trenchmonkey]

I have access to all Vihtavuori rifle and pistol powder.
Hodgdon powders would be only a phonecall away,but I would like to stick with VV for patriotic and economical reasons.

Your 44 gr N140 load is probably a good starting point for my experimentation.It´s also very close to my favorite G3 load 38.6 grs of N135.

[Cherokee]

I can understand your preference. If you want to try another, I have very good results in my M1A with Hodgdon H380 and 169 Sierra, using 46.4 gr. I worked up from 45 gr start.

[Byron Quick]

Just curious. Are you shooting a real selective fire M14 or a civilian version? I know that in some ways Finns have legal access to firearms that are forbidden in the US...darn it!

[trenchmonkey]

My rifle isa genuine GI issue except the connector has been removed. Weldings or grindings are not necessary here because ATF is located on your side of the big pond.Thank god for small favours...;)

PS.Thank´s to all who helped me with reloading data.