Viht N120 and AR-15 .223 Rem

[dafitch]

Anyone having luck with using Vihtavuori N120 in their AR-15 .223 reloads?

I usually use IMR4198 and have had great luck, but picked up 2lbs of N120 on sale to test out.

Starting load as follows:
19.0 gr N120
55 gr Rem FMJ PSP
OAL 2.180 (mid-point on cann.)

Not enough power to fully cycle the bolt. Max load according to Lapua data is 20.7 gr. Starting is 18.7 gr.

Any ideas?

Thanks!
Dave

 

[dafitch]

Anyone having luck at all with N120?

I went back and loaded in increments up to 20.5 gr (max 20.7), and still didn't have any luck. Rounds would feed properly at 20.5 gr, but the bolt still short cycled and wouldn't hold open on the last round.

Should I give up on using N120 in an AR? If so, I've got almost 2 pounds of N120 I'll make someone a good deal on...

Thanks,
Dave

 

[KI.W.]

N-120 powder is for lighter bullets in many .22-caliber loads, 7,62x39, 30-30 and .444 Marlin. Kauko ( P.S: I am thinking: the rifle must to be bolt lock).