As some may know from a different thread, I’m half heartedly hunting for a new powder for 69 grain and up bullets in 5.56/223. I’ve had good results with Hornady 75 grain HPBT bullets, so I checked their data. They had best results with VVN140. It’s not common but now, what is? Their velocity data for it caps at 2600 fps, which I’m willing to accept. Does anyone use it or have they tried in the past? I’ll mostly be shooting from a 16” upper chambered in 5.56, with occasional use from a 20” upper.
VV N140 for 5.56/223 Heavy Bullets
- Thread starter DMW1116
- Start date
Blue68f100
Member
I'm using Varget with the 69gr SMK. TAC works too, used it with the 52-69gr bullets general purpose loads.
AJC1
Member
I'm running n135 with that bullet.
N135 and AA#2495 were also listed as good, but not quite as good as VV N140. It likely will come down to whichever is most available.
I have used TAC with a 52 grain Barnes Match Burner and it seems to shoot very well. I tried it for RMR 69 grain HPBT bullets too. While it worked there, it seems more suited to lighter bullets, at least from what I've seen. I'm looking for a replacement for IMR 4064 pushing the 75 grain Hornady bullets. I'm not against Varget, but I've never seen any in person.
I have used TAC with a 52 grain Barnes Match Burner and it seems to shoot very well. I tried it for RMR 69 grain HPBT bullets too. While it worked there, it seems more suited to lighter bullets, at least from what I've seen. I'm looking for a replacement for IMR 4064 pushing the 75 grain Hornady bullets. I'm not against Varget, but I've never seen any in person.
N140 is one of my favorites with 75/77gr in .223. SUPER accurate, and pretty decent velocity. Doesn't quite get top velocity, but it's not far behind. VV's max load with the 77gr runs right at 2600 out of my 16", might be a little faster with the 75's.
I've used N140 with 69 gr Sierra Match Kings for a while now, with more than acceptable results, at least by my standards. I mostly shoot them out of a Remington 700, but have also had decent results with various AR15s. It's not the fastest load around- mine clock around 2850 out of a 20" bbl.
Shovel
Member
I've just finished playing with 62gr Hornady FMJBT in a H-Bar 20" barrelled rifle. Just using AA2230, which is a little fast for anything heavier, but found the sweet spot at 2900 FPS. Running the same weight (0.8gr less than the 62gr bullet load) of AA2230 with Sierra 77gr HPBT gave 2725FPS, 2700 FPS with Hornady 75gr HPBT. Remember, 5.56 chambers are rated for higher pressures than .223. Accuracy with all was sub-MOA.
nastynatesfish
Member
N140 shoots well for me with 75gr bullets. I don’t use any 69s as of yet. But will try some in my 1-9tw 700. I started using n540 in my 700 and I get 3009fps in my 20” with a 75gr bthp at 25.6gr. They hold a solid 3/4” group at 100m. I shoot them out to 700m and they do well for me. I also use some n135 and it does well also
JEBruns
Member
Like always, a lot depends on your particular rifle. I bought some TAC and N140 after reading a lot about them here. I've done a few ladders with them using 69SMK's. Best 5 shot group at 100yds was right at .6" (N140). For my AR (Zev Core Elite 16" 1:7), Varget has both of them beat so far.
