N-150 in the .404 Jeffery

[Nevada Mike]

I am in the midst of load development for my .404J and have tried a number of powders that I either have on hand or I have been able to buy. So far I like VV N-150. Using 80 grains with Norma brass, WLRM primers and 400 grain Swift A Frame, my chrono says that I am getting 2411 fps with very small variations in velocity. I also tried IMR4350, Superformance, Hybrid 100V, N204, and H4350, Yet to try XMR (AA) 4064 and IMR4895.

I am going for MV of about 2350 fps. and may just stay with N-150 at about 78.5 grains. Does N-150 have any negatives? Temperature sensitivity?

My rifle has a 23" PacNor barrel and fairly tight headspacing. I have a borrowed (from an AH member) FCD to crimp my rounds and once I get the SN load finalized, I will work on getting a load for the 400 grain Barnes Banded Solid (meplat type) that will shoot close to the same POI at 100 yards.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I am in the midst of load development for my .404J and have tried a number of powders that I either have on hand or I have been able to buy. So far I like VV N-150. Using 80 grains with Norma brass, WLRM primers and 400 grain Swift A Frame, my chrono says that I am getting 2411 fps with very small variations in velocity. I also tried IMR4350, Superformance, Hybrid 100V, N204, and H4350, Yet to try XMR (AA) 4064 and IMR4895.

I am going for MV of about 2350 fps. and may just stay with N-150 at about 78.5 grains. Does N-150 have any negatives? Temperature sensitivity?

My rifle has a 23" PacNor barrel and fairly tight headspacing. I have a borrowed (from an AH member) FCD to crimp my rounds and once I get the SN load finalized, I will work on getting a load for the 400 grain Barnes Banded Solid (meplat type) that will shoot close to the same POI at 100 yards.

From what I have read, versus experienced, N150 does have a bit of a temperature coefficient that is appreciable. But if your results are recent and from the afternoons here in Arizona, I don't think you've got much to worry about.

Now if you're planning to hunt in significantly warmer temperatures, then you may want to check those loads in July and recheck for pressure signs and of course accuracy change.

 

[Scrumbag]

I've never noticed N150 being temperature sensitive myself (Use it in 257 Roberts and 9.3x62) though I've never shot it in middle of the day Arizona temperatures.

As @PHOENIX PHIL says, if it works shoot it and try it out in warmer temps.

I'm going to try N150 myself in 404 Jeff, I just keep finding auction lots of reasonably priced 404 Jeff so no needed to start reloading yet.

Scrummy

 

[Nhoro]

I have used VV N133 and 135 -so the 2 faster powders -and haven't had a problem. The VV powders have a following in bench rest so they are unlikely to be temp. sensitive and generally have a good rep for accuracy and consistent speeds. And to be honest, I doubt you are pushing the envelope of the 404 at 2350 fps. A little extra pressure is unlikely to cause any problems.

I did a quick calculation on a balistics program and it shows approx. 2.3 % increase in pressure from 21 deg C to 35 deg C. So for me that would be a cool winters day in Harare vs the same in Zambezi Valley.

 

[Nevada Mike]

Thanks all for your comments. The 80 grain load produces 2410 to 2414 fps in my rifle with variation of only a few fps. Producing MOI groups at 100 yards. This is a bit more speed than I think I need so backing off to 78.5 grains to get about 2350 fps

 

[Nhoro]

Sounds like you will be pretty safe having backed off on your already safe load.

 

[Proneshooter]

Mike,
I'm looking forward to your results. My old 404 liked H4350, but I bought some N150 to try in the new one. Vhitavouri powders have always been my favorite so I will let the rifle decide which one it likes best.

 

[Nevada Mike]

Mike,
I'm looking forward to your results. My old 404 liked H4350, but I bought some N150 to try in the new one. Vhitavouri powders have always been my favorite so I will let the rifle decide which one it likes best.

John - - I will post results when I have them. I hope that you'll post up what you find. Probably the main reason I tried N-150 is that I stumbled across 4 pounds of it for sale at a great price at a LGS and I found some data for it in Van der Walt's book. My chrono ( a bayonet type that requires patience and a roll of duct tape ;-) to work properly on a .404J) tells me that I can easily achieve 2400 + fps and noting that I can dial it back to what I want in MV. The load (and/or the PacNor barrel) is more than accurate enough for DG hunting.

I'll try H380 in my .375 H&H before going to other powders. Waiting on the gunsmith to complete the stock.

 

[Shootist43]

Nevada Mike, I'm enjoying this thread. I've never put anything but Von Gruff's Accuracy load through my 404(s.) I'm more than happy with 2300 FPS and less than one MOA accuracy out of both rifles. Given the powder situation it is nice to see that other options are available.