Description
Vihtavuori N540 is a medium burn rate rifle powder within the Vihtavuori N500 series, known for its consistent performance across a range of rifle calibers. As a flake-type powder, N540 offers excellent metering properties, which facilitates precise reloading for high-volume rifle cartridges. This powder is designed to deliver enhanced power in mid-sized cases, making it particularly suitable for calibers such as .308 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, and .30-06 Springfield. Its temperature stability is well-regarded, ensuring consistent velocities and pressures in varying ambient conditions, a critical advantage for precision shooters and those reloading for diverse climates. N540's burn characteristics optimize ballistic performance, producing efficient pressure and velocity profiles that enhance accuracy. Handloaders appreciate its flexibility during load development, allowing fine adjustments to achieve the desired performance metrics. Vihtavuori’s reputable quality control ensures lot-to-lot consistency, making N540 a reliable choice for developing loads that demand precision and repeatability.
Specifications
Burn Rate
3.4 (Medium-Slow)
Bulk Density
0.940 g/cm³
Density
1.620 g/cm³
Temperature Sensitivity
Low
Suitable Substitutes
Powders with a similar burn rate that may be suitable alternatives (also see burn rate chart):
Standard Loads — Vihtavuori N540
Verified load data combinations using Vihtavuori N540.
.17 Rem.
Berger .172 | 25gr | Berger Varmint 25gr
.17 Rem.
Hornady .172 | 25gr | Hornady V-MAX 25gr
.17 Rem.
Impala Bullets .172 | 22gr | Impala LW CFN 22gr
.20 BR
Berger .204 | 35gr | Berger FB Varmint 35gr
.20 BR
Berger .204 | 40gr | Berger Varmint 40gr
.20 BR
Berger .204 | 55gr | Berger Varmint 55gr
.20 BR
Hornady .204 | 32gr | Hornady V-MAX 32gr
.20 BR
Hornady .204 | 40gr | Hornady V-MAX 40gr
.20 BR
Hornady .204 | 45gr | Hornady SP 45gr
.20 BR
Impala Bullets .204 | 30gr | Impala LWHV LS 30gr
.20 BR
Impala Bullets .204 | 30gr | Impala LW CFN 30gr
.20 BR
Lehigh Defense .204 | 28gr | Lehigh Defense Controlled Chaos 28gr
.20 BR
Nosler .204 | 32gr | Nosler Ballistic Tip Lead Free 32gr
.20 BR
Nosler .204 | 32gr | Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint 32gr
.20 BR
Nosler .204 | 32gr | Nosler Varmageddon HP 32gr
.20 BR
Nosler .204 | 32gr | Nosler CT Ballistic Silvertip RN 32gr
.20 BR
Nosler .204 | 32gr | Nosler Varmageddon 32gr
.20 BR
Nosler .204 | 40gr | Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint 40gr
Subsonic Loads — Vihtavuori N540
Verified subsonic load data combinations using Vihtavuori N540.
.30-06 Spring.
Berger .308 | 230gr | Berger Hybrid Target 230gr
.30-06 Spring.
Berger .308 | 230gr | Berger Hybrid OTM Tactical 230gr
.30-06 Spring.
Discreet Ballistics .308 | 188gr | Discreet Ballistics Selous Machined Expander 188gr
.30-06 Spring.
Hornady .308 | 175gr | Hornady Sub-X 175gr
.30-06 Spring.
Hornady .308 | 190gr | Hornady Sub-X 190gr
.30-06 Spring.
Lapua .308 | 200gr | Lapua Subsonic 200gr
.30-06 Spring.
MAKER .308 | 200gr | MAKER 200 Grain .308 Expanding Subsonic Blackout Bullets 200gr
.30-06 Spring.
MAKER .308 | 220gr | MAKER 300 blackout 220gr
.30-06 Spring.
Peregrine .308 | 155gr | Peregrine Subsonic 155gr
.30-06 Spring.
Reichenberg .308 | 154gr | Reichenberg HDB Subsonic 154gr
.30-06 Spring.
Reichenberg .308 | 200gr | Reichenberg Subsonic 200gr
.30-06 Spring.
Sierra .308 | 220gr | Sierra MatchKing 220gr
.30-06 Spring.
Styria Arms | AERO .308 | 95gr | AERO SUB-I,- smax:11.30 95gr
.30-06 Spring.
Styria Arms | AERO .308 | 115gr | AERO SUB,- smax:11.40 115gr
.30-06 Spring.
Styria Arms | AERO .308 | 190gr | AERO SUB,- smax:23.90 190gr
.308 Win.
Discreet Ballistics .308 | 188gr | Discreet Ballistics Selous Machined Expander 188gr
.308 Win.
Hornady .308 | 175gr | Hornady Sub-X 175gr
.308 Win.
Hornady .308 | 190gr | Hornady Sub-X 190gr
Community Loads — Vihtavuori N540
Sample load data calculated with Vihtavuori N540.
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| Cartridge | Bullet | Barrel (in) | Charge (gr) | OAL (in) | Case Volume (GoW) | Max. Pressure (psi) | Muzzle Velocity (fps) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| .224 | 53gr | Hornady V-MAX | 20.0 | 35.2 | 2.35 | 43.5 | 56,072 (95%) | 3392 | |
| .224 | 53gr | Hornady V-MAX | 20.0 | 34.4 | 2.35 | 43.5 | 52,678 (90%) | 3330 | |
| .224 | 77gr | Sierra HPBT MatchKing | 22.0 | ••.• | 2.35 | 43.5 | 43,424 (74%) | 2782 | |
| .224 | 77gr | Barnes LRX BT | 20.0 | 29.0 | 2.35 | 43.5 | 42,598 (73%) | 2694 | |
| .224 | 77gr | Hornady AEROMATCH | 20.0 | ••.• | 2.26 | 32.4 | 49,487 (90%) | 2654 | |
| .224 | 69gr | Barnes Match Burner BT | 20.0 | ••.• | 2.26 | 30.0 | 53,272 (97%) | 2805 | |
| .224 | 73gr | Hornady ELD Match | 22.0 | ••.• | 2.44 | 30.0 | 49,980 (91%) | 2759 | |
| .224 | 62gr | Hornady ELD-VT | 19.7 | ••.• | 2.25 | 30.0 | 44,541 (81%) | 2756 | |
| .224 | 73gr | Hornady ELD Match | 22.0 | ••.• | 2.44 | 30.0 | 48,689 (89%) | 2740 | |
| .224 | 73gr | Berger BT Target | 20.0 | ••.• | 2.26 | 30.0 | 51,517 (94%) | 2710 | |
| .224 | 62gr | Hornady ELD-VT | 19.7 | ••.• | 2.25 | 30.0 | 39,320 (71%) | 2654 | |
| .224 | 65gr | Sierra SBT GameKing | 19.7 | ••.• | 2.24 | 30.0 | 39,842 (72%) | 2641 | |
| .224 | 62gr | Hornady ELD-VT | 19.7 | ••.• | 2.25 | 30.0 | 37,753 (69%) | 2618 | |
| .224 | 65gr | Sierra SBT GameKing | 19.7 | ••.• | 2.24 | 30.0 | 38,334 (70%) | 2608 | |
| .224 | 69gr | Barnes Match Burner BT | 20.0 | ••.• | 2.26 | 30.0 | 38,116 (69%) | 2543 | |
| .224 | 80.5gr | Berger Fullbore Target | 20.0 | ••.• | 2.26 | 31.5 | 48,418 (88%) | 2631 | |
| .243 | 80gr | Barnes TTSX BT | 36.0 | ••.• | 2.69 | 52.8 | 58,537 (97%) | 3399 | |
| .243 | 80gr | Barnes TTSX BT | 36.0 | ••.• | 2.69 | 52.8 | 55,347 (92%) | 3356 |
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