Description
Vihtavuori N550 is a progressive-burning rifle powder known for its medium burn rate, ideally suited for a variety of rifle loads. It is part of Vihtavuori's N500 series, which incorporates energy-enhancing elements that provide higher velocities without corresponding increases in pressure. The powder exhibits excellent metering characteristics due to its extruded form with small, uniform grains, enabling consistent charge weights which are critical for precision handloading. N550 is renowned for its thermal stability, maintaining consistent performance across a wide range of temperatures, making it an excellent choice for competitive shooting and hunting in variable climates. This propellant is particularly favored in calibers like 6.5x55 Swedish, .30-06 Springfield, and .308 Winchester, where it provides optimal load densities and consistent pressures. For reloaders focusing on accuracy, N550 offers a forgiving nature during load development with predictable pressure curves and clean residue, ensuring longer shooting sessions without barrel fouling issues. Vihtavuori's commitment to quality and performance makes N550 a reliable choice among discerning handloaders.
Specifications
Burn Rate
3 (Medium-Slow)
Bulk Density
0.940 g/cm³
Density
1.630 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 N550
Verified load data combinations using Vihtavuori N550.
.20 BR
Berger .204 | 55gr | Berger Varmint 55gr
.20 BR
Hornady .204 | 45gr | Hornady SP 45gr
.22 ARC
Sierra .224 | 90gr | Sierra HPBT MatchKinging 90gr
.22 ARC (bolt action)
Sierra .224 | 88gr | Sierra Tipped MatchKing 88gr
.22 ARC (bolt action)
Sierra .224 | 90gr | Sierra HPBT MatchKinging 90gr
.22 BR Rem.
Berger .224 | 82gr | Berger LTB 82gr
.22 BR Rem.
Lapua .224 | 77gr | Lapua ScenarL 77gr
.22 BR Rem.
RMR .224 | 75gr | RMR BTHP 3GH 75gr
.22 BR Rem.
RMR .224 | 75gr | RMR BTHP 75gr
.22 Creedmoor
A-Square .224 | 72gr | A-Square e 72gr
.22 Creedmoor
Barnes .224 | 50gr | Barnes TTSX FB 50gr
.22 Creedmoor
Barnes .224 | 50gr | Barnes XLC S 50gr
.22 Creedmoor
Barnes .224 | 50gr | Barnes Varmint Grenade FB 50gr
.22 Creedmoor
Barnes .224 | 50gr | Barnes X S 50gr
.22 Creedmoor
Barnes .224 | 50gr | Barnes VLC S 50gr
.22 Creedmoor
Barnes .204 | 50gr | Barnes Varminator HP FB 50gr
.22 Creedmoor
Barnes .224 | 50gr | Barnes TSX BT 50gr
.22 Creedmoor
Barnes .224 | 50gr | Barnes Solid Spitz 50gr
Subsonic Loads — Vihtavuori N550
Verified subsonic load data combinations using Vihtavuori N550.
.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 | 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
.308 Win.
Lapua .308 | 200gr | Lapua Subsonic 200gr
Community Loads — Vihtavuori N550
Sample load data calculated with Vihtavuori N550.
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| Cartridge | Bullet | Barrel (in) | Charge (gr) | OAL (in) | Case Volume (GoW) | Max. Pressure (psi) | Muzzle Velocity (fps) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| .224 | 88gr | Sierra Tipped MatchKing | 20.0 | 29.5 | 2.26 | 34.6 | 53,944 (87%) | 2713 | |
| .224 | 88gr | Sierra Tipped MatchKing | 20.0 | 29.0 | 2.26 | 34.6 | 50,898 (82%) | 2667 | |
| .224 | 69gr | Sierra Tipped MatchKing | 24.0 | ••.• | 2.55 | 51.0 | 59,828 (92%) | 3422 | |
| .224 | 69gr | Sierra Tipped MatchKing | 24.0 | 41.2 | 2.52 | 51.0 | 50,981 (78%) | 3271 | |
| .224 | 74gr | RWS Kegelspitz | 20.0 | ••.• | 2.35 | 43.5 | 55,673 (95%) | 3051 | |
| .243 | 75gr | Hornady V-MAX | 18.0 | ••.• | 2.52 | 57.0 | 47,268 (86%) | 3005 | |
| .243 | 90gr | Sierra Tipped GameKing (TGK) | 20.1 | ••.• | 2.67 | 54.0 | 51,715 (86%) | 2858 | |
| .257 | 135gr | Berger Long Range Hybrid Target | 26.0 | ••.• | 2.83 | 51.5 | 61,818 (100%) | 2818 | |
| .257 | 135gr | Berger Long Range Hybrid Target | 26.0 | ••.• | 2.83 | 51.5 | 60,884 (98%) | 2805 | |
| .257 | 135gr | Berger Long Range Hybrid Target | 26.0 | ••.• | 2.83 | 51.5 | 57,390 (93%) | 2762 | |
| .257 | 135gr | Berger Long Range Hybrid Target | 26.0 | ••.• | 2.83 | 51.5 | 53,223 (86%) | 2707 | |
| .257 | 138gr | Hornady A-Tip Match | 24.0 | ••.• | 2.83 | 51.9 | 53,402 (86%) | 2635 | |
| .257 | 138gr | Hornady A-Tip Match | 24.0 | ••.• | 2.83 | 51.9 | 52,585 (85%) | 2625 | |
| .277 | 129gr | Barnes LRX BT | 22.4 | ••.• | 3.34 | 67.0 | 58,624 (94%) | 2999 | |
| .277 | 140gr | Sierra GameKing | 22.4 | ••.• | 3.20 | 67.0 | 61,221 (98%) | 2930 | |
| .277 | 129gr | Barnes LRX BT | 22.4 | ••.• | 3.30 | 67.0 | 53,142 (85%) | 2913 | |
| .308 | 178gr | Hornady ELD-Match | 23.6 | ••.• | 3.34 | 68.2 | 53,010 (90%) | 2694 | |
| .308 | 180gr | Hornady SST InterLock | 22.4 | ••.• | 3.34 | 68.2 | 53,690 (91%) | 2657 |
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