Ramshot and VihtaVuori Powders vs Everything Else

[Dobeman887]

I have been reloading about 10yrs now, and have used many powders in a wide variety of calibers. What I have found is that I prefer Ramshot and VihtaVuori powders simply due to their ability to meter better with my Hornady powder dropper. I had posted a thread a while back regarding powder droppers vs electronic powder dispensers and I simply can't bring myself to spend the money on the electronic dispensers. I just got done reading an article about the best powders for the 300 win mag from Wolfe Publishing (I have a paid membership to access the wealth of load data they have), and the author really recommended H1000 above all others, but didn't even through the Ramshot powders into the discussion. I have used a wide variety with my 300 win mag and really haven't noticed much of a difference in accuracy, whether I am using the slow method of measuring powder with a powder trickler or using my powder dropper for the Ramshot and VihtaVouri powders. Even standard deviations in speed haven't been all the different based on the method of measuring powder. I will note that with my 300 win mag loads I am using 165-180gr bullets, with the 270 130-160gr, and 30-06 150-170grs. With all that being said, what are your experiences with various powders for the 300 win mag, 270 winchester, and 30-06? It is also important to note that Ramshot powders are significantly cheaper than many of the other brands....why is that? I look forward to hearing from you all. Thanks

 

[wind gypsy]

Only Ramshot powder i've ever used is Tac. Aren't they all ball powders? Ball powder is generally cheaper than extruded powder.

I've loaded ball powder very little but in general i haven't seen the accuracy or velocity consistency out of them.

 

[ShootOkHuntWorse]

I use TAC for my 223/77tmk loads. Easy to find cause nobody buys it and almost 10$ cheaper than 8208. I wish I could get Staball HD to work in 6.5prc. Terrible velocity and not great accuracy.

 

[5MilesBack]

I've used quite a bit of TAC, Big Game, and Hunter and always found decent loads with them. Also did quite a bit of .223 with N140. But I always seem to use more H4350 and H1000 these days. I still have an unopened 8lb'er of Big Game. I was getting almost 4000 fps with it and 85gr TSX bullets in a 270. Those were actually a lot of fun to shoot......low recoil, and pretty darn accurate. But would probably burn my barrel out pretty quick too.

 

[Tx270WT]

have a really good hunting round for the 308 with TAC and Sierra TGK 165. The target load was built with varget. Haven’t played with vihtavuori but keep looking at n560 and 570 for other guns

 

[Dobeman887]

Thanks for the info so far

 

[rideold]

I use Ramshot Big Game in my 30-06 and A2700 in the 6.5CM. Both have been effective for me.

 

[Dobeman887]

I think I am going to stick with Ramshot powders- they seem to do the job as well as other powders, meter better, and cost less. No upsides to using other powders.

 

[NorthIdahoDude]

VV N555 is measurably the most accurate powder I've tried in my 30-06s, and as good as the most accurate powder I've tried in my 7x57. IMR 4831 is the other 7x57 powder that's equivalent accuracy.

It's on my to-do list to try more VV powders.

Have run Ramshot Zip and Silhouette in 9mm loads, love them for that purpose. Ramshot hunter has produced nice velocities in 7x57 and 30-06, but not the accuracy I wanted.

I have a jug of Big Game and a 8lb er of Tac, but I haven't played with either yet. Next summers fun.

 

[NorthIdahoDude]

Oh, and I have a 8lb jug of something American Reloading said was "similar to" N160. Has been nicely accurate with light bullets in my 30-06, and burns clean like N555. However, as far as I can tell, it has quite a bit faster burn than real N160, so not sure if it qualifies as a VV powder or not.

It's also unusual in that velocity is very very stable. Plus or minus 1/2 grain or so at any charge weight will produce literally no detectable velocity variation when using the magneto speed. However, velocity pegs out about 100 to 200 FPS slower than expected in everything (2750 FPS with 150 grains bullets in 30-06 for example, or 2600 FPS with 130s in a 6.5 Creedmoor).

 

[Backcast88]

I've never loaded with Ramshot powder. I have looked at getting some a few times but just never did.

I've mainly been loading n550 and n565 since its easy to find locally. But I still have a fair amount of h4350 and some h4831sc left I keep throwing into the rotation. I have no complaints with Vihtavouri and will continue to use it since Hogdon powder are not the most prolific in my area right now.

 

[coyotekilla]

I use exterminator in my 6.5 grendel, tac in some hotrod 223 loads. Does seem cheaper than the jugs of varget & other powders i occasionally use

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

I have used Ramshot TAC, Big Game, and Grand.

TAC for 223 which gave great speed with 70+ grain bullets and good enough accuracy burned through 2 pounds


Big Game for 7mm08 I like this for 150gr and below great peed and accuracy
Burned through 2 pounds


Grand i am still playing around with and have only used it for a 270 wsm, speed is really good but have not shot enough of it to have a strong opinion.
It’s more of a flake powder like SB 6.5 which I like, meters well and doesn’t make a mess at the reloading bench.

I have liked them all so far but not sure what I gain over other powders besides if a particular rifle just liked those powders

 

[Snowwolfe]

Been using them for close to 20 years. Tac, Hunter, Big Game, etc. Every time I run out of something that I can no longer find will replace it with Ram Shot or Vih. Without a doubt, the replacement has always met or exceeded my expectations. Vih makes exceptional powders. They meter great and burn super clean as well as providing great accuracy and high velocities.
I don't miss any of RL line or any other Alliant powders.

 

[coyotekilla]

Been using them for close to 20 years. Tac, Hunter, Big Game, etc. Every time I run out of something that I can no longer find will replace it with Ram Shot or Vih. Without a doubt, the replacement has always met or exceeded my expectations. Vih makes exceptional powders. They meter great and burn super clean as well as providing great accuracy and high velocities.
I don't miss any of RL line or any other Alliant powders.

What did you replace rl26 with?

 

[Snowwolfe]

I have not needed RL26 for a long time. If I did need it would buy either N160 or N165 to start. Recently purchased 2 pounds of N170 to try in my 300 Weatherbys. Have not shot either of my rifles in this caliber and seems like a good place to start. Might try it in my 300 Win Mag as well. I still have 16 pounds of IMR 4831 and 8 pounds of 7828 as well as some RL22 in my stock. All should show promise in the 300's