The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

I have recently acquired a Swiss K31 and would like to reload some PPU brass. Would someone recommended starting load for N140 powder?

I say N140 because it is all I have available at the moment and I can't see a load in the Lee reloading manual for this powder.(maybe for a good reason?)

I will be using .308 x 168 PPU match bullet heads.

Also what would be a preferable powder to purchase when I get near a supplier?

regards

Geoff

Recipes for N140 can be downloaded from the Vihtavuori site.
A free pdf handbook.
Most bullet makers also have free downloads of suggested loads.

...or do you prefer risking typos on a web forum?

Nothing wrong with Viht powder...plus it's easier to source during times of shortages of US powders.

Many thanks Saddler...I should have realised that Google would be my friend

Ask away!
I use N150 with 155gn scenars.
More than adequate out to 900yards.
Tony

From Vhit manual 2012 personally I use 40 grns of TR140 and a 174grn PPU bullet designed to be similar to GP11 in shape, I am in the process of changing to RL17 .
please note! the K31 mech is not known for handling gas escapes well, if you underload the cartridge and fail to get full obduration the discharge will hit you in the eye! wear saftey glasses (as we all should anyway)

Bullet Powder Starting load Maximum load
Weight Type/Name Mfg C.O.L. Type Weight Velocity Weight Velocity
[g] [grs] [mm] [in.] [g] [grs] [m/s] [fps] [g] [grs] [m/s] [fps]
10,0 155 Scenar Lapua 75,5 2.972 N140 3,00 46.3 759 2490 3,18 49.1 811 2661
N540 3,05 47.1 766 2513 3,25 50.1 842 2762
N150 3,03 46.8 763 2503 3,22 49.7 815 2674
10,8 167 Scenar Lapua 75,5 2.972 N140 2,78 42.9 700 2297 2,96 45.7 760 2493
N540 2,65 40.9 700 2297 3,07 47.4 771 2530
N150 2,78 42.9 703 2306 3,08 47.5 761 2497

25gr Accurate 5744 (Lovex D060) behind a cast 200gr boolit works well for me

many thanks for the replies smile2

I have enough information now to get me started

regards

Geoff

PS full size only and check the overall length before making up a batch, the K31 was chambered for the GP11 round and GP11 only! any sizes given in guides will refer to the K11/G11 chamber which is more forgiving, failure to fire is often due to round being made too long.

PS full size only and check the overall length before making up a batch, the K31 was chambered for the GP11 round and GP11 only! any sizes given in guides will refer to the K11/G11 chamber which is more forgiving, failure to fire is often due to round being made too long.

Thanks for reminding me smile2 I have read that the chamber is tight and I intend to make up the rounds to GP11 OAL.

I only have the die for full length resizing and I prepared 10 cases yesterday afternoon. They were tighter in the die than the equivalent die for .303!

It is not just oal it is the short (non existent) throat and getting a bullet of similar profile to the GP11 to fit that throat so that it doesn't seat too deep in the case before the round will chamber.

Good idea to make up a dummy round first to check fit.