I like N540 in 6 ARC, particularly with lighter bullets. I would say that it has a faster burn rate than is listed on newer (2023) burn rate charts. On charts that are a few years older, it is listed right after N140, which puts it right with Varget as far as burn rate. In my experience, that is where it belongs.
Before I give out any load data, I'd like to make one big qualification. I have a Rexus ultra bolt and treat my gas gun like it was a bolt action. So, that means I run bolt gun pressures in it. If you load any of the hotter loads you should know that you do so at your own risk. Here are the results of three ladder tests I did with three different bullets. Gas gun: 22" barrel; rifle length gas system; Rexus bolt.
Hornady 87 gr. Vmax. My favorite bullet with this powder.
28.7 gr 2886 fps
29.0 gr 2910 fps
29.3 gr 2965 fps
29.6 gr 3012 fps most accurate load in my gun. .325" group
29.9 gr 3037 fps (hot)
30.2 gr 3049 fps (hotter)
30.5 gr 3086 fps (to hot)
Speer 100 gr. SpBt
27.7 gr 2743 fps
28.0 gr 2758 fps
28.3 gr 2784 fps
28.6 gr 2811 fps
28.9 gr 2850 fps (hot) best load in my gun. SD 4
29.2 gr 2872 fps (hotter)
29.5 gr 2891 fps (way to hot)
Hornady 105 HPBT
26.2 gr 2569 fps
26.5 gr 2602 fps
26.8 gr 2661 fps
27.1 gr 2685 fps
27.4 gr 2712 fps (hot)
27.7 gr 2755 fps (hotter) most accurate group in my gun .289"
28.0 gr 2788 fps (to hot)
General impressions:
1. N540 seems to be a faster powder than is listed in current burn rate charts. Similar to Varget as stated earlier.
2. Standard deviations were consistently better at lower powder charges with all three bullet weights.
3. It seems to be more temp stable than LeverEvolution.
4. I really like N540 for lighter bullet weights. I'm going to use it as more of a varmint load. I thought it was exceptional with the Hornady 87 Vmax.
5. I really like Lever for heavier bullets 100+ grains.
6. N540 is a really nice stick powder.
Before I give out any load data, I'd like to make one big qualification. I have a Rexus ultra bolt and treat my gas gun like it was a bolt action. So, that means I run bolt gun pressures in it. If you load any of the hotter loads you should know that you do so at your own risk. Here are the results of three ladder tests I did with three different bullets. Gas gun: 22" barrel; rifle length gas system; Rexus bolt.
Hornady 87 gr. Vmax. My favorite bullet with this powder.
28.7 gr 2886 fps
29.0 gr 2910 fps
29.3 gr 2965 fps
29.6 gr 3012 fps most accurate load in my gun. .325" group
29.9 gr 3037 fps (hot)
30.2 gr 3049 fps (hotter)
30.5 gr 3086 fps (to hot)
Speer 100 gr. SpBt
27.7 gr 2743 fps
28.0 gr 2758 fps
28.3 gr 2784 fps
28.6 gr 2811 fps
28.9 gr 2850 fps (hot) best load in my gun. SD 4
29.2 gr 2872 fps (hotter)
29.5 gr 2891 fps (way to hot)
Hornady 105 HPBT
26.2 gr 2569 fps
26.5 gr 2602 fps
26.8 gr 2661 fps
27.1 gr 2685 fps
27.4 gr 2712 fps (hot)
27.7 gr 2755 fps (hotter) most accurate group in my gun .289"
28.0 gr 2788 fps (to hot)
General impressions:
1. N540 seems to be a faster powder than is listed in current burn rate charts. Similar to Varget as stated earlier.
2. Standard deviations were consistently better at lower powder charges with all three bullet weights.
3. It seems to be more temp stable than LeverEvolution.
4. I really like N540 for lighter bullet weights. I'm going to use it as more of a varmint load. I thought it was exceptional with the Hornady 87 Vmax.
5. I really like Lever for heavier bullets 100+ grains.
6. N540 is a really nice stick powder.