Vihtavuori N500 High Energy
Vihtavuori N568
The most recent addition to the N500 series, aimed at large-capacity and belted magnum cases running heavy-for-caliber bullets, for long-range competition, accuracy work and hunting.
The most recent addition to the N500 series, for large and belted magnum cases running heavy-for-caliber bullets: 6.5 PRC, .300 PRC, .338 Lapua. Vihtavuori short-cut the grains, which is a real practical concession for a powder this slow. It is new enough that there is little independent experience to draw on, so treat the temperature and humidity stability claims as claims until you have tested them in your own rifle.
- .300 PRC
- 6.5 PRC
- .338 Lapua Magnum
- heavy-bullet magnum match
Who has Vihtavuori N568 today
Checked October 11In stock at 1 store — lowest in hand $59.05/lb (8 lb at Graf & Sons)
| Store | Size | Shelf | In hand /lb | Stock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graf & Sons$23.50 hazmat per package | 8 lb | $434.99 | $59.05 | In stock ↗ |
| Graf & Sons$23.50 hazmat per package | 1 lb | $65.99 | $103.44 | In stock ↗ |
“In hand” is the shelf price plus that store’s hazmat fee and shipping, spread over one container. Stock is checked once a day — confirm on the store’s page before ordering. Compare all powders →
Official Vihtavuori load data →
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Vihtavuori |
|---|---|
| Product family | Vihtavuori N500 High Energy |
| Status | Currently produced |
| Application | rifle |
| Grain form | extruded |
| Composition | double-base |
| Temperature stable | Yes — claimed by the manufacturer |
| Burn-rate position | 189 of 198 (fastest = 1) — what this means |
| Typical cartridges | 6.5 PRC, 300 PRC, 338 Lapua Magnum, 7mm Remington Magnum, 300 Winchester Magnum |
Grain shape
Short-cut extruded tube grains, neutral-burning like the rest of the line but chopped short specifically so a slow, bulky powder still meters and settles properly in the case. Short kernels stop the bridging that plagues long sticks.
Why geometry decides burn rate more than chemistry does: Shape Is the Product.
Vihtavuori uses short-cut grains here, which helps metering for a powder this slow, and states it provides exceptional temperature stability and is insensitive to humidity changes.
Burn rate
Slow; on the chart it sits between N565 and N570.
Chart agreement: consistent across the three charts that list it Ranked by: Hodgdon, Vihtavuori, Wolfe/LoadData.
Powders charted near it — neighbours on the chart are not substitutes, and adjacency tells you nothing about what charge either one takes:
- Hodgdon Retumbo (position 186)
- Winchester StaBALL HD (position 187)
- IMR Enduron 8133 (position 188)
- Ramshot LRT (position 190)
- Vihtavuori N570 (position 191)
- Alliant Reloder 33 (position 192)
Sources
The specifications above come from Vihtavuori's own published documentation, linked below. The two “RCM's read” sections are ours, not theirs — our assessment of what this powder is like to load, drawn from its published characteristics and from what handloaders consistently report. No manufacturer endorses them and no source below backs them. If you think we have one wrong, tell us — we would rather fix it.