Vihtavuori N550 Smokeless Gun Powder: High-Energy Rifle Powder for .30-06 & .308 Win

Vihtavuori N550 was originally developed in the late 1990s specifically for .30-06 Springfield and .308 Winchester, and remains a top choice for 30-caliber rifle cartridges and magnums loaded with lighter bullets.

Built for High-Energy Rifle Performance

N550 uses a tubular grain with symmetrical dimensions of 1.0mm length and 1.0mm diameter. Like the rest of the N500 series, it’s a traditional single-base powder with nitroglycerine added for extra energy content, giving reloaders higher velocity at equal pressure compared to the N100 series — without increased wear on the rifle. On Vihtavuori’s own burn-rate chart, N550 sits on the medium scale of the N500-series lineup, with a burn rate similar to Vihtavuori N150 and just ahead of the slower-burning N555. Vihtavuori’s production process controls the full chain from nitrocellulose manufacture to final bottling, giving the lot-to-lot consistency reloaders need for repeatable results.

Application Versatility

N550 has official published load data for a wide range of cartridges including .22 ARC, .22 Creedmoor, .243 Winchester, .25-06 Remington, .270 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, .308 Winchester, .300 Winchester Magnum, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, 6.5×55 Swedish, 7mm-08 Remington, 7mm PRC, and 7mm Remington Magnum, among others. It’s an excellent choice for .30-06 Springfield hunting loads with heavier bullets and for 30-caliber magnums loaded with lighter bullets. If you need a slightly faster-burning N500-series option, Vihtavuori N150 is worth comparing.

Load Development

Always use published, manufacturer-tested load data when developing loads with N550. Start at the published minimum charge and work up in small increments, weigh every charge on a calibrated scale, and chronograph each string to track velocity consistency. Keep primer brand, bullet lot, and brass lot constant during development, watch for pressure signs, and document charge weight, seating depth, primer, and chronograph results so successful loads can be reproduced.

Quick Specs

• Type: Single-base tubular rifle powder with added nitroglycerine, N500 series, medium burn rate (similar to N150), 1.0mm x 1.0mm grain
• Manufacturer: Vihtavuori (Finland)
• Best for: .30-06 Springfield, .308 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5×55 Swedish, .270 Winchester, and dozens of other cartridges
• Container sizes: 1 Lb, 8 Lb

Safety Reminders

Before loading, review a few important guidelines. Never exceed the loads displayed in your reloading guide. Never mix two powders together, regardless of type, brand, or source. Never substitute smokeless powder for Black Powder or any Black Powder substitute. Store N550 in its original, sealed container in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place away from sunlight and heat sources.

Vihtavuori N550 For Sale, In Stock

USReloadingPowder keeps Vihtavuori N550 Smokeless Gun Powder in stock for reloaders who want a proven high-energy rifle powder for .30-06 and .308 Win. Browse the rest of our lineup on the Vihtavuori Powders category page.

FAQs

What cartridges is N550 best for? It has official published load data for .30-06 Springfield, .308 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5×55 Swedish, .270 Winchester, and dozens of other cartridges.

How does N500-series powder differ from N100-series? N500-series powders like N550 have nitroglycerine added to the traditional single-base formula, giving higher velocity at equal pressure compared to N100-series powders, without extra wear on the rifle.

Where does N550 sit in the N500 series burn rate? N550 has a medium burn rate, similar to N150, sitting just ahead of the slower-burning N555.

How should I store it long-term? Keep it sealed in its original container, stored in a cool, dry, ventilated location away from heat and sunlight. Proper storage keeps powder stable for years.