Vihtavuori offers an updated, user-friendly reloading data center on its website. This data page works well with all formats — smartphones, tablets, and desktop computers. On this page you can find recommended loads for 80+ cartridge types all in one place. You don’t have to click through multiple web pages.
In addition, the Vihtavuori reloading website has a very handy Burn Rate Chart (see below). While you can get all the load info you need through the website, Vihtavuori also offers a very good FREE reloading Mobile App. Vihtavuori’s online Reloading Center has links to the handy Vihtavuori Reloading App for both Apple and Android devices.
Burn Rate Chart is Online
CLICK HERE to view full-screen Vihtavuori Burn Rate Table.
Vihtavuori offers a comprehensive burn rate chart that lists all Vihtavuori powders for rifles and pistols. This includes Vihtavuori powders in the left column and ranks them with powders from other brands: Norma, RWS, VECTAN, Reload Swiss, IMR, Hodgdon, Accurate, W-W Alliant, and Ramshot. CLICK HERE to see the full-size chart, which can be downloaded in PDF format.
NOTE: The listed powders are displayed in order of approximate burning rate. Vihtavuori cautions: “This list is for reference only and NOT to be used for developing loads.”
Find Optimal Loads with Reloading Data Tool
Example of Vihtavuori Load Data for Popular Cartridge
Here are the load results for the 6mm BR Norma (aka “6BR”) cartridge. Vihtavuori has full PDF tables like this for over 80 cartridge types. With the most popular cartridge types, such as .223 Rem, 6.5 Creedmoor, and .308 Winchester, the PDF tables have over 350 entries. In fact the .308 Win table has 641 loads!
Vihtavuori Procedures and Methods for Generating Load Data
Vihtavuori generates hundreds of new reloading data entries every year. But how is the load data actually produced? This video provides insight into how Vihtavuori professionals work with advanced equipment to provide reliable load data for handloaders.
The NRABlog has interviewed seven prominent lady shooters, asking them for tips for other lady shooting sports enthusiasts, particularly new shooters. Top female competitors such as 2016 Bianchi Cup Winner Tiffany Piper and Team S&W Co-Captain Julie Golob offer good advice on competitive shooting as well as using firearms for self-defense. Read the full article here.
Here Are Some of the Top Tips from Leading Ladies:
Theresa Vail, Hunter and Host of NRA All Access “If you’re new to shooting or wanting to start, find some girlfriends that are interested in trying it with you. Having female friends go to the range with you takes the pressure off and makes a typically male-dominant arena much less intimidating. There is such thing as strength in numbers!”
Tiffany Piper (Action Pistol): The best piece of advice I would give is practice makes perfect. In New Zealand, we barely get enough range time with our noise restrictions so muscle memory and technique are key. Study up on shooting techniques, watch YouTube videos of other professional women shooters, and try out what you see. Don’t get intimidated thinking it’s a male’s sport[.]”
Julie Golob (Team S&W, 3-Gun and Pistol): “If something isn’t clear, just ask about it! Shooters are some of the best people you’ll ever meet, but we can be confusing and use a lot of shooter slang and lingo. When in doubt, ask!”
Tori Nonaka (Team Glock): “I always recommend to new shooters to first concentrate on the basics of gun safety. That way they will be more comfortable when they next learn about the particular gun…. Their confidence will grow as they familiarize themselves with their specific weapon. Then, it’s all about practice at the range.”
Corey Cogdell (Olympic Trap Shooter): “It’s empowering for women to know how to use a firearm in a sporting atmosphere as well as for self-defense. So if you are new to firearms, check out your local gun club and take a lesson! There you’ll find instructors and other shooting sports enthusiasts who will be more than willing to help you.”
How about a game of “Cartridge Chess”, with chess pieces sourced from your own ammunition collection? We think the concept of a Cartridge Chess Set is pretty clever, and it’s bound to be a conversation-starter at home or at the hunting lodge. With a little creativity, our readers could make their own Chess Sets like this, using a variety of cartridge types.
Create Your Own Cartridge Chess Set
This is a 3-D rendering originally found on the Cheaper Than Dirt Facebook page. We’d like to see a chess set with actual cartridges (assembled without powder or primers), perhaps with .32 ACP pawns and the 50 BMG and .338 LM as King and Queen.
Challenge: How many cartridge and shotshell types can you identify? The Pawns look like 9mm or 40sw pistol cartridges, while the Rooks (Castles) are obviously 12ga shotgun shells.
What’s Wrong with This Picture?: How many of you sharp-eyed chessmasters noticed a mistake in the placement of the “Royals” in the Cheaper Than Dirt 3-D rendering. Hint — look at the grid layout (top left) for the correct placement of Kings and Queens.
Many shooters prefer to deprime their brass before resizing. That way they can tumble cases or keep primer debris off their main press. To deprime cases before sizing or cleaning you can use a Decapping Die. This pushes out the spent primer without changing the neck or body of a case. Such decapping dies work fine, but they do require the use of a press. Here is a handy alternative — a cool tool that allows you to deprime brass anywhere — no press needed.
Handheld Primer Removal Tool From Frankford Arsenal
This cleverly-designed Hand Deprimer Tool allows you to deprime cartridge cases without a press. This hand-tool from Frankford Arsenal will deprime brass and capture primers conveniently. You can deprime your cases while watching TV or relaxing in your favorite chair.
This device lets you remove spent primers anywhere — no press needed and all the mess (cups/anvils/residue) stays in the capture chamber. This tool comes works with nearly all common case types up to .338 Lapua Magnum. With good leverage, this tool does the job quickly and efficiently. Forum members have praised this handy tool, but recommend wearing a thick glove if doing more than 100 cases in a session.
How to Adapt Tool for Small Flash Hole Brass
The Frankford Arsenal Deprimer Tool was designed for LARGE flash-hole brass. To deprime brass with small (1.5mm/0.59″) small flash-holes, as found on Lapua .220 Russian and 6mmBR cases, you will need to reduce the pin diameter. Frankford Arsenal currently recommends purchasing a replacement pin and “sanding it down” to the smaller diameter. NOTE: This is NOT difficult — simply spin the stock pin in some sandpaper.
This handy depriming tool is very versatile. With a universal, cylinder-style cartridge-holder, the tool can deprime a wide variety of cartridge types from .20 caliber up to .338 caliber. Three different plastic collets are provided to handle for different diameter cases. Spent primers are captured in a removable spent primer catch tube. Simply twist off the clear catch tube to dump the spent primers. With die-cast metal construction, this tool should last through many thousands of depriming cycles. MSRP is $65.99. Right now it is $47.99 on Amazon with 82% 5-star ratings.
Long-term User Review
One owner of this depriming tool has posted: “I have owned one of these for about eight years and deprimed over 10,000 cases with this tool. I have never had to replace a single part on it. You will have to adjust the return spring every so often, but that is a very easy task. If you are depriming a LOT of brass, the handle can tear up your hand a bit. Solution: Wear a Mechanics Glove. Easy Peasy! You will NOT regret this purchase.”
User Modifications — Grip Padding and High-Volume Capture
Many users recommended putting some kind of padding on the grip and front lever to reduce pressure on the fingers. This can be done with a wrap or a rubber covering. In addition, users have adapted the unit with an attached hose and large primer capture jug. If you depriming hundreds of cases at a time, this hose conversion may make sense.
Most of us own a .223 Rem rifle. Now, thanks to our friends at Rifleshooter.com we can assess exactly how velocity changes with barrel length for this popular cartridge.
Rifleshooter.com performed an interesting test, cutting the barrel of a .223 Rem rifle from 26″ all the way down to 16.5″. The cuts were made in one-inch intervals with a rotary saw. At each cut length, velocity was measured with a Magnetospeed chronograph. To make the test even more interesting, four different types of .223 Rem/5.56 ammo were chron’d at each barrel length. The Rifleshooter.com team that conducts these tests has a full-service gun shop, 782 Custom Gunworks — visit 782guns.com.
Test Barrel Lost 25.34 FPS Per Inch (.223 Rem Chambering)
How much velocity do you think was lost, on average, for each 1″ reduction in barrel length? The answer may surprise you. The average speed loss of the four types of .223/5.56 ammo, with a 9.5″ shortening of barrel length, was 240.75 fps total (from start to finish). That works out to an average loss of 25.34 fps per inch.
5.56/.223 Barrel Cut-Down Speed Test 26″ to 16.5″
Start FPS at 26″
End FPS at 16.5″
Total Loss
Average Loss Per Inch
UMC .223 55gr
3182*
2968
214
22.5 FPS
Federal M193 55gr
3431
3187
244
25.7 FPS
Win m855 62gr
3280
2992
288
30.3 FPS
Blk Hills .223 68gr
2849
2632
217
22.8 FPS
*There may have been an error. The 25″ velocity was higher at 3221 fps.
Rifleshooter.com observed: “Cutting the barrel from 26″ to 16.5″ resulted in a velocity reduction of 214 ft/sec with the UMC 223 55-grain cartridge, 244 ft/sec with the Federal M-193 cartridge, 288 ft/sec with the Winchester M855 cartridge and 217 ft/sec with the Back Hills 223 68-grain match cartridge.”
How the Test Was Done
The testers described their procedure as follows: “Ballistic data was gathered using a Magnetospeed barrel-mounted ballistic chronograph. At each barrel length, the rifle was fired from a front rest with rear bags, with five rounds of each type of ammunition. Average velocity and standard deviation were logged for each round. Once data was gathered for each cartridge at a given barrel length, the rifle was cleared and the bolt was removed. The barrel was cut off using a cold saw. The test protocol was repeated for the next length. Temperature was 45.7° F.”
See More Barrel Cut-Down Tests on Rifleshooter.com
Rifleshooter.com has performed barrel cut-down tests for many other calibers/chamberings including 6mm Creedmoor, .308 Winchester, and .338 Lapua Magnum. See these test results at Rifleshooter.com.
Much Different Results with 6mmBR and a Longer Barrel
The results from Rifleshooter.com’s .223/5.56 test are quite different than the results we recorded some years ago with a barrel chambered for the 6mmBR cartridge. When we cut our 6mmBR barrel down from 33″ to 28″ we only lost about 8 FPS per inch. Obviously this is a different cartridge type, but also our 6mmBR barrel end length was longer than Rifleshooter.com’s .223 Rem start length. Velocity loss may be more extreme with shorter barrel lengths. And, of course, different cartridge types and powder/bullet combinations will yield different results.
Women are becoming an increasing percentage of firearms owners. Gun ownership is no longer male-dominated. One study suggests that, in recent years, nearly half of all new gun sales have been to women. In addition, it is estimated that women now represent 42% of American gun owners, and that number increases with every passing year.
Gun journalist Dan Wos of The Loaded Mic podcast channel has made interesting observations about the increase in gun ownership by ladies. Citing a series of studies, Wos observed that women in the USA are now buying nearly half of all new firearms. Many of these ladies are first-time gun owners who are motivated by a desire for self-protection.
On Ammoland.com, Dan Wos has an article “Don’t Believe the Spin: Women are Empowering the 2nd Amendment”. Here are highlights:
Let’s look at the actual numbers. In 2021 a Harvard University study found that nearly half of all gun purchases between 2019 and 2021 were by women. 42% of gun owners in America are women (a 14% rise over the previous five years.) The total number of women who became gun owners during that two-year period is almost 3.5 million.
In an article by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, it was said that “women accounted for about half of all gun purchases between 2019 and 2021, and that new gun owners are more likely to be female.” This [indicates] the trends in firearm purchases moving forward.
Not surprisingly, the largest spike in gun sales occurred during and shortly after the violent left-wing riots in several cities across America in 2020. According to a survey conducted by Professor Matt Miller at Northeastern University, between January 2020 and April 2021, gun purchases rose from 13.8 million to 16.6 million. Almost 50% being women and approximately 5.4 million brought [firearms] into homes that had not previously had them.
About Dan Wos and The Loaded Mic
The Loaded Mic is a one-hour, weekly web show hosted by Second Amendment Advocate, author and commentator Dan Wos. Dan became a popular and respected voice in the gun rights community after the release of his book Good Gun Bad Guy, now a three-book series. You can access full episodes in video format on The Loaded Mic’s Rumble Video Channel.
Today, April 22, 2026, Shooting USA TV will feature products from the 2026 SHOT Show event. The Shooting USA team were in Las Vegas for the annual Shooting Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) event held in late January. New products in all categories — guns, optics, ammo, hunting gear, reloading equipment and more — were on display at this major annual trade show.
Shooting USA SHOW TIMES: This Shooting USA Episode airs Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at 9:00 PM Eastern and Pacific; 8:00 PM Central on the Outdoor Channel. If you miss the regular broadcast, you can stream the show online on Vimeo for $0.99 per episode. Or you can get unlimited streaming for $2.99 per month on Vimeo. There are also many videos available on Shooting USA’s YouTube Channel.
SHOT Show 2026 Highlights
SHOT Show 2026 featured impressive new offerings from hundreds of manufacturers. To learn more about new-for-2026 products, check out the SHOT Show Blog which had these recent features:
SHOT Show is one of the biggest trade shows of the year among ALL industries. This year there were thousands of exhibitors spread out over two exhibit halls the combined size of 14 football fields (19 acres)! This is the 9th largest trade show in the USA, promoting an industry that supports over 380,000 jobs and generates over $26 billion in wages.
Savage Revamps Multiple Rifle Models
As displayed at SHOT Show 2026, Savage Arms has updated its rifle line-up, including the Savage 110, signaling a major refresh across multiple platforms. While specifics are still limited, these changes point toward improved features and modern refinements throughout the lineup. This video features GunsAmerica Media Editor True Pearce, who recently tested many new firearms at Industry Day at the Range.
Century Arms ATA ALR — Affordable Precision Rifle
At SHOT Show, Century Arms showcased the new ATA ALR Tactical Rifle. Chambered in .308 Win or 6.5 Creedmoor, this modular rifle comes complete with adjustable aluminum chassis and muzzle brake. This could be a good starter rifle for PRS/NRL competition that does double duty as a hunting rig. And the ATA ALR is just $1099.99. That’s a great deal — you can pay that much just for an aftermarket chassis system.
Smith & Wesson New Metal-Frame Handguns
Smith & Wesson showcased many impressive new handguns at this year’s SHOT Show. This video covers some very impressive S&W handguns that feature aluminum and steel frames. The first pistol is the S&W SPEC VI with aluminum frame, ported barrel, and pre-installed Aimport optic. Next the reviewer covers the impressive steel-framed HD series pistols — both standard and competitor models. With good ergonomics and triggers, these are great for action pistol games.
NEW Nightforce NX6 Scope Family for 2026
Nightforce’s new NX6 riflescopes offer lightweight configurations with an impressive 6X magnification range across the series. NX6 options include: NX6 1-6x24mm, 2-12x42mm, 3-18x50mm, 4-24x50mm, and 5-30x56mm. NX6 scopes are designed for wide field of view and good clarity. The FieldSet turret system provides great repeatability and tracking while offering ease of use and configurability, allowing shooters to convert from capped to exposed dials and custom Bullet Drop Compensating (BDC) dials.
Sierra Bullets has published load data for the 6mm Creedmoor cartridge, a necked-down version of the popular 6.5 Creedmoor. Sierra has released very comprehensive 6mm Creedmoor load data, covering fifteen (15) different bullets from 55 to 110 grains. NOTE: Hornady-brand brass was used for Sierra’s 6mm Creedmoor load tests, not the newer, stronger Lapua 6.5 CM brass with small primer pockets. Hand-loaders using Lapua 6.5 Creedmoor brass necked to 6mm may have to adjust their loads.
Sierra writes: “As soon as the 6.5 Creedmoor was released in 2007, a 6mm version was being envisioned. After the 6mm Creedmoor demonstrated its worth at 1000 yards it began to catch the attention of Precision Rifle Series (PRS) competitors. The 6mm Creedmoor is a great fit for those looking for an AR platform-friendly cartridge. It delivers velocities very similar to the .243 Win and yet fits the AR10 magazine length[.] The 30-degree shoulder makes this a very efficient case and helps prolong case life as well. The 6mm Creedmoor works well with powders such as H4350, [RE-16], RE-17, and Ramshot Hunter for heavier long-range bullet weights. Slightly faster powders such as RE-15, Win 760, and Vihtavuori N540 work well with lighter weight bullets.”
Sierra Bullets Tested for 6mm Creedmoor Load Data
55gr BlitzKing (#1502)
60gr HP (#1500)
70gr HPBT (#1505)
70gr BlitzKing (#1507)
75gr HP (#1510)
In developing its 6mm Creedmoor load data, Sierra tested a very wide selection of propellants, two dozen overall. For the smaller bullets, fast-burning powders such as Benchmark, H4895, and CFE223 were tested. For the heavier 100+ grain bullets, Sierra tested a selection of medium-burn-rate powders including H4350, Reloder 16, Reloder 17, Varget, and Superformance. Sierra did a very thorough job. We know this information will be welcomed by 6mm Creedmoor shooters.
Don’t know what powder to try first? For the 107-110 grain bullets, if you want best accuracy and low ES/SD, our Forum members recommend Alliant Reloder 16 and Hodgdon H4350. If you are seeking max velocity with the 110-grainer, look at Hodgdon Superformance and Reloder 19.
Here are Sierra’s 6mm Creedmoor Load Data Charts for 90-95 grain bullets plus the 107gr MK and 110gr MK. There are five other tables for other bullet types.
BONUS: PRB 6mm Creedmoor and 6.5 Creedmoor Load Survey
The Precision Rifle Blog compiled Load Data from PRS Competitors, for both 6mm Creedmoor and 6.5 Creedmoor. This is a good place to start. PRB surveyed the match loads for “173 of the top-ranked precision rifle shooters in the country”. One cautionary note: These PRS guys may be loading fairly hot, so work up gradually, 0.3 grains at a time. CLICK HERE.
.17 HMR and .22 WMR Options Enhance Ruger Precision Rimfire for Varmint Work
Many readers may not know this, but the Ruger Precision Rimfire rifle is available in three rimfire chamberings: .22 LR, .17 HMR, and .22 WMR. While .22 LR ammo is considerably cheaper, .17 HMR and .22 WMR shoot flatter and deliver MUCH more energy. These .17 HMR and .22 WMR chamberings are way more suitable for varminting. In fact we think this .17 HMR transforms the Ruger Precision Rimfire into a very good “carry-around” varmint rifle. We really like the .17 HMR — it’s our favorite rimfire cartridge for small varmints out to 160 yards.
Both cartridge types, .17 HMR and .22 WMR, also offer higher velocities, less wind drift, and flatter trajectory than the .22 LR. This is a benefit when cross-training. You can shoot at more distant targets with considerably less elevation dialed in your scope. And the windage corrections will be less extreme.
Ruger says: “Faster, flatter and with high-performing bullets, .17 HMR and .22 WMR cartridges expand the capabilities of the Ruger Precision Rimfire platform. Like its .22 LR predecessor, these new magnum offerings maintain the same ergonomics, trigger and manual of arms as the larger centerfire Ruger Precision Rifle.”
Here’s an excellent video review of the .17 HMR Ruger Precision Rimfire rifle by YouTuber 22 Plinkster. The reviewer was impressed with the rifle’s accuracy with 17gr ammo.
Both Ruger Precision Rimfire rifles feature 18″ hammer-forged barrels threaded for muzzle devices, including the Ruger® Silent-SR®. The 15″ free-float handguard with Magpul M-LOK slots provides generous scope clearance and easy mounting of M-LOK-compatible rails and accessories.
Like its .22 LR version, the magnum Ruger Precision Rimfire models featured an adjustable bolt throw (that can emulate a centerfire action if desired), along with trigger that adjusts from 2.25 to 5 pounds. The .17 HMR and .22 WMR models ship with a 0 MOA Picatinny rail and one, 15-round BX-15 Magnum magazine or one, 9-round JMX-1 rotary magazine. The BX-15 Magnum mag works very well with the .17 HMR and .22 WMR chamberings.
The standard finish for the .17 HMR and .22 WMR Ruger Precision Rimfire rifles is Black hard-coat anodized. But there is also a Burnt Bronze Cerakote Special Edition available through Iron Valley Distributor.
If you load pistol ammo you should have a case gauge (aka “gage”) for each cartridge type you reload. Caliber-specific, precision-machined cylindrical gauges perform many important functions. They will instantly reveal if your rounds are too long or have excessive headspace. They will also show if your case is bulged or otherwise too fat to chamber easily. You can use the gauge with sized brass as well as loaded rounds.
Case gauges are a “must-have” for anyone loading handgun ammunition, particularly if you crank out large quantities of pistol ammo with a progressive press. An oversize round can cause a misfeed, jam, or other problem. That can ruin your day if you are in the middle of a shooting match. If you are relying on your handgun for self-defense, the last thing you want is a malfunction of any kind. This Editor personally runs every pistol round through a gauge before it goes into the ammo box.
UltimateReloader.com Video Shows How to Use Pistol Case Gauges:
Our friend Gavin Gear of UltimateReloader.com has prepared an excellent video that explains the benefits of pistol case gauges and shows how to use them. Gavin uses the quality gages produced by L.E. Wilson. These are available for the most popular handgun cartridges, both autoloader cartridges, and rimmed revolver cartridges. Gavin demonstrates gage use with .40 SW and .44 magnum cases.
Gavin states: “Using a case gage is very simple, and I would recommend that you add one of these gages to your reloader’s tool chest for each of the pistol cartridge types you reload. It may just save you a lot of time and hassle. Peace of mind is hard to put a price on!”
Vihtavuori offers an updated, user-friendly reloading data center on its website. This data page works well with all formats — smartphones, tablets, and desktop computers. On this page you can find recommended loads for 80+ cartridge types all in one place. You don’t have to click through multiple web pages. 
How about a game of “Cartridge Chess”, with chess pieces sourced from your own ammunition collection? We think the concept of a Cartridge Chess Set is pretty clever, and it’s bound to be a conversation-starter at home or at the hunting lodge. With a little creativity, our readers could make their own Chess Sets like this, using a variety of cartridge types.
.17 HMR and .22 WMR Options Enhance
