Vihta Vuori .38 Super data?

[eldon519]

I've been seriously considering getting a .38 Super for several years, and I recently came across Vihta Vuori's load data for the caliber. The quoted velocities are out of this world. One lists 124-grain bullets at about 1600 fps. Has anyone ever chrono'ed this data? Does anyone know what pressure it is loaded to? I feel like this load has to be either way over SAAMI pressure or simply will not live up to advertised performance.

FYI, the data is listed for a 5.5" barrel.

 

[Linear Thinker]

Eldon,

Could you elaborate on the data? After many years of using 3N37 to get major power factor out of 38 Super 124 grain loads, I never came anywhere near the velocity you mention.
For that matter, I played with SP2, #7, PP. 1600 fps is not safe out of a 38 Stupid, IMHO.
LT

 

[Jim Watson]

I have not shot any Vihtavuori load that chronographed anywhere close to the literature claim. Good quality powder but the CIP test is wildly optimistc compared to a real gun.

 

[jfh]

Eldon519 has it right--at least for published data.

I have the 2006 Vihta pdf handguns file, and I just checked the 38 Super data--for a 123 FMJ / 124 FMJ-FP, or 124 LSWC, the highest velocity listed is 1594 fps.

That's with 11.0 gr. of N105 under a 124-gr FMJ-FP, unspecified brand. The brass was Rem +P, trimmed to .893, using a "small pistol" primer, loaded to a LOA of 1.260, and shot from a 140 mm / 5.5" test barrel with a 1:16 twist.

Huh!

Jim H.

 

[eldon519]

That's the one jfh. Supposedly the starting load is right at 1400 fps with 9.9gr. of N105 even. It just seems too far-fetched to imagine.

Surprisingly, it's about 200 fps faster than the best 115 grain loads they list, granted they do not use N105 powder for that bullet weight. It is about 150 fps faster than the best 130gr. N105 load though.

I think either it must have been a lab mistake, or perhaps it is one of those holy powder-caliber matrimonies like Lil Gun and .22 Hornet where the max loads with the lowest peak pressures magically produce some of the top velocities for the caliber.

 

[CZ57]

3N38 is their newest powder. It was formulated for .38 Super Lapua which is their upgraded version of our .38 Super. N105 will achieve some impressive velocities, but overall, 3N38 may be a better choice for you.

 

[KI.W.]

VihtaVuori N-105 Super Magnum.

between N-350 and N-110 with heavy bullets and / or large case volyme for 9x13, .38 Super Auto, .357 Mag, .357 Rem Max, .40 S&W, 10mm Auto, .41 Rem Mag, .44 Rem Mag, .45 Colt, .45 Win Mag and .454 Casull says VihtaVuori Reloading Guide 2006.

 

[CZ57]

We have to love our Fin cousins! Who else could take on the Red Army and reduce them to a bunch of mindless maidens! KI. W. correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't a nation of under 3,000,000 people do that in 1938?

 

[KI.W.]

You have right CZ57

World War number 2: Finland 60´000 - CCCP 1´200´000 peoples dead or disappeared.