Vihtavuori Powder…do you use it?

Anybody used N32C Tin Star powder? I would like to use it for target loads in 357 Magnum and 44 Magnum..

BTW, I contacted Vhitavouri, and suggested them to develop top (SAAMI) loads for 41 magnum and 44 magnum, and also standard SAAMI loads for 44 Special, 45 Colt and 45 Schofield (45 S&W). They replied that they will to put my suggestion on the list and see if something could be done. Hope we will see some new loads in foreseeable future. The reason I would like to use N32C Tin Star powder because is it's single base, nitrocellulose only powder.

When I started shooting some 30 years ago, I never paid attention is powder single base or double base. I just grabbed whatever looked as the best powder for certain loads. And one day I learned that well know silhouette shooter in Toronto area, after using in his FA model 353 couple well known double base powders, noticed erosion on aft side of the barrel on his pricey revolver. He stopped, and switched to IMR 4227. No further erosion observed. I know, we are talking about rifle pressure level in that revolver, but again, I just don't want to take a chance, after seeing what well known double base powder in 38 Special rounds could to Python after tens of thousands rounds. Whole front end of the cylinder looked like chiseled out with sharp tool.
 
Onty said:
Anybody used N32C Tin Star powder? I would like to use it for target loads in 357 Magnum and 44 Magnum..

BTW, I contacted Vhitavouri, and suggested them to develop top (SAAMI) loads for 41 magnum and 44 magnum, and also standard SAAMI loads for 44 Special, 45 Colt and 45 Schofield (45 S&W). They replied that they will to put my suggestion on the list and see if something could be done. Hope we will see some new loads in foreseeable future. The reason I would like to use N32C Tin Star powder because is it's single base, nitrocellulose only powder.

When I started shooting some 30 years ago, I never paid attention is powder single base or double base. I just grabbed whatever looked as the best powder for certain loads. And one day I learned that well know silhouette shooter in Toronto area, after using in his FA model 353 couple well known double base powders, noticed erosion on aft side of the barrel on his pricey revolver. He stopped, and switched to IMR 4227. No further erosion observed. I know, we are talking about rifle pressure level in that revolver, but again, I just don't want to take a chance, after seeing what well known double base powder in 38 Special rounds could to Python after tens of thousands rounds. Whole front end of the cylinder looked like chiseled out with sharp tool.
Click to expand...
All of the 300 series powders are single base. I believe most of the 100 series are as well. The 500 series is double base...
 
Charlie98 said:
I guess I'm scratching my head here... Is there really a 'middle of the road' or 'bargain bin discount' powder out there, in terms of quality? I would think powder manufacturers produce some of the most 'quality' product on the planet, given the alternative.
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This statement assumes that 'powder is powder', and all a competitor needs to do is match the Burn Rate and they'll have a competing powder that's 'just as good'.

Here is the hole in that thinking: There are single-base powders and there are double-base powders. Common, low-priced American pistol powders are typically all double-base, ever since IMR dropped their single-base handgun powder lineup about 8-9 years ago. All the VihtaVuori N300 series (N310, N320... N350) handgun powders are single-base. So the answer to your question in years gone by would have been IMR PB, 7625 and 4756, but those are no longer offered. The only viable single-base alternatives I know of are the Vectan Ba series by Nobel Sport.

The difference is that double-base powders contain nitroglycerin to boost the power. But, at least in my experience, it also adds a lot of heat to the combustion temperature and a "bump" that can be seen on the target.

Thankfully, IMR has continued to produce their line of single-base rifle powders.

Hope this helps.
 
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rfwobbly said:
Hope this helps
Click to expand...

Interesting, for sure... but not really what I was saying. My phrase was '...in terms of quality' ...not necessarily performance, or burn characteristics, etc. I don't think there is a quality difference between single- and double-base powders, just different burn characteristics; I'm sure they are all quality manufactured products.

Using the cheapest handgun powder I'm familiar with... Promo... I'm sure it's manufactured with the same care as a VV powder. That's all I was saying.
 
Been using N-105 in 38 Super with fantastic results 124gr XTP's at an honest 1400fps out of a 5" 1911.
Tried it in 10mm but AA#9 and #7 seem to work better for me in that caliber. Haven't tried it in revolvers yet.
None of their powders are readily available in my neck of the woods.
 
Soonerpesek said:
I agree with the logic of that statement................

....................but...................................................

If you've got the need/want/ability to load 100,000 rounds-------$500 is the least of your cost concern....
If you can't justify $520 over 10 years------then there needs to be a different conversation....
Just my $.02........
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All true, however there are some of us that will plan on how to best spend that last penny in the most cost effective manner. Take care of the pennies and over time they will take care of you.

Traditionally VV propellants have cost on average 20% more (both locally and on line) and therefore I could not justify the additional cost when several lower priced alternatives that worked well were available.
 
I have some N550 that I’ve been looking forward to trying but haven’t had the chance yet. I’ve dabbled with various of their powers in pistols and did like them!

With that said - they used to be more expensive around here than other common brands; however, I’m finding now they are the same price if not cheaper! An LGS has a few flavors in stock and I keep contemplating picking more up. I resist because I have enough powder at the moment and know some other folks don’t. People also seem hesitant to buy it - not knowing much about it - so it remains on the shelf. I’ll get it when I need it - or get that spontaneous experimenting desire.
 
9mmepiphany said:
I loaded a couple of hundred rounds of 9mm, shot them, and ended up selling the rest of the 8lb jug I’d bought to try
Click to expand...

I only have 2#'s... and I'm determined to burn it up in the only cartridge I have that's appropriate... 9mm, where it does pretty well. This was after it etched up my powder drop before I knew what double-base powders do to some plastics, and after I found out how hot it burns and quit using it under cast bullets. Some people love it, which is fine... I'll leave all I see on the store shelf for them.
 
9mmepiphany said:
I loaded a couple of hundred rounds of 9mm, shot them, and ended up selling the rest of the 8lb jug I’d bought to try
Click to expand...
It has its uses. TG is a good powder for .380, for example. It's compact and shows up well in the stubby 9x17mm case. It's also good for 9mm Makarov for the same reasons. I've tried it in everything handgun I have and those two are definitely about all that's in TG's wheelhouse, IMO.
 
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