38spl/44spl with vv n340 ?

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joneb

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Has anyone tried this powder 38spl and 44spl ?
For 38spl I will likely use 158gr cast and jacketed, and for 44spl I'm likely to use 200-240gr cast and jacketed.
I normally use W-231 for target/plinking, I plan to load up near the max with the vv n340.
 
Any reason why you are changing powders? W231 is a very good powder for both. Sorry, i have never used any VV powders because of availability so I can't tell you how that powder will do.
 
It can work OK in those with max charges, but is more position sensitive than some powders where there is a lot of extra room in the case. It's a good powder though.

I doubt it will work any better than W-231 in those applications, but I could be wrong.
 
The powder is very clean and flexible and more expensive than W231.
I found it very accurate in +p 125Gr loads.
Use Vhitavouri guide lines ,now more modest than their original loadings.
N340 will easily do range of standard .38 to.357 medium to warm loads.
 
N340 will easily do range of standard .38 to.357 medium to warm loads.
9.1 Grs N340 under a 125 Gr jacketed bullet in .357 brass runs around 1300+ FPS and shoots like a laser in my Trooper Mk III. Recoil is sharper than the slower powders though.

It should do well in short barrel .38 Spl in +P configuration, but I have not tried it yet. I am using AA #5 for that right now. My 4" Model 10 loves the AA #5 load. If the N340 does OK at +P .38 Spl levels powder forward, it should do well velocity wise. I just have not checked that yet, being happy with the AA #5 load.
 
Any reason why you are changing powders? W231 is a very good powder for both.
I'm not replacing W231 it works too well for so many things. Vv n340 is a powder on my list for a Unique replacement, first I tried AA#5 which worked very well for me but I'm almost out so I picked up a LB of N340 to try out, it was $25 :what: and said to go to $30 in a few days, Geese o'pete
Well the load data for this powder is pretty slim so I was hoping some folks could share their experiences with it, and please share the firearm it was used in.
I will likely give N340 a try in 45acp but my guess is I will miss AA#5 but who knows maybe it will work well.
The next powder on my list is Universal.

Thanks
jj
 
9.1 Grs N340 under a 125 Gr jacketed bullet in .357 brass runs around 1300+ FPS and shoots like a laser in my Trooper Mk III. Recoil is sharper than the slower powders though.
I have had good results with AA#7 in 357 mag with 158gr JHP at the start load with standard primers in a 2.75" barrel, the accuracy was very good and the flash was considerably less than a max charge of AA#9. I'm sorry I didn't try #7 with 125gr bullets.
It should do well in short barrel .38 Spl in +P configuration,
I hope it does. This powder is bulky like Unique but it meters well unlike Unique.
As always I will start low and work up, I wouldn't want to miss out on a good load ;)
Thanks
 
Curiosity killed the cat, so I loaded up 18 rounds with Powerbond 125 Gr HP's 1.440 OAL over 6.5 Grs N340 fired off by a WSP primer.

I fired 6 shots each powder back, powder forward, & powder level through the chrono at 5 yards. I used a 4" Model 10.

PB----..Hi=1112...Lo=1057...Avg=1089...ES=55...SD=20

PF----..Hi=911...Lo=764...Avg=866...ES=147...SD=62

PL----..Hi=982...Lo=865...Avg=932...ES=117...SD=42

Even at this level, the PF & PL numbers are poor, with 233 FPS & 157 FPS loss in Avg velocity from PB to PF & PL. I thought it might do better at close to +P levels, and while it will do better as the pressure increases, it does not look like it will do well enough to worry with.

To compare, AA #5 pushing this bullet at 1062 Avg FPS in the Model 10 lost around 140 FPS PB, and around 100 PL.
 
it does not look like it will do well enough to worry with.
Wow thanks Walkalong :D
Did you use a taper crimp on those loads ?
Would a magnum primer help ?
I will likely try N340 in 38spl using 145-158gr bullets, my 38spls have fixed sights and shoot POA with those weights.
 
No problem. It satisfied my curiosity.
Yes, a heavy taper crimp.
Maybe.
The 125s hit just a hair low at 7 yards in the fixed sight Model 10.

158s will do better ES, SD, and PB/PL wise, both because of less empty space in the case, and because of the weight. I should have done 158s as well.
 
For . 38+P i used 125 grain pulled Speer truncated bullets from RMR with 6.8 gr n340 in model 13 3inch ....very accurate did not check position of powder but shot from rest. Note this is a .357 S&W but also good results with model 64. For .45 ACP 5.5 w231 200 gr PB beat all my n340 loads.
 
Thanks magicd ,
Your comment is more cause for encouragement, Vihta Vuori lists VV n350 for 38spl so I thought I could work up a warm load with VV n340.
 
Contrary to Walkalongs experience, I found that with a lot# of VV-320 that I had to use a LOT more powder than their data indicated. It WAS a close replacement to Unique/Universal. VV-340 should be closer to AA-#5 or HS-6.

In fact,the only way I could tell it from Universal was the delightful SMELL like the Imperial .22lr's I used to shoot when I was a kid. (loaded with Alcan powders in '60's...???).
 
the delightful SMELL like the Imperial .22lr's I used to shoot when I was a kid.
Ah yes, another reason I can live without Tail Boss and commie mil-surp ammo :barf:
 
You may wanna try IMR PB. It is as bulky as Unique and shoots well at least with the HBWCs I've been playing with.
 
I looooooooooooooove VV powders, but yes, availability can be spotty.

Now that being said, a more readily available powder giving you similar velocity results to the N340 would be Blue Dot
 
a more readily available powder giving you similar velocity results to the N340 would be Blue Dot
I've tried Blue Dot for various handgun cartridges and didn't like it, BD meters as poorly as Unique in my powder throw.
I have been burning up the remainder of my BD in a .308 Win for a reduced load with a Nosler 125 BT this load shoots under 1" at 100yds. When the rockchucks start popping up I will fire form some cases :evil:
 
I've tried Blue Dot for various handgun cartridges and didn't like it, BD meters as poorly as Unique in my powder throw.
What brand thrower are you using? I've got a Lyman, and I found I get more consistent charges with flake powders when I use the smaller gradients.
 
What brand thrower are you using?
Its a Redding model 3, the larger meter bar is .75" dia and small meter bar is .32" there is no .5" meter bar available for the model 3 :( which I think would solve the problem.
 
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