Powder Update - VV

[Artofgolf]

I contacted the NAMMO, Inc. organization thru their website. Seems like their powders, IMHO, will be more readily available in the future

> From: [email protected]
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: RE: Feedback from Lapua website
> Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2014 15:04:52 +0000
>
> Hi Art,
>
> Vihtavuori was actually up for sale last year, and the company's future was questionable. Military contracts would have kept the plant operating for the next ten years due to existing obligations, but the commercial end of things was looking like it was going to be phased out. As a result, they'd backed off on production to a bare minimum, which is why we've seen the shortages on this end. We hated to see the company close, as it's exceptionally good powder. In the end, we (NAMMO Inc) wound up purchasing the company ourselves last January. I'm pleased to report that we're looking at greatly increasing capacity, so they should be much more readily available here in the US in the future. Right now, we're in the process of updating many of the manufacturing operations, so things are still running a bit slow right now. We should have this completed soon, and look forward to getting back up to speed. Please be patient, it's coming.

 

[sauer1911]

That is Awesome!

NOW lets see if the new owners try to price themselves competitively or some highsteppin prices.

be safe.

 

[IMtheNRA]

Great news! I would have been heartbroken to see VV powders vanish.

 

[Mad Chemist]

Thanks for the info Art.

I'm hoping that if they increase capacity and production volume that they will be able to bring down prices a little.

 

[Potatohead]

Where is NAMMO? Or where are the factories they took over?

 

[Artofgolf]

Glad to be of service, folks!

I prodded Kevin Thomas to encourage the higher-ups @ VV/Lapua to develop some load data for the 380 Auto (9MM Kurtz). Surprised to hear that his carry weapon is the Glock 42 & he seemed as interested in the info as I was (probably trying to be nice). Anyway, if he responds with additional data, I'll be sure to pass it on

Hey Potatohead: The question is not where, but who/what. This link will help http://www.lapua.com/en/products/reloading

 

[anothernewb]

I've been rather thankful that VV hasn't been as popular in my area, lol. most people stick up their noses at the $35-$40 per# price tag. As a result, I was able to acquire enough VV pistol powder to see me well through to the next election cycle.

 

[Potatohead]

^ You're probably right. Probably quite a few that are unfamiliar with it too. Until lately, I always avoided it because I couldn't keep all of those V's and N's and numbers straight.

 

[UziLand]

I hadn't heard of them but it was all my LGS had last year for 223's. It cost a bit more but metered and performed well for me. before that I had 4198 which meters like pebbles!!

 

[Artofgolf]

The following information Courtesy - NAMMO Group is from the PISTOL reloading section of Lapua's product offerings. The rudimentary comparison to other powders is accurate, IMHO.

N310
Very fast burning and competitive with Alliant Bullseye, Hodgdon HP38 and Vectan Ba 10. It has applications in a very wide range from .32 S&W Long Wadcutter up to .45 ACP.

N320
A comparatively fast burning multipurpose handgun powder with burning rate about the same as Winchester 231 or Alliant Red Dot. Currently available reloading data for 9 mm Luger, .38 Super Auto, .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .40 S&W, .44 S&W Special, .44 Remington Magnum, .45 ACP and .45 Colt.

Tin Star (N32C)
Special powder developed for Cowboy Action Shooters shooting lead bullets with revolvers and single-action rifles. It has low bulk density (less free space in the case) and it burns very clean without residues with a burning rate between N320 and N330. Reloading data is currently available for .38 Special and .44 Magnum.

N330
Burning rate is a bit slower than with N320 and corresponding to Alliant Unique and Vectan Ba 9. Especially designed for 9 mm Luger but also suitable for .38 Special, .40 S&W, .44 S&W Special and .45 (Long) Colt.

N340
An excellent multipurpose handgun powder with burning rate generally about like Accurate No.5 or Alliant Herco. Wide application area covers the following handgun cartridges: 9 mm Luger, 9x21 mm, .357 SIG, .38 Super Auto, .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .40 S&W, 10 mm AUTO, .44 S&W Special, .44 Remington Magnum, .45 ACP and .45 Colt.

N350
This is the slowest burning N300 series handgun powder, which can usually be used instead of Accurate No.7, IMR Hi- Skor 800-X and Alliant Blue Dot. Appropriate choice for many powerful handgun loads, for example in calibers 9 mm Luger, 10 mm AUTO and .45 ACP.

3N37
Originally developed for .22 rimfire cartridges but has proven to be very versatile and desirable within all competitive handgun shooting disciplines. The burning speed of this small grain powder is near to N350 and Vectan A0. Reloading data available for all popular handgun cartridges.

3N38
This specially designed powder for competitive handgun shooting is recommended for high velocity loads of 9 mm Luger, .38 Super Auto and .40 S&W with moderate bullet weight. Burning rate is corresponding to Vectan SP 2.

N105 Super Magnum
Slow burning handgun powder filling the gap between N350 and N110. Especially developed for handgun cartridges with heavy bullets and/or large case volume. Reloading data is currently available for the following cartridges: 9x21 mm, .38 Super Auto, .357 Magnum, 357 Remington Maximum, .40 S&W, 10 mm AUTO, .41 Remington Magnum, .44 Remington Magnum, .45 Colt, .45 Winchester Magnum and .454 Casull.

Hope this is helpful to the folks interested in VV

 

[Reloadron]

Thanks for sharing the good news. I love their powders and have used VihtaVuori for decades going back to when Kaltron*Pettibone was the importer into the US. Hell, I like their powders so much I put it on my corn flakes.

Ron

 

[jcwallace84]

 

[Walkalong]

I'll be happy when I can find some 3N37 again. I'm real low.

 

[Artofgolf]

I've had 8 lbs. on order from Midsouth SS since May - I've found that's the order in hand motivates the supplier

 

[Mad Chemist]

3N37 is my absolute favorite powder for hot 9x19 JHP loads.

It has all the best attributes for this: low flash, burns cools, medium to medium-slow burn rate, high velocity at low pressure, and moderate recoil at potent charges.

The only downside of this powder is that it really doesn't take well to light loads.

 

[Artofgolf]

Thankfully, the Labor Day weekend search for powder was fruitful. Walkalong found some VV powder available @ Powder Valley; we were able to pick-up some before it vanished from the inventory list. With the instant information available over the 'net especially GunBot near-real time updates, I'm wondering if there is some way to get alerts when a specific product is back in stock?

 

[Reloadron]

Thankfully, the Labor Day weekend search for powder was fruitful. Walkalong found some VV powder available @ Powder Valley; we were able to pick-up some before it vanished from the inventory list. With the instant information available over the 'net especially GunBot near-real time updates, I'm wondering if there is some way to get alerts when a specific product is back in stock?

This week I hope to get to my outdoor range and they distribute VV powder so I might get lucky. They generally have a good selection. Primarily a bench rest range so if it's expensive they have it.

Ron

 

[Artofgolf]

Hey Mad Chemist,

This is a reply to your previous post #4

The VV 3N37 & N340 was priced @ $26.13 per pound thru Powder Valley (no shipping or Haz-Mat in the calculation)

I consider that reasonable for this particular product

 

[Walkalong]

Mad Chemist actually found it before we did. I got in around 5ish and was shocked/pleasantly surprised to see it listed in stock. Had been for 4 or 5 hours.

It's a good sign. Now if some AA 1680 and some 2400 would show up.

 

[Mad Chemist]

This is a good sign at least as far as availability goes.

I use 3N37 exclusively for 9mm SD ammo. I don't use it for much else though since it prefers to be loaded at the top end. I love N340 for 9x19 practice ammo and as a general multi-caliber go to powder similar to Unique except that it meters well and burns clean.


If the prices for VV products are coming down before NAMMO has implemented any of the capacity upgrades they alluded to, this would indicate that supply chain/distribution issues were a significant portion of the VV product line's higher price point. I'm not sure if that's the case though.

Looking at apples to apples comparison of 1# canisters of equivalent powders still shows VV to be priced about 1.5 times greater than the competition. I agree that many VV products are superior in quality and performance. But I do not believe that the cost differential is proportionate to the quality differential. Some of this cost component is likely caused by specific deficiencies in VV's manufacturing, shipping and logistics processes. Hopefully, NAMMO will be able to make some significant progress in this area. If VV products hit a more competitive price point they could easily capture a significant portion of the US consumer market.

 

[Artofgolf]

This is a good sign at least as far as availability goes.

Yes it is I was just checking out Midsouth Shooters Supply - They have VV N-340 in stock. It been a long time ............