Vectan powder

[Pelo801]

A little while back when powder had completely disappeared I bought some Vectan powder, specifically the A1 powder. Thinking when I ran out of what I was using, the A1 might carry me through. Well things have started getting a little better. But I thought I'd give this Vectan powder a try to see what it's all about.

This is the load data I came across
http://www.balleurope.com/recharge/poing/char21.php?langue=en

I used the A1 load for the 124 gr 9mm. I started with the 3.4 gr listed. The guns I used initially were an Arcus 94 which is rated +P and a Hi Point carbine. I didn't chrono anything, but this load seemed too weak. The cases were sooty and the accuracy wasn't that good.

Well I played around a little and have worked up to 4.2 gr with a 124 gr lead bullet. Using the same guns, I'm getting much better results. Accuracy is great and I'm pretty happy with this load.

So I loaded up quite a few rounds and ran them through most of my other 9mm guns and had a great time today. Function and accuracy were good in all the guns. I think this load is a good all around load for my 9mm pistols.

 

[bluetopper]

If you're happy, we're happy.

 

[joneb]

How does A1 meter? is this a flake, stick or ball powder?

 

[KansasSasquatch]

Vectan Ba, Tubal, and A powders are all single base powders. The Ba and Tubal lines of powder are stick powders. The A series are square flakes. The Sp line is double base ball or flattened ball. I can't speak about how any of them meter in reality but judging by this picture http://tiroyrecarga.com/IMG_PRIV_FORO/POLVORAS/VIALES-00.jpg that I found on a google search I'd say it probably meters worse than Unique. The grain size looks about the same as Unique but being square probably hurts A1's metering abilities a little more than Unique's shape.

 

[joneb]

I forgot I had this, View attachment 216305 I like to try their Ba 9.

 

[Duvel]

I've got Ba7.5 & Ba9, and have only tried them in 10mm.

Nobel's numbers are wonky, start charges barely cycle a G20 and max get nowhere near published.

I'm slowly climbing the ladder with Ba9.

 

[RainDodger]

Good luck here with Ba9 in the .45ACP. Seems like it smokes more than other powders though. Not a big deal.

 

[Pelo801]

Their numbers are off. The link that joneb posted lists the 3.4 gr as the max load with a pressure of 29,000 CUP. That was too underpowered. I wish I would have brought the chrono. I want to see how far away this load was away from the the 1017 fps listed.

As far as the metering goes, I haven't had any problems yet. I use the Lee powder disk. I've been using the .53 disk and getting 4.1-4.2 gr consistently.