VihtaVuori N-320 VS Hodgdon Titegroup .45 ACP My test

[Master Blaster]

I loaded 50 rounds each 200 LSWC Russell Bullet lead hardcast.
4.5 gr Titegroup
4.5 gr Vihtavuori N-320.

I wanted to try VV because I heard it was clean burning, and consistant, and of course it has a cool looking container

I have been loading Titegroup in many thousands of rounds of .45ACP with the above recipe.

The VV n-320 meters consistantly, just like titegroup from my dillon 550 powder measure.

I took all 100 rounds to the range.

I fired and compared.

I cant tell the difference between 4.5 gr titegroup and 4.5 gr N-320.

Smoke about the same, dirt on cases and gun about the same.
Bullets hit the target the same, recoil the same, flash the same.

My conclusion VV costs more $8 per pound more and does the same thing as titegroup.

 

[forquidder]

FPS

I'm curious about the velocity each of these loads gives. I just started loading N320 for a snub nose 45 Colt with good results. Have you chronographed either of these loads?

 

[Zak Smith]

I normally use 4.7 Titegroup with a 200gr West-Coast plated round-nose in .45ACP. This is at about 760fps.

I tried 4.5gr N320 and got only 600 fps !

-z

 

[E357]

Two quick points:

1) Titegroup is faster than vv-320 so you may need about 10% VV to equal the loads and more VV may be a little cleaner.

2) The most important point is that your shooting Lubed Lead bullets and the Lube is whats causing 80% of whatever mess there is. You need to test using jacketed or plated.

Elliot

 

[grenadier]

Agree with E357's suggestion. At least try some plated bullets or jacketed bullets, since the burning lube / wax is going to be the most significant "pollutant" here.

 

[Master Blaster]

Jacketed and Plated Bullets are OUT, titegroup makes up a very clean load with any of those. The problem is that at my indoor club we are required by a 10 year old zoning restriction to NOT USE "KOP KILLER, ARMOUR PIERCING HANDGUN " jacketed Bullets.

ASSININE yes Ridiculous OF COURSE, but its a good convenient club and THATS THE WAY IT IS FOLKS.

I'm going to try 5.0 grains of N320 when I go today.

Has anyone actually chronoed 5.0 with a 200 (L)SWC?

For lead VitaV says start at 4.2-5.2 is max at 880fps, Lyman 48 says 5.2 is the starting load 5.8 at 880 max, for LSWC 200 gr 774 FPS.

Thanks

 

[E357]

Master Blaster: Maybe you could tryout these Plastic coated lead bullets over at Precision Bullets. If you do please give us a report. My range only allows lead also (different reasons).

Elliot

 

[larryw]

If you're shooting lead and cleanliness is your primary concern, I wouldn't bother with VV.

I like VV because its the same container to container, I got too much variation between lots of TG (N320 was also bunches cleaner than TG when shooting properly worked up jacketed and plated bullets). But I only use WST for 45 now; cleaner, consistant, readily available and cheap.

Also, check with your range, plated bullets are not considered jacketed by most (a quick slice with a pocketknife will prove the point).

 

[SodaPop]

Keep us informed!

I've been wondering about VV powders for some time. I don't know anyone that has tried it.

 

[Master Blaster]

I like VV because its the same container to container, I got too much variation between lots of TG

I have not noticed any varriation between losts of Titegroup, nor have any bullseye shooters I know mentioned this as a problem.

How did you notice or measure this varriaton do you have pressure test equipment. or were you firing from a ransom rest at 100 yards?????

Titegroup seems very consistent to me and it seems that Hodgdon would insure that this is the case, because of the danger in having a varriation with a fast burning pistol powder.

 

[larryw]

Chronograph. Remember, Hogdon buys most of their powders from many vendors and sources the same powder from different vendors.

 

[Zak Smith]

I tried 4.5gr N320 and got only 600 fps !

To follow up my own post, here's some more N320 data. I'm using West Coast plated round-nose 200gr bullets at about 1.230" if I remember correctly.

5.1gr N320: 775fps
5.5gr N320: 861fps

As comparison 5.1gr Titegroup: 869fps (on a hot day).

I think 5.4gr N320 would be a good IPSC load with this bullet.

-z

 

[hopper_64]

Hi.
I use 5.5gr of VV N320 behind a 200gr lead SWC (RCBS 45-200-SWC).
Either Wheelweights (200gr) or 2-1 ww-Lino (190gr).
With ww it chronos around 920-940 fps and is very accurate (1.22" at 25 meters) in my P14-45

http://www.bostream.nu/hopperscorner/images/bilder_handladdning/.45acp_06-04.jpg

/Hopper