VihtaVuori N310?

[JimC]

I asked this question yesterday of the people on the 1911Forum and the responses haven't been over whelming so I'll ask it again, here in hopes that there are more .45 ACP loaders that use VV N310.

The test target that came with my Wilson CQB was shot with a 200 gr. SWC and 4.5 gr. of VihtaVuori N310 powder. It is an impressive one hole group.

Being a curious reloader who has never used any of the VV powders, mainly because of local availability, can anyone comment on their own personal experiences with VV N310 in the .45 ACP?

I find very little on N310 w/o purchasing a VV loading manual.

I normally use W231 with very good results and this has been the case with the CQB and the Laser Cast 200 gr. SWC bullet.

I see by their burn rate chart that N310 [#2] is quite a bit faster than W231 [#11]. It's more on the Bullseye level.

Does anyone use it with 230 gr. bullets, lead or FMJ?

Thanks...

 

[E357]

I've just started to play a little with VV-310 while I'm using up my 231, Bullseye and Clays. It seems that 310 is very similar to Clays in speed and just a little faster than Bullseye. It is also very clean (like Clays) and meters much better than Clays but not as well as Win 231.

the Marine's bullseye team .45 load is:

4.1 gr VV N310
185 gr Nosler JHP
New Winchester primed brass
1.20" overall length
approx 800 fps

Elliot

 

[JimC]

Elliot,

Thanks, this is just the type of info that I'm looking for.

I've used up my 231 also but re-ordered 4# at the same time I ordered the VV 310 in case I don't like the 310.

 

[Zak Smith]

I've heard good things about using N320 (that's N320) in IPSC "major" loads in .45ACP. I stopped experimenting wiht it because I can buy Titegroup for $15/# instead of $23/#...

-z

 

[JimC]

I stopped experimenting wiht it because I can buy Titegroup for $15/# instead of $23/#...

Cost is not a factor for me, within reason, when it comes to good accuracy.

 

[LewG]

JimC,

Bullseye-L has had many discussions on the use of this powder.
Go to the page below and search the archives. You will find many threads on VV N310.

Go to <http://www.lava.net/~perrone/bullseye>

Search the archives, and you will find many discussions/threads for use of this powder. There is no need to start a new one. - Lew

 

[hopper_64]

I haven't tried VV N310 in .45acp (yet), but I've had very good results with VV N320.

 

[Zak Smith]

Disclaimer: I could not find good published load data for N310 in .45ACP. I tried the following and it did not blow up my gun, but use good judgement.

I have been playing with 4.6 - 4.7gr N310 with a 200gr West Coast RN or SWC with some success. I am not sure exactly how much it takes to make major (I'm close), and how temperature sensitive it is, yet.

-z

 

[Norm Lee]

N 310

Hey Jim:

I've used N310 in the .45 ACP with exceptionally good results in a variety of loads from 185-200 gr SWC for steel and paper (3.8-4.0 gr of powder ) to bowling pin loads using 235 SWCs at 195 plus PF. It's a nice, consistent, clean powder which seems to produce excellent accuracy and a very soft recoil signature (by comparison) for any given PF. I liked it so well I had about decided I didn't need another powder but it turns out that I feel marginally better with N 350 for the Pin Loads. It's a slower powder and I have to use more of it which translates to some disadvantage in recoil recovery. But we have found pins are getting harder to find and we're using them longer in a match, so it pays off to be able to get out to something over 200 PF.

That Wilson load will be hard to beat. A fellow named Sweeney did some pretty serious research and discovered, independently I believe, that it produced the best accuracy. It more than makes USPSA major, too.

I would recommend starting at 3.9 or 4.0 gr with a 230 gr. bullet if you want to use one. You should be able to go as high as 4.4 or 4.5 with lead bullets, perhaps less with jacketed. As always, take great care working with fast powders and the heavier bullets.

Cheers,

Norm

 

[JimC]

Thanks for all the info and comments in regard to N310.

I contacted VV/Lapua R&D directly on using it with 200 gr. LSWC's and 200 gr. FMJ's.

They recommend a starting load of 4.0 gr. and a maximum of 4.5 gr. with the 200 gr. LSWC. They also recommend a 1.240 COL wich is .010 shorter than I load but mine work very well.

My present load consists of:

Fed case
Fed 150 primer
Laser Cast 200 gr. LSWC
4.5 gr. N310
1.250" +- COL
.470" taper crimp

Out of my Wilson CQB is averages 901.1/5 rds. and 919.0/5 rds.

I had one round in the second string that was higher than the others [962.0 fps] that threw the average off. If I discount that round, the average for 4 is 908.25 which is more in line with the first 5 rounds.

This load is extremely accurate. I plan on testing it using my Ranson Rest the next time I get to the range.

No mention was made for a jacketed 200 gr. bullet. I like to load the Hornady 200 gr. FMJ-CT bullet once in awhile.

I've burned a ton of W231 over the years with 200 gr. LSWC's but I think I like the N310 better. It's cleaner and "softer" shooting.