lordpaxman
Member
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2011
- Messages
- 2,434
That’s a safe place to start. I’ve found the VV data to be conservative and needed to be at the upper end of the data to achieve my goals. It’s also well behaved and very linear.
Vihtavuori Powder…do you use it?
- Thread starter Buzznrose
- Start date
anothernewb
Member
bought a couple large cans of it a few years ago when powder was scarce sometime under obama. ran out of 231 and it was the only thing on the shelves.picked up 8# of 320 and 4# of 340. Ended up really liking the 320 in 9. certainly a clean burner under a larger load range than it's competitors. If it were the only thing available again if I got caught short, I wouldn't hesitate to buy more. but while the alternatives are available - I'll keep buying the cheaper stuff. Although the gap in price is much smaller these days -and divided across over a thousand rounds - the price per shot difference is far less noticeable.
Now that Trail boss seems to be a thing of the past, I am hoping to find Tin Star one day.
Now that Trail boss seems to be a thing of the past, I am hoping to find Tin Star one day.
AJC1
Member
I made the same comment and was told tin star was discontinued. I hope that's not true.
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Buzznrose
Member
I’m revisiting this thread for an update as to how it’s going for me with these VV powders. I’ve only loaded pistol cartridges thus far…9MM, .38, .357, .40, and 10MM.
I’m a simple guy…I carry factory ammo, so all reloaded ammo is strictly for range plinking, training, and shooting amateur IDPA, Steel matches. My reloaded ammo needs to be pretty easy to load, consistent performance, and clean. LOTS of powder brands could probably fill these criteria, I happened to choose VV. I’m using N320, N340, and 3N37 to fill all my current ammo reloading needs (which are pretty basic).
N320: I recently loaded some 124gr Hoosier coated lead 9MM using 4.0 gr N320 (same load for my RMR and XTreme 124’s). All three rounds shoot to the same POI at 12 yards. I should probably go back to 25 yards. Accuracy with any of the three bullets I load, at 12 yards, is basically one ragged hole for 10 rounds offhand through a G19-5 with a red dot.
I also loaded some .38 Spl 158 gr plated using N320 but accuracy not as good through a 4” GP100. But…I really attribute that to the fact I suck shooting revolvers. If I really focus and shoot SA, I can hit the bull every time. But I’m trying to get better shooting DA.
3N37: I use this powder for 10MM, .357, and hot 9MM. Another winner, I really like the way this powder meters very consistently, is also “1 ragged hole” accurate at 10 yards, and the brass and firearms are relatively clean after shooting, compared to much of the commercial ammo or even W231 I used before.
N340: I use this least simply because I bought it for .40 and .45 ACP and I load them the least. I’ve only made trial .40 loads and it shot fine…plenty accurate results and also meters really consistent.
I have two local shops that stock these powders and honestly the difference in price is not significant compared to most other competitors. And I really don’t load in the tens of thousands of rounds, so the difference I may pay is infrequent.
Just sharing my results and experiences. I’m still pretty green in reloading but as a guy who reloads to shoot versus a guy who shoots to reload, this works for me.
YMMV.
I’m a simple guy…I carry factory ammo, so all reloaded ammo is strictly for range plinking, training, and shooting amateur IDPA, Steel matches. My reloaded ammo needs to be pretty easy to load, consistent performance, and clean. LOTS of powder brands could probably fill these criteria, I happened to choose VV. I’m using N320, N340, and 3N37 to fill all my current ammo reloading needs (which are pretty basic).
N320: I recently loaded some 124gr Hoosier coated lead 9MM using 4.0 gr N320 (same load for my RMR and XTreme 124’s). All three rounds shoot to the same POI at 12 yards. I should probably go back to 25 yards. Accuracy with any of the three bullets I load, at 12 yards, is basically one ragged hole for 10 rounds offhand through a G19-5 with a red dot.
I also loaded some .38 Spl 158 gr plated using N320 but accuracy not as good through a 4” GP100. But…I really attribute that to the fact I suck shooting revolvers. If I really focus and shoot SA, I can hit the bull every time. But I’m trying to get better shooting DA.
3N37: I use this powder for 10MM, .357, and hot 9MM. Another winner, I really like the way this powder meters very consistently, is also “1 ragged hole” accurate at 10 yards, and the brass and firearms are relatively clean after shooting, compared to much of the commercial ammo or even W231 I used before.
N340: I use this least simply because I bought it for .40 and .45 ACP and I load them the least. I’ve only made trial .40 loads and it shot fine…plenty accurate results and also meters really consistent.
I have two local shops that stock these powders and honestly the difference in price is not significant compared to most other competitors. And I really don’t load in the tens of thousands of rounds, so the difference I may pay is infrequent.
Just sharing my results and experiences. I’m still pretty green in reloading but as a guy who reloads to shoot versus a guy who shoots to reload, this works for me.
YMMV.
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rperyam
Member
Our Sportsmen’s Warehouse has some N-320 for $54.00 a pound. I‘m waiting for that to come down as I really like it in my 9MM loads. Sitting good on N-310 for my 45s.
AJC1
Member
Check out n135 with a 150 in 308 somewhere about 44.8 grains. Sub moa for me....
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Buzznrose
Member
I will, thanks! I bought N140 for when I begin loading .223.
Any suggestions for a 150 gr 30-30 powder?
AJC1
Member
I have repeadly asked vv for load data. N135 is slower than imr4895 by a half a grain so that's what I'm going to test. N140 is supposed to be around 4064, but I've done zero testing and never owned n140. I can believe they have zero 160ftx data....
lightman
Member
Yeah, same here.
This is kind of where I stand too. The clean burning part is interesting to me. Some of my pet loads are pretty dirty.
My Son had some that developed a strong ammonia smell in less that 10 years. It was stored in a controller environment and out of the sunlight.
AJC1
Member
I think they use less stabilizer....
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Buzznrose
Member
Thanks. This is the screenshot from my VV app:
I was just asking if you had any preferences….I’ll probably use N135 if not. I’ll just be shooting basic 150 round nose.
If I ever loaded the FTX’s, I’d probably break down and buy some LeverRevolution….
MarshallDodge
Member
N320 works really well behind 124 grain 9mm bullets.
N135 is clean burning and works well behind lighter 40-60 grain 223 bullets.
N140 and N540 is good for a lot of different loads including 223 and 308.
AJC1
Member
I haven't gotten that far yet.... I loaded up the last of my commercial cast, and I have 50 with 4895 loaded up for a test with the Hornaday 170 I haven't shot yet. The 150 with 135 would be first choice and I'd look at 540 for the 170s. I haven't seen any 5 series powders here but I'm not interested in lever at all.
N310 is excellent in 9mm when loading 147gr bullets. My IDPA competition load is 3.2grs N310 ignited by a Genix SPP, under a RMR 147gr Matchwinner loaded to 1.08" OAL in an Apex Tactical barreled M&P9
Rimfire McNutjob
Member
I moved to N320 from Green Dot. They seem to be close in burn rate and charge mass. N320 is definitely cleaner ... though the new cans of Green Dot do mention that they are cleaner burning now. I use N105 in the 5mm Remington Magnum. Norma R123 used to be my go-to for that but it's long gone. Yes, yes, I pull the bullets, dump the charge, drop in N105, recap with the light Barnes VG bullets, and re-crimp in a Lee 204 Ruger FCD using a custom elevated shell holder. I know, it's weird.
black mamba
Member
- Joined
- Feb 29, 2020
- Messages
- 361
Big fan of VV powders. I have N320, N330, M340, N350, 3N38 and N105. Pretty much covers all my needs from 41 mag, 44 spec, 44 mag, 45 Colt, 45 ACP, 454 Casull. Always measures well, always burns clean, always extremely accurate and if you wait for a sale, it's actually cheaper than many powders that used to be way less expensive because they haven't raised their prices. Great stuff!
rfwobbly
Member
I've been using Vit powders (especially the single-base N-300 series) for about 10 years now. These powders meter especially well in Dillon powder measures.
• N310 is tops in 32ACP and supposedly excellent in 45ACP with 200gr target loads.
• N320 is the most commonly used for competition with 9mm. At the "upper end of its load range" with a 124gr bullet it will get you a PF around 130 (1030-1040fps) which is soft shooting and very accurate. This is the sweet spot for action pistol.
• N330 is actually the better powder for "normal" all-around 9mm loads and generates 124gr velocities around 1100fps.
• N340 is the better Self Defense powder and has no problem getting most 9mm bullets over 1200fps. It also has a low flash signature which is helpful in SD loads.
• N310 is tops in 32ACP and supposedly excellent in 45ACP with 200gr target loads.
• N320 is the most commonly used for competition with 9mm. At the "upper end of its load range" with a 124gr bullet it will get you a PF around 130 (1030-1040fps) which is soft shooting and very accurate. This is the sweet spot for action pistol.
• N330 is actually the better powder for "normal" all-around 9mm loads and generates 124gr velocities around 1100fps.
• N340 is the better Self Defense powder and has no problem getting most 9mm bullets over 1200fps. It also has a low flash signature which is helpful in SD loads.
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Howland937
Member
I'd buy more N105 if I run across it, but I'm not shopping for it.
GoldieMI
Member
N133 works awesome in 30-30...I did a bunch of 150 grain Speer up during the pandemic for a good friend.. they were punching really nice at 100 yards for him out of a Marlin 336.
Rifle reloading data | Handloading | Rifle calibers | Centerfire Rifle bullets | Reload your own ammo - Vihtavuori
Vihtavuori offers rifle reloading data for numerous calibers and bullets for match and hunting purposes. Never exceed maximum loads.
www.vihtavuori.com
AJC1
Member
I don't know if 133 or 130 is a closer match to rl7 and 4198 but both are well liked for cast in 30-30 and 308 so that choice seems very logical. Maybe I spend to much time trying to draw parallels but the numbering system confuses a lot of people, and that's how I keep it straight in my head.N133 works awesome in 30-30...I did a bunch of 150 grain Speer up during the pandemic for a good friend.. they were punching really nice at 100 yards for him out of a Marlin 336.
Rifle reloading data | Handloading | Rifle calibers | Centerfire Rifle bullets | Reload your own ammo - Vihtavuori
Vihtavuori offers rifle reloading data for numerous calibers and bullets for match and hunting purposes. Never exceed maximum loads.
WeekendReloader
Member
I've only used N320 and I think it works very well in my 9mm. I have a nice load with a LEE cast & powder coated 120gn truncated cone bullet. I will definitely buy N320 again.
JEBruns
Member
I bought some N140 for heavier bullets in my .223 AR. Decidedly not a good powder for Dillon powder measures, and probably not for many other progressive powder measure either. It's a long stick powder, and tends to bridge frequently. Makes a mess of the reloader when the bridge lets go. Wasn't impressed with the performance of the powder either, after handloading a couple of ladders with ELD and SMK bullets with it.
lightman
Member
I was thinking about trying some. The prices interested me until the place I deal with ran out. The new prices are way higher, right up there with Hodgdon and IMR.
