Vihtavuouri N350 or Hodgdon Universal for 45ACP, 230, 200, 185gr

[gerrym526]

Thanks to all of you for the excellent recommendations on what Vihtavuori powders you use for 9mm-very helpful to my decision process to try a new powder.

I'm also considering using VV for 45ACP in 230(FMJ RN), 200(hp), and 185(hp) loads.

Anyone here using N350 for 45ACP? Do you prefer N350 to N340?

Or do some of you prefer Hodgdon Universal for 45ACP instead? I know there's a price difference between the two, but I'm saving enough money reloading that I don't mind spending a little more for quality components-if the price difference translates into a quality difference.

Thanks for the help.
Gerry

 

[Walkalong]

N310 or N320 for lighter .45 ACP loads, very accurate, skip N330 IMHO, N340 for full power .45 ACP, works great, have never tried N350.

 

[1MoreFord]

None of 'em. WW231/HP38 IMO.

 

[joneb]

I have not tried N350, but N340 has worked very well for me in 38spl,44spl and 45 acp. For these cartridges N340 is cleaner meters better for me than Unique.
Accurate #5 is a good performer in the above mentioned cartridges but more so at the upper end, #5 is a very dense power while N340 is closer to Unique in density and I prefer it in higher volume cases like 38 and 44spl.

 

[Dudedog]

N310 or N320 for lighter .45 ACP loads

I liked N320 for practice loads.
I have never tried N350, CFE-P works well for be all you can be .45 loads.
For less than max loads I prefer something with a faster burn rate than CFE-P
I did load some up with longshot (surprise -- really loud---of course) a while back, N350 seems to fall aroud the same area as CFE-P/Longshot on the burn rate chart.
I liked CFE-P better for the stout ones than Longshot.

If you are after as much vel as you can get out of N350 might be a good choice, Universal works better for middle of the road loads.
Mixed range brass, WIN LP, charges as thrown after setting measure
5" Citadel 1911

String: 8
Date: 4/23/2015
Time: 2:35:19 PM
Grains: 230
Hi Vel: 853
Low Vel: 799
Ave Vel: 827
Ext Spread: 54
Std Dev: 24
.45 RMR 230 RN 5.4 Universal 1.21 OAL
Velocity Power Factor Ft/Lbs
853 196.19 371.559
841 193.43 361.178
816 187.68 340.024
799 183.77 326.004
5th one did not read

 

[9mmepiphany]

I haven't tried or heard of N350 for .45ACP loads.

What is generally recommended is N310 or N320 for lighter competition loads

 

[zeke]

Had loads worked up with N-350 for max velocity 185, 200 and 230 jhps. It worked best for full power jacketed loads, but expensive. Did not use it for target loads.

 

[lordpaxman]

I make major easily with N320 and 200 or 230 gr bullets, and it's a clean soft shooting load. N340 works as well. I don't have 185 bullets so I can't comment on those.
Universal works well across a lot of calibers including .45. It depends on what you want to load for. If you're looking for alternatives for a faster powder, one of my favorites for .45 is WST for a competition load.
I've not tried N350, and probably won't. Now... N310 is on the list for the next powder order.

 

[rfwobbly]

I'm with WalkAlong. 45ACP is a low pressure round, and therefore to get the powder to burn correctly (efficiently) you need a slightly faster powder than what you'd use in (say) 9mm Luger. You'll be very sorry if you use N350 in 45ACP. It would be much better suited for hot loads in 9x23Win or 38 Super.

Here's how the VV system of naming runs: N310 (very fast), N320 (fast), N330 (moderate), N340 (slow), N350 (very slow). So you're not 1 or 2 steps away from where you want to be, you'd be miles away.

Can you do it ? Certainly, but you won't be happy with the results.

Hope this helps.

 

[Texas10mm]

I've loaded right around 14K of .45 ACP this year.

Most used powder was WST, followed by 231, Ramshot Competition, Red Dot, IMR Red. But I'm cheap. The WST was $10 a lb and the Competition was $12 a lb as was the IMR Red.

Almost all my loads are a 210 gr SWC, RCBS 201-KT, bullet. Some 215 gr, H&G 78, some 155 gr, NOE.

 

[zeke]

Can you do it ? Certainly, but you won't be happy with the results.

Just wondering if you ever actually tried N-350?

 

[rfwobbly]

Just wondering if you ever actually tried N-350?

Yes, but not in 45ACP. I use it all the time in the hottest loads for 9x23Win and 38Super.

 

[zeke]

It works quite well in 45 acp full power jacketed loads, by actual experience. Also works well in 44 special, didn't like it in 9mm.