What can I use N320 for?

[Old Grumpy]

I picked up three pounds of VihtaVuori N320 last week (my powder guy had it and it was not moving so he cut me a deal) for $23.00 a pound. I've found some loads (in Lyman's 49th) for the 200gr LSWC in .45acp. I also load .38 S&W, .38spl, .357mag, .44spl, .44mag, and .500 S&Wmag.

Does anyone use N320 and for what? Any opinions on it? I'm hoping I can use it for more than just the 200gr LSWC.

 

[LiveLife]

N320 is a very popular powder with match shooters for generating power factor and clean burning. It is pricey, but some consider it "THE" powder for many match loads.

There's plenty of loads data on their website - http://www.lapua.com/en/products/reloading/vihtavuori-reloading-data/relodata/6

Walkalong PM'd me some good loads when I first got N320 - maybe he can comment on the powder.

 

[Walkalong]

It is outstanding stuff in .45 ACP.

It just so happens my two favorite loads in .38 S&W are with N320, and I see you load that too.

It is more position sensitive in big cases than I would like, but most folks could care less, or even test for that, and it can be very accurate in .38 Spl and .357 with light to medium loads.

It should work well in .44 Spl, but I have not tried it.

 

[Old Grumpy]

Walkalong, have you tried many different bullet weights with it? I shoot a lot of cast bullets and lapua shows mainly jacketed loads.

As to the .38 S&W I'm trying to work up a very mild load. So far I run a couple test batches with W231 and found it very "dirty" at this load range. Care to share any of your N320 loads for the old .38 S&W?

I'm using a 150gr LRN sized to .361. Good thing about the .38 S&W is case volume. Even 2gr loads come up to almost the half way mark.

 

[1SOW]

For 9mm light loads it IS THE powder. A friend who shoots well in National matches uses it for 40 cal 'Limited' division.

Powder Valley sells 4# jugs for $97+. Check below.

http://www.lapua.com/en/products/reloading/vihtavuori-reloading-data

 

[hvactech]

Found 12 cartridges in the AmmoGuide database using Vihtavuori N-320.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. .308 Winchester (7.62mm NATO) 7. .38 Special
2. 7.62x25 Tokarev 8. .40 S&W
3. .38 Super 9. .44 Smith & Wesson Special
4. .380 Auto (9mm Kurtz) 10. .44 Remington Magnum
5. 9mm Luger (Parabellum) 11. .45 ACP
6. .357 Magnum 12. .45 Colt

 

[Walkalong]

1. .308 Winchester (7.62mm NATO)

I wouldn't try that one.

 

[1SOW]

 

[JLDickmon]

I use it in some .45 ACP loads..

it can be tricky to work with... it meters like crap, plugs up your powder measure, and makes your dog drink out of the toilet. I think you need to box it up and send it to me so you don't get hurt...





It's one of the smoothest handling and consistent powders you're ever gonna use.. call your powder guy now and tell him to order more..

 

[Old Grumpy]

N320 Test loads

I ran some test loads yesterday using N320 under a 200gr LSWC. I choose a starting charge of 4.9gr (lower than Lyman's starting charge of 5.1gr and right in the middle of VV data start 4.7gr max 5.1gr). I found it strange that VV's maximum charge was the same as Lyman's starting weight . Lyman shows a slightly shorter OAL (1.235" vs VV's 1.240") but I feel the difference is a non-factor.

The loads shot very well and the recoil was pleasing. The load was quite accurate at 25 yards. Here is my chrono data:

Mixed brass with WLP primers.
OAL 1.225"
Avg: 710.45 fps
Extreme Spread: 39.8 fps
Standard Deviation: 12.78 fps

These results show the data my weapon produces is closer to the Lyman data. With a 4.9gr charge my loads produced 710.45 fps. Lyman shows a 5.1gr charge producing 746 fps. VV shows a 4.7gr charge producing 888 fps. Quite a difference!

Since I do not detect any signs of over pressure on the cases and with the velocity the loads produced I will run some more test loads using 5.1gr, 5.3gr and 5.5gr. Lyman's 49th shows a maximum charge of 5.7gr so I will probaby stop at 5.5gr.

How do these figures compare with your numbers?

 

[jmorris]

It's not quite as soft as 310 for 9mm minor loads but is cleaner than titegroup. 3.2-3.3 of 320 with a plated 147 @ 1.160" would be a good load.

 

[JLDickmon]

Man, you're gonna be hooked on that stuff in no time.. good thing the US Distributor (Kaltron-Pettibone) is in your neck of the woods..