Which Vihtavouri Powders to use for a variety of calibers

[jibbs]

I kind of have a weird inquiry in regards to which Vihtavouri powders I should purchase for the various calibers I reload for. I have not been able to find any Vihtavouri powder at any store locally in SE MI since I have been reloading. I have heard nothing but good things about their powders and have an opportunity to put in an order for which ever powders I need. This being the case, I figure I would just buy all the powders that I can take advantage of for each caliber.

9mm
357SIG
357 Mag
10mm
7.62x25 Tork
45ACP
44 Mag
S&W 460
S&W 500
45-70

I am sure that there is plenty of overlap with some of these guys. I don't need to get specific loads, just which ones you guys prefer and maybe a explanation why. I'm hoping that Vihtavouri burns a little cleaner than what I'm using now. I dunno about using it for the larger 460 & 500, but Im sure it will shine in the smaller calibers.

Any insight you guys can give me would be greatly appreciated. I am commented to buying as many 1lb bottles as I need to get the most out of each caliber. If I'm going to put in an order, I may as well buy as many as I can. I just hope it is not all of the powders they sell. I would like the cleaner burning powders that are in the mid-high velocity range.

Thanks again,
Jibbs

 

[1SOW]

9mm - n320 for light loads/comp. - fairly clean burning for 124 or 125gr bullet @ 1050ish ft/sec - light flip - not very temp or position sensitive. 124/125gr bullet MAX load is less than 1090'/sec.

For faster loads the slower n330/340/350 also work well with similar characteristics, and for a lot of your calibers listed

 

[Walkalong]

N340 is very versatile, but no one powder will load all those to full potential. You will need two powders minimum.

Get some N320, N340, and N110.

 

[jibbs]

I might have miss represented this thread. I am looking for multiple powders. Not one or to do them all. I look at it this way, if im putting a special order in, Im getting all the ones I need.

I was basically wondering if I should go the N320, N340, N110 which were on my short list, or if messing with N350, 3N37, 3N38, and N130 for the 45-70?

I figure that I would be interested in getting 5-6 different powders, and prolly count on 1 or 2 of them being unavailable.

Thanks again for your responses.

 

[Funshooter45]

I have used N330 for mid range loads in .44 mag and .45 Colt and was extremely pleased with how clean it burns. I also found a big jug of a discontinued powder called 3NSL made for cowboy shooting and it works very well indeed. N-340 seems to be more versatile and is listed a lot more often in their data than N-330, so I might get some of it if I see it. I would really like to try some N110 for my big magnums.

It's rare to see it on the shelves around here and it's usually expensive as well. I picked up a can of N-160 awhile back but haven't tried it yet. I'd like to experiment with some of their 500 series stuff for my rifles.

Based on what I've seen with my own eyes, the VV reputation for clean burning over a wide range of pressures is well deserved and the accuracy seems to be top notch too.

 

[Walkalong]

5-6 different powders

For those calibers, N310, N320, N340, N110, N130. I bought a pound of 3N37, and it is good stuff, but it takes more of it than N340, without large gains, so for everyday reloading, I would buy N340, which is really good stuff. I do have a real nice "hot" .38 Super load with it though.

 

[SpringfieldM1A]

Ive used N110 for 357 mag. clean burning consistent velocity. make sure to use standard small pistol primers.

 

[josephbw]

I use N110 for my 44Mag. Once I loaded up 28.0 gr behind Hornady's 180 gr HP and got 2232 fps w/1993 lbs of energy out of my Puma M92. It was an experiment that I will not attempt to duplicate for fear of accidentally disassembling my rifle. All I can say, is that it will probably bring down a small house.

 

[R.Ph. 380]

Reloading Guide PDF

Why Guess go here: http://www.vihtavuori-lapua.com/pdfs/Reloading-Guide.pdf

 

[rfwobbly]

All the N300 series are "single base" powders and are going to burn cleaner and cooler by design. There are very few other single base powders on the market in the USA. N320 is simply killer for competing with a 9x19. N330 for middle bandwidth shooting, on up to N340 for SD loads with 147gr.

You'll may also notice that N340 and 3N37 almost duplicate each other, but they are 2 different formulations. The 3N37 gets very high marks in power cartridges like 38 Super.

And all of them meter exceptionally well. I'm hooked.

 

[fields]

Vihtavouri powders

They also tend to burn in the barrel, not out of the end, so that you are not night blinded.

 

[Walkalong]

They are treated with flash suppressants. I like AA #9 and N110 for .44 Mag, but AA #9 flashes more. It isn't bad though.

 

[Funshooter45]

I noticed a distinctly different odor as well when I shot N330. Kinda sweet compared to other powders.

 

[TonyT]

Check Schanz Supply in Otsego, MI - great prices and good availability on VV powders as well as the full line of IMR, Hodgdon, Alliant and Winchester.
Im use VV N-310 for 45 ACP bullseye pistol loads as well as revolver loads with plated and jacketed bullets. VV-N320 and N-330 are also excellent powders for 9mm.

 

[jibbs]

Thanks for the responses guys. There is something to be said about personal experience as opposed to looking at a reloading guide. I will test and tune and my own loads, I just wanted to see what my fellow reloading community was using as far as this powder is concerned. For some reason this powder isn't in SE MI as far as know, well one place has a few lbs of it but it was the 3N37, which might have been worth while. They said they would order me what ever I wanted, but it might be worth it to go online and bite the bullet if Im gonna get 5 lbs anyways but we will see.

TonyT, thanks a lot for the heads up, but they are 2.5 hrs away. My parents live in Kalkaska, and was excited because I thought of Otsego lake, but I think there might be different spelling because your spot is on the West side of the state. Kinda funny cause when I Googled them I kept coming up with a tire supply store. But I think they are both cause they are listed as a FFL too. Just thought it was funny.

 

[Eb1]

Here is my favorite all time VV powder, but I don't think it works with any of your listings, and good luck finding it, and when you do. Buy all you can afford. You will not see it again for a year or two. Maybe longer.

N 120: Slower burning powder for small capacity rifle
cases and for lighter bullets in many .22 caliber loads.
N120 needs higher pressure than N110 in order to
optimize burning. Burning rate is near to Accurate
1680, IMR 4198 and Reloder 7. N120 is suitable also
for 7.62x39, .30-30 Winchester and .444 Marlin.

 

[jibbs]

EB1, 1 step ahead of you. I wanted to reload exclusively Barnes 300gr .458 TSX FN bullets for my 45-70 Marlin GG. They only list 2 powders and N120 was one of them and I think A1680 was the other. Powder Valley has it though, and considering the fact I'm order so much, its cheaper through them to begin with, and no sales tax, I think I will actually come out ahead and get the powders I need sooner than expected.

 

[Walkalong]

I want to try some N120 in .22 Hornet.