I am looking for a clean burning load for 230g FMJ's, and would like a velocity between 750 and 800 fps.
Which VihtaVuori powder do you recommend and why?
N310 for soft target loads, especially with the 185 and 200 Gr bullets.
N320 for most uses in .45.
Both are very accurate and very clean burning. I bought a 4 pounder of each after I tried them.
4.6 Grs N310 or 5.7 Grs of N320 and a Berrys 185 Gr SWC @ 1.190 O.A.L. gives around 850 FPS from a 5" tube depending on the barrel, and will shoot through one hole all day if you do your part.
4.5 Grs N310 and a Berrys 200 Gr HP @ 1.200 O.A.L. gives around 825 FPS from a 5" tube depending on the barrel, and will shoot through one hole all day if you do your part. I have not finalized N320 and the 200 Gr HP, but it should end up around 5.4 to 5.6.
You can go lighter if you wish and it will still shoot great.
I loaded some 230 Gr Berrys with 4.1 Grs of N310, but have not shot them. I loaded some X-Treme 225 Gr bullets with 4.1 Grs N310 and got just under 750 FPS from a "fast barrel" 5" 1911.
N330 should work well in the .45 just because of its burn rate, but I had no success. N340 works great, but gives more recoil for the velocity than other powders in that burn rate that shoot very well also.
So to answer your question I would say N320 to get a 230 Gr pill to 800 FPS easily without pressure signs or getting "snappy". N310 will probably do it, but I think N320 is better for the 230 Gr bullets unless you are pushing them slower. Just MHO
I have a Vihtavuori second edition load book from 1995 and it is a bit more generous with loads than the current online data.
These loads proved safe in my guns using my load procedure. Check load data, reduce and work up.
