MissionaryMike Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 As I was running low on my stash of n320 a couple of months back, I started reading up on any new powders I would want to try for 9mm minor. I had decided that E3 would be the replacement. But now it seems like there are a lot of Prima V/SV fans out there. I'm having to finally make the purchase. Which would you suggest? And what if I wanted a soft and safe powder for .40 major as well? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zzt Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 e3 is perfectly safe, and soft, for 40 Major and Minor. My Major load is 3.7gr e3 under a 180gr poly coated bullet @ 1.126" OAL for 172PF. Minor is the same except for 2.8gr e3 for 140PF. I don't reload 9mm yet, but many also use e3 for 9mm Minor. I certainly will when I start reloading it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillGarlandJr Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 I don't have any experience with E3, but I can't say enough good things about Prima V. Its like TG, but without all the TG negatives like it being dirty and excessively hot burning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
v1911 Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 If you've ever used the AUS Clays or wanted to, then SV is for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B_RAD Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 9 hours ago, v1911 said: If you've ever used the AUS Clays or wanted to, then SV is for you. Really? I thought V was more comparable to old clays? Has anyone here seen a difference in the new clays vs the older AUS made clays? Clays was my favorite back when I loaded .45. I did use it a little for 9mm as well. I'm stocked up on Prima V. So I won't be buying anything for a while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissionaryMike Posted February 16, 2017 Author Share Posted February 16, 2017 I've corresponded with @bowenbuilt in the past about E3. He's the one that turned me onto it. Seems like he's also using Prima V now as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
js1130146 Posted February 16, 2017 Share Posted February 16, 2017 Wrong forum I know, but does anyone have experience with either of these in .45? I'm curious to see how they stack up to the old standby powders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregJ Posted February 16, 2017 Share Posted February 16, 2017 I've started loading E3 for my 9 minor, 124 Zeros, 3.6gr give 131PF out of my 5" 1911 SS. So far I really like it. It is a large flaked powder, reminds me of WST. It seems to meter pretty well, though the first throw might be a little heavy as it has time to settle between reloading sessions. I also like the large flakes, in that if somehow a case doesnt get a primer, the flakes are too large to dribble out the primer hole. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muncie21 Posted February 16, 2017 Share Posted February 16, 2017 I've got some Prima V loaded up, wanting to see how it performs compared to my N320 loads. I've read the Vectan Ba 9.5 is very similar to N320 also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B_RAD Posted February 16, 2017 Share Posted February 16, 2017 4 hours ago, muncie21 said: I've got some Prima V loaded up, wanting to see how it performs compared to my N320 loads. I've read the Vectan Ba 9.5 is very similar to N320 also. I feel that the PV is softer at the same pf. I'm switching from N320 now. Loaded up my last little bit of N320 last weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jester121 Posted February 16, 2017 Share Posted February 16, 2017 17 hours ago, js1130146 said: Wrong forum I know, but does anyone have experience with either of these in .45? I'm curious to see how they stack up to the old standby powders. I actually started using e3 for .45 ACP as a Clays substitute during the shortage, and have since carried on using it for .40 (minor) and 9mm (also minor). I've been very pleased with it - maybe not quite as soft as Aussie Clays of olde, but I felt like it was a similar recoil impulse with maybe .1 or .2 more e3 per charge than my old .45 Clays loads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCTaylor Posted February 16, 2017 Share Posted February 16, 2017 (edited) Can't speak to Prima stuff but compared to WST, WSF and Titegroup; e3 in 9mm ~135pf is pretty nice. It seems to fall right between the slight snap of TG and push of WSF. I've got a few years supply that will do me well. To add, tracking the sights with e3 seems a little easier for me as well. Not really sure why, they seem to rise a little slower but still snap right back into place. Edited February 16, 2017 by SCTaylor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArrDave Posted February 16, 2017 Share Posted February 16, 2017 I've never been able to score any E3, but Prima V I find to be a great analog for TG - but more accurate, fills the case better, less observable smoke (maybe a different color?) and if you catch brass in your shirt/ behind your shooting glass it doesn't fill you with the desire to dance quite as much. TG meters a little bit better, definitely load up a hopper and let it sit for a few hours before loading to get accurate throws from the start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B_RAD Posted February 16, 2017 Share Posted February 16, 2017 45 minutes ago, ArrDave said: I've never been able to score any E3, but Prima V I find to be a great analog for TG - but more accurate, fills the case better, less observable smoke (maybe a different color?) and if you catch brass in your shirt/ behind your shooting glass it doesn't fill you with the desire to dance quite as much. TG meters a little bit better, definitely load up a hopper and let it sit for a few hours before loading to get accurate throws from the start. I'm looking forward to really getting into PV. I like hearing you think it's more accrate that TG. I feel TG is more accurate (with my load) than N320. Excited to see if PV gets my preceived accuracy back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
v1911 Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 Not to derail this thread, but it does pertain... Graf's is still running their special with Nobel Sport (prima powders). Order a minimum of 10 units and receive free shipping and hazmat. Can be combined with other primer and powders. Awesome deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillGarlandJr Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 3 hours ago, v1911 said: Not to derail this thread, but it does pertain... Graf's is still running their special with Nobel Sport (prima powders). Order a minimum of 10 units and receive free shipping and hazmat. Can be combined with other primer and powders. Awesome deal. Thanks for the heads up. Just ordered 10#. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B_RAD Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 8 hours ago, BillGarlandJr said: Thanks for the heads up. Just ordered 10#. They come in 1.1# jugs so you actually got 11#. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MemphisMechanic Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 (edited) 11 pounds for $178 was a smoking deal. Couldn't be more pleased with V in 9mm minor. I'm a bit more than halfway through my first bottle. Its insane how clean this leaves the gun. Right up there with VV powders. Edited February 17, 2017 by MemphisMechanic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muncie21 Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 (edited) I chrono'd some Prima V this afternoon. It's very clean and very little smoke. Personally I find that it meters better than VV N320, I need to load another test batch with a bit more powder to get solidly into the minor PF range, but if the first test is any indication, this powder will be on the top of my list. Bullets are coated from BBI and Bayou. Created: 02/17/17 13:08 Created: 02/17/17 13:02 Created: 02/17/17 12:54 Description: BBI 135 RN Description: Bayou 124 TCG Description: BBI 147 Notes 1: 3.2 PV Notes 1: 3.6 PV Notes 1: 2.9 PV Notes 2: CZ Notes 2: CZ Notes 2: CZ Distance to Chrono(FT): 5.00 Distance to Chrono(FT): 5.00 Distance to Chrono(FT): 5.00 Bullet Weight(gr): 135.00 Bullet Weight(gr): 124.00 Bullet Weight(gr): 147.00 Temp: 48 °F Temp: 47 °F Temp: 46 °F BP: 29.83 inHg BP: 29.83 inHg BP: 29.83 inHg Altitude: 0.00 Altitude: 0.00 Altitude: 0.00 # FPS PF # FPS PF # FPS PF 15 896 120.96 15 1011 125.36 15 838 123.19 14 910 122.85 14 1014 125.74 14 846 124.36 13 900 121.50 13 1030 127.72 13 854 125.54 12 894 120.69 12 1016 125.98 12 852 125.24 11 903 121.90 11 1017 126.11 11 843 123.92 10 908 122.58 10 1011 125.36 10 854 125.54 9 896 120.96 9 1015 125.86 9 849 124.80 8 901 121.64 8 1016 125.98 8 823 120.98 7 921 124.33 7 997 123.63 7 851 125.10 6 911 122.99 6 1017 126.11 6 844 124.07 5 903 121.90 5 1022 126.73 5 861 126.57 4 906 122.31 4 1013 125.61 4 833 122.45 3 903 121.90 3 1010 125.24 3 857 125.98 2 902 121.77 2 1015 125.86 2 863 126.86 1 894 120.69 1 1006 124.74 1 825 121.28 Average: 903.2 FPS Average: 1014.0 FPS Average: 846.2 FPS SD: 7.3 FPS SD: 7.3 FPS SD: 12.1 FPS Min: 894 FPS Min: 997 FPS Min: 823 FPS Max: 921 FPS Max: 1030 FPS Max: 863 FPS Spread: 27 FPS Spread: 33 FPS Spread: 40 FPS Edited February 17, 2017 by muncie21 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCTaylor Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 @muncie21 What was your OAL? Why only 5' to the chrono? Every match will be at ~10'. Interesting that the grains required for 124's and 147's seem to be just about inline with Titegroup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muncie21 Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 (edited) 2 minutes ago, SCTaylor said: @muncie21 What was your OAL? Why only 5' to the chrono? Every match will be at ~10'. Interesting that the grains required for 124's and 147's seem to be just about inline with Titegroup. The RNs run 1.10 and the TCGs are 1.07 It was a bit sunny out today so about 5' out was where the shade was I've got to review my previous data, but I believe the Prima V will match VV N320 very close. Edited February 17, 2017 by muncie21 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B_RAD Posted February 18, 2017 Share Posted February 18, 2017 (edited) There's another thread here about PV. It's about different colors for different lots. I posted some chrono data. Edited February 18, 2017 by B_RAD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowenbuilt Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 I have been using e3 for years and have lost count as to how many pounds of it I have gone through. It is as good as any powder you could want for 9mm, .40 or .45. There is no down side other than being able to find it or trying to measure small quantities out of some powder measures. I have been using Prima V for the past few months and I believe it is just as good and may be a tad softer shooting than e3 or N320. I am really liking it and it seems to be readily available at a good price. I have not gotten around to testing it much in .40 or .45 but it is definitely the bomb for 9mm. There is no way you can go wrong with Prima V it is a great powder once you get it settled in the powder measure. I would pick it over just about any other for 9mm Production. I am really impressed with how soft and accurate it is and how clean it shoots. If a man has some e3 and PV he has it covered in my book, I love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
v1911 Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 (edited) Disregard. Misinformation. Edited February 24, 2017 by v1911 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d_striker Posted February 26, 2017 Share Posted February 26, 2017 I've used quite a bit of each for 147's. They are all good powders. Prima V and SV meter better than e3 for me in a Dillon 650. If I had to pick one, it would be SV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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