brhalolll Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 I was able to shoot my first match with my open gun. I haven't shot a match for several years. We'll see how the scores turn out in a couple of days. I have been loading VV N350 and 3N38. Started with 1 lb of each and both are virtually gone. Several shooters at the match told me they are shooting Winchester AutoComp. I know everyone has an opinion on powder, but I am thinking about trying it out. The VV powders are expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrumpyOne Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 What caliber? 9mm or 38? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brhalolll Posted March 25, 2012 Author Share Posted March 25, 2012 38 super. Sorry, forgot that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrumpyOne Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 Longshot will work, 3n37, and my favorite....VV N105...Thing is, with an open gun, you want about as much powder as you can cram into the case to produce as much gas as you can, so it works the comp better. With my N105 load, I gets lots of gas (10.5 grains). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aircooled6racer Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 Hello: HS-6 will work well and gives lots of gas. Cheaper and easy to find also Thanks, Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeAZ Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 (edited) Auto comp is fine. I use it for 9mm major & 9mm sub gun loads (minor). Bought it when it first came out...that's all I use anymore. Sold my supply of hs6.. (too dirty for me). I've used the vv's mentioned, yes, they are clean & costly, sometimes hard to find... Edited March 26, 2012 by mike NM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brhalolll Posted March 26, 2012 Author Share Posted March 26, 2012 At this point, I am just having a hard time justifying the cost. I am not sure that I am shooting at a level where gas volume is going to make the difference for me. I am not certain that VV powders truly produce more gas to make the compensator work better. Is there data on this somewhere? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brhalolll Posted March 27, 2012 Author Share Posted March 27, 2012 I should have 8lbs of AutoComp at the end of next week. I'll let you know what I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kriojas Posted March 29, 2012 Share Posted March 29, 2012 HS6 works great behind a 115grn bullet. does not cost near as much as VV powders Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brhalolll Posted March 29, 2012 Author Share Posted March 29, 2012 just shot my first rounds of AutoComp. 7.5grains with a 124 RN-FMJ, 10 shots with an average velocity of 1355ft/sec. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark R Posted March 29, 2012 Share Posted March 29, 2012 I've got loads worked up for 38 super/SC using VV N350 and IMR 4756. Both work great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brhalolll Posted March 29, 2012 Author Share Posted March 29, 2012 I shot up 1 lb of VV N350 and VV 3N38. Both worked great, but I am trying AutoComp because it is much cheaper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lcs Posted March 29, 2012 Share Posted March 29, 2012 I was able to shoot my first match with my open gun. I haven't shot a match for several years. We'll see how the scores turn out in a couple of days. I have been loading VV N350 and 3N38. Started with 1 lb of each and both are virtually gone. Several shooters at the match told me they are shooting Winchester AutoComp. I know everyone has an opinion on powder, but I am thinking about trying it out. The VV powders are expensive. Try Autocomp. Only you and the timer can judge. I know several guys use it for 9 Major. I tried autocomp, and I like 3N37 and 3N38 a lot more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brhalolll Posted March 29, 2012 Author Share Posted March 29, 2012 FullRace - The cost of powder is not a huge issue to me, but still if I am shooting 1-3K rounds per month it seems like a savings. If they were close in cost like 30 bucks probably not a big deal. However, it is about 75 dollars more on 8lbs. Basically, 151% of AutoComp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brhalolll Posted March 31, 2012 Author Share Posted March 31, 2012 Well, tomorrow is a new match and a new powder. I also am picking up a case of MG 124 CMJs. Wish me luck. I have to shoot a couple of rounds before the match to ensure I am zeroed, since I had the front screw on the C-More fall out on Thursday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoNsTeR Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 My old load was 7.9gr 3N37. With 4lb jugs at $97 that works out to $27.37 per thousand rounds. Autocomp is cheaper and you need less. IIRC I worked up a load of 7.1gr. With 8lb jugs at $122 that works out to $15.47 per thousand rounds. Not that big of a difference is it? And this is ignoring shipping and hazmat, which would narrow the difference further. Point being, powder is by far the cheapest component of a loaded round. So shoot the powder you like, and don't worry about what it costs. Find a cheaper source of brass or primers or bullets instead. At any rate, try 7625 and HS-6. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aircooled6racer Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 Hello: I shoot 9mm open and like the HS-6 the best of all the powders I've tried. Auto Comp and 3N37 are close in feel and clean burning. 3N37 is a little harsher on the hand. HS-6 shoots softer with great dot tracking and a bit dirtier but not bad when you run the power factor up to 173. My comp likes it better up there with the Montana Gold 115 JHP's. The other advantage of HS-6 is that you can find it and it is cheaper than 3N37 Thanks, Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
user293 Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 Well, tomorrow is a new match and a new powder. I also am picking up a case of MG 124 CMJs. Wish me luck. I have to shoot a couple of rounds before the match to ensure I am zeroed, since I had the front screw on the C-More fall out on Thursday. if you get a chance, try an accuracy test with those cmj's. I bought into them a while ago thinking, hot dang, no lead in comp, and i get the nose of an FMJ. but the accuracy was poor in my open gun, and the 124 JHP's shot circles around them. they were way more accurate. i read that it may have something to do with how much bullet is touching the rifling when its fired. i dunno. just pay attention to it. i may be wrong. ymmv Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brhalolll Posted April 3, 2012 Author Share Posted April 3, 2012 Guys, Great points on powder and bullets. I haven't been impressed with the RN accuracy I have been having, so I may try some JHPs. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetPow Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 Hello: I shoot 9mm open and like the HS-6 the best of all the powders I've tried. Auto Comp and 3N37 are close in feel and clean burning. 3N37 is a little harsher on the hand. HS-6 shoots softer with great dot tracking and a bit dirtier but not bad when you run the power factor up to 173. My comp likes it better up there with the Montana Gold 115 JHP's. The other advantage of HS-6 is that you can find it and it is cheaper than 3N37 Thanks, Eric Aircooled6racer, what was you load on this? What gun, caliber, barrel? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edwin garcia Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 One thing to consider. Open guns are different from other division guns. One shooter might recommend AutoComp but that doesn't mean you will have the same results when used in your open gun. Comp/Port configuration, reciprocating mass dynamics, etc. are some of the factors that affect perceived recoil. Try a little first, then buy some more if you like it. Load development can be costly if done in haste. Another thing to consider is that even the most expensive powder (VV 3n38/ VV N105) are still cost-acceptable in comparison to bullet cost. On my last calculation, powder cost (3N38) is still the cheapest among the components. My 2 cent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjb45 Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 +1 for VV3N38. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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