Racer377 Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 I'm using 5.1gr of N320 behind a 230gr zero FMJ, and I'm not all that happy with how smokey and dirty it is. I thought this stuff would be as clean as N340 in 9mm, but it's not even close. Is there anything better for pushing a 230FMJ to about 800 or so FPS? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twodownzero Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 Clays is the gold standard for .45. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racer377 Posted September 2, 2012 Author Share Posted September 2, 2012 Clays is the gold standard for .45. According to Hodgdon, max load is 4gr and only 732fps. Ideally, I'd like something that hits 800. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theycallmeingot Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 I would bet you could squeeze 800 out of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve RA Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 (edited) Yes, you can !!! Velocities taken with 5" Taurus, not the Commander. Edited September 2, 2012 by Steve RA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racer377 Posted September 2, 2012 Author Share Posted September 2, 2012 Yes, you can !!! IMG]http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa376/SteveRA2/Clays492x640.jpg[/img] Got any 230gr data? I'm sitting on a bunch of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve RA Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 No, sorry, I only use 200gr LSWCs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zhunter Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 I'd be happy to paypal you $10 for that N320 All kidding aside, everyone talks about how clean and soft it shoots. I just started using it for .45 because I have about 12 lb.s of it and no longer shoot .40 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racer377 Posted September 2, 2012 Author Share Posted September 2, 2012 I'd be happy to paypal you $10 for that N320 All kidding aside, everyone talks about how clean and soft it shoots. I just started using it for .45 because I have about 12 lb.s of it and no longer shoot .40 I'd read the same things, and I LOVE N340 in 9mm. I can shoot 600rds of it and the gun looks like it was just cleaned. It's soft, no doubt. 5.1gr gives me avg. 792fps w/ a 230gr bullet, but it doesn't feel like 183PF at all. But as you can see, there's plenty of smoke for an FMJ, and it's not much cleaner than I remember Bullseye being. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DougCarden Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 Set your OAL around 1.230. Start loading CLAYS at 4.0 and chrono up to what you want. Look for pressure signs. If there isn't then shoot it and enjoy... DougC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 It must be a .45 thing because I have never experienced smoke or dirtiness with N320 in 9mm. Those fmj's will still smoke a little with almost any powder due to the exposed lead base. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racer377 Posted September 2, 2012 Author Share Posted September 2, 2012 It must be a .45 thing because I have never experienced smoke or dirtiness with N320 in 9mm. Those fmj's will still smoke a little with almost any powder due to the exposed lead base. Good point. Maybe I'm expecting too much. My damn near smokeless N340 9mm loads were JHPs....maybe that's the difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zhunter Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 I'm sure that is the difference. That is why most shot JHP's I shoot fully encapsulated RN from Hornady, and just started shooting Bayou Bullets, not a problem from my experience Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRider8 Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 I also use VVN320 with 230gr Zero bullets with no signs of smoke. I also use it in 9mm and 40 cal with no smoke with either. I have never seen anything like I'm seeing from your video. The Sierra reloading manual has loads up to 850fps using 5.5gr of N320, I've had no problem with any of them. You might double check your taper crimp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racer377 Posted September 5, 2012 Author Share Posted September 5, 2012 (edited) Crimp is .469. Checked and re checked What's your recipe? Edited September 5, 2012 by Racer377 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRider8 Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 (edited) Crimp is .469. Checked and re checked What's your recipe? The load I'm using now is 4.6gr, COAL 2.60 , 4.70 crimp with 230gr Zero bullets. I don't see any smoke. This should be around 700fps. Edited September 5, 2012 by DRider8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motosapiens Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 Those fmj's will still smoke a little with almost any powder due to the exposed lead base. that makes sense. i'm using very similar loads to the op, but with plated bullets (no exposed lead), and it seems to be clean and non-smoky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wes777 Posted September 12, 2012 Share Posted September 12, 2012 (edited) I got 790 fps out of a 230 lrnbb with 4gn of clays. Oal 1.240 Edited September 12, 2012 by wes777 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racer377 Posted September 12, 2012 Author Share Posted September 12, 2012 (edited) Looks like I'll have to order some Clays to try next go around. I'm also thinking WST and good ol' Bullseye. My theory is that at this hotter loading, the temp behind the bullet gets hot enough to burn off more of the exposed lead base than a lighter loading, thus creating more smoke. But that doesn't explain why it's so darn sooty-dirty though. Edited September 12, 2012 by Racer377 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRider8 Posted September 12, 2012 Share Posted September 12, 2012 Looks like I'll have to order some Clays to try next go around. I'm also thinking WST and good ol' Bullseye. My theory is that at this hotter loading, the temp behind the bullet gets hot enough to burn off more of the exposed lead base than a lighter loading, thus creating more smoke. But that doesn't explain why it's so darn sooty-dirty though. Attached is a link to an article that debunks that theory regarding lead getting so hot it melts,it is a very interesting article . Follow this link, http://www.lasc.us/TaylorLeadingDefined.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racer377 Posted September 12, 2012 Author Share Posted September 12, 2012 Looks like I'll have to order some Clays to try next go around. I'm also thinking WST and good ol' Bullseye. My theory is that at this hotter loading, the temp behind the bullet gets hot enough to burn off more of the exposed lead base than a lighter loading, thus creating more smoke. But that doesn't explain why it's so darn sooty-dirty though. Attached is a link to an article that debunks that theory regarding lead getting so hot it melts,it is a very interesting article . Follow this link, http://www.lasc.us/TaylorLeadingDefined.htm Interesting. So then, in theory, the exposed lead base of an FMJ should zero effect on the amount of smoke (or lead vapor). And all the OSHA studies about lead vapor are unfounded? Not sure I buy the de-bunking there, given the amount of more rigorously obtained evidence about lead vapor to the contrary. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2301251 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueeyedme Posted September 12, 2012 Share Posted September 12, 2012 I run N310 pushing a 230gr Bayou Bullet. Very clean shooting for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsmw5142 Posted September 12, 2012 Share Posted September 12, 2012 Solo 1K start at about 4.3gr with a 230 and work up with a chrono. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadowrider Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 Man that video doesn't even look like N320 and the Berrys plated I've ran through my snubbie. Not even close. I can shoot 200 rounds through it before you can hardly tell it's been shot from it's last cleaning and at an indoor range I don't see any smoke. But I've moved onto cheaper alternatives. WST is a good all around pistol powder. Almost 1/2 the price of N320 and I use it in .45, .40 and 9mm. Going to try it in .38 special on my next loading session. Clays is always good in .45. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racer377 Posted October 11, 2012 Author Share Posted October 11, 2012 Man that video doesn't even look like N320 and the Berrys plated I've ran through my snubbie. Not even close. I can shoot 200 rounds through it before you can hardly tell it's been shot from it's last cleaning and at an indoor range I don't see any smoke. But I've moved onto cheaper alternatives. WST is a good all around pistol powder. Almost 1/2 the price of N320 and I use it in .45, .40 and 9mm. Going to try it in .38 special on my next loading session. Clays is always good in .45. I ordered a pound of WST to experiment with for 45. I'll also be trying N340, since it's ridiculously clean and accurate in 9mm, and should give me the velocity I want without going anywhere near max. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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