Wayne45 Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 I'm hoping I can get some advice. I'm sure I'll work through this eventually, but here's what I've got. I have a LOT of VV 3N37 and am a new reloader working on a Dillon 650. Changing powder at this point is really not an option. Loading Montana Gold 147 gr FMJ, I started with 4.2 grs of 3N37. The load data below puts 4.2 at 879 fps. I was falling around 675 fps and not cycling the Glock 34 (Obviously) So I loaded some at 4.5 grs and am still only getting to around 775 fps I loaded 5 rounds at 4.8 and still only got an average of 825 fps. The crimp looks good. I'm trying to find a soft load that makes IDPA PF of 125,000 with a little fudge factor, (min would be 851 fps, so 875-885 would be perfect) I ran some new AA 147 gr through my chronograph and it was right around 900 fps, so I don't think the new RCBS Chrono is the problem. Any ideas or advice is welcome! 147 Hornady HPBT-XTP Vihtavuori VV-3N37 4.2 879 Remarks: overall loaded length (inches): 1.100 147 Hornady HPBT-XTP Vihtavuori VV-3N37 5.0 1023 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noximus03 Posted March 29, 2013 Share Posted March 29, 2013 What spring weight are you running? If you're running stock down to 15#, you might want to try a lighter weight. I'm running IMR 7625 out of a G34 Ranier 147gr's, but I have to run a 10# spring to get a decent load that makes PF. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne45 Posted March 29, 2013 Author Share Posted March 29, 2013 I am running a stock G34 spring and was thinking about going to a lighter spring after some additional testing today. I bumped the load to 5.1 grs. of 3N37 under a 147 gr FMJ and am averaging 943.5 fts. I'm going to scale back lightly to 5.0 grains and see how it chronos. At 4.8 grains I was averaging 826 fps. I was hoping to find a load that wound make PF in IDPA ESP (125,000) in both G34 and G17. (around 875 fps) I noticed with the lighter loads and even these, sometimes the gun doesnt go to slidelock when dry. That's what got me thinking about a lighter spring. Any further spring weight advice is welcome, from who, what weight, or trim? I shoot a .40 in USPSA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne45 Posted March 29, 2013 Author Share Posted March 29, 2013 I just ordered a pair of 13# Tungsten guide rods & springs from GlockMeister. I'm a little concerned because of a self destructing aftermarket guide rod I had from another Glock aftermarket supplier. Does anyone have experience with the GlockMeister Tungsten guide rods? Now that I'm working up a light load to make PF, is 13# recommended? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justsomeguy Posted March 30, 2013 Share Posted March 30, 2013 Certainly you gotta run the gun, and your 5.0 load will probably do it with a 13lb spring. I wouldn't be aiming at just 125pf anyway. You need some leeway, like at least 131 or so and maybe a bit more, so 900fps +/- a bit should probably be your goal. Depending on altitude of the match, weather conditions, etc. that will give you some breathing room at the chrono and still shoot pretty soft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryP Posted March 31, 2013 Share Posted March 31, 2013 (edited) I just ordered a pair of 13# Tungsten guide rods & springs from GlockMeister. I'm a little concerned because of a self destructing aftermarket guide rod I had from another Glock aftermarket supplier. Does anyone have experience with the GlockMeister Tungsten guide rods? Now that I'm working up a light load to make PF, is 13# recommended? I recommend them, Glockmeister Tungsten guide rod with #13 spring. I have had them for years, and they hold up well. Check the washer up front once in a while. Edited March 31, 2013 by LarryP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne45 Posted April 8, 2013 Author Share Posted April 8, 2013 Well, I did some more Chrono work today on this load. I dropped it to 4.9 grains of VV 3N37 under 147 grain plated and a 147 gr MG FMJ. Ten rounds from each is producing an average velocity of 942 fps, with only about 5 fps difference between the plated and MG FMJ. This was out of my G34. Out of my G17 the average was still around 925 fps or so. I really want to get to an average of sub 900 fps on the 5" barrel, hoping to stay consistently over 875 fps on the G17. I'm going to run some at 4.8 grains and 4.7 and do some more testing. By the way, the 13# Glockmeister mainsprings have been back ordered, so I'm still running stock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wes777 Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 You are using the wrong powder to find a nice light load. And you are burning through some really nice powder doing it. Ditch the open powder (sell it) and get something like n320 (safe bet), bullseye, etc. Just go north on the burn rate chart, the ammount of powder that you need will drop and your recoil will to, especially with a 147gn bullet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne45 Posted April 10, 2013 Author Share Posted April 10, 2013 Thanks. I have heard that before. I haven't been able to find any 3N320 for my light loads. I'll also be loading the 3N37 with 124 gr for my open gun, so I'll work with this for a while. I have 12# of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justsomeguy Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 Like Wes777 is implying, some powders will not do for reduced loads. 3n37 is intended for loads that produce pretty good pressure and will not light up well at lesser pressures. There are a lot of powders like that. It would be interesting to see your ES and SD figures for those original light loads of 4.2 that gave you those really low velocities. This is why they make slow, medium, and faster pistol powders. They are not all good for all uses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azoneonly Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 I started using 3N37 in my Springfield XDM 5.25 9mm because I had a lot around for my Open gun. I'm using a Precision Delta 125 grain FMJ bullet and dropping 5.7 grains. Very clean, very consistant and softer shooting than WW231, or clays. Also never had a malfunction either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne45 Posted June 3, 2013 Author Share Posted June 3, 2013 (edited) Follow-up. I got out yesterday and did some chrono work. The load I settled on with the 3N37 I have that turned out great was 4.6 grains of 3N37 under a Berry's Bullet 147 gr plated RN. It was soft, clean and comfortably made IDPA PF of 125,000, averaging just under 900 fps., or 132,000 I'm working up a new load now for 3N320, same bullet. I started at 3.6 grs and it averaged 932 fps out of my G34 Today I tested 3.5 grs in a G17 and it averaged 910 fps, so I'm going to drop to 3.4 grs and go with it. I'd like to make PF with my G17 and that will give me some wiggle room with my G34 that I use most of the time. Even at 3.5 grs and 910 fps it is a very soft load. I also noticed the consistency with the 3N320 is very good, with 7 of 10 shots being within 5 fps of each other and the others being around 10 or 12 fps variants Edited June 3, 2013 by Wayne45 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drewzter Posted August 14, 2014 Share Posted August 14, 2014 (edited) Right now I am loading 9mm with 124gr FMJ over 5.4 gr VV 3N37. I would be able to tell you what it will do but I shot my Chrony yesterday. Yep, put a bullet right thur both sensors and the steel housing. Sucked. Replacement on the way. Once I get it i will post here FWIW. Edited August 14, 2014 by drewzter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterthefish Posted August 14, 2014 Share Posted August 14, 2014 3N320? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_pinto Posted August 15, 2014 Share Posted August 15, 2014 3N320? Be willing to bet he means N320 and 125pf and 132pf. You start getting into PF's with commas, that's one hot load! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmorris Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 I just ordered a pair of 13# Tungsten guide rods & springs from GlockMeister. I didn't know that IDPA allowed them. I agree with others, a faster powder is what you want with 147 minor loads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlmiller1 Posted August 18, 2014 Share Posted August 18, 2014 Have you checked accuracy of these light loads? Just getting fps you want isnt necessarily giving you good accuracy. I find with 3n37 my best accuracy is in 145 power factor range. Still fairly soft recoil but full function of the glock with factory springs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeerBaron Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Sell the 3n37 and buy some n320. That's the best option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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