VV N320 or N340 for 180gn coated bullet

[Fasthenk65]

Dear all,

 

What would be the main difference in ' feeling' between a 180gn coated bullet with either VV N320 or VV N340? This both at a PF of around 173.

 

Tnx!! Henk

 

 

[perttime]

Just looking at Vihtavuori load data. No real experience.

 

With N320, you will be using less powder but at pressures that approach "maximum".

With N340, youll have almost a grain more powder at lower pressure.

 

Speculating: The smaller amount of gasses from N320 should give less recoil, overall, but possibly a little faster feeling recoil. With N340, you'll have more flash and blast, possibly even unburnt powder, because there's more of it and it burns more slowly.

[MikeyScuba]

Definitely lighter in the pocketbook as you will be using more powder.  I use N310 myself 

[Fasthenk65]

sitting on pile ups of N320 and N340 so just looking for advise on these.

[Jmo2011]

I think you’ll find the N320 more pleasant to shoot in 40 major. For me the gun recoiled less and my sights returned faster. In my experience I liked the n340 better for minor loads. As Mikey scuba referenced I too have gone to N310 for Major loads also. 

[Furrly]

4.8 gr n320 185 oal coated bullets, money!!! 

[CZGeoege]

2 hours ago, Jmo2011 said:

I think you’ll find the N320 more pleasant to shoot in 40 major. For me the gun recoiled less and my sights returned faster. In my experience I liked the n340 better for minor loads. As Mikey scuba referenced I too have gone to N310 for Major loads also. 

What’s the N310 recipe you're running? 

[Jmo2011]

Precision Delta 180 fmj @ 1.20 oal with 5,0 grains of N310 

[ltdmstr]

Rule of thumb for limited guns is fast powder/heavy bullet for less felt recoil.  N340 works fine, but most prefer N320.

[Furrly]

1 hour ago, CZGeoege said:

What’s the N310 recipe you're running? 

4.8 gr PD FMJ 1.20 oal.. 

[candiru]

2 hours ago, CZGeoege said:

What’s the N310 recipe you're running? 

180gr .40S&W at 1.20" OAL through SVI barrels:

• Coated (Ibejiheads/Acme/Blue Bullets)
  • 4.2gr N310
  • 4.7gr N320
• MG JHP
  • 5.2gr N320 -- 5" barrel
  • 5.1gr N320 -- 5.4" barrel
  • 4.8gr N310 -- 5" barrel
• Zero JHP
  • 5.1gr N320

 

[candiru]

1 hour ago, ltdmstr said:

Rule of thumb for limited guns is fast powder/heavy bullet for less felt recoil.  N340 works fine, but most prefer N320.

And N310 is even better.   In my testing in my pistols, N310 was also more consistent over the chrono.

 

Since the OP hasn't mentioned what gun or what OAL they are going to run... We're talking major power factor and loading way longer than SAAMI specs: 1.85-1.20" OALs.

[ltdmstr]

26 minutes ago, candiru said:

And N310 is even better.

 

I agree.  But OP has N320 and N340, so not sure the 310 data is going to do him much good. 

[candiru]

 
I agree.  But OP has N320 and N340, so not sure the 310 data is going to do him much good. 

Others asked. So I gave both. :-)

[Fasthenk65]

I considered N310 but many say you'll be in trouble sooner or later due to high pressures??? If it's really better / softer I need to try?

[candiru]

I considered N310 but many say you'll be in trouble sooner or later due to high pressures??? If it's really better / softer I need to try?

It’s fine if you know how to reload consistently and safely. Long OAL, proper “neck” tension, low variance in powder drop, etc. But I think that’s always important with reloading.

[candiru]

I considered N310 but many say you'll be in trouble sooner or later due to high pressures??? If it's really better / softer I need to try?

Since you keep asking about softer feel... if that’s what you are really looking for then you should consider trying 200gr .40S&W bullets instead. You’ll get more of that push feel rather than snap.

[Furrly]

3 hours ago, Fasthenk65 said:

I considered N310 but many say you'll be in trouble sooner or later due to high pressures??? If it's really better / softer I need to try?

It's never been my case with over 10k rounds shot through my limited pistols 

[Jmo2011]

All things considered, if you have N320 already I’d work up a load and form my own opinion. 

[MikeyScuba]

I’m at 4.3 of N310 with 190 ibej coated.

 

what I’m more careful with is the last few rounds left in a mag after a stage.  I’ll take them out and make sure those rounds are now at the top of the mag. 

[Fasthenk65]

38 minutes ago, MikeyScuba said:

I’m at 4.3 of N310 with 190 ibej coated.

 

what I’m more careful with is the last few rounds left in a mag after a stage.  I’ll take them out and make sure those rounds are now at the top of the mag. 

why?

[MikeyScuba]

There is a chance of rounds shortening with recoil.  With N310 I prefer to err on the side of caution.  

[candiru]

There is a chance of rounds shortening with recoil.  With N310 I prefer to err on the side of caution.  

Then you haven’t got your sizing correct. And if that’s the case then all your reloaded ammo is unsafe.

[ltdmstr]

16 minutes ago, candiru said:

Then you haven’t got your sizing correct. And if that’s the case then all your reloaded ammo is unsafe.

 

Like he said.  If that's what's happening, it's only a matter of time before you have a bad event.  The ID of your case should be at least a couple thousandths of an inch smaller than the bullet OD to prevent bullet setback.  And btw, adding more crimp will not fix the problem.  You need to size the case down properly for an interference fit.  Regarding fast burning powder and felt recoil, you can verify for yourself using math.  On the SAAMI web site, they have a formula for calculating felt recoil.  For a given firearm, bullet weight, etc., the only variable that reduces the felt recoil number is the burn rate of the powder.  So what many people have been saying for a LONG time is actually backed up by science.  

[MikeyScuba]

39 minutes ago, candiru said:

Then you haven’t got your sizing correct. And if that’s the case then all your reloaded ammo is unsafe.

I’m not saying I have this problem, I’m just taking precautions in the .0001% chance there might be one.