9 minor load- 115 w/ CFE pistol or VV N320

[JayDee]

Hi all,

I am trying to make the most of my component situation. I’ve acquired a stack of berry’s 115 rn and I have a decent stock of CFE Pistol and VV N320. 
 

I’ve used CFE Pistol for my regular minor production loads but have run out of my favored 147s. 
 

Any good combos you all have used with these powders and 115s? 
 

Again, looking for minor load data starting points to eventually get to 131pf. Yes, I have a chrono  

[Ben53]

Wish I could help.  I have and use CFE Pistol and like it, but don't have any 115 grain loads to share.  Good luck.

[travail]

Not plated, but I load 115 JHP with 5.6gr CFE which makes a 132 power factor it my setup. For reference, 5.8gr CFE was a 138 power factor so you might not have to step down much for powder to get your desired power factor.

[JayDee]

Thanks @Travail. That is a good piece of info. Appreciated. 

[get2now]

I've loaded Montana Gold 115 gr HP's with 4.7 grains of VVN320 through a CZ SP01 for a 131 PF.

 

[CZ85Combat]

CFE Pistol is a slower burning powder. you will get better results with the N320.  Start N320 @ 4.2gn with the 115gn bullets and work up to about 4.6gn.

[JayDee]

4 hours ago, CZ85Combat said:

CFE Pistol is a slower burning powder. you will get better results with the N320.  Start N320 @ 4.2gn with the 115gn bullets and work up to about 4.6gn.

Thanks for the input. Can you define “better results”? 
 

 

[CZ85Combat]

With N320 you will use a smaller powder charge to achieve the same PF, powder burns cleaner, recoil impulse is softer.

[Dirtychemist]

Any update on this? Final recipe? The only powder around me is VV and 115 grain seems to be all I can find on the shelves. 

[Dirty_J]

I like CFE just fine… but I find it to be exceptionally dirty on the low end minor loads. I’d go VV for this application. 
 

The type of gun/barrel length would be helpful for a load starting point. 

[Sarge]

1 hour ago, Dirty_J said:

I like CFE just fine… but I find it to be exceptionally dirty on the low end minor loads. 
 

 

Amen! It works but man is it dirty in the 5grain range

[JayDee]

Have not had a chance to load any 115s with either powder, but I appreciate the info. 

 

So far I’ve loaded about 5k 147 grain 9mm minor with CFE-pistol and found it works great with 4.0 grains in a variety of pistols and PCC, 131 PF. I haven’t noticed this load to be exceptionally dirty, it’s accurate in all my pistols and the recoil impulse feels quite manageable. And, if N320 is cleaner and softer shooting, awesome, sounds like a great suggestion. 
 

The 115 load will be mainly for PCC (16”) and carry optics (4.7”) if/when I run out of 147s. 

[Sinister4]

147gr RMR MW with 4 grains cfe,   125gr MW with 4.7 cfe  both fed mag primers

[extremist]

On 8/13/2021 at 3:39 PM, CZ85Combat said:

 Start N320 @ 4.2gn with the 115gn bullets

This is a great load and I use it in my Walther PDPs, Caniks, and Sigs.

[mcmmotorsports]

Bringing this back from the dead as I am about to load some 135g TC Blue Bullets with CFE Pistol. My 125g TC load is:

4.2g CFE

1.126 OAL

130pf

 

Out of a Sig P320 X-Five

[OSP737]

I really like N320.  I load 4.3Gr under a Zero 115 conical HP and get great accuracy out of my Sig X5.  N320 is a great powder.