Vv N350-- Thoughts?

[dfwmiket]

While I was at the gunsmith last nite I picked up a pound of VV n350. I did a quick search, but didn't see too much data. What's the general consensus? I'm currently loading IMR 4756 and VV 3n37 for loads.......but the burn data isn't terribly different. Thoughts? Experiences?

Inquiring minds and all that.

-Mike

[Matt Cheely]

Shoots fine. Give it a try.

[XRe]

Mike, you'll see N350 in my load development thread. I used it for several years "back in the day", at old Major. My current gun likes 7625 better, but each gun is different, of course.

N350 should burn cleaner than 4756, and seemingly with a similar pressure curve (ie, relatively slow, but not super slow) - and it should load more densely, as well, so less chance of spilling.

BTW - there's data for .38 Super w/ a 124gr Hornady FP bullet at major velocity in the VV loading manual... Loads range from 6.3 to 7.6gr, w/ an OAL of 1.260. The velocity at 7.6 is listed as 1348.... That ought to get you in range, anyhow...

[edwin garcia]

I've used it. Very clean burning, consistent and accurate powder.

Not had any temp sensitivity problems...

Can be expensive and hard to find though.

[Azone41]

I use it for 9mm major and 38 super. Its a great powder and burns very clean. Powder valley is out of 4 lb kegs right now but I have 10 lbs on hand. I use HS-6 also because its cheaper but always go back to N350.

[gobabygo]

I use 7.4gr with a 125gr Zero JHP for 9mm major.

[Azone41]

I have to use 8.1 to get major with the same bullet

[stingerjg]

I used it for the first year i had my open gun. It works really well as a compressed load around 180PF. I tried to load it lighter, but the ES was over 100fps. I could feel the inconsitancy of the loads. At 180PF it really worked the comp, but there was excessive flash indoors and a strong concussion. I swiched to N340 and load at 168PF.

[syme71]

I'm loading 8.0 grs, 1.240 OAL, 124 MG JHP, WSR. Gets me 170PF. I need 9.0 grs of 4756 to get same PF. N350 burns much cleaner but is LOUD.

[dfwmiket]

Good deal.......I may load up 100 rounds and see how wifey likes them.

Anyone have a direct comparision vs. 3n37? I use it a lot more than the 4756, just because, well, it's Vihta.

There is a person on the old Maass loading data sheet (for 38 super) who's numbers have been almost dead on everytime for other powders, so I may try their numbers for this one too and see how close it is. I'm thinking probably about 7.3 or so is a good start in this case.

[XRe]

Compared to 3N37, in my gun, a rounder report, and a less violent recoil profile. Definitely more shootable in my gun. 3N37 started showing pressure problems for me around 167PF (using .356 bullets, BTW), so I discarded it as a possible powder choice.

I used to run 3N37 a bunch in 9x21 w/ 130gr bullets - it was a step up from 540 for me (HS-6...). I went to N350 when I went to Super at the advice of those in the know at the time, and it worked great... So... give it a whirl - a pound should last you for 700-800 rounds, plenty to see what Patty thinks

[Harmon]

It should work fine.

You however should change your avatar to "Alpha-Mike"

Harmon

[Front Man]

I used it for the first year i had my open gun. It works really well as a compressed load around 180PF. I tried to load it lighter, but the ES was over 100fps. I could feel the inconsitancy of the loads. At 180PF it really worked the comp, but there was excessive flash indoors and a strong concussion. I swiched to N340 and load at 168PF.

That sounds like 3N37 to me Stingerman.

I am unaware of any flash with N-350 with my gun.

Out of all the powders I have tried N-350 is that works the best with my rig,

115 or 125 GRN bullets.

FM

[Big Ed]

I used it for the first year i had my open gun. It works really well as a compressed load around 180PF. I tried to load it lighter, but the ES was over 100fps. I could feel the inconsitancy of the loads. At 180PF it really worked the comp, but there was excessive flash indoors and a strong concussion. I swiched to N340 and load at 168PF.

That sounds like 3N37 to me Stingerman.

I am unaware of any flash with N-350 with my gun.

Out of all the powders I have tried N-350 is that works the best with my rig,

115 or 125 GRN bullets.

FM

I've used it ever since I was introduced to open class in 1996. All the reloading data you need has been gathered by Jeff Maass for just about every powder/bullet combination out there. Search the web for Jeff Maass.

Ed

[JDBraddy]

I bought a pound of N350 and some Zero 125 JHP's, .355" intending to work up a load, I figure on starting with 8.0 gr and working up in 0.2gr incriments with an OAL of 1.250" and .358" at the crimp, till I'm happy with how my comp is working and comfortably over 1320fps, or untill I start to see pressure sign, wichever comes first. Any other adivce?

Edited May 11, 2007 by JDBraddy

[XRe]

JDBraddy, check out your accuracy, too - occasionally, you'll find a gun that gets finicky about powder selection in the accuracy department.

Also - .358 crimp is way too much crimp. I'm crimping .378", and the feeling is that I'm using a pretty firm crimp (it leaves an impression in the bullet - but doesn't seem to affect accuracy). Remember that the case walls are about .01", and there's two of them. If you crimp to .358, the case walls basically have to be down inside the bullet!!!!!

[JDBraddy]

Sorry, the crimp dimention was a typo, the correct dimention is .380" My bad..... Will keep an eye on accuracy, I'm not sure I'm even a good enough shot, that the difference between two loads would be that noticable in a pistol. I need to bench test this gun anyway, I haven't had the gun long, and never have even sighted it in. The dot has been close enough to get me through a couple local matches, but noticed the last time I shot it, it was hitting a little low at close range, and a high on longer shots. Enough so, it cost me a couple no-shoots on a partially covered target.

JDBraddy, check out your accuracy, too - occasionally, you'll find a gun that gets finicky about powder selection in the accuracy department.

Also - .358 crimp is way too much crimp. I'm crimping .378", and the feeling is that I'm using a pretty firm crimp (it leaves an impression in the bullet - but doesn't seem to affect accuracy). Remember that the case walls are about .01", and there's two of them. If you crimp to .358, the case walls basically have to be down inside the bullet!!!!!

Edited May 12, 2007 by JDBraddy

[JDBraddy]

I went shooting today, and obtained the following chrono data using: Starline SuperComp brass, WSP primers, Zero .355" 125gr JHP bullet seated to 1.210" and 0.380" at the crimp. 84 degrees farenheight, 78% humidity. I saw no pressure sign, with any of the following loads, all functioned in my gun, and there was very little discernable difference in accuracy, or Point of impact in relation to point of aim. If I had to pick one, 8.6gr of N350 seemed to have just a hair less muzzle flip in my gun, than the rest of them, but would have to do more testing to be sure. The TrueBlue load is what I've been using up untill now, and I really couldn't tell much difference between it and the N350. True Blue is certainly a lot cheaper, and easier to find.

8.0gr N350;

1246+1255+1229+1252+1252+1241+1193+1264+1258+1231=12421/10=1242.1

PF = (125 X 1242) /1000 = 155

8.3gr N350;

1345+1347+1355+1364+1356=6767/5=1353.4

PF = (125 X 1353) / 1000 = 169

8.6gr N350;

1355+1344+1388+1401+1400+1374+1368+1363+1377=12370/9=1374.4

PF = (125 X 1374) / 1000 = 172

8.9gr N350;

1438+1445+1430+1433+1408=7154/5=1430.8

PF = (125 X 1431) / 1000 = 179

8.8 gr TrueBlue;

1321+1336+1340+1340+1358+1326+1350+1351+1345+1347=13414 / 10 = 1341.4

PF = (125 X 1341) / 1000 = 168

Edited May 13, 2007 by JDBraddy

[Bluemax29]

Super great powder. I'm back to using 7625, but I still have some N350 left and will load it from time to time.

[PaulW]

My personal Favorite for 38 Super bar none.

[adiksaputok]

popularly used for 9mm major a little bit pricy and always out of stock. 7.6gr and 1185OAL on my 9 major otherwise try IMR 7625 +.1 grain....also a good powder...

[Zerwas]

*****URGENT******

I did a search and found this thread. I have but one question for those in the know,,,,,is n350 temperature sensative? Typical Vihta powder is hotter when it's colder and the opposite when warmer.

I ask this because... I am relatively new to open and loading for open. I loaded up rounds with 9.7gr 3n38, 125gr zero jhp's which gives me a PF of 170-171. I was very happy with these loads until I shot some rounds my friend had put together. He used 8gr of N350 under a Montana Gold 124jhp. The concussion was much less out of the N350 than it was out of the 3n38. We chrono'd the n350 loads and I was at a 176PF. I picked up some N350 to try at 7.75gr for my pistol as my gun is running faster than my friends pistol.

This is urgent, because I am getting ready to head to Missouri next Friday for area 3 and I would like to have the load down....I was going to shoot the 3n38 loads, but now I'm not sure. I just want to be sure the N350 powder isn't sensative and since I have no experience with that part of it, I'd like to hear from you good folks.

Thanks!

[wide45]

The first rule of getting your stuff ready for a big match;

• 1. Don't change anything
  

If your 3n38 loads have been working well for you, they will still work next week. Shoot with confidence.

Edited October 6, 2007 by wide45

[Zerwas]

The first rule of getting your stuff ready for a big match;

• 1. Don't change anything
  

If your 3n38 loads have been working well for you, they will still work next week. Shoot with confidence.

Understood, however I don't shoot open at all. I shoot limited exclusively. This whole experience will be new for me, so I'm not really used to anything.... only shot the open pistol in 2 matches, one was a classifier match and a local match.

I just need to know if n350 is temp sensative....

[dfwmiket]

I did not find it be to be too temperature sensitive, but I live in Texas......... so I may not be the best source of winter/summer load data. I ended up switching to IMR 4756 powder, due to price.

-Mike