40cal vvn320 load?

[GJ047]

Ok guys I'm hoping you can help me out. I am just about to start reloading for 40cal and I want to come up with a major load in a 5" 1911. What I have so far is speer cases, vv n320, federal small pistol primers, and montana gold 180fmjs. I plan on loading at 1.135 which is the max for my reloading manual. Since this powder is not listed in my manual, would anyone give me their recommendations with a starting load and what they believe is a max load so I can work my way up? I would like to get about a 170pf. Thanks, Gary

[Crusher]

Many I know load a bit longer (out to 1.20") using 320 and 180+ gr heads to reduce pressure, VV does not list load data for 320 and 180s in their sheets.

I have used 320 and 180 gr MG's but loaded long (1.185) and it required 5.1 gr to make a 170 PF, going to factory length (1.125-1.135) w 320 may well reslult in a significant pressure increase causing a case failure.

Lots of data using the search function for .40 major, in this section.

All always "enter at your OWN RISK and PERIL"

Edited August 13, 2007 by Crusher

[Jim Norman]

I believe that my new loading manual I bought at Cabela's does list VV320 and 180s that make major. I don't think VV does however.

The book I have is a $30 looseleaf, I think it is Sierra, but not sure. at work now, will try to remember and check at home tonight.

I know I would be real careful loading short and I'd work into it and REALLY watch for any signs along the way.

Jim

Edited August 13, 2007 by Jim Norman

[WillM]

I worked up several loads in the last couple of weeks in .40SW for me in an STI major and my son in an XD for production minor.

My load started as 5.1 grains of N320 over a 180 grain Masterblaster at 1.20 OAL and it chronoed in the 177-179 power factor range. I bumped it down to 4.9 grains and it came out at 168-170 PF. Conditions were overcast and cool [mid-60's to 70].

At the Area 1 chrono yesterday morning that exact same 4.9 grain N320 load was 177-179 PF with the same weather conditions. Obviously I made

major with no problem but I find it very interesting how much things can vary, especialy since...

My son's load for the XD is 4.1 grains of 231 over the 180 grain Masterblaster at 1.140 OAL. He came out at a 144-146 PF on my home chrono and

at area 1 both. I have no explanation for the discrepancy on my load except the first ten loads of the N320 were measured exact on the scale and the

"production" loads were metered through the Dillon . He really preferred this load to many others we tried but I've used up the last of my 231 so we'll be looking for something else.

I was asking about smokiness of these loads because I really noticed it at home but never saw it in my load over the weekend. At one stand and shoot station

my son noticed the smoke [for the first time] but we never saw it again. Two other guys on our squad were shooting TG and we noticed much more

smoke from their guns....I'm confused.

[Mick]

This has been a very discussed item.

N320 has performed as good as any but likely better that others for a long time.

I started using N320 under a 180 back in '96 and have only changed enough to lower the power factor for the current rules. Since the new PF, I have used a 180 FMJ of either MG or Armscor brand over 5.0 grains of N320 at 1.160" by the tens of thousands.

A VV tech named Jukke Lumme (if I remember right) tested this load years ago for us but use a CCI bullet instead. He found the load density, temperature and pressure to be excellent.

I won't switch unless they just outlaw N320. I get my once fired Glock brass loaded and after a firing or two in my SV chamber (with N320) I can put them into a Dillon chamber gauge WITHOUT sizing them!

In my 5" guns, 5.0 grains of N320 under the 180 @ 1.160" gets me 945-955 fps.

[G-ManBart]

It's likely that you can load them longer without a problem. Figure out how long you can go and still have them work in the magazine (make sure you fully load a mag to check this, and make sure that they'll chamber easily...just drop in and not contact the rifling.

Here are some loads I found posted by other shooters that may give you a bit more to work from:

180gr Zero JHP 4.0gr VV-N320 1.150” 825fps 148.5 pf Glock 22, for Production Div.

180gr Mont. Gold 5.0gr VV-N320 1.150” 913fps 164.3 pf SVI 5” Bbl

180gr MT Gold FMJ 5.0gr VV-N320 1.155” 950fps 171.0 pf STI Edge

180gr TMJ-FP 5.1gr VV-N320 1.170” 950fps 171.0 pf CZ75 Standard IPSC

180gr MT Gold 5.2gr VV-N320 1.170” 931fps 167.6 pf Para P16 5” Bbl

180gr MT Gold FMJ 5.3gr VV-N320 1.200” 970fps 174.6 pf SVI 5" barrel, long dust cover.

180gr D&J JFP 5.3gr VV-N320 1.215” 998fps 179.6 pf 5” Bbl.

180gr Zero FTC 5.1gr VV-N320 1.166” 950fps 171.0 pf 5” Ultimatch barrel at 70 degF.

My load is 180gr Zero, 4.7gr VV-N320 at 1.20" and I get 935fps for a 171pf out of an STI Edge.

Edited August 13, 2007 by G-ManBart

[Carlos]

load to 1.200 w/ N320 if going for major

[Jaxshooter]

SV Sight Tracker

5.0 gr N-320

Zero 180 gr JHP

WSRP or WSPP

1.175 OAL

171 PF

[GJ047]

Thank you all for coming through for me. It seems you saved me from overpreasure before I make major. I'm going to try and work up to Mick's load using the 1.160 oal and see how I make out. My gun is tuned to work with factory speer 180gr tmjs so hopefully the longer oal won't effect reliability.

Jim I would still appreciate if you post the name of the manual as well.

Thanks again, gary

[Mick]

I would like to think it will run better with the longer load as these guns are really just 10mm guns with a shorter chamber. 1911s were built originally for ammo in the 1.260" range hence the 45 ACP, .38 Super, 10mm and the long lost 9.8 Browning ( a true .38 similar to the Super ) that all had a similar OAL.

Edited August 15, 2007 by Mick

[Exodus]

How about a 180 Precision Delta FMJ - N320 load for a Glock 22 with a Barsto barrel? I think around 1.140 is longest can go in a Glock mag. Too short for N320?

[CenTX]

VV N320 with 180 gr JHP Hornady Action Pistol and XTP with 1.18 OAL and WSP primers in both my Edge and Eagle. I load 4.8 for the Edge and 5.0 for the Eagle.

My ammo always chronos faster at big matches than I ever get on my chrono. Both 4.8 and 5.0 made Major in my Eagle at the Gator Classic over Two CED chronos. The 5.0 was 178.8 at the Gator so my Edge would be even faster.

[G-ManBart]

How about a 180 Precision Delta FMJ - N320 load for a Glock 22 with a Barsto barrel? I think around 1.140 is longest can go in a Glock mag. Too short for N320?

That's on the short side, but I'd think you could get it to major.

The Sierra manual lists a 180gr jhp with N320 at 1.125:

4.1gr for 850fps, 4.5gr at 900fps, 4.8gr at 950fps and 5.2gr at 1000fps.

I wouldn't be too worried if Sierra is listing a load up to 180pf with N320 at the short length.

[BOGA]

I use VV N320 also. 180 HAP. Clean and consistent velocity.

[scirocco38s]

I am using the same load as jaxshooter and have been for the last 4 years. 5.0 g of n320 on 180g montana jhp(the only differenc) loaded to 1.180 and either win spp or srp. Has produced major power for a long time. I use the same gun as well as a Dawson signature gun and they both are within 3 pf of each other.

[bomadera]

I would like to think it will run better with the longer load as these guns are really just 10mm guns with a shorter chamber. 1911s were built originally for ammo in the 1.260" range hence the 45 ACP, .38 Super, 10mm and the long lost 9.8 Browning ( a true .38 similar to the Super ) that all had a similar OAL.

From day one,I have run my Brazos with 5.0 gr. of N-320, 180jhp. @ 1.220. This O.A.L. has worked so well, I've never changed. (Of course my barrel is free-bored).

[bomadera]

When I was shooting Glocks, I loaded 180 Zero jhp 1.135 and they worked fine.

How about a 180 Precision Delta FMJ - N320 load for a Glock 22 with a Barsto barrel? I think around 1.140 is longest can go in a Glock mag. Too short for N320?