Vihtavouri Powders?

[RePete]

I'm looking to try Viht powders in my handguns and want to know what the best are for each caliber using the specified bullet.

9mm Para - using 147gr Frontier CMJ/FMJ/JHP - mainly for Glock 17. Prefered PF 131 - 135.

38Sp - using Frontier 158gr CMJ/FMJ/JHP - S&W 686, 1 with the 2 1/2" barrel and the other with the 4" barrel. Prefered PF 131 - 135.

40S&W - using Frontier 180gr CMJ/FMJ/JHP - for Glock 35 and STI Trojan. Prefered PF 171 - 175.

45ACP - using Frontier 230gr CMJ/FMJ/JHP - S&W 625. Prefered PF 171 - 175.

We have recently got a distributor in these parts.

[warpspeed]

In my experience, N320 would work for all of them.

The 9mm load "might" be better in N310 but i think that might be a matter of preference.

I used N320 in 38 spl with MG 158's out of a K frame smith with great results. It was a 4". Not sure on a 2 1/2".

N320 for 40 S&W has always given me great results.

In the 45 ACP, the N310 "might" be better, but again, I think it would be a preference and not an accuracy decision.

Hope that helps

[kevin c]

Yeah, N320.

What I'm shooting now:

9mm - 3.7 grains N320, MG 147 gr CMJ, WSP, 1.125", gives me 135-140 PF through my OFM bbl'd G17.

40S&W - 4.9 grains N320, MG 180 gr JHP, WSP, 1.135", gives me 170-172 PF through my OFM bbl'd G35.

Std rifling may get you a little less velocity for the same length of barrel. For example, I used 5.1 to 5.2 grains of N320 in my 5" Paras to get the same PF, though I grant the round was loaded longer to 1.200", and the bbl is just a smidgeon shorter than the glock.

YMMV,

Kevin C

Edited July 11, 2008 by kevin c

[38superman]

N320 is one of many powders that will work great in the 45.

N320 is my powder of choice for the .40 w/ 180

I have also used N340 with good results with a 200gr MG in .40

Don't load 38 spl so can't say.

I have used N330 in the 9mm with a 147 but prefer Titegroup.

Tony

Edited July 11, 2008 by 38superman

[CJDOUBLETAP]

2.2 grs. N310 Makes a very nice steel load with a 158 gr. bullet

N320 for 9mm and .40

Craig

[RePete]

2.2 grs. N310 Makes a very nice steel load with a 158 gr. bullet

N320 for 9mm and .40

Craig

It looks like N 320 for 9mm and .40S&W but N310 for 38SP and .45ACP.

Now to see if I can get the quantities I need.

Thanks.

[desertdog]

Used titegroup for over a year in 9mm with jacketed bullets, N320 to me is softer with same PF more expensive though! Use N320 4.0 gr w\ 125 gr RN cast bullets. titegroup to fast for cast bb's, more smoke.

[2kcrewcab]

I am currently loading 4.6gr of N320 for .38 which more than makes power for IDPA SSR, and I am loading 5.4gr of N320 for .45 which easily makes power for ESR. These are on 158gr and 320gr Rainier plated bullets in a 686 and 625, both 4" bbl.

[mlmiller1]

I personally enjoy 3n37 for all those calibers.

MLM

[Skywalker]

Happy 320 user here as well.

I use it for 9mm, .40", .45", I even loaded a few .357" Mag with it.

[Skywalker]

I am loading 5.4gr of N320 for .45 which easily makes power for ESR. These are on 158gr and 320gr Rainier plated bullets

Wow, recoil must be a real pain with such a load ...

Edited July 25, 2008 by Skywalker

[Julien Boit]

After trying N320, N330, N340 for 40sw , I choosed N320.

Plus, in 2 Kilograms kegs, It's cheaper

[sniperdog]

Wow, I must be doing something wrong with my revolver loads. When I use N320 I get what looks like cornmeal build up under the star that prevents the cynlider from closing after 12 rounds. Makes for a real interesting COF, fire 6 rounds get brush out, clean, reload , fire 6 rounds, repeat. Any ideas what might be causing this, gun is 4" Model 625 in .45acp

[Rolex]

Hard to get at times-Powder Valley-

+1 for these loads , I use n320 and 3n37.

[RePete]

I loaded up some 9mm and 45ACP and went to the range today with chronograph in tow.

9mm fired from a Glock 17

125gr HAP

4.0gr/N320

Velocity = 1091.8fps

PF = 136.48

Same load fired from a BHP

Velocity = 1047.3fps

PF = 130.91

That's a nice load but I will try 3.8gr and 3.9gr.

125gr HAP

4.2gr/N320

Glock 17

Velocity = 1093.3fps

PF = 136.66

BHP

Velocity = 1070.3fps

PF = 133.79

Again a nice load but power not needed that high.

45ACP fired from a S&W 625 w/4" barrel.

230gr CMJ

5.2gr/N320

Velocity = 712.1fps

PF = 163.78

This load needs about .1gr - .2gr more but I'm not going this route as the load have more jump than I liked, and it didn't feel good in the hand. I have another load that I need to chrono.

sniperdog:

No problems with granules left in the cylinder or under the extractor.

[RePete]

New report.

I have settled on 3.7gr/N320 under the 147gr Frontier CMJ for the mm.

4.6gr/N320 under the 180gr Frontier CMJ for the .40S&W.

I loaded 4.0gr/N310 under the 230gr Frontier RN CMJ for the .45ACP and chrono'd it through my 4" and 5" 625's.

4" velocity was 646.6fps for the first run - PF = 148.718, and 655.9fps on the second run for a PF = 150.857.

5" velocity was 680.4 for the first run - PF = 156.492, and 668.7 on the second run for a PF = 153.801.

Disappointing to say the least concidering that the charge range is 3.7gr - 4.2gr. So I increased the charge to max - 4.2gr.

I only chrono'd from the 4". I fired 3 strings.

1st - 10 shots - velocity = 663.4fps - PF = 152.582

2nd - 12 shots - velocity = 680.4fps - PF = 156.492

3rd - 6 shots - velocity = 682.9fps - PF = 157.067

At this time I'm not happy with N310.

The one thing I did notice that when reloading the moonclips into the revolver was that the cylinder was much cooler after many rounds, and accuracy is not an issue.

I would like a critique and opinions of my .45ACP results.

[RePete]

So I loaded up some 230's over 5.0gr/N320.

Chrono'd them today and the average of 30 shots was 153.625.

I'll try 5.2gr which is listed as the max.

[Sac Law Man]

VV N310 for all my 45's. clean, fast buring powder. Very consistent.

[LPatterson]

In my 625 bullet manufacturer makes all the difference in the world. 4.0 of N310 & a Precision Delta gave moon clip velocities of 731, 733, 720 & 713 while 3.8 & a Precision Moly gave 740, 736, 746 & 750. 5.05 (individual weight for 10 round throw) gave PF's of 149 to 171 with Armscor, Precision Delta, Zero RN & Zero HP (low to high) all 230 gr. The Zero HP was the most accurate with 6 rounds in 2" @ 25 yards.

[RePete]

5.2gr/N320 chrono'd at a very disappointing 712.1fps for a PF of 163.78.

Looking in the Lee manual, they list 5.5gr as max, so that's my next and last move.

[38supPat]

Anyone try n350 in a .45? I have a few spare containers and thought I'd burn it up on loads for Singlestack

[Skywalker]

Anyone try n350 in a .45? I have a few spare containers and thought I'd burn it up on loads for Singlestack

Too slow, IMHO.

I once tried N340 (which is a tad faster), and it felt weird ... a very progressive but firm push on the gun.

It was recoiling gentler, but too slow and too high, not the hard but quick kick I'm used to, and my timing on the gun was definitely off.

[RePete]

Well I went out this afternoon and chrono'd the 5.5gr/N320 under the 230gr CMJ.

Average velocity was 745.5fps for a PF of 171.465.

I found this load to be quite stiff and I noticed some flatened primers. I'll continue with Bullseye for the moment.

Thanks for the help.

[VARifleman]

Are you using a 5" Barrel?

I make 170 with 4.9 grs of N320 at 1.230" OAL with winchester primers. I get the same with 5.2 at 1.250, but better consistency at the short length.

Pat...N350, as state would be too slow for that, but I know people using it for deer loads with 200 XTPs. I use N340 for loads at hardball level, and do not feel under gunned with that in a defense pistol.

Edited September 19, 2008 by VARifleman

[RePete]

Are you using a 5" Barrel?

I make 170 with 4.9 grs of N320 at 1.230" OAL with winchester primers. I get the same with 5.2 at 1.250, but better consistency at the short length.

Pat...N350, as state would be too slow for that, but I know people using it for deer loads with 200 XTPs. I use N340 for loads at hardball level, and do not feel under gunned with that in a defense pistol.

No, a 4" 625.