Vihtavouri Powders

[seanp]

I was noticing on that the published data on the Vihtavouri website and their loads look pretty stout.  1207 fps for a 147gr Hornady XTP in 9mm with their 3N38 powder for example.  These powders are not readily available here, anyone have any experience loading with them?

[RandySBreth]

I bought some 3N37 to try in several 9mms (good for 115-grainers), and it was a pretty good powder, but it's more expensive than several other powders I normally use, and since it's harder to find around my parts I don't have any in stock right now. It did meter well and burn pretty clean, and made pretty accurate loads.
I haven't ever used the 3N38.

[mnw42]

A friend of mine swears by it for is .357 Magnum.  IIRC, he uses the VV version of H110.

[eskimo jim]

I can't find it in the Northeast so I have no experience with it.  I've found some of their offerings but it's not for the calibers that I reload.

Jim

[seanp]

Yep the stuff that I have found is about 2x the price of any of the other powders I normally use.  But to be able to wring 1200 fps out of a 9mm 147gr I think it might be worth it to order a pound or two to run some loads through the chrony.

[THE NORSEMAN]

I've found vits data a bit optimistic.  But using data out of the speer or hornady books is pretty close to listed velocities for charge weight. 

A friend of mine swears by it for is .357 Magnum.  IIRC, he uses the VV version of H110.

- Most likely N110.  A most excellent powder for full power magnum pistol loads with jacketed bullets that are at or above mid-weight for the caliber.

I find it the cleanest powder, bar none, in these applications with a proper load.  Numbers over the chrono are impressive as well, very low ES and SD numbers.  296/H110 will outrun it just a touch in the velocity, but at the expense of greatly increased muzzle flash and blast.

3n37 works well in 9mm.  Good velocity, and very low flash out of short barrels vs. most other powders.

[mnw42]

Thanks, NORSEMAN.  I couldn't think of it.

[TXGunGeek]

VV supports the IPSC scene pretty heavily. 3N37 was originally developed for 38Super loads that work well in comp'd guns.

Definitely some of the cleanest burning powders you'll find.

[K.W.]

I have experience only Vihtavuori powders. Here in Finland is the Vihtavuori monopoly.
 I use N-110 for my .22Hornet and .357 Rem Maximum. To my 9mm Luger, I use 3N37 and N-350. (Because I am no collector, have only 6 short- and 8 long guns        ).

[shaftoe]

I use N310 for .45 auto.  It is a very fast burning powder (for this round) and gives good velocity with extremely low felt recoil.

I use it for my bullseye pistol load, if that says anything about the consistency and accuracy with it.

[THE NORSEMAN]

Shafttoe-  Clean burning?

[Soldier53]

A friend of mine swears by it for is .357 Magnum.  IIRC, he uses the VV version of H110.

I have a lee but I'm looking for a good load for 45 ACP If 230gr can you or some one help, or tell me where to look?

Soldier53

[TXGunGeek]

My normal 45ACP load is 6.2Gr N340 under 230Gr Star FMJ. Nice load that made major in my Kimber 5" 1911.

[seanp]

My normal 45ACP load is 6.2Gr N340 under 230Gr Star FMJ. Nice load that made major in my Kimber 5" 1911.

How speedy is that?

[TXGunGeek]

My normal 45ACP load is 6.2Gr N340 under 230Gr Star FMJ. Nice load that made major in my Kimber 5" 1911.

How speedy is that?

My reloading database has three chrono entries 796.4AVG, 792.7AVG and 796.8AVG.

I used this load for IPSC and it is now my wifes load as I have switched to an STI in .40 and she inherited the Kimber with major fit modifications.