tin star load data

vonn · May 15, 2015

Anyone know anything about Vihtavuori Tin Star? Very little data available on there website and it is all for bullets no one ever heard of. I have two pounds of Tin Star N32C and could use data for 38special,357 mag,44spcl,44 mag,45 colt. Any info /help will be appreciated .Thanks, Vonn

DWalt · May 15, 2015

vonn said:
Anyone know anything about Vihtavuori Tin Star? Very little data available on there website and it is all for bullets no one ever heard of. I have two pounds of Tin Star N32C and could use data for 38special,357 mag,44spcl,44 mag,45 colt. Any info /help will be appreciated .Thanks, Vonn

Did you mean N320 instead of N32C? If so, it's very similar in burning rate to Hodgdon Clays, right next to it on the charts.

vonn · May 15, 2015

N32c is the correct number,it is supposedly something like Trail Boss for cowboy action shooters. For 38 and 357 they list 158 grain FNCM bullet made by Gunhill which no one has ever heard of.

Nemo288 · May 15, 2015

If you look real close at the VV manual (available online), there are a few references to N32C hidden amongst their other powders.
Mostly listed as cowboy loads.
Here's what I have measured at the range:
44 Special *- nickel brass CCI 300 primer
200 grain XTreme plated RNFP loaded to cannelure
Taper crimp

Shot out of a 3" 696
6 gr N32C 672 fps SD 20
6.5 gr N32C 748 fps SD 11
7 gr N32C 801 fps SD 18 smallest group
7.5 gr N32C 834 fps SD 4

Shot out of a 3.1" 396
6 gr N32C 654 fps SD 30
6.5 gr N32C 739 fps SD 12
7 gr N32C 791 fps SD 21 smallest group

Notice the slightly longer barrel shoots consistently slower.
7 grains is the best load in both guns making it the happy choice.
SD means nothing using 5 shot groups for data.

I have a box loaded to directly compare N32C with Trail Boss but haven't got to shoot it yet.
I'll append this thread when I do.
I am pretty happy with the "Tin Star" but these days Trail Boss may be more available. <shrug>

===
Nemo

Mad_Charlie · May 15, 2015

8.2 works well in .45 Colt, under a 255 cast, same in .44mag, about 890fps.I haven't used it in the others but 4.8 under a H&G 68 clone works very well in .45acp, clean, soft and accurate. Good practice load, but expensive, and too hard to come by so I save it for .45 Colt.

I feel sure it will do fine in your other calibers, you just need some data,go with the nearest recipe you can find on VV's website for start loads. Bear in mind, it is for low power loading, not +P or Magnum.

vonn · May 15, 2015

Thanks,Nemo and Mad Charlie all information is appreciated.

Bugkiller99 · May 15, 2015

I've used it in 38 spl rifle loads and 44 spl pistol loads. Shooting large cast bullets. Been happy with it, meters well in my uniflo. Low density, so you can see it easily in large revolver cartridges.
Write up in Handloader Magazine with numerous caliber loads. PM me if you want me to dig 'em up.

vonn · May 16, 2015

Bugkiller99 said:
I've used it in 38 spl rifle loads and 44 spl pistol loads. Shooting large cast bullets. Been happy with it, meters well in my uniflo. Low density, so you can see it easily in large revolver cartridges.
Write up in Handloader Magazine with numerous caliber loads. PM me if you want me to dig 'em up.

Thanks,PM sent.

Nevada Ed · May 16, 2015

I have been looking or either powder for almost two years.

Great powders for lead target loads...................

Glad you got lucky. Enjoy.

Alk8944 · May 16, 2015

Vonn,

Maybe someone beat me to it, but, "158 grain FNCM bullet" is Flat Nosed Cowboy Mould. It can describe any of several so-called RNFP moulds, and which bullet manufacturer sells it makes no difference. Buy anyones 158 "Cowboy" bullet and you have it!

Erich · May 25, 2015

Anyone tried .45 ACP with it? I'm primarily interested in revolver loads . . .

.41 cal · May 27, 2015

Tin Star/N32C is one of my favorites (meaning one I have a reasonable stock pile of)
I have a fair amount of .41, .44, .45 colt and .38 data using N32C and will post some loads and chrono results tonight or tomorrow.

No .45 ACP but I did some light 230g LRN in .45 colt that may be of interest.

.41 cal

Mad_Charlie · May 27, 2015

Erich said:
Anyone tried .45 ACP with it? I'm primarily interested in revolver loads . . .

See post #5...

Erich · May 27, 2015

Argh, how'd I miss that!? Many thanks!

.41 cal · May 28, 2015

Looking at my records tonight and have the following data.
All velocity readings done with Oehler 35P
All loads were by my assessment very accurate or better than I can shoot at least.
Winchester LPP used.

it is marketed as a cowboy powder but can deliver some very good results velocity wise for it's burn rate

.44 special S&W 624 6.5" barrel
Bullet - 240g LSWC
N32C - 6.0g
Velocity- 778 fps

Bullet - 200g LRN
N32C - 5.6g
Velocity- 769 fps

.45 colt S&W 25-5 4" barrel
Bullet - 250g LSWC
N32C - 8.6g
Velocity- 871 fps
I will drop this down to 8.0g on my next outing with the .45. Looking for 750 fps or so.

.41 special in .41mag cases
S&W 657 6"
Bullet - very rare 165g WC by liberty bullets. like it enough to get into casting my own.... Believe it is a H&G collar button WC but I not very well versed in this area of reloading.
N32C - 5.0g
Velocity- 829 fps
Sweet load very much like a .38 WC in recoil and very accurate.
With federal LPP magnum match primers it is scary accurate out of my M57.
5.5g gives 871 fps with close to the same accuracy.

Bullet - 215g LSWC
N32C - 6.5g
Velocity- 848 fps
N32C - 7.0g
Velocity- 901 fps
I use 6.5g as a go to plinking round, shoots well out of all my .41's

Will post up some .38 load results tomorrow.

Have done a little testing against trail boss (little more bulky) and both deliver amazing SD numbers. Some as low as 2 fps for 6 shot strings. Most loads run single diget SD.

.41 cal

.

shil · May 28, 2015

I would love to try Tin Star for .45 Colt. I've never seen any for sale, though.

vonn · May 28, 2015

Thanks for the posts. Vonn

Bugkiller99 · May 28, 2015

Erich said:
Anyone tried .45 ACP with it? I'm primarily interested in revolver loads . . .

Erich, I'd be interested in how that load works in your revolver. I was also looking at 45 acp revolver loads.

Erich · May 28, 2015

If I wind up loading that one, I'll post on it.

Nemo288 · Jul 5, 2015

Some more Tin Star data (and CCI - Ginex primer comparison)

ProChrono with infrared light bar at 10 feet.
3" 696-1, Starline nickel 44 special brass
Grouped at 40'
Berry 220 grain Plated flat point 44
COAL 1.43"

N32C..CCI 300..Ginex P1
6 gr.....602.........656
6.5......710.........742
7 gr.....753.........766

Second best group
Best group

The Ginex is a Bosnian primer that was going cheap awhile back during the big shortage.
Like most euro primers it is a skosh bigger and a tight fit in the plated cases.
It's also obviously hotter than the CCI 300.
The CCI made better groups in this test.
7 grains of Tin Star is getting to be a full case.
I am sure you could cram in 7.5 or even 8 but there would be little point after getting the almost one hole groups with 7 grains.
Good clean powder. Doesn't smell like stale rat pee.

Why do I shoot at 40 feet?
The bull on these particular targets ends up the exact same apparent width as the front sight.
(And I don't see as well as I once did).
I use a 6 o'clock hold.

tin star load data

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