Opinions on VV N320......

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toad67

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Recently purchased a pound of Vhitavouri N320 and 330 at my local Scheel's because they were in-stock. Thinking I want to try some of the 320, with some 200 grain RNFP bullets from Oregon trail for some nice light plinkers in 45 Colt. Anyone used the N320 on the Colt, or anything else? Thoughts would be appreciated, thanks.
 
Have used vvN320 for years. Works great on 45 colt. Without checking I recall using between 5-5.5 gr for 200gr rnfp. Use it for 38 and 45acp too. Shoot it for plinking and CAS.
 
505Gibbs said:
VV use to have load data on line - might want to see if it's still out there in cyber space.
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It is, but it's listed in Lyman #51, so I have a few references with it. The on-line data from Vhitavouri seems a little vague IMO, they have two different listings for 45 Colt under the 320 tab. One seems awful warm, like it's data for Ruger and T/C, but there is no such mention of it for that section. Just another reason that a handloader needs to do their own research. Thanks to all who have replied.
 
Vihtavouri doesn't offer load data for several popular calibers.
However, Vihtavouri is excellent for dialing in a load for your gun (it's safer).

It is stable. The pressure curve from min to max is linear.
It is not spiky. You don't get to max and then a Kaboom with .1gr more powder. It downloads beautifully as well. Start low and move upward to find what your gun likes.

It burns as clean or better than any powder I've ever used.

It makes very accurate handloads.

The downside was it was more expensive. But the last few months, I've seen it very close to other powder being offered. However, Powder is the least expense of primers, brass, and bullets. What did you pay? from where?
You are the first person in years that has found N330 !!! It is often compared to Unique and Power Pistol on burn rate.

I'm a total fan of the N340 (slower burn rate)and I try it in almost every caliber out there. 357mag around 1200fps is superb.

I use the N310 (faster burn rate) for my .32 S&W long loads. It will not destroy older vintage shooters. 700fps


Prescut
 
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oddshooter said:
Vihtavouri doesn't offer load data for several popular calibers.
However, Vihtavouri is excellent for dialing in a load for your gun (it's safer).

It is stable. The pressure curve from min to max is linear.
It is not spiky. You don't get to max and then a Kaboom with .1gr more powder. It downloads beautifully as well. Start low and move upward to find what your gun likes.

It burns as clean or better than any powder I've ever used.

It makes very accurate handloads.

The downside was it was more expensive. But the last few months, I've seen it very close to other powder being offered. However, Powder is the least expense of primers, brass, and bullets. What did you pay? from where?
You are the first person in years that has found N330 !!! It is often compared to Unique and Power Pistol on burn rate.

I'm a total fan of the N340 (slower burn rate)and I try it in almost every caliber out there. 357mag around 1200fps is superb.

I use the N310 (faster burn rate) for my .32 S&W long loads. It will not destroy older vintage shooters. 700fps


Prescut
Click to expand...
I bought it at Scheel's, it's a chain store like Sportsmans, only better IMO. I paid $46 a pound, which was a little more than a few others, but not by much. They had 310, 320, 330, 340 and 350 in one pounders, and had 4 pounders of the 340.
I originally planned on using the 330, but realized the 320 would get me the same speed with one less grain, so I decided to go that route first.
I set up my 550 last night, and yes, it meters great. Can't wait to finish setting up, and then trying a few rounds. I started at 7.0 grains with a 200 grain RNLFP for 45 Colt plinking, should be around 875 or so.
 
I've messed with some VV 320 loads for 38 sp. The one I really like is 3.2 gr under a powder coated 148 gr cast BNWC (Lee mold). Very mild shooting and accurate in my model 19.

I've got a row of 45 ACP brass lined up to load with VV320 today under some 200gr LSWC. Going to compare accuracy with 231, WST, and Bullseye.

I will say that I agree with those who have said that VV powders meter extremely well. Even though I'm not loading for 45 colt, I think you're going to like the powder. Let us know how it works out for your loads.
 
Treat N-320 like you would W231 , you'll find charge weights are pretty dang close if not the same . IMHO it doesn't do anything that can't be done with other powders & in my guns doesn't give superior performance in any form . Out of a dozen 45acp 1911's with any bullet from the LY S242 160gr FBSWC to 230 ball & half a dozen 38 specials . It does burn clean & meters superbly . N 330 can comment on as I've never seen a jug . N - 310 is a very fast burner that works well in 45acp target loads , too fast for 38 special IMHO .
 
So I loaded up some 45 Colt test rounds of both N320 and N330. Ran 10 test pans from my Dillon 550 and weighed them on my RCBS digital scale, with almost everyone right on the mark, but a couple would vary by .1 grain. Was loading some Oregon Trail Laser Cast 250 RNFP's, with Winchester LPP's. Started at the minimum on both powders and went up .2 grain increments at a time until I got close to max. Went out to the range with my chronograph to see how they were. Every test group was approximately 200 fps slower than what they should have been by VV's on-line data, and my ES was close to 100 FPS for all but one group (50 FPS). Not at all what I was expecting, but the accuracy wasn't that bad from about 20 yards though.
Think I'm going to try some tight group next.
 
Mike Venturino wrote an article in Hand Loader Magazine a few years back . He really liked 7.0 grs of 700X using a 250-255 gr cast bullet . After reading the article I went out and got a bottle and tried it . Makes a very nice load . My BIL shoots 45 Colt and will only shoot a load using Ramshot Zip powder . I have tried Ramshot True Blue , found great favor with that one too . I dropped Unique from my 45 Colt loads years ago . I like these other powders better . Good Luck , Regards Paul
 
About 4 years ago I bought at an estate sale 2 sealed 4lb jugs of N320 for 10 bucks a jug . Once I eventually run of 231 I’ll give it a try .
 
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