Hi all,

I see there are some old posts about using VV N340 for 44 mag loads and just wanted to find out if anyone has some recent experience with this?

I am totally new to reloading and want to load some 240gr SWCs under a moderate load for my 6.5-inch 629. I see the data only really caters for jacketed bullets and then a "cowboy action" load for a 265gr SWC. Given that most standard factory loads are around 1200-1300 fps, I would probably like to be in the 1000-1100 mark.

Is it safe to simply take the jacketed data (start 10.3grs, max 11.5grs) and just start a grain lighter at 9.3 grains? I really do not feel like making any grenades at the start of my reloading journey!

The VV N340 data for a 240 grain .44 Special goes from 6.3 to 7.1 grains. Using that info I'd assume your 9.3 grain load should be perfectly fine. The special case is a bit shorter but your 9.3 grain load load is still 3 grains or 50% more powder than a "special" starting load.

You might try some at 8.3 and some at 9.3 to see which ones work better for you.

N340 is a good powder for loads like that. It's kind of a middle of the road pistol powder. It's not great for real light mouse fart loads, and is too fast burning if looking for the highest velocity loads, but works well for reasonable loads in just about any pistol caliber.

Thanks that is great advice. I think I will start at 8.3 as you suggest. I'm thinking of loading 6 at 8.3 and then a few more batches going up in 2/10 grain increments

I'd suggest that you only load a few of each & see how it goes before loading say 50 rounds - FWIW.

V has several online load manuals. 340 by the way is a fantastic all around powder and is a great performer in my 44spl. Im sure Ive at least tried it in the mag but dont have my info handy.

I would think N340 would be too fast for magnum loads but should be fine for 44spl velocities.

7.1 gr of n340 at 25 yards gave me my best group of 1.25" using magnum brass and 300gr FT bullet from Bill Benny. United Sporting Arms Seville 7 1/2".

i can only estimate the velocity at around 900fps. So 8.1gr might get your 1000fps load.

Remember that lighter bullets require more powder to get the same velocity as a heavier bullet. Heavier bullets build more pressure which is where the velocity increase comes from.
if you are using a 240gr bullet instead of the 300gr i used, you may need to bump up the powder a touch more. maybe to 8.3gr or 8.5gr.

Remember to start low and work up. handloading is all about trying a load and then adjusting using 6 shot group results.
When i am guesstimating correctly, i expect to compare five different groups with different powder weights going from 2" group size with the lightest load, then to a 1" group in the middle and then back up to a 2" group size with the hottest load.
i know i've done my job when the smallest group is right in the middle.


i try VV n340 in almost every caliber, kind of like unique. N340 is Stable, accurate, and clean. Stable means you can upload and download without spikes in pressure. This what you need while experimenting and getting started.


Prescut

i try VV n340 in almost every caliber, kind of like unique. N340 is Stable, accurate, and clean. Stable means you can upload and download without spikes in pressure. This what you need while experimenting and getting started.


Prescut[/QUOTE]

N340 is good with 9mm and super 38 also. 300's print higher than 240's in my SRH. I like the fact N340 AND N350 is close to Unique in charge data and a little cleaner also.

4barrel,
A lot cleaner. I love unique, but it has been called "Flaming Dirt" for a reason. Big deal, you have to clean; who cares.

A rule I learned from David Bradshaw:
Lighter and faster bullets will drop POI !!!
This works exceptionally well. I've dropped 45 Colt almost 7".


I believe VV says "recommended for 9mm" under the n340 description.

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I agree--I just use a nylon brush and a soft cloth with Hoppe's to clean and good for the next time. <about 2 minutes>

I have learned that with a pistol slide and the back of the barrel in a revolver
can be cleaned a little faster, with the use of one of my old tooth brushes,
that is not too used up, to where the bristles are not bent over.

Thank you everyone for all of your very helpful replies!

I headed out to the range yesterday with a bunch of test loads starting at 8.1 grains of N340 and going up in .3 grain increments to 9.8 grains. All of these with a 240-grain SWC.

All of these loads shot very well. Accuracy was good with all of them but the group really tightened up with the last load at 9.8 grains of N340. One thing I was surprised at was how dirty these loads were. I went home with black hands and a very dirty gun. Definitely a first for me! I am used to ultra-clean burning factory ammo such as Magtech and S&B. VV is always touted as such a clean burning powder so this was unexpected. Having said all of this, it certainly is not a deal breaker.

The fact that the accuracy increased so drastically with the slightly hotter load got me wondering if this powder doesn't care for wimpy loads. Perhaps if I enter their suggested 44 mag range of 10.3 to 11.5 grains for a 240g FMJ, I might find that this powder burns a lot cleaner.

Another important note is that the load data for a 240 grain FMJ has a far shorter OAL than the OAL with my SWC's (This OAL is obviously governed by the crimp groove). I had an OAL of 1.716 where the data suggests 1.602. Could this make a drastic reduction of pressure leading to sooty cases and black hands?!

Keen to hear others thoughts and experiences!

I have loaded up some rounds going up to 10.5 grains. How far into the jacketed data should I go with hard cast SWC's? I have accuracy but it would be great to have it burning slightly cleaner than it currently is

This is from the "Vihtavuori Reloading Manual" First Edition, published in 1994:

267 Grain Lead Flat Nose Bullet

N340 - Starting Load: 10.2 Grains, Velocity: 1115 FPS, Pressure: 27600 PSI

N340 - Maximum Load: 11.4 Grains, Velocity: 1210 FPS, Pressure: 36500 PSI

This data was collected from a 7" Test Barrel with 1 in 20" twist.

Test Barrel manufactured to meet minimum CIP dimensions.

I hope this is helpful.

__________________
Dave Brown
SWCA #3279