advice for powders to replace VV N320 and VVN340

[Daimler1989]

Hi,

Vihtavuori will cease to produce powders next summer. Sad, because I exclusively used their propellants for more than 25 years now (availability here in Germany is often better than non EU-made powders). Now I'm looking to replace them in time for my handgun loads: N320 for 38 Spl, plinking 44 Spl, 45 ACP and N340 for 357 Mag and Skeeter type 44 Spl. I mostly use lead and copper plated lead bullets (158 grs 38 /200 grs 44 and 45) for those loads, except some soft points for 357 (rarely) and Hornady XTP (180 grs) for 44 Spl (when I do not use 255 grs hardcasts)

I did check a lot of data and handbooks, did some QuickLoad, but still I'm not sure what to try. I'm leaning towards Hodgdon, Titegroup as the faster and Longshot or HS-6 as the slower powder. My main concern is too much unburnt powder or too low velocities. Can anyone help me with some experience and advice?

regards from Germany
Ulrich

 

[rwsmith]

That's interesting...

Hi,
Vihtavuori will cease to produce powders next summer. Sad, because I exclusively used their propellants for more than 25 years now (availability here in Germany is often better than non EU-made powders).

This is distressing because I've heard nothing but good about VV powders, in spite of their price. (I am compelled to use the cheap stuff)

 

[johngalt]

Where did you hear this? I used n310 in the past and liked it.

 

[Steve in Vermont]

I've used N320 for .38 HBWC with good results. For anything .38 and low to mid range .357 consider Hodgdon HP-38/Winchester 231 (same powder). As for more power in .357 and the other loads I'll defer to others with far more experience than me. Good Luck.

 

[HKSmith]

I hope this isn't true, as I'm coming to the end of a 4 lb. jug of N320 that's loaded many rounds of mid-range revolver ammunition and low-end 9mm. Very clean burning and meters well, too.

I see no mention of them ceasing operations on the VihtaVuori or Lapua web sites, but there are some stories about the Finnish plant closing. The French company, Eurenco, that owns them also has powder facilities in other parts of Europe and could continue production at those facilities. If anyone has more detailed information, please post it.

To answer the OP's question, HP-38/W231 would be a reasonable substitute for N320. It's a bit slower burning, but has similar applications to N320. There's also lots of reloading data available.

 

[Daimler1989]

info comes from a letter of the official German importer LHS. Here's a link, but it's in german language http://www.lhs-germany.de/fileadmin...3/Schliessung_Standort_VIHTAVUORI_2013_03.pdf

It says, that Eurenco will close down the Vihtavuori plant in Finnland in mid 2014 due to loss of sales for military purposes. There will be negiciations with the finnish government, but that's the plan...

Thanks for pointing me to HP 38 and Win 231. Any suiggstions for slower burning powders?

 

[Nevada Ed]

+P in the 38 special c/o Unique...............maybe HS6.

2400 is another good High Velocity powder for big cases like the .357 magnum and larger cases.

Unique works in 38, 357 and 12 Ga loads for me...........

Sorry that the powder is being discontinued.
Another reason to stock up when you find something GOOD !!

 

[novalty]

The big 3 that are widely acknowledged for non-magnum handgun cartridges are:

1. Winchester 231 / Hodgdon HP-38
2. Alliant Unique
3. Alliant Bullseye

For magnum loads, these are the 2 that I see fairly frequently.

1. Alliant 2400
2. Hodgdon 4227

 

[iouri]

Hmm, I've found at least one reference that VV going out of business is just a hoax here's link at other forum

 

[125JHP]

There is a news release over on Accurate Shooter dated IIRC last year so it appears to be true that they are planning to shut down the Finnish plant, however it has been noted that there are 3 additional Eurenco plants that could produce the powder (maybe under a different name). For the little I have used and compared to other powders, there is no equal, so if you can find it, at any price, buy it as it may be the next twinkie.