Do you use Vihtavuori powder? Must read!

Bastogne71

Bastogne71

US Veteran
Silver Supporter
Joined
Feb 11, 2006
Messages
1,036
Reaction score
1,473
Location
Roanoke, Virginia
In the October edition of Handloader magazine, Randy Bimsom, author of the Propellant Profiles article has this announcement on page 11:

“Just days before going to press, I spoke with the good folks at Capstone Precision Group, Vihtavuori’s U.S. importer/distributor…….VV-N105 Super Magnum, N32C Tin Star (Cowboy Action Shooting loads), W-N160, N165, N170, 24N21, 20N29, N340, N350, 3N37, 3N38, and N530 have all been cut from the powders being imported to service the North American market.”

If you use any of these (like I do), it’s time to stock up while we can!
 
Register to hide this ad
Bastogne71 said:
In the October edition of Handloader magazine, Randy Bimsom, author of the Propellant Profiles article has this announcement on page 11:

“Just days before going to press, I spoke with the good folks at Capstone Precision Group, Vihtavuori’s U.S. importer/distributor…….VV-N105 Super Magnum, N32C Tin Star (Cowboy Action Shooting loads), W-N160, N165, N170, 24N21, 20N29, N340, N350, 3N37, 3N38, and N530 have all been cut from the powders being imported to service the North American market.”

If you use any of these (like I do), it’s time to stock up while we can!
Click to expand...

That's disappointing. Their higher cost is likely a factor, but the Ns, 340, 350, along with 3N37 are some pretty popular propellants. I'm not sure if anyone is importing the Vectan copies that Grafs was supplying but there were only 3 of them based on the V-V products.
 
Bastogne71 said:
In the October edition of Handloader magazine, Randy Bimsom, author of the Propellant Profiles article has this announcement on page 11:

“Just days before going to press, I spoke with the good folks at Capstone Precision Group, Vihtavuori’s U.S. importer/distributor…….VV-N105 Super Magnum, N32C Tin Star (Cowboy Action Shooting loads), W-N160, N165, N170, 24N21, 20N29, N340, N350, 3N37, 3N38, and N530 have all been cut from the powders being imported to service the North American market.”

If you use any of these (like I do), it’s time to stock up while we can!
Click to expand...

A few months ago I decided to try out VV powders. I bought some N320 and N350. Haven't used it much. N320 looks promising for 38 sp. loads. What are some of your favorites?
 
DeplorabusUnum said:
A few months ago I decided to try out VV powders. I bought some N320 and N350. Haven't used it much. N320 looks promising for 38 sp. loads. What are some of your favorites?
Click to expand...

I got a pound of N-105 a few years ago from a guy who sold me several other powders. I didn’t know much about it, but tried out a few loads with it here and there. Just recently, I loaded up some pretty hot .38 Super and liked it a lot. I’ve got about 1/2 lb. left, so I guess I’ll have to search out some more before it’s all gone. So far, it’s the only V-V powder I’ve used, but I like the way it meters and shoots.
 
Quite disappointed when I read that article.
I have been waiting for years for Handloader to cover N105.
Got some during the previous shortage and then located more at Widener's.
It occupies an interesting slot on the burning charts as do a couple of other VV powders.
I use it in 44 Special +P and not quite to full house 44 magnum loads.
Kind of ironic that article comes out right as VV "discontinues" a whole raft of their powders.

EDIT:
The disclaimer on VV website is kind of vague and does not directly address the claim that SOME powders are not being imported to the USA.
 
Last edited:
N32C is somewhat denser and a tad slower than Trail Boss so it doesn't fill up the case quite as well.
Burns clean like most VV and doesn't have the "Trail Boss smell".
I don't see any real advantage over Trail Boss once I got a big keg of TB.
I still have a couple jars of Tin Star but have not shot any in a couple years.
That one I won't miss as much as the 3N27, 3N28 etc. which are fabulous in the 44 special.
 
I have used Vihtavuori almost exclusive for years. VV powder is very clean burning and delivers top accuracy. I see they are trying to stop the fake news. The press release says they will double importation this year, which is great, because it is hard to find. I have waited as long as six months for availability and have started buying in 4 and 8 pound jugs again. I have burned many pounds of their rifle powder in the past 25 years. If you are looking for rifle accuracy, you will not find a better powder manufacturer
 
Last edited:
I've used 3N37 for years for 38 spl. loads and hotter 9mm loads. In the long 38 spl. case there is not even a hint of position sensitivity and the burn rate is really optimum for 9mm or 38 caliber pistol loads. It's a bit too fast burning for a powerhouse 357 magnum but it does work well for milder 1100 fps/158 grain Magnum Lights.
 
N330 was designed and manufactured as a 9mm powder...Accuracy is SUPERB. I use 5gr. N330 with a 124gr MT Gold bullet and my match guns (both Sig P210 & S&W 3566 Tactical 5") shoot 2" @50yds. M340 is close, but 4.4g of 231 or HP-38 are next best....
 
I've used 3N37 in .38 super for years. You have to tweak the charge to get it just right but once dialed accuracy is superb. Only down side brass needs to cool before picking up.

-don
 
Agree with an above post, N340 is a superb all around powder. I use it for 9, 10, and 45 and N530 for 62gr HOT 5.56 rounds and always see very clean cases afterwards, low, consistent numbers and jist overall consistent ammo.
Before the madness there was a seller on GB who had a business that went under and was slowly selling off his inventory, I was buying N340, N530 and 1k bricks of CCI41s each for $25. Ah, the good 'ol days of 3 years ago.
Yes, Id buy some V to try, find the ones you like, and buy some. Some good powders.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top