Vihtavuori N320 for .45 Colt

[ramblin84]

Would like to load some 255g SWCs for my new to me 625 Mountain Gun. Unique and Power Pistol cannot be found. Just wondering if anyone has used VT N320 powder before. They do have load data on their site for .45. Thanks!

 

[cowboy4evr]

I have never seen data for a 255 gr wad cutter (wc) with any powder companies . If you meant " semi-wad cutter " then you need to correct your question .

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Hodgdon has data for CFE Pistol (8.4-9.2 gr), WW231/HP-38 (5.8 -7.1 gr), and Clays (4.2-5.1gr). They range from medium velocity to "Full Factory"

My Cowboy load is WW231 6.7 with any lead bullet (usually 220 to 240 gr. RNFP), have been very accurate. I can shoot 400 to 500 in a day without any real complaints. Works well in lever actions also!

Ivan

 

[stu1ritter]

I've used quite a bit of N320 and it is a very high quality, low smoke, low mess powder that has good consistency through a powder measure. For me at least it has generated some very accurate loads.

Stu

 

[The Norseman]

45 Colt powered by Finland

I have never used VihtaVuori powders. I have read articles
about them and they appear to be the Premium Gun Powder.
I have always wanted to try them.

I see by my 2021 VihtaVuori (made in Finland) reloading
guide that VihtaVuori N320 has listed approximate burn
rate as Alliant Red Dot. I like and use Red Dot a lot!

This is interesting and coincidental because one of the
places I frequent got a shipment of Vihtavuori in.

Thank you for giving me an excuse to add more
powder to my shelves.

 

[oddshooter]

I haven't used N320.

I have used Vihtavouri N310 for 32's
N340 for everything,
N350 for hotter loads.
Also use N110 for the hottest loads.

VV is stable, clean, and accurate.
It is by far, my favorite powder.

The only downside is that VV does not supply enough load data for my needs, especially for the .32. Also, few gun writers show VV in their load tables.

I'm following your thread with great interest.


Prescut

 

[ramblin84]

With the 10lbs of Unique I found yesterday, which I split with two friends, I may not be using VT anytime soon.

 

[oddshooter]

Unique will get you home with that 45. Lots of recipes and historical use. On the other hand, it is called "Flaming Dirt" for a reason.

Prescut

 

[cowboy4evr]

ramblin84 : You have one of the best powders for the 45 Colt . There is more people using Unique in that caliber than any other powder , IMO . With your 255 gr cast bullet , 8.5 grs of Unique has been an old standard for decades . The reason ? It just flat works . Good Luck , Regards Paul

 

[Mike0251]

Close as I can get you. From the 4th edition of the VV load book. Just start safe and chronograph it!
LSWC @ 180g has a 1.594 OAL
PBFP @ 255g has a 1.600 OAL
Other load manuals I have (different powder mfg) has a 250g SWC at 1.600 OAL.
So if this was me I would see what 1.600 looks like in relation to the brass and bullet and if it looks like its close to the shoulder I'd start with 1.600. Then load a few at the min charge and chrono. Work up from there. You got this!

 

[Biggfoot44]

Well there you go OP , two different sets of solutions for you !

Of course , in the first post you forgot to give desired velocity(s) . In this thread there has mostly been a presumption of * Regular Factory Load aka more or less BP equivalent * of 255gr @ 850-ish , maybe 825 from 4 inch . This is an excellent ballpark , and great choice for a single loading to do any and everything expected of a solid bullet , non magnum Big Bore , from paper punching to big game .

But we love to brag about how versatile .45 Colt is .

Drop down to " Cowboy Action " levels of +/- 700 fps for pleasant plinking . Your VV with cleaner and faster burning would work well here .

OR , if you believe as do Pearce and others that the 625 in .45Colt is capable of the same pressures as 625 in .45acp , you can bump up into the 900's .

 

[tankpondman]

Graf & Sons.........

has N320 in stock. Got a 4 lb jug for my needs!

 

[The Norseman]

Vihtavuori N320

Old Thread. Found it looking for V.V.
N320 reloading data.

3 years later I got Vihtavuori N320.
Going to try it out in my S&W Mdl 625-6
Mountain Gun, first.

 

[Imissedagain]

BE and N320 are what we use for 115gr-120gr HC lead
and jacketed bullets in 380ACP.
Load them heavy and hot.
Mini 9s they be.

 

[The Norseman]

6 shooter S&W 625-6 Mtn Gun

Loaded 6 shells based on the Vihtavuori
2024 Reloading Guide. I will try them out
next week.

45Colt. 250gr Lead RNFP Oregon Trail
.452dia. / 7.0grs Vihtavuori N320 / CCI
#300 LP / Starline cases / medium roll
crimp / 800fps?.

 

[The Norseman]

Ok reloads so far

Shot the 6 reloads above. Nice shooting.
Very manageable. Smoke had a sweet
smell. Primers not flat. Shells slid out of
chambers easily. Accuracy ok at 12 yards,
going to have to shoot this reload
more.