Vihtavuori N32C/Tinstar - seeking wisdom

[shil]

Load data for .45 Colt from Vihtavuori has disappeared. I'm using their last published data and shooting up my remaining supply of their N32C/Tin Star powder. (I find it to be a nice powder, by the way.) I came across a submission from a shooter who contacted their U.S. distributor about their dropping of .45 Colt data, requesting same. The shooter was provided with recommendations, using charges that were significantly lighter. The charge I was using was 8.5 grains, about half maximum by the data I was using. 250 grain lead bullet. No apparent ill effects. Can anyone offer any insight about the reason for the charge reduction and whether the 8.5 charge I'm using may be too hot? I hear the powder is being discontinued.

 

[rwsmith]

This is why I like.....

...OLD reloading data. I don't like being limited by legal paranoia. I'm careful and I shoot strong, modern guns. I don't know anybody that has blown up a gun with GOOD data, new or old. Some loads that were thought to be dangerous still didn't blow up guns and they are documented. (Speer #8) Guns are proofed at like +30%. I don't mean to intentionally overload your guns for kicks, but these namby pamby loadings they are publishing now aren't anywhere near what I shot in the 70's/80's. Now you can hardly tell the difference between standard loads and +P.

They say that their pressure measurements are more accurate now, which is undoubtedly true, but a LOT of practice has shown old loadings to be safe. Very few people were in the business of blowing up firearms. A vast majority want to keep our guns, and ourselves, safe.

I like having information available on the web, but I find less and less choices of powder and bullets, weaker loadings and a lot of data just disappears. I'm glad I've got my books.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE THEM I'd invest in a few used books that have the powders and bullet combos that you need. It doesn't just disappear like info on the web sites.

 

[Nemo288]

The 2020 Vihtavouri print manual shows one load in the cowboy section for 45 Colt using N32C:
251 LRNFP start 8.3 gr. (889 fps) stop 9.6 gr. (1001 fps) COL 1.587" 6" barrel.
That data is gone from the 2021 manual.
I think you are good to go.
The best way to know is to chrono your load and compare to the manual.

I also like N32C but it has been discontinued as mentioned in the latest
VV print manual (2023) along with N105 and N530.
Of those I miss N105 the most.

The powder market has been absolutely crazy since the stupid panic-demic.
It's showing signs of improvement now but several of my favorite powders
(like Universal, H4198, and H322) have yet to return.
And if they do, they will be double the old price.
I must say that the VV powders are now a much better deal relative
to the other brands than they used to be. Good on them!

Even if we get a more military friendly administration later this year
it may not help the powder situation as some big orders are bound to be offered up.

Here's the 2014 VV manual with the same data in it.
It's small enough to post here unlike the newer ones.

 

[shil]

Unique, I found, has reappeared in one-pound containers........ @56+ dollars.

 

[Nevada Ed]

In my 38 special J frame snub nose, a 148 gr lead BBwc bullet
minimum load of Trail Boss was at only 2.0 grs of powder.

Lyman shows a 200gr 45 Colt starting with 5.8 gr of Trail Boss.

Your powder is made by a different company but both powders are used for "Cowboy loads".

My starting loads were "Smoky" and a little more powder gave tighter groups.

Good luck with that powder.