VV N-340 & .45 Colt 225 Gr TC-HB

[chriske]

Hi,

Anyone have any experience with VihtaVuori N-340 powder ?

I'm trying to develop .45 Colt loads with 225 Gr plated hollow-based bullets for my 4-5/8" Ruger Blackhawk, say around 900 fps'ish.

The closest I can find on VihtaVuori's own site are loads for :
200 Gr LSWC : 10.9 gr to 11.6 Gr for 1100 to 1200 fps
230 Gr FMJ : 9.7 Gr tot 10.4 Gr for 990 to 1100 fps

The bulletmaker's site (H&N sport) only lists loads with N-320 powder, which is quite a bit faster, more like W-231, namely :
6.0 Gr tot 7.5 gr, but assures me those bullets can safely be driven up to and beyond 1000 fps depending on gun & barrel length.

Any ideas ?

 

[sar4937]

http://www.lapua.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Relodata/Handgun/.45Colt.jpg This is as close as you will probably get. My Sierra book had some loads listed for their bullets only, but I don't know whether they covered 45LC like they do 45ACP.

 

[GCF]

Hi,

230 Gr FMJ : 9.7 Gr tot 10.4 Gr for 990 to 1100 fps

The bulletmaker's site (H&N sport) only lists loads with N-320 powder, which is quite a bit faster, more like W-231, namely :
6.0 Gr tot 7.5 gr, but assures me those bullets can safely be driven up to and beyond 1000 fps depending on gun & barrel length.

Any ideas ?

N-340 is a good powder for .45 Colt. At least it works well in my 625-6 MG, under a 265LSWC-PB / 12BHN, Keith bullet. 8.6 - 8.8 grains produce nice groups, & plenty of power - w/ out excess pressure.

Bear in mind, my load is for a 265 cast bullet, not a 225 grain plated bullet.

As the 230fmj load looks a little stiff to me, I'd strongly recommend starting lower - maybe around 8.8 grains, & working up in 0.2 grain increments, until you find your accuracy sweet spot.

VV N-330 is also a great powder for .45 Colt cast bullet loads - if you can find it, & might even work better w/ the light 225 grain bullets.

 

[shovelwrench]

What range was that???


You can download VV's load book HERE

 

[GCF]

What range was that???

About 18 - 20 yards, off bags.

Thanks for the link!