VV-N350

[EdMc]

Anyone tried this powder with 180 gr bullets? I was re-reading the Brian Pearce article in an old Handloader and he wrote highly of this powder with this bullet weight. I know, I should try more loads and read less  ....but in my area it's hard to find much other than Unique, Bullseye and 2400. I refuse to pay hazmat fees, plus shipping on just one or two pounds of powder to try. Ordering through a LGS takes quite a while as they wait until they have a large enough order to spread out the haz mat fees.

[sqlbullet]

I have read lots of good things about the powder too.  Some of them in that same article you reference.  It's the issue with the Kimber 10mm on the cover from about 3 years ago.

My LGS stocks the powder, but I just don't see spending the extra bucks for a lb of it.  Longshot, Power Pistol, and AA#9 seem to give me very similar performance.

I would be interested in hearing anothers experience though

[The_Shadow]

There were some people that posted some loads for it over at GlockTalk.  The nearest LGS (BPS) that stocks any powder is 80 miles away (other local stores quit carring any reloading stuff),  and they don't have any VV Powders.

Oh well! 

[EdMc]

Is it that much more expensive? The local BPS has Longshot but it's 35% higher than the Alliant powders. They don't stock AA#X or any VV powders. I know the 'boutique' places use LS but I'm still leery of the pressure.

[sqlbullet]

At my LGS, Alliant powders are generally $16-18/lb.  Hodgdon and Accurate powders are usually $18-$20/lb.  The Vihtavuori powders are $30-$35/lb.

So, yeah, they are a bunch more.

[EdMc]

I thought the cost of living was supposed to be cheaper in the South? LOL  Alliant is 22.95, the LS 29.95 etc. I'm already paying a premium and haven't gotten to any VV powders yet. 

[sqlbullet]

Alliant Tech Aerospace is just s few miles from my house and everybody and there dog works there is seems.  So, the local retailers have to be especially competitive to ever get business what with employee pricing.

I don't know why Hodgdon would be cheap here though.

[REDLINE]

I know the 'boutique' places use LS but I'm still leery of the pressure.

For Double Tap, yes.  For Underwood I've only ever heard assumptions suggesting that.  Do you know for sure about Underwood?

[EdMc]

  Do you know for sure about Underwood?

No, I know nothing for sure, just the usual internet lurking. I usually do most of my shooting over a chrono at a friends place....he's reloaded for many years so I trust his opinion. Anyway, he pointed out some subtle primer changes on my loads that were slightly over 9 gr of LS and measured case expansion indicated rising pressure. In my G20SF the velocity averaged just under 1200 fps (180 XTP). In the article I referenced this would be around the test load starting velocity of the VV-N350 with a 180 GD in a 5 in Kimber.

What I seek isn't the fastest load, but something with a 180 gr solidly over 1200 fps without pushing the pressure envelope and decent accuracy.   

[REDLINE]

What I seek isn't the fastest load, but something with a 180 gr solidly over 1200 fps without pushing the pressure envelope and decent accuracy.

In that case, probably both Vihtavuori 3N38 and N105 would be better choices than N350.  I'm certainly not suggesting to not try N350.

[EdMc]

In that case, probably both Vihtavuori 3N38 and N105 would be better choices than N350.  I'm certainly not suggesting to not try N350.

Looking at manuals I have and reading the VV section on GT, you might be right. The Pearce article and Speer #14 are the only sources I've found that mention VV-N350. Min 8.5gr @ 1,225     -       Max 10.0gr @ 1,379 from the Handloader article.  That's what caught my eye.....easily over 1200 with plenty more to go if you wished. Speer cut their load of N350 off at 9.7gr @ 1150. Same powder, GD, & primer. Kinda makes you wonder, don't it? 

[475/480]

 Most NEW reloading manuals have downloaded the 10MM. There are a LOT of Colt DE's and Glocks out there with unsupported chambers .I think the powder companies are just playing it safe.


Sean

[EdMc]

Yeah, I've heard that and then others say it's because of a change in pressure testing devices causing the reevaluation. Obviously, the consumer will be the last to know.

[REDLINE]

The Pearce article and Speer #14 are the only sources I've found that mention VV-N350. Min 8.5gr @ 1,225     -       Max 10.0gr @ 1,379 from the Handloader article.  That's what caught my eye.....easily over 1200 with plenty more to go if you wished. Speer cut their load of N350 off at 9.7gr @ 1150. Same powder, GD, & primer. Kinda makes you wonder, don't it? 

It definitly makes one wonder.

I only have the Speer #13, and they don't even show a 10mm load in it with N350.  They do for 3N37 with a 180gr Gold Dot.....the max charge weight they show is 10.0 grains hitting 1150fps (CCI300 primer and COL of 1.250" and Hornady Brass) from a S&W 1006 with a 5" barrel.  What test platform for velocities are they claiming they used in the #14 version with N350?

[EdMc]

The same test procedure in Speer #14. Same S&W 1006, components, and COAL. The Handloader article used a 5 in Kimber, Starline, CCI primers........COAL wasn't given for individual loads only that the max was 1.260  and all used a crimp of .418 inches. The article, unlike most, showed many powders at multiple loads with many bullet weights. As an example the 180 GD was tested with 9 different powders at various charges. I'd guess they used a COAL of 1.250 w/ the 180 GDs as the velocity was pretty close to Speer's with a max of 11.0 gr. BD @ 1267.