Vihtavuori N320 Gunpowder

Anybody use Vihtavuori N320 in .45 Auto reduced power loads for wad guns? I've been using 4.0 grains of Bullseye with both the 185 grain Nosler Custom Competition JHPs and the 185 grain Zero cast lead SWCHPs. Works good in both, but it is a dirty powder. I recently read an article (see below) that claims N320 is cleaner burning and also very accurate. If anyone is using it, any idea as to what is an equivalent charge for N320 to replicate a Bullseye load of 4.0 grains?

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2012/10/try-vihtavuori-n320-in-your-45-acp-pistol/

Regards,
Bill Thibeault

Vihtavuori does not list a .45 load for N320. However, they do list loads for N310. I use 3.7 gr N310 with 200 gr LSWC for bullseye. Burns very clean and has nice snappy recoil.

I use N320 for my S&W Model 14 for DR matches. 158 gr LSWC and 3.3 gr N320. Not as fast as N310 which is about as fast as Clays, but very clean.

V-320 is designed for heavier bullets, it can be used with a 200 or 230 gr bullet. I ransomed some very accurate hardball loads using the a 230 fmj and 5 grs. V-310 is a much better bullseye powder, it loads about the same as bullseye. 3.8 gr for a 200 lswc and 4.0 for a 185 lswc gives very accurate results.

Are there any loads for N320 with 185gr LSWC bullets? Anyone use that combo?



Steve

I've loaded 4.0 gr N310 for 185 gr LSWCHP Zero bullets, but have not had a chance to get to the range to try them. 3.9 gr of Clays should give you about the same results.

stevenorlando wrote:Are there any loads for N320 with 185gr LSWC bullets? Anyone use that combo?



Steve

I'm using N320, NOT N310 and 185gr LSWC bullets.

stevenorlando wrote:

stevenorlando wrote:Are there any loads for N320 with 185gr LSWC bullets? Anyone use that combo?



Steve

I'm using N320, NOT N310 and 185gr LSWC bullets.

The reason nobody is using v-320 with a 185 bullet is that it is a slower burning powder and it was designed to be used with heavier bullets. There is a reason the manufacture doesn't recommend using with lighter bullets, I dont know what it is but i would check into it before continuing to load it. I load v-320 to 5 grains with a 230 fmj and it is very accurate.

great group, 1.200 is the recommended oal for the noslers. .469 for a crimp.

AllAces wrote:Vihtavuori does not list a .45 load for N320. However, they do list loads for N310. I use 3.7 gr N310 with 200 gr LSWC for bullseye. Burns very clean and has nice snappy recoil.

Vihta Vuori does list loads for 45 ACP using N320. I use N310 mainly because that is what everybody else is using and has a burn rate similar to Bullseye powder.

Actually, N320 is a better powder for Bullseye shooting because the charges fill the case more and you get more consistent ignition and the burn rate is similar to Clays. 

However, the powder we use is the one that produces the smallest groups.

And the talk goes on because opinions are like belly buttons, everybody has one!

very good hardball load is 5.0 grains v-320 and a good 230 FMJ