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Vihtavuori Powder Information

Jager

Jager

Gold $$ Contributor
Correct INFO from Capstone:

We're not certain who Randy spoke with @ Capstone, but can assure you the list of Vihtavuori products on the chopping block is much, much smaller. The list ONLY consists of N105, N32C (Tin Star), and N530. All of the other powders listed will continue to be imported.

The reason for these three being discontinued are purely economics. Vihtavuori produces large industrial quantities of certain powders for global defense markets which any additional volume can then be packaged for consumer use. These three no longer have a large industrial base. It has no relation to any other rumors.

In the Handloader article, it states the 2022 Vihtavuori guide has been reduced to only 14 listings. This is also incorrect - all of the same powders are listed for 2022 as are listed in previous guides. And, this may be easily verified by viewing the 2022 guide on their website, as well as downloaded here if you wish to copy/paste: https://www.vihtavuori.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Vihtavuori_Reloading_Guide_2022_ENG.pdf

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to Capstone Precision Group's Technical Support team at 660-460-2802 or support@capstonepg.com These guys are passionate about reloading, just like all of us, and are the "old" Sinclair International and Berger Bullets technical support team, now fielding calls about Berger, Lapua, Vihtavuori, and SK.

Geoff

www.vihtavuori.com

Fact Check - Vihtavuori powders continued support for the reloading community - Vihtavuori

We would like to address a rumour in the market. Some sources have suggested that we are planning to withdraw from the consumer reloading market. This rumour is false. We have no intentions whatsoever to quit selling reloading powders or turn our backs on the reloading community. On the...
www.vihtavuori.com www.vihtavuori.com

--------------------- Original Post -----------
Just an FYI...

The current Handloader Magazine (October-November 2022, #340) reports that a number of Vihtavuori canister powders have been discontinued, at least in the North American market. Supposedly on the chopping block are:

VV-N105 Super Magnum
N32C-Tin Star
W-N160
N165
N170
24N21
20N29
N340
N350
3N37
3N38
N530

Somewhat ironically, this sad news is reported by Randy Bimson in his "Propellant Profiles" column. A column in which he profiled the very first powder on the discontinued list... N105 Super Magnum.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
This question will sound familiar, but what’s going on at the slow burning end of rifle powder market? N165? If there was a shortage of a common-source retardant, I wouldn’t expect it to be permanent. And even if it was permanent from a particular supplier, I wouldn't expect it to be irreplaceable.

Slow burning rifle powder has not been possible for me to locate for sale for a very long time. I don’t think that the existence of long range shooting has ever been isolated, has it, like guns that are thought to hold too many rounds, or shoot them too rapidly.

This is becoming worrisome, in the way that an incremental, unspoken and unacknowledged production shift to only slow twist rate hunting-style barrels would be. There’s no question that V-8’s are being “canceled” but I can’t complain because basically all gas engines are, - but that’s out in the open at least. Is there something going on here? Can someone opine as to why there would ever be a supply/ingredient crimp on just the slow burning rifle powder end, when the fast rate end is fine?
 
Jager said:
Just an FYI...

The current Handloader Magazine (October-November 2022, #340) reports that a number of Vihtavuori canister powders have been discontinued, at least in the North American market. Supposedly on the chopping block are:

VV-N105 Super Magnum
N32C-Tin Star
W-N160
N165
N170
24N21
20N29
N340
N350
3N37
3N38
N530

Somewhat ironically, this sad news is reported by Randy Bimson in his "Propellant Profiles" column. A column in which he profiled the very first powder on the discontinued list... N105 Super Magnum.
Click to expand...
Wow, N-105 is the one my 454 likes best. First hodgdon scraps the enduron line and now VV scraps half of their line. Sounds like the bean counters are at work.
 
davidjoe said:
Slow burning rifle powder …
This is becoming worrisome, in the way that an incremental, unspoken and unacknowledged production shift to only slow twist rate hunting-style barrels would be. There’s no question that V-8’s are being “canceled” but I can’t complain because basically all gas engines are, - but that’s out in the open at least. Is there something going on here? Can someone opine as to why there would ever be a supply/ingredient crimp on just the slow burning rifle powder end, when the fast rate end is fine?
Click to expand...
We do know that propellant manufacturing is highly global. And there are a wide range of specific chemicals that have only one or two manufacturing locations in the world. If opining is in play, I have to wonder if an generally obscure but crucial chemical for slow burning powders are tied up by Russia’s war on Ukraine. The news talks about Nickel, Palladium, potash, and vanadium but those are just the headliners.

The other major consideration is simply demand. All of the heavy artillery consumption right now seems like a possible disruption that would take priority over personal use markets. Whether or not we agree with those priorities may be irrelevant if those suppliers are overseas. They may have their own priorities.

Opining. If we knew which ingredient was a sticking point maybe we could better understand. But that steps into the proprietary envelope of the powders formulation.
 
… I just wonder if we are being weened and don’t realize it. This shortage predates Covid, and it’s probably been 5 years since I could actually compare prices from two or more well-stocked suppliers. While all smokeless powders seem to use deterrent chemicals and additives of similar procurement difficulty, the slow end (long-range) has been most restricted.

Supply goes down and we are patient. Prices go up with lower supply and we buy it out, even faster. Instead of more price hikes or increasing capacity, manufacturers do what makes no economic sense, and drop entire rifle lines, instead of shipping what little they might be able to or coding it temporarily unavailable.

I don’t think we are a cash drain compared to factory ammo anymore, as the balance is tipping against hand loading (to save, not to customize) because manufacturers can adjust pricing to equalize profits and seem to have done that.

Before I got the match shooting bug, way back, I accepted the common sentiment that the oldest and core rights of 2A are self defense and food procurement. I don’t see the same difficulties in supply affecting those areas. Pistols, shotguns and hunting rifle gear supplies seems A-ok. I’m sure to some against guns, the reach of our LR match gear and supplies is an axe to grind, who wonder why we need to do this and don’t like it, and even apart from powder we should be aware of that.
 
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Looking at the list I see this as purely economic. Please note that:
N560
N565
N568
N570
are not on the discontinue list. I would prefer the new "500" series to the new or old "100" series but my experience is very limited in regards to these burn rates as I shoot nothing bigger than a .30-06. I am currently using Alliant RL-23 and am okay with it but wouldn't hurt my feelings to use the VV N5?? there are a couple in there that could work and still have the temp stability and copper fouling erasing additives. I know load work up in these times is troublesome because of bullet and primer shortages but it is shooting too!!!
 
Who own's Vihtavuori now?
Too many powders that over lap each other.
Wait and see, might be another internet lie.
 
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Folks, this list is 95% fake news. We're not certain who Randy spoke with @ Capstone, but can assure you the list of Vihtavuori products on the chopping block is much, much smaller. The list ONLY consists of N105, N32C (Tin Star), and N530. All of the other powders listed will continue to be imported.

The reason for these three being discontinued are purely economics. Vihtavuori produces large industrial quantities of certain powders for global defense markets which any additional volume can then be packaged for consumer use. These three no longer have a large industrial base. It has no relation to any other rumors.

In the Handloader article, it states the 2022 Vihtavuori guide has been reduced to only 14 listings. This is also incorrect - all of the same powders are listed for 2022 as are listed in previous guides. And, this may be easily verified by viewing the 2022 guide on their website, as well as downloaded here if you wish to copy/paste: https://www.vihtavuori.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Vihtavuori_Reloading_Guide_2022_ENG.pdf

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to Capstone Precision Group's Technical Support team at 660-460-2802 or support@capstonepg.com These guys are passionate about reloading, just like all of us, and are the "old" Sinclair International and Berger Bullets technical support team, now fielding calls about Berger, Lapua, Vihtavuori, and SK.

Geoff
 
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