VihtaVuori powder, "N 328"

[Papa Doug]

After going to the VihtaVuori site I first went to Hodgdon but they have no information.
I was given 1lb of N 328 VihtaVuori powder and I can find no reload data for it. I need the info to reload 38 specials, 45ACP and 9mm. Can anyone help or at least get me an email direct to VihtaVuori?

Any help you can provide would be appreciated. Thank you.

Doug

 

[JohnKielly]

I suspect that as it's not a currently listed Viht powder (and I have downloaded manuals going back to 2004), you might find some difficulty in squeezing data out of VihtaVouri. Those Europeans tend to be a tad careful with something like you have with unknown provenance.

 

[CJ6]

Are you sure it isn't 3N38 or N320 ????

 

[expiper]

N310
Very fast burning and competitive with Alliant Bullseye, Hodgdon HP38 and Vectan Ba 10. It has applications in a very wide range from .32 S&W Long Wadcutter up to .45 ACP.

N320
A comparatively fast burning multipurpose handgun powder with burning rate about the same as Winchester 231 or Alliant Red Dot. Currently available reloading data for 9 mm Luger, .38 Super Auto, .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .40 S&W, .44 S&W Special, .44 Remington Magnum, .45 ACP and .45 Colt.

Tin Star (N32C)
Special powder developed for Cowboy Action Shooters shooting lead bullets with revolvers and single-action rifles. It has low bulk density (less free space in the case) and it burns very clean without residues with a burning rate between N320 and N330. Reloading data is currently available for .38 Special and .44 Magnum.

N330
Burning rate is a bit slower than with N320 and corresponding to Alliant Unique and Vectan Ba 9. Especially designed for 9 mm Luger but also suitable for .38 Special, .40 S&W, .44 S&W Special and .45 (Long) Colt.

N340
An excellent multipurpose handgun powder with burning rate generally about like Accurate No.5 or Alliant Herco. Wide application area covers the following handgun cartridges: 9 mm Luger, 9x21 mm, .357 SIG, .38 Super Auto, .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .40 S&W, 10 mm AUTO, .44 S&W Special, .44 Remington Magnum, .45 ACP and .45 Colt.

N350
This is the slowest burning N300 series handgun powder, which can usually be used instead of Accurate No.7, IMR Hi- Skor 800-X and Alliant Blue Dot. Appropriate choice for many powerful handgun loads, for example in calibers 9 mm Luger, 10 mm AUTO and .45 ACP.

3N37
Originally developed for .22 rimfire cartridges but has proven to be very versatile and desirable within all competitive handgun shooting disciplines. The burning speed of this small grain powder is near to N350 and Vectan A0. Reloading data available for all popular handgun cartridges.

3N38
This specially designed powder for competitive handgun shooting is recommended for high velocity loads of 9 mm Luger, .38 Super Auto and .40 S&W with moderate bullet weight. Burning rate is corresponding to Vectan SP 2.

 

[JohnKielly]

See page 4 of this one (the 1992 loading handbook): http://www.castpics.net/LoadData/Freebies/RM/Vihta/VV_ed1.pdf

Seems that it's a shotgun powder.

 

[watercam]

3N-38 is right next to Blue Dot on the burn rate chart. I use Blue Dot for 45 acp/cast or plated (not jacketed) bullets with great velocities and accuracy. They are slow and I use Winchester primers as they are a tad hotter to help ignite larger charges of slow powder. Lyman has plenty of Blue Dot pistol loads and if you start low you can use that data to get started. Watch your primers, they will start to flatten when loads get too hot.

 

[watercam]

Vihtavouri's link for pistol/shotshell powders:

http://www.vihtavuori.com/en/powders/n300.html

Some shotshell powders are often used for pistol loads with plenty of data available. Especially when they are often all that is available these days. Lyman Manual is a very good resource and worth investing in.

 

[expiper]

OP,,,,even if it IS (or is not ) a shotgun powder ,,,remember lots of shotgun powders are used in pistol loads,,,for instance RED dot-Green dot-Blue dot--Clays/Int.Clays/Univ Clays--700x/800x---
As stated ,,,be shure of the powder type and consult several manuals and maby a mentor who loads various pistol cals with various powder types,,,,take your time,,,Roger

 

[KevinThomas]

Papa Doug,

I checked back through what archives I have available here in the office, and can find no reference to N328 anywhere. By the numbers alone, I would say it is a reasonably fast burning powder, suitable for shotshells and/or handgun ammo. Beyond that, sorry, but I can't give you any sort of starting place. Safe to say it's probably been discontinued for a good 15 years or more.

 

[joshb]

I have been known to use shotshell powders, for pistol, during the famine. But I do agree. Be sure what you have and don't load without info.

 

[Papa Doug]

It is N 328, it says so on the factory container, I've had it for a few years but I have been using my other powders but now I'm running low so thought I would use it but my Vihtavuori book doesn't list it. I'm a former competitive shooter and have been reloading for over 30 years. None of my reloading or powder books have it listed. I do have N 320 as well and believe it to be close to that or Win 231 but I didn't really want to go to the trouble of working up a load, a little more difficult now that I've sold my Chronograph.
I've had the container for about 20 years and never opened it until a few weeks ago but it's still good.
I was kind of hoping someone might have an old Vihtavuori book but I guess not. I may just have to start with a low powder charge and work up a couple 10th's at a time.
I'll check back in a couple days and see if there any more replies.
Thanks to everyone who replied!

 

[rogn]

I just looked at a list of burning rate charts I have and they list N324, N325 and N330. They list W-452AA and SR-7625 between the 325 and 330. They suggest that it might be a tad slower than Unique,

 

[Dusty Stevens]

What if its as fast as bullseye and you use a load comparable to clays?

 

[Ned Ludd]

From what I'm reading in this thread, VV must have sold that way back when as their "Blunderbuss" powder.

Dude -seriously, it's ONE POUND of really old powder. Throw it out and buy a current bottle of whatever you wish to use that you know is the correct powder.