VV n310 and the .38Spl

T

TT1900

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Hello all,

Does anyone here has experience loading .38spl with VV n310?

I have 2kg of n310 that I've been using to load .32S&W L, but 1.5gr a pop = 20,500 rds which will last me close to a decade. I've tried loading .38spl target loads with Bullseye and W231 so far; both work well but they're filthy so got me thinking n310 may be good for .38Spl. When I went looking for load data I came across very little, despite the burn rate not being that much faster than Bullseye. The only projectiles I saw that I recognized were the Berry's, which are plated while I'm shooting cast 158gr SWC.

So my questions:

If you have used N310 what did you like or not like?

Am I correct in my assumption that load data for plated bullets will be very close to cast lead? I've noticed that jacketed normally require higher charge weights, so if plated is closer to jacketed then I'm SOL for data so far.
 
Plated bullets are in fact loaded to lead specs. They are not the same as jacketed by any means. Most plated bullet manufacturers will advise to load to lead specs unless they are TP or Thick Plated which are suitable for the higher pressures/velocities.
dB
 
I was in the same boat with N-310. Bought a jug to reload 32 for my Pardini and then realized it would take years to use it up. So I started using it in a target load for 45 Auto. I took my usual Bullseye load which was super accurate and super dirty. The same charge weight of N 310 was nearly identical in velocity. The online Vihtavouri data gave me a range that I could extrapolate from for Campro and Berry plated. The end result was a load that was even more accurate and far less dirty than Bullseye. I'm really pleased with the results. No downside whatsoever.

So a different cartridge but similar goal. I think if you start low and workup you'll be happy with the results. There are very few people that ever complain about VV powders.
 
Thanks guys.

I appreciate that VV has a lot of data listed on their site, makes life much easier. Given plated = lead I’ve now got something to work from. I did look through the BrianEnos and targettalk threads and it seems n310 in .38spl is quite polarizing with some saying it’s great and others not to do it. I don’t understand the negative given its close in nature to Bullseye, which seems to be praised by all for .38 & .45 which are running similar pressures.

What made me really wonder is on the VV site if you select N310 it will link you to data for .32, 9mm, .45ACP, & .357mag but not .38spl. If you select N320 then .38spl shows up and has loads for N310 listed.

In my loading manuals, Lyman & Speer the only VV powders that show up are N320 for loads less than 150gr and N350 for anything heavier.

I’m new to loading .38, and fairly new to loading in general, so I’ll probably just get some n320 or Clays. Seems the safer thing to do.
 
TT
You may be overthinking this a bit. If you haven't blown up your gun with Bullseye and w231 you're not suddenly going to blow it up with N 310 :) You didn't blow up your 32 did you?? Of course not.

Two things, the americans on the net tend to be suspicious of Vihtavouri as it has a weird foreign name and costs more money so it must be suspect. Secondly, there's this huge over concern about faster powders. If you don't double charge a case nothing bad is going to happen.

Vihtavouri lists a starting load of 3.9 grs of N-310 with a 158gr Berry bullet at 699 fps. Pretty mild by any measure.
 
All powder is dirty, its just the nature of burning gunpowder. Sure, some powders may deposit a bit more or less, but i think the key thing your are missing: reloaders reload to cut costs vs factory, first & foremost.

VV powders cost upwards of C$40.00 a pound and typically require a bit more grains to achieve the same results one can attain with faster burning powder like WW231 & Bullseye.
 
Heddok said:
TT
You may be overthinking this a bit. If you haven't blown up your gun with Bullseye and w231 you're not suddenly going to blow it up with N 310 :) You didn't blow up your 32 did you?? Of course not.

Two things, the americans on the net tend to be suspicious of Vihtavouri as it has a weird foreign name and costs more money so it must be suspect. Secondly, there's this huge over concern about faster powders. If you don't double charge a case nothing bad is going to happen.

Vihtavouri lists a starting load of 3.9 grs of N-310 with a 158gr Berry bullet at 699 fps. Pretty mild by any measure.
Click to expand...

Haven’t blown up anything yet and aiming to keep it that way. N310 is the only powder I’ve used for the .32. .314 H&N 98gr, Lapua brass, federal small pistol primer & 1.5-1.6gr of n310 makes it hum along so nice, why rock the boat. Shooting the same gun you are.

I suspect you’re right in that I’m overthinking it. I just prefer when there is a lot of data to work from given my experience level. That load for the 158gr Berry’s was the one I found and was planning to work from. Guess I’ll give it a go and report back.
 
hatman1793 said:
All powder is dirty, its just the nature of burning gunpowder. Sure, some powders may deposit a bit more or less, but i think the key thing your are missing: reloaders reload to cut costs vs factory, first & foremost.

VV powders cost upwards of C$40.00 a pound and typically require a bit more grains to achieve the same results one can attain with faster burning powder like WW231 & Bullseye.
Click to expand...

I’m not missing that point, it’s why I got into reloading as well. When Lapua .32S&W is pushing close to $1.50 a pop the extra 1/10th of a cent for n310 over Bullseye is inconsequential for a known quantity. I’m also willing to pay the extra 1/5th cent per round in .38 if it gets me a cleaner burning well behaved round.
 
Thanks! Thats remarkably close to what VV had listed as a starting load; 2.9gr for a Berry’s 148 DEWC @ 564fps. I may need to go find some 148gr bullets to try.
 
Post your results when you can
I’m just going to start loading 38 spl again after 30 years shooting other calibers

I used to use 3.0 gr Bullseye with 148 gr HBWC but am going to start with N310 this time around

When I got my Pardini 32 S W Long 4 years ago it completely changed my mind about handgun accuracy expectations and upped my reloading expectations as well.
 
Also do you have your eye on the Manurhin MR 32 at Tradex?? Years ago spending 1k on a handgun would cause short circuits in my brain. Now I think the Manurhin at 4x that price might just be the ideal ISSF centerfire gun when I get sick of picking up cases off of the range floor
 
Heddok said:
Also do you have your eye on the Manurhin MR 32 at Tradex?? Years ago spending 1k on a handgun would cause short circuits in my brain. Now I think the Manurhin at 4x that price might just be the ideal ISSF centerfire gun when I get sick of picking up cases off of the range floor
Click to expand...

Sure do, it’s a thing of beauty. Hoping to get out there and take a look in person sometime in Sept. It’s between that or a .45 wad gun for my next firearm purchase. I’m currently without a .45 which seems unacceptable but that MR32 is calling to me.

I will certainly post results.
 
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