Wanted -- Vihtavuori N310 -- 45 ACP, 185gr JHP & LSWCHP load data

[Stephen Price]

I have seen it on the list before but didn't write it down.  

I am looking for some load data for Vihtavuori N310 for my 45 ACP. Powder load, crimp, primer etc. I am looking to change my current recipe using Solo 1000  and I have 5 lbs of the N310 on hand.  I currently only have Winchester primers but I would like to know what you were using when you got the results on the load you are giving me.

The bullets are Nosler & Zero brand. I am using Starline brass.

185gr. JHP

185gr. LSWCHP 

 

Thank you,

Stephen

 

 

Bill Jordan

 

Speed is Fine... but 

Accuracy is Final...

"There's a time for talking and there's a time for shooting.  Always know what time it is...." - Captain Roy Bergman, Missouri Highway Patrol (Ret.) (R.I.P.)

[Ed Hall]

I've never really developed a lead load at 50, but here's my jacketed load.  Starline brass will do fine in place of the below WW.

I posted the following to the forum recently:

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When I load for 50 yards, I get really particular about it, down to using a home made guide rod to ensure the bullet starts and stays aligned with the case as it is seated.  From a barrel tester, my Kart Easy-Fit produced groups right at one inch at 50 yards, with Bullseye just over one inch and VV N310 just under.

For those enquiring minds and so I can write this once and refer to it if ever needed...

My 50 yard load procedure:

components:
- once-fired (or, new primed, if available) WW brass
- Nosler (or, Zero) 185gr JHP bullets
- WLP primers
- 4.3gr VV N310 (or, 4.5gr Bullseye) powder

dimensions:
OAL - 1.197"
crimp - .470"

If using once-fired WW brass, I decap all of it and use a large pistol primer pocket uniformer to cut each pocket to a precise depth. Then I use a hand primer tool to seat each primer just below flush, paying attention to the feel of the seating with my thumb.

I used to individually check the weight of each powder drop, but I've since stopped checking and just accept what the machine drops.  However, the way I use my powder might be a bit different from many reloaders.  Once I remove powder from the original container, any leftover amount does not return to that container.  Instead, it is added to a second container.  For my 50 yard loads and any match ammo, I use fresh powder from my original container.  The other powder is used for training ammo.  I empty the powder hopper after each use.

So, the next step is bullet seating.  As mentioned above, I created a rod with a shaped end to fit exactly inside the cavity of the hollow point bullet.  My seating die has a hole in the center through which I place this rod.  When I set the bullet on the open case, I lower the rod into the cavity, which aligns the bullet, and I then proceed with the seating.  As the shell plate travels upward, the rod extends further above the die and at the top I capture it so it doesn't travel back down with the bullet after seating.  If I didn't capture it, it would interfere with the process as the shell plate rotates.

For the crimping stage, it's just a standard taper crimp.  I've always considered it difficult to measure the crimp by trying to adjust the calipers across the case at the very edge, so I use a little bit different method - I set the calipers to the desired crimp and lock them, then check that measurement against the case mouth.

One more bit of nitpickiness: I use an original Square Deal progressive press and I only consider the rounds that come out of the press while the shell plate is full to be consistently loaded.  Therefore the first and last three rounds of a batch are considered "inferior."

I also have a 50 yard load that uses the Remington button-nosed Jacketed 185gr SWC (the one that looks like the Federal match bullet).  Of course, I can't use my alignment rod for that one.  But, otherwise I do all the same work.

One last note because someone will wonder:  I remove the decapping pin and run all the primed brass (both versions) through the sizing die on its way around the plate, even though I really shouldn't need to.

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Take Care,
Ed Hall
http://airforceshooting.org/
http://www.starreloaders.com/edhall/
Director, Charter and Life Member, eWSA
President, Long Lake Fish & Game Club

[Steve A]

My formula for 1.75" 50yd group using sand bag rest: 

185gr JHP Zero

Starline Brass

WLP Primers

4.5gr VV N310

1.205 OAL

.470 crimp