Why I love Vihtavuori powders!

[Rob377]

600 rounds this afternoon, and it barely looks like it's been shot!

single digit standard deviations on 15rd samples ain't bad either. Love this stuff!!

 

[blamecharles]

600 rounds this afternoon, and it barely looks like it's been shot!

single digit standard deviations on 15rd samples ain't bad either. Love this stuff!!

What I love is that CZ

 

[strongcrow]

love that vihtavouri. kinda $$ but I love it...

 

[Rob377]

What I love is that CZ

The CZ is pretty awesome.

love that vihtavouri. kinda $$ but I love it...

True. But for accuracy, consistency, and cleanliness like this, I'll happily pay the extra 0.7 cent/round.

 

[blamecharles]

The CZ is pretty awesome.

I love mine for sure and must now get those grips like yours.

 

[Tc343]

How do hodgdon powders compare? I am brand new to reloading and am looking at buying my first powders. Looks for opinions.

 

[Leo]

Hodgdon Titegroup is not as clean as VV powders. It is far cleaner than a lot of old "standard" powders, but the cottom cellulose base in the VV really is cleaner.

 

[BE Mike]

I don't doubt you. I never could get excited about VV powder because of its cost compared to other powders and because it isn't as readily available as say Winchester, Hogdon and Alliant powders. I've done a lot of match shooting with Alliant Bullseye, which many claim is one of the dirtiest powder out there for pistol shooting. I never found it's lack of cleanliness to be a big issue.

 

[Broom_jm]

They make this stuff called "solvent", nowadays. I use it just about every time I shoot, to clean powder residue from my barrel, chamber and muzzle area on my guns. It works awesome and doesn't cost very much!

VV powders are great n' everything, but you can't count on finding them when you want to buy 'em and you CAN count on paying a premium over other makes that work just as well. I've been known to drink water right out of the tap in my kitchen sink, too!

 

[Rob377]

I've never had a problem getting VV powders. I go through a 4lb jug every 2-3 months or so, and order a new one without issue. I'm not sure where the "VV powders are unobtanium" thing comes from.


But it's all good. More perfect metering, clean burning, super-consistent, low flash/smoke N340 for me!

 

[BE Mike]

I've never had a problem getting VV powders. I go through a 4lb jug every 2-3 months or so, and order a new one without issue. I'm not sure where the "VV powders are unobtanium" thing comes from.


But it's all good. More perfect metering, clean burning, super-consistent, low flash/smoke N340 for me!

I've found the smoke issue usually involves lead bullets and what kind of lube they have. I started off reloading with Hercules, now Alliant, powders. I like the fact that most all of their powder is made in the USA. I haven't really found any big reason to switch brands. Whatever floats your boat.

 

[45fan]

I load 99% of my ammo with Hodgdon, not because its better, or cleaner, but because I can pick it up almost anywhere. VV powder looks promising, and if the local stores that I shop at started carrying it, I might have to give it a try, but for now, I will stick with Universal clays and H110 for my handgun go-to powders.

 

[Rob377]

I've found the smoke issue usually involves lead bullets and what kind of lube they have. I started off reloading with Hercules, now Alliant, powders. I like the fact that most all of their powder is made in the USA. I haven't really found any big reason to switch brands. Whatever floats your boat.

I do love me some Blue Dot in 10mm. It's a flame thrower, but man can it push 180s! POW!

 

[kludge]

500-1000 rounds of .40S&W with Hodgdon Universal or Accurate No.7 is just as clean.

 

[Rob377]

500-1000 rounds of .40S&W with Hodgdon Universal or Accurate No.7 is just as clean.

I've used more than a few pounds of AA#7 in 9mm and 357 Sig. Doesn't leave a lot of soot, but DOES leave a ton of burnt oatmeal chunks. Too bad really. Meters great and is very consistent, but those darn chunks! And, with as much of it as you have to use to get the same results, I wasn't saving any money over VV.

 

[kludge]

No chunks for me.

I also like the way it fills the case. I get the best accuracy from my XD with No.7.

 

[Disposable Heart]

I love Vihtavouri. Folks will scream about the price, but ye ol' chrono tells the true tale. Using 3N38, I can get a 9mm 147 gr out of a G19 going 1093 FPS, +/- about 15 FPS. Minimal to no flash at NIGHT. 3N37 and 124/115 grainers scream, 90 grainers, the SD begins opening up and a bit of flare in dark conditions.

N350 or similar for .45, forgeddaboutit! It completely rocks 230 grainers with minimal if any flash, no fouling and VERY low SD. It is my go to powder for SHTF loadings.

My only gripe about some Viht is the temperature stability issues I have run afoul of. I can count on my VERY hot 3N38 loads making the primers get a bit sketchy looking in the middle of the summer. 3N37 gets a bit like that, but then again, I am talking leaving the ammo in the car, windows up and middle of summer kind of hot.

 

[Disposable Heart]

Hodgdon Titegroup is not as clean as VV powders. It is far cleaner than a lot of old "standard" powders, but the cottom cellulose base in the VV really is cleaner.

I've only noticed Titegroup getting dirty if your loads run cold (low charges, large capacity cases), which sort of sucks b/c Titegroup's burn impulse makes it run soft. My USGI .45 load of 4.8grains under 230gr FMJ gets me 845 FPS out of a 5" tube and is clean as all get out. Run 3.5-4 grains under a 200 grain SWC, lightly sprung 5" tube again, gets dirty like Unique.

BUMMERZ!!

 

[Dwight D]

VV N110 does great in the 44 mag, same same velocity as my H110 loads. Love VV N120 in the Savage 10ML11 with a 300 gr Barnes bullet can get 2275 fps and really makes that rifle shoot well.

 

[Disposable Heart]

VV N110 does great in the 44 mag, same same velocity as my H110 loads. Love VV N120 in the Savage 10ML11 with a 300 gr Barnes bullet can get 2275 fps and really makes that rifle shoot well.

Funny you mention that, I tried using N110 for some .44 as well and noticed it could be loaded lighter without the problems, unlike H110 did. I dislike H110 for that exact reason of inflexibility in loading.