Vihtavuori Powder - The Firearms Forum

DixieLandMan · 04-19-2012, 03:28 PM

I have some 130 grain FMJ rounds for 9mm. The reloading books I have recommend Vihtavuori Powder. I think it is made by Lapua. Question, rather than buy a 1lb of it for the few rounds I have, is this powder comparable to any other powder? If so, great. If not, the powder I am looking at is the V-N340 and that can be used in 9mm and .45 acp.

Thank you!

steve4102 · 04-19-2012, 05:02 PM

VV makes excellent powders, but that doesn't mean they are the only game in town.

Go here and see all that is available.
http://www.accuratepowder.com/wp-con...d_data_3.5.pdf

http://www.alliantpowder.com/

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

http://www.ramshot.com/wp-content/up...dgun_rifle.pdf

http://www.lapua.com/upload/download...uideed9eng.pdf

LDBennett · 04-20-2012, 07:06 AM

The other thing about Vihtavuori Powder is finding it at your local dealer. While a good powder it apparently is not nearly as popular as most American distributed powders and that makes it hard to find locally.

There are a ton of different powders that work well with 9mm and 45ACP. Probably one of the most universal powders that can be used in almost any handgun cartridge is Winchester 231 or its exact twin Hodgdon HP38 (same powder different label... Hodgdon distributes both). I use W231/HP38 in all my handgun loads.

These fast powders like W231/HP38 use up a small portion of the volume of the case and that is alright for them. They are designed that way. Some other slower burning powders when loaded down, using only a small part of the case volume, are affected by the excessive empty space. The velocity results are different depending on where the bulk of the powder lies in the case. This appears not to be true of the fast buttoning powders like Bulleye, W231/PP38, AA#2 and others. The slower powders in the burning speed range of Unique (but not necessarily Unique???) may be greatly affect by powder position in the case. Velocity testing will point out which is and which is not.I have yet to see an article on this matter but have read comments where in-promt-to testing reveal this issue.

LDBennett

DixieLandMan · 04-20-2012, 08:53 AM

Thank you. The reason I asked is that the only powder my reloading books show for 130 grain (9mm) FMJ is the Vihtavuori powder. I currently use Unique and am happy with it. I didn't know if I needed to just suck it up and buy a pound or if there was a combination of using a different powder. Like going up/down with weight and using different powder, like Unique, and that being ok.

Bindernut · 04-20-2012, 09:11 AM

Are they FMJ or are they plated bullets? 130 is a rather odd weight for a jacketed bullet...but it is possible. It's more common to see that weight in cast lead or plated lead though.

Check the Hodgdon data center. http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp
They do have a few loads for the 130gr Berrys plated round nose. These would be mild loads for a standard jacketed FMJ bullet.

Also, 130gr is very similar in weight to 124/125gr. 5gr is enough of a difference to be cautious enough to stay away from the max loads.
If you stayed at the bottom of the 124/125gr data you should be safe.

cpttango30 · 04-20-2012, 09:45 AM

I love VV powders I just can't afford to buy them around me they are $4 more expensive than Any other. I guess it is because they are a foreign name powder.

Talking to the Chief Ballistician at SHOT for Hodgdon I believe Hodgdon powder makes it all for sale over here.

DixieLandMan · 04-20-2012, 10:02 AM

I think these bullets are for the 38 Super but I wanted to know if they would be ok in the 9mm. The Lee handbook I have has listings for 130 grain but using the Vihavuori powder. I just did not feel like spending $30 for powder for these bullets specifically but the powder woul work for some other loads as well.

Caneman · 04-20-2012, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpttango30

I love VV powders

me too, it seems like they are super clean... small cut extruded and meter pretty good as well...

Bindernut · 04-20-2012, 05:03 PM

Those are indeed intended for the .38Super. Not to mention they're some old timers too looking at the box.

Sierra still makes a 130gr FMJ in .355". They have it listed on the same data page as their 125grs. See attached page from their 5th Ed manual. Lots of powder choices besides the VV stuff...which as others have said is a fine brand but hard to get in my area too.

DixieLandMan · 04-23-2012, 11:28 AM

Thank you Bindernut! That helps save me time and money for the VV powder. I already have other powder that I'll use and they are old bullets. I forgot where Dad got them but they do look old.

04-19-2012, 03:28 PM	#1
DixieLandMan Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Alabama Posts: 603	Vihtavuori Powder I have some 130 grain FMJ rounds for 9mm. The reloading books I have recommend Vihtavuori Powder. I think it is made by Lapua. Question, rather than buy a 1lb of it for the few rounds I have, is this powder comparable to any other powder? If so, great. If not, the powder I am looking at is the V-N340 and that can be used in 9mm and .45 acp. Thank you! -->

04-20-2012, 07:06 AM	#3
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,710	Re: Vihtavuori Powder The other thing about Vihtavuori Powder is finding it at your local dealer. While a good powder it apparently is not nearly as popular as most American distributed powders and that makes it hard to find locally. There are a ton of different powders that work well with 9mm and 45ACP. Probably one of the most universal powders that can be used in almost any handgun cartridge is Winchester 231 or its exact twin Hodgdon HP38 (same powder different label... Hodgdon distributes both). I use W231/HP38 in all my handgun loads. These fast powders like W231/HP38 use up a small portion of the volume of the case and that is alright for them. They are designed that way. Some other slower burning powders when loaded down, using only a small part of the case volume, are affected by the excessive empty space. The velocity results are different depending on where the bulk of the powder lies in the case. This appears not to be true of the fast buttoning powders like Bulleye, W231/PP38, AA#2 and others. The slower powders in the burning speed range of Unique (but not necessarily Unique???) may be greatly affect by powder position in the case. Velocity testing will point out which is and which is not.I have yet to see an article on this matter but have read comments where in-promt-to testing reveal this issue. LDBennett

04-20-2012, 08:53 AM	#4
DixieLandMan Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Alabama Posts: 603	Re: Vihtavuori Powder Thank you. The reason I asked is that the only powder my reloading books show for 130 grain (9mm) FMJ is the Vihtavuori powder. I currently use Unique and am happy with it. I didn't know if I needed to just suck it up and buy a pound or if there was a combination of using a different powder. Like going up/down with weight and using different powder, like Unique, and that being ok.

04-20-2012, 09:11 AM	#5
Bindernut Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: ND, USA Posts: 2,432	Re: Vihtavuori Powder Are they FMJ or are they plated bullets? 130 is a rather odd weight for a jacketed bullet...but it is possible. It's more common to see that weight in cast lead or plated lead though. Check the Hodgdon data center. http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp They do have a few loads for the 130gr Berrys plated round nose. These would be mild loads for a standard jacketed FMJ bullet. Also, 130gr is very similar in weight to 124/125gr. 5gr is enough of a difference to be cautious enough to stay away from the max loads. If you stayed at the bottom of the 124/125gr data you should be safe.

04-20-2012, 09:45 AM	#6
cpttango30 Former Guest Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Stafford, VA Contributor Posts: 3,071	Re: Vihtavuori Powder I love VV powders I just can't afford to buy them around me they are $4 more expensive than Any other. I guess it is because they are a foreign name powder. Talking to the Chief Ballistician at SHOT for Hodgdon I believe Hodgdon powder makes it all for sale over here.

04-19-2012, 05:02 PM	#2
steve4102 Former Guest Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Minnesota Contributor Posts: 2,760	Re: Vihtavuori Powder VV makes excellent powders, but that doesn't mean they are the only game in town. Go here and see all that is available. http://www.accuratepowder.com/wp-con...d_data_3.5.pdf http://www.alliantpowder.com/ http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp http://www.ramshot.com/wp-content/up...dgun_rifle.pdf http://www.lapua.com/upload/download...uideed9eng.pdf

04-20-2012, 10:02 AM	#7
DixieLandMan Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Alabama Posts: 603	Re: Vihtavuori Powder I think these bullets are for the 38 Super but I wanted to know if they would be ok in the 9mm. The Lee handbook I have has listings for 130 grain but using the Vihavuori powder. I just did not feel like spending $30 for powder for these bullets specifically but the powder woul work for some other loads as well. Attached Images Last edited by DixieLandMan; 04-20-2012 at 10:04 AM.. Reason: added picture

04-20-2012, 05:03 PM	#9
Bindernut Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: ND, USA Posts: 2,432	Re: Vihtavuori Powder Those are indeed intended for the .38Super. Not to mention they're some old timers too looking at the box. Sierra still makes a 130gr FMJ in .355". They have it listed on the same data page as their 125grs. See attached page from their 5th Ed manual. Lots of powder choices besides the VV stuff...which as others have said is a fine brand but hard to get in my area too. Attached Images

04-23-2012, 11:28 AM	#10
DixieLandMan Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Alabama Posts: 603	Re: Vihtavuori Powder Thank you Bindernut! That helps save me time and money for the VV powder. I already have other powder that I'll use and they are old bullets. I forgot where Dad got them but they do look old.