hand gun powder
- Thread starter davidj001
- Start date
Never used it. But it looks like the powder is intended to produce higher velocities in the more modern (and higher pressure) calibers. I'm guessing that if you try to load it to more moderate pressures and velocities, it'll likely burn less uniformly and less cleanly. Just MY opinion, so maybe someone has other information or experience with it.
The threshold for high vs. low velocity is somewhat arbitrary, and low for pistols, compared to rifles. MY definition for high-velocity is a muzzle velocity over 1000 f/s in one or more of its original loadings. "High Pressure" is similarly "squishy" definition, that I usually set at 20,000 psi chamber pressure in one or more of its original loadings. SAAMI and CIP standards help a lot with this.
NEITHER of my definitions are intended to be rigorous or immutable. Mainly, they're convenient for ME. One of the reasons I use 20,000 psi is because this appears to be the pressure above and below which burning rates for a great many pistol powders may be radically different. It's my impression that the differences of position of a powder of interest among different burning rate charts varies according to the conditions under which it was tested.
LOTSA surmising involved, but it's convenient (and efficacious) for ME....
Given the criteria I mention, maximum loads in .45 ACP, with lighter projectiles fulfills meets both descriptors. Similarly, I would expect VV3N38 to work very well with projectiles weighing 185 grains or less, and leaving the muzzle at 1000 f/s or more. Conversely, I would expect it to burn less cleanly and uniformly as projectile weight goes up and velocity drops. I don't know how anyone would quantify any of this beyond "more than/less than" terms, though I wouldn't be surprised if some method exists.
Last edited:
brasscollector
New member
Oh no an M1 loading question 
4895 is my go to powder for my M1 loads. I stick with IMR when it's available but H4895 is very similar and will work just the same. I'm sure there are some other powders out there which may work also.
4895 is my go to powder for my M1 loads. I stick with IMR when it's available but H4895 is very similar and will work just the same. I'm sure there are some other powders out there which may work also.
Go to
http://www.vihtavuori.com/en/reloading-data/handgun-reloading/-45-acp.html
They have no data for 3N38, but they do have a couple of loads with 3N37. When the POWDER company offers no data for a pistol cartridge using one of their pistol powders, I suspect that is a reason for the omission.
The issue is not velocity, per se, but pressure.
Slow pistol powders are seldom really good at low pressure.
At the best, they will leave a lot of soot and possibly smoke--and I know "clean" and "smoke" are more critical for most than accuracy.
http://www.vihtavuori.com/en/reloading-data/handgun-reloading/-45-acp.html
They have no data for 3N38, but they do have a couple of loads with 3N37. When the POWDER company offers no data for a pistol cartridge using one of their pistol powders, I suspect that is a reason for the omission.
The issue is not velocity, per se, but pressure.
Slow pistol powders are seldom really good at low pressure.
At the best, they will leave a lot of soot and possibly smoke--and I know "clean" and "smoke" are more critical for most than accuracy.
condor bravo
New member
To buy commercial appropriate ammunition for the Garand, look for specifically designated Garand ammo by Federal in the bright red American Eagle Box. There is at least one other manufacturer that produces .30-06 for the Garand but cannot recall what brand it is. The Federals are 150 grain loaded to near or exact mil-spec charges, complete with crimped in primers and dated head stamps. These are specifically designed for the Garand and of course completely safe to use.
Briefly, here is the reason for perhaps not using standard commercial rounds with the rifle. Especially with heavier bullets, the rounds are likely to be loaded with slow burning powder in order to achieve sufficient muzzle velocity. As a result, the pressure near the muzzle, which bleeds off to actuate the operating rod, will be higher than acceptable and will apply excessive force to the rod and bend it through extended usage. While the following statement may be debatable, if one were strapped for Garand ammunition, it would probably be OK to use commercial 150 grain rounds that are likely loaded with medium burn rate powder, resulting in appropriate operating rod pressures.
Should you get around to loading for the Garand, 4895 and 4064 powders are popular and very suitable. They are medium burn rate powders that result in proper operating rod pressures. Then there are a few other considerations for reloading for the Garand, in particular the primer choice and uniforming primer pocket depth. And the nuisance of removing primer pocket crimps if using military brass, or the Federal Garand commercials as mentioned above. Loading for and operating the Garands are somewhat more complex than what might be required for bolt rifles.
Briefly, here is the reason for perhaps not using standard commercial rounds with the rifle. Especially with heavier bullets, the rounds are likely to be loaded with slow burning powder in order to achieve sufficient muzzle velocity. As a result, the pressure near the muzzle, which bleeds off to actuate the operating rod, will be higher than acceptable and will apply excessive force to the rod and bend it through extended usage. While the following statement may be debatable, if one were strapped for Garand ammunition, it would probably be OK to use commercial 150 grain rounds that are likely loaded with medium burn rate powder, resulting in appropriate operating rod pressures.
Should you get around to loading for the Garand, 4895 and 4064 powders are popular and very suitable. They are medium burn rate powders that result in proper operating rod pressures. Then there are a few other considerations for reloading for the Garand, in particular the primer choice and uniforming primer pocket depth. And the nuisance of removing primer pocket crimps if using military brass, or the Federal Garand commercials as mentioned above. Loading for and operating the Garands are somewhat more complex than what might be required for bolt rifles.
Last edited: