Vihtavuori 3N38 9mm 147g @ 1207 fps

M

Marco Califo

New member
Vihtavuori publishes a 9mm Luger load for 147 grn. XTP HP at 1207 fps using 3N38 powder. This is the fastest load I have seen for this bullet weight in 9mm. Vihtavuori publishes only a couple of loads for this powder and the range of starting to full loads is only 0.6 grains. The starting load says 1171 fps.

So, has anyone loaded these and shot them? How is recoil? I want to use these in a Glock 26.

Viht 2015 manual:
http://img.materialbank.net/NiboWEB...9&cartUuid=6162349&uuid=8154270&type=original
 
There is reality and then there are published loads.

"Vihtavuori Reloading Manual First Edition" 1994 page 225 - 227
20mm (4") test barrel 10" twist
9mm Luger 147 gr HPBT/XTP Hornady 1.142" 5.7 gr 3N37 1140 fps 36,300 psi

Someone might believe that is how to make the majors with 9mm.
I can make the majors with .380 158 gr 1.09", both XTP and LSWC, not with 3N37, but with Power Pistol.

But reading the VV and Aliant published loads, you would not know that.
You would think just the opposite.
 
There is factual experience, and there is fiction and opinions.
I do not need to make major in anything. I am licensed to carry 9mm and 40. 1200 fps 147 gr HP is appealing for its effectiveness.
3N38 is a newer powder than your manual.

That load is from the 2015 Viht. manual at the link above, on page 53-54:
"9 mm Luger Test barrel: 100 mm (4”), 1 in 10” twist
Primers: Small Pistol
Cases: Lapua, trim-to length 19,00 mm (0.748”)
Code: 
Bullet:    Weight        Type/Name Mfg          C.O.L. 
       9.5 g (147 grs)   HP/XTP Hornady    29,0 mm (1.142")

              Starting load             Maximum load
Powder    [g] [grs] [m/s] [fps]     [g] [grs] [m/s] [fps]  
 N320    0,20  3.1   239   784     0,25  3.9   298   978
 N330    0,25  3.9   294   964     0,28  4.3   315  1032
 N340    0,25  3.9   289   948     0,28  4.3   309  1015
 [B]3N37    0,30  4.7   298   979     0,33  5.1   321  1052[/B]
 N350    0,29  4.5   302   991     0,32  5.0   326  1070
 [B]3N38    0,41  6.3   357  1171     0,45  6.9   368  1207[/B]
 N105    0,40  6.1   317  1039     0,41  6.4   338  1108

Your manual is obsolete for the 3N37 (a different Viht. powder) load you quoted, and lacking the current load data of this thread's topic.
 
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I have to open pistols that I shoot major 9 with. IMO the powders that work for this are slower powders than I would run in my 26. You won't get the same velocity and will have substantial muzzle blast as well (why they work so well with the open compensated pistols).

When I was younger stuff like this interested me more, now if wanted more power out of a 26, I would just get a 27 and download it.
 
Give it a try and let us know. It is suspicious, though. A 124 at 1,200 is a stiff load. And, while some powders do better than others, there is no free lunch.
 
more power out of a 26, I would just get a 27
Click to expand...
Your method would cost me $500+.
My method, buying some of that limited use powder (3N38), would cost ~$33, plus HazMat that may be spread over other items.
I do think it would be a hand wrench-er to shoot. That is what I am asking about, if anyone has used that load data, and how recoil was.
 
I have some 3N38 and I've used it in .40's and 10mm's and yes I did also try it with the 147gr 9mm, XTP bullet specifically.

I couldn't get the bullet to seat to the proper OAL, too much powder in the case was crushing the head of the bullet. If I remember right, I'll have to look at my notes later, I was getting around 1100 fps with it from a G19. It will also shoot a 200gr out of a 4" G23 at around 1100 fps.

That said, it's an awesome power and seems to give off less recoil for the level of velocity it gives compared to other powders like Power Pistol and Longshot, it's very consistent too but it's so hard to find any of it.
 
Yes, it's true (more or less)

Yes, that is a valid recipe, and a darn good one IMO. I have fired approximately 1200 rounds of that exact recipe at the max charge, and I have about 1400 rounds stored. I fire that round out of Beretta 92 pistols (4.9" barrel), I don't get the 1207 fps, but it's certainly a respectable 1100 for 147 grain bullet.
 
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