VV 3N37 Under Book and Likin’ It

[markr6754]

**CAUTION: LOAD DATA BELOW PUBLISHED DATA.

I finally got around to shooting some trial loads, looking for a lighter recoil in 9mm. My wife wasn’t a fan of my new Kimber Micro 9 Crimson Carry. She felt it too snappy for her. I wanted to make some softer loads that might make for easier shooting, as I really like this pistol, and wanted her to like it too!

My powder choice was Vihtavuori 3N37. My thought process involved using a powder I have, that has a large standard load on 9mm.

I elected to start with 5.0gr, under a Berry’s 124gr CPRN, seating a bit lower than Vihtavuori recommendations, but well within SAAMI spec (1.20” vs 1.142”).
Winchester WSP primers, WIN 1x reloaded brass, and final processing with Lee FCD.

Other trial loads using all the same components:
5.2gr@1.30”
5.4gr@1.142” (VV published starting load for 124gr Rainier RN)
5.6gr@1.142”

My first shot felt good. Nice soft recoil, but did it do what I wanted? I was concerned trying an underbook load ...so I shot one round, checked for a puka in the paper, and checked for a loaded round in the chamber.

Everything looked good, the pistol looked good...no unburnt powder...the hole was right where I wanted it. Let me try another...also very nice. Good feel, good placement...I fired 5 more. The slide locked open on last round. Okay...so far so good. I tried another full magazine, and another till all 25 rounds were fired.

Let’s try 5.2gr at 1.30”. Pretty sure they’ll fire fine based on the previous test. They did. Tried them in Kahr CM9, sweet. How about a Ruger LC9s? Oh yeah baby.

The last loads are standard from VVs load manual, 5.4gr and 5.6gr. Standard VV C.O.L. for 9mm. They were nice too, but the recoil was a bit more than I wanted for my wife to try...but my son and I didn’t find any load objectionable.

I’m ready to try a larger quantity of 5.0gr, and will trial a few C.O.L. variants to ensure that this is indeed a load I can use with my wife. I hope to one day have a chrono to use, but that’ll have to wait until I can use an outdoor range (and buy a chronograph).

 

[Shotgun Slim]

5.2 at 1.3? Don't you mean 1.130?
I load a lot under book and find that some powders will do well and some get downright squirrely as you drop down the ladder. One tip- as you get lighter and lighter do your shooting with your support hand only. That's when you will start to get function fails. and you'll know if it runs the gun with that hand it will surely work with two hands. Also know that your kitty cat loads that run now will maybe not do so well below 45 degrees or so.

 

[markr6754]

5.2 at 1.3? Don't you mean 1.130?
I load a lot under book and find that some powders will do well and some get downright squirrely as you drop down the ladder. One tip- as you get lighter and lighter do your shooting with your support hand only. That's when you will start to get function fails. and you'll know if it runs the gun with that hand it will surely work with two hands. Also know that your kitty cat loads that run now will maybe not do so well below 45 degrees or so.

Yeah...I’m a goof. I seem to do that a lot. Thanks for the catch, the recommendation, and the precaution.
First load at 1.120” and second at 1.130”; book loads were at VV standard 1.142”

My son told me to shoot the last round I had one-handed. He didn’t say why, and he doesn’t reload, so I didn’t realize the wisdom behind his suggestion. Looks like the boy may be hiding some good ideas from dad!

This is my first trial load below book...It went great. As to temperature impact on loads, for now, I only shoot indoors when in Ohio. My trips to Nevada give me a chance to shoot outdoors, but thus far, only with factory ammo. Either way, not expecting to encounter temps below 70F.