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August 23rd, 2022

Vihtavuori Increases Powder Production PLUS New Load Data

Vihtavuori powder Finland reloading supply

We’re pleased to confirm that Vihtavuori remains 100% committed to producing powders for handloaders around the globe. In fact, Vihtavuori is INCREASING production dramatically, with output nearly double what it was 3-4 years ago. That is a great news for all handloaders, hunters, and competitive shooters.

On June 28, 2022, Vihtavuori published this message on its Facebook Page:

We would like to address a rumor in the market. Some [misinformed] sources have suggested that we are planning to withdraw from the consumer reloading market. This rumor is false. We have no intentions whatsoever to quit selling reloading powders or turn our backs on the reloading community. On the contrary, this year we will be producing almost double the amount of reloading powder compared to 3-4 years back. That is a massive increase in capacity.

… The demand for powder has increased enormously on a global scale in the last two years. However, we know that in many areas where the powder demand has doubled, the actual consumption has not increased as much. This means that some shooters are buying powder more than they actually need, probably partly because they believe rumors like the one we’re addressing here. But no need to worry — we are not going anywhere! We are working very hard on meeting the demand on the market and will continue to do so in the future as well — hopefully, for the next 100 years to come!

Vihtavuori Reloading Data Update

Vihtavuori has been busy producing new reloading data. Earlier this summer Vihtavuori released a major update with new load data for .223 Remington and 7.62×39, plus many new loads for .308 Win with new bullets from Berger, Barnes, Nosler, Hornady and more. CLICK HERE for new Reloading Data.

Vihtavuori powder Finland reloading supply

All updated load data is now available on the Vihtavuori website and in the FREE Vihtavuori Reload App. NOTE: In the Vihtavuori Reload App, new reloading data is highlighted in orange.

Vihtavuori powder Finland reloading supply

Download the FREE Vihtavuori Reload App (and get updates) via Google Play Store or Apple App Store:

Android App store google play Apple App store
Permalink Bullets, Brass, Ammo, News, Reloading 1 Comment »
May 29th, 2019

Old Guys Rule — Bruce Piatt Wins His 6th Bianchi Cup

Bruce Piatt Bianchi Cup 2019 trophy win Open Class champion

Bruce Piatt Bianchi Cup 2019 trophy win Open Class championBruce Piatt was born in a typical 1961 suburban family, the youngest of 4 boys. Living in New Jersey, Bruce took an interest in his grandfather’s guns. Sometime around age 10 or 11, he began asking his father to take him hunting and shooting.

Fast forward five decades — Bruce Piatt is now one of the world’s best shooters, a World Shooting Championship winner, and the 2019 Bianchi Cup overall match winner. This was Bruce’s sixth Bianchi Cup Victory. Now in his late 50s, Bruce definitely proves that Old Guys Rule!

Last week Bruce Piatt won his sixth NRA Bianchi Cup National Action Pistol Championship with a 1920-179X score. He secured his latest Open Class title one year after shoulder surgery and on the 10th anniversary of his previous Bianchi Cup win. Piatt’s prior Bianchi Cup victories were in 1993, 1997, 1999, 2005, and 2009.

The Bianch Cup competition has four events: the Practical, Barricade, Falling Plates and the Moving Target. Competitors shoot all four events at varying distances and times, prone and standing, use both strong and weak hand. It is very challenging.

Commenting on the pressures of Bianchi Cup compeition, Piatt observed: “When you’re into your final stage with other competitors in contention of winning, the tension is high. That’s when I have to keep the fight between me and the targets.” Piatt added “All of my equipment ran flawlessly[.]”

Bruce Piatt 2019 Bianchi Cup Equipment
Firearm: Caspian Arms 1911 .38 Super customized for Open Division
Optics: Burris Optic Red Dot XTS-135
Bullets: Sierra 115 grain JHP
Brass: Starline .38 Super
Powder: Vihtavuori N320 Powder

Permalink News No Comments »
December 26th, 2017

Vihtavuori Rolls Out Major Reloading Data Update

VV Vihtavuori finland powder propellant reloading recipe data information mobile app

VV Vihtavuori finland powder propellant reloading recipe data information mobile appVihtavuori offers free reloading data online, and through a free Mobile App. And now those resources are even better — Vihtavuori has completed a significant enhancement of its reloading information for hand-loaders. First, the Finnish powder company has added the new N565 powder to the data tables. But that’s just for starters.

A massive update has been completed with new bullets added for dozens of popular calibers: “We are happy to announce the addition of more than 130 lines of reloading data, with bullets by Barnes, Brenneke, Lapua, Berger, Sierra, Woodleigh, Hornady, Nosler and LOS”. The updated online information supplements the online Reloading Databases, which has dedicated sections for Rifle Cartridges, Pistol Cartridges, and Cowboy Action.


Rifle DATA | Pistol DATA| Mobile APP



POWDER MAKING: This video shows how Vihtavuori powder is produced:

NEW Cartridges Added

Vihtavuori’s latest December 2017 Load Data update includes information for these new cartridge types and bullet types:

.300 Norma Mag:
– Lapua 185grs / 12.0g
– Berger 215grs / 13.9g
– Lapua 220grs / 14.3g
– Berger 230grs / 14.9g

8x68S:
– Sierra 150grs / 9.7g
– Lapua 180grs / 11.7g
– Nosler 180grs / 11.7g
– Nosler 200grs / 13.0g

EXPANDED DATA for Many Cartridges

With its December 2017 load information update, Vihtavuori now offers data for the following chamberings and bullet weights:

7x57R:
– Barnes 150grs / 9.7g
– Brenneke 150grs / 9.7g
– Lapua 150grs / 9.7g
– Lapua 160grs /10.4g
– Barnes 174grs / 11.3g

7×64:
– Swift 140grs / 9.1g
– Barnes 150grs / 9.7g
– Sierra 174grs / 11.3g
– Brenneke 177grs / 11.5g
– Lapua 181grs / 11.7g

7 mm Rem Mag:
– Berger 180grs / 12.6g
– Berger 194grs / 12.6g

.308 Winchester:
– LOS 140grs / 9.1g
– Hornady 150grs / 9.9g
– LOS 150grs / 9.9g
– Woodleigh 150grs / 9.9g
– Berger 155grs / 10.0g
– LOS 155grs / 10.0g
– Sierra 155grs / 10.0g
– Hornady 165grs / 10.7g

.30-06 Springfield:
– Sierra 168grs / 10.9g
– Berger 185grs / 12.0g
– Woodleigh 240grs / 15.6g

8x57IS:
– Sierra 201grs / 13.0g

.338 Lapua Mag:
– Berger 250grs / 16.2g
– Lapua 250grs / 16.2g
– Barnes 280grs / 18.1g
– Berger 300grs / 19.4g

.300 Win Mag:
– Hornady 165grs / 10.7g
– Sierra 168grs / 10.9g
– Berger 200grs / 13.0g
– Barnes 200grs / 13.0g
– Woodleigh 200grs / 13.0g
– Berger 215grs / 13.9g
– Berger 230grs / 14.9g

.38 Special:
– H&N 157grs / 10.2g

9 mm Luger:
– H&N 145grs / 9.4g

Vihtavuori story tip by EdLongrange. We welcome reader submissions.
Permalink Bullets, Brass, Ammo, News, Reloading 1 Comment »
February 10th, 2017

For the .45 ACP — Try Vihtavuori N320 Pistol Powder

VV N320 for .45 ACP

VV N320 for .45 ACPMan does not live by long-guns alone. We know that many of our readers own .45 ACP handguns and load for this extremely accurate “classic” cartridge. When selecting a powder for the .45 ACP, there are many good options. All the major powder manufacturers make propellants with appropriate density and burn rate characteristics for the .45 ACP. Popular powder choices include: AA #5 (Accurate Powder); Bullseye (Alliant); Clays, HP-38, and Titegroup (Hodgdon); VV N310, N320, N340 (Vihtavuori); and WW 231 and WST (Winchester). We’ve tried these powders in a variety of .45 ACP handguns. When we consider the factors that make for a good pistol powder, we think N320 is one of the best available propellants for the .45 ACP. Vihtavuori N320 is very accurate, it meters well, and it burns clean, with minimal smoke and flash. If you haven’t tried VV N320 yet, you should.

Pros/Cons of Different Powders for .45 ACP
This Editor has personally tried out eight or more different powders for the .45 ACP. Bullseye works but it is very dirty (both smoke out the barrel and sooty powder fouling on case). Though it otherwise burns clean, Titegroup leaves a singular (and nasty) high-temp flame streak on your brass that is hard to remove. AA #5 is a good choice for progressive press newbies as you use more powder so a double charge will (usually) be obvious. I like AA #5 but N320 was more accurate. Clays burns clean but some powder measures struggle with flake powders like this. WW 231 offered excellent accuracy and metered well, but it kicked out sparks with little pieces of debris that would hit me in the face. Who wants that?

I personally tried all the powders listed above with lead, plated, and jacketed bullets. After testing for accuracy, consistency, and ease of metering, I selected VV N320 as the best overall performer.

Vihtavuori N320

  • No powder tested was more accurate (WW 231 was equally accurate).
  • Meters very well in all kinds of powder measures.
  • Produces very little smoke from muzzle.
  • Does not put nasty burn streak on brass like Tite-Group does.
  • Low Flash — you don’t get particles and sparks flying out like WW 231.
  • Cases come out from gun very clean — so you can tumble less often.

Forum member and gunsmith Michael Ezell agrees that N320 is a good choice for the .45 ACP. Mike has also found that WW 231, while accurate, produces sparks and a large flash. Mike writes: “I first started using N320 after my first night shoot, while shooting IDPA/IPSC matches. It was astonishing how much of a fireball the WW 231 created. I was literally blinded by the flash while trying to shoot a match. As you can imagine, that didn’t work out very well. I went from WW 231 to N320 and never looked back…and the flash from it was a fraction of what a kid’s sparkler would give off. I have nothing but good things to say about [N320] after using both. Night shoots are a real eye-opener! When it comes to a personal protection… there is, statistically, a very high chance that if you ever have to use a gun to protect yourself or your family, it’ll be in the darkness[.] Being blinded by muzzle flash (and deafened by the noise) are things that should be considered, IMO.”

This Editor owns a full-size, all-stainless S&W 1911. After trying numerous powders, I found VV N320 delivered the best combination of accuracy, easy metering, consistency, clean burning qualities, and low muzzle flash. My gun has proven exceptionally accurate using N320 with bullets from 180 grains to 230 grains — it will shoot as accurately as some expensive customs I’ve tried. At right is 5-round group I shot offhand at 10 yards with my 5″ S&W 1911. The bullet hole edges are sharp because I was using semi-wad-cutters. Rounds were loaded with Vihtavuori N320 and 200-grain SWCs from Precision Bullets in Texas.

Permalink Bullets, Brass, Ammo, Handguns 3 Comments »
October 22nd, 2012

Try Vihtavuori N320 in your .45 ACP Pistol

VV N320 for .45 ACP

VV N320 for .45 ACPMan does not live by long-guns alone. We know that many of our readers own .45 ACP handguns and load for this extremely accurate “classic” cartridge. When selecting a powder for the .45 ACP, there are many good options. All the major powder manufacturers make propellants with appropriate density and burn rate characteristics for the .45 ACP. Popular choices include: AA #5 (Accurate Powder); Bullseye (Alliant); Clays, HP-38, and Titegroup (Hodgdon); VV N310 and N320 (Vihtavuori); and WW 231 and WST (Winchester). We’ve tried all those powders in a variety of .45 ACP handguns. When we consider all the factors that make for a good pistol powder, we think N320 is one of the best available propellants for the .45 ACP. Vihtavuori N320 is very accurate, it meters well, and it burns clean, with minimal smoke and flash. If you haven’t tried VV N320 yet, you should.

Pros and Cons of Different Powders for the .45 ACP
This Editor has personally tried out eight or more different powders for the .45 ACP. Bullseye works but it is very dirty (both smoke out the barrel and sooty powder fouling on case). Though it otherwise burns clean, Titegroup leaves a singular (and nasty) high-temp flame streak on your brass that is hard to remove. AA #5 is a good choice for progressive press newbies as you use more powder so a double charge will (usually) be obvious. I like AA #5 but N320 was more accurate. Clays burns clean but some powder measures struggle with flake powders like this. WW 231 offered excellent accuracy and metered well, but it kicked out sparks with little pieces of debris that would hit me in the face. Who wants that?

I personally tried all the powders listed above with lead, plated, and jacketed bullets. After testing for accuracy, consistency, and ease of metering, I selected VV N320 as the best overall performer.

Vihtavuori N320

  • No powder tested was more accurate (WW 231 was equally accurate).
  • Meters very well in all kinds of powder measures.
  • Produces very little smoke from muzzle.
  • Does not put nasty burn streak on brass like Tite-Group does.
  • Low Flash — you don’t get particles and sparks flying out like WW 231.
  • Cases come out from gun very clean — so you can tumble less often.

Forum member and gunsmith Michael Ezell agrees that N320 is a good choice for the .45 ACP. Mike has also found that WW 231, while accurate, produces sparks and a large flash. Mike writes: “I first started using N320 after my first night shoot, while shooting IDPA/IPSC matches. It was astonishing how much of a fireball the WW 231 created. I was literally blinded by the flash while trying to shoot a match. As you can imagine, that didn’t work out very well. I went from WW 231 to N320 and never looked back…and the flash from it was a fraction of what a kid’s sparkler would give off. I have nothing but good things to say about [N320] after using both. Night shoots are a real eye-opener! When it comes to a personal protection… there is, statistically, a very high chance that if you ever have to use a gun to protect yourself or your family, it’ll be in the darkness[.] Being blinded by muzzle flash (and deafened by the noise) are things that should be considered, IMO.”

This Editor owns a full-size, all-stainless S&W 1911. After trying numerous powders, I found VV N320 delivered the best combination of accuracy, easy metering, consistency, clean burning qualities, and low muzzle flash. My gun has proven exceptionally accurate using N320 with bullets from 180 grains to 230 grains — it will shoot as accurately as some expensive customs I’ve tried. At right is 5-round group I shot offhand at 10 yards with my 5″ S&W 1911. The bullet hole edges are sharp because I was using semi-wad-cutters. Rounds were loaded with Vihtavuori N320 and 200-grain SWCs from Precision Bullets in Texas.

Permalink Gear Review, Reloading 8 Comments »
April 19th, 2012

Looking for Vihtavuori N320 Pistol Powder? Powder Valley Has It.

N320 Vihtavuori powderPowder Valley just announced it has received 120 4-lb kegs of Vihtavuori N320 powder. This stuff has been hard to find lately, so Powder Valley suggests: “Get em quick. They won’t last long!”

We know why N320 powder is in high demand (most vendors are sold out right now). This is a truly outstanding propellant for the .45 ACP. It is very accurate, burns clean, and it meters well from progressive presses. This Editor has tried a dozen different powders for my .45 ACPs and N320 is my top choice for 180-200gr bullets. Nothing was more accurate, and N320 burned cleaner (with fewer sparks and unburnt particles flying back) than WW 231 (which is also very accurate).

Permalink Bullets, Brass, Ammo, News 1 Comment »