Using N110 with 357 & 44 mag

[ArtP88]

I'm considering switching from H110/W296 to N110 in 357 & 44 mag. I'm using common bullet weights. I can actually get VV powders and supposedly there's less flash and blast with N110.

However, I'm finding significant load data differences between Hornady (and most other sources) and VV. I don't mean the small differences we see between sources. Example:

357 125 JHP, N110

Hornady max 16.1 @ 1500 (mag primer)
VV max 18.4 @ 1772 (std primer)

Same bbl length. Most of VV numbers are hotter than typical American manufacturers, at least in pistols. I doubt this is a typo.

If you've used VV powders in these calibers, whose numbers did you use and what was your experience?

[wtkaiser]

They (VV) got away with it because they used a standard primer instead of the magnum primer. That usually results in several thousand fewer pounds psi so allows a higher powder charge. Plus measuring equipment and atmospheric conditions were probably different. I haven't used VV powders, but if I had their numbers, I would seriously consider using them, not Hornadys.

[Bill Steele]

I have not loaded N110 in 357 or 44RM. I load N105 for my 10mm SD loads. It is my favorite powder for 180gr XTP's in 10. Great velocity, low flash, meters well in my Dillon, burns pretty clean. Cases come out unusually hot, had a blister on my cheek for a week when one got stuck between my cheek and glasses. That won't be a problem for a revolver though...

[Rwnielsen]

Hornady, I believe, only list loads for their bullets like the 125 HPXTP. Their lighter loads may be due to bearing surface over a generic JHP in addition the primer difference. I would also go with the VV numbers unless I was loading XTP's
Have fun, be safe

[Dark Mod]

Run both through a chrono and see what the real numbers are. If they are similar i wouldnt bother paying the extra money for VV.

If the numbers anything close to what youve listed id look at switching myself. Please update with results if you do.

[ArtP88]

Thanks for your thoughts, guys. Here's mine:

I don't have a chrono and I might be able to put this to bed if I did.

I'm confused about how a non-mag primer could produce better velocity with only a bump in powder. It defeats the idea of having a mag primer in the first place, which I thought was to ensure a consistent burn of extra powder. I mean, why use mag primers if better results are achieved with std primers? Makes no sense.

Bill Steele: You notice any reduction in blast and flash compared to American powder with your ten?

I buy the idea of slight variances with different bearing surfaces, but not to the tune the numbers suggest. I also understand different atmospheric conditions and variances there, and tools. But the numbers I posted don't justify the large difference.

Do we have more lawyers than the Finn's?

[Bill Steele]

Thanks for your thoughts, guys. Here's mine:

I don't have a chrono and I might be able to put this to bed if I did.

I'm confused about how a non-mag primer could produce better velocity with only a bump in powder. It defeats the idea of having a mag primer in the first place, which I thought was to ensure a consistent burn of extra powder. I mean, why use mag primers if better results are achieved with std primers? Makes no sense.

Bill Steele: You notice any reduction in blast and flash compared to American powder with your ten?

I buy the idea of slight variances with different bearing surfaces, but not to the tune the numbers suggest. I also understand different atmospheric conditions and variances there, and tools. But the numbers I posted don't justify the large difference.

Do we have more lawyers than the Finn's?

We have more lawyers in SF than they have in all of Finland.

N105 has essentially no flash compared to a few of the others I load in 10mm, like Bluedot.. . It is definitely lowest flash of any of the powders I load in 10 ( I.e. Bluedot, Longshot, AA#9).

Since the start level in the VV book is more than the max in Hornaday, maybe use the Hornaday max as your start load, just in case. You will start getting hard extractions when things get sporty, likely also some flat primers. at least that is how I would approach it. When I was experimenting with above book nuclear loads in my n105 10mm loads, I hand measured every charge and went up in .1gr increments. I also measured case heads to keep an eye on pressures.

Of course, in the Glocks, you also have smiley's to know when things are getting out of hand.

Good luck.

[ArtP88]

Thanks for posting Bill.

Careful for those hot cookies out of the oven. lol