Vihta Vuori 3N37 - Metering Issues And Others

slickpuppy · October 15, 2001, 05:10 PM

I was at a recent gunshow and picked up some VV3N37 to try out after reading all the wonderful things you guys have said about it. I also picked up the VV load manual.

I am using a Dillon 550B and filled the powder measure about 3/4 full of 3N37. I was using the West Coast 124 grain flat point for 9mm. I decided to try VV's powder range to see how it would do across the spectrum and loaded up 20 rounds between 5.5 and 6.1 grains. VV's recommended COL was 1.142".

First, this stuff metered HORRIBLY!. I was getting drop to drop variances between .2 and .3 grains. I left the bench for an hour and came back. Good thing I checked the powder drop. It had been reduced by .7 grains! (no one else in the house to mess with it)

Second, almost all of VVs loads were for a length of 1.142". Granted their loads are a bit warmer than some of the other manuals for their powders. The closest I found was in Lee's book. Even in that loading the COL was much less.

What have been your experiences with 3N37 and VVs recommended loads? Are any of you loading the lighter bullet weights this long?

WESHOOT2 · October 16, 2001, 06:02 AM

I load FMJ-RN to OAL 1.140-1.160", based on bullet. Longer is better AS LONG AS sufficient case neck tension is present. My present preference regardless of bullet weight is 1.155".

I've used 3N37 for medium-to-IPSC Major in the 9x19 and 9x21; normally very accurate, clean, and in my experience very easy-metering.

swabjocky · October 16, 2001, 02:14 PM

i use a 124 fmj round nose oal 1.140 in a taurus 99.i use a 550b also and have not had any problems with metering.this load is accurate in my taurus using 5.7 grs.i have tried many different powders and this one is best.i dont know the speed. swabjocky

Clark · October 16, 2001, 02:21 PM

VV has dumbed down it's loads

Hornady 147 gr HPBT XTP
Vihtavuori 1st edition:9x19mm 4" barrel, 147 gr, 1.142", 6.1 gr 3N37, 1152 fps 36.3kpsi
Vihtavuori 1st edition:9x19mm 4" barrel, 147 gr, 1.142", 5.7 gr 3N37, 1140 fps 36.3kpsi
Vihtavuori 1st edition:9x21mm 4" barrel, 147 gr, 1.161", 6.6 gr 3N37, 1227 fps 42.8kpsi
Vihtavuori 3rd edition:9x19mm 4" barrel, 147 gr, 1.142", 5.2 gr 3N37, 1066 fps max
Vihtavuori 3rd edition:9x21mm 4" barrel, 147 gr, 1.161", 5.5 gr 3N37, 1120 fps max

slickpuppy · October 17, 2001, 05:41 PM

Thanks for the replies. I had put this particular caliber conversion kit together last year with another set of 9mm dies and switched them out with my Reddings the other day.

After reading your replies I figured I had the problem here. I was correct. I disassembled the powder measure assembly and found some rust on my powder bars. I cleaned that up with some 5 0 steel wool and put the sucker back together.

I cycled it through about 300 times and still had a slight metering issue. I had moved my scale to another location and it apparently wasn't very level. Moved the scale back where it was and now no problems.

Now I need to go shoot these rounds!

slickpuppy · October 20, 2001, 04:07 PM

I tried the West Coast 9mm 124 grain Flat Point at 1.142 COL and it was a no go with all of my 9mm firearms. I loaded up a few dummy rounds and they jammed in the rifling of every 9 I tried it in prior to loading.

I dropped the COL back to 1.093 and the extraction was a bit sticky.

Looks like I will need to drop it back a bit more in COL. From searches here I am going to give 1.070 COL based on Lazer-Cast manual data. It looks a bit closer than the profile I was using.

swabjocky · October 20, 2001, 05:32 PM

there is one thing you might check.there is a small white plastic square that rides in the charge bar. as you pull the handle down look to see if the square is missing.i have had that part to fallout. swabjocky

October 15, 2001, 05:10 PM	#1
slickpuppy Senior Member Join Date: August 29, 1999 Posts: 928	Vihta Vuori 3N37 - Metering Issues And Others I was at a recent gunshow and picked up some VV3N37 to try out after reading all the wonderful things you guys have said about it. I also picked up the VV load manual. I am using a Dillon 550B and filled the powder measure about 3/4 full of 3N37. I was using the West Coast 124 grain flat point for 9mm. I decided to try VV's powder range to see how it would do across the spectrum and loaded up 20 rounds between 5.5 and 6.1 grains. VV's recommended COL was 1.142". First, this stuff metered HORRIBLY!. I was getting drop to drop variances between .2 and .3 grains. I left the bench for an hour and came back. Good thing I checked the powder drop. It had been reduced by .7 grains! (no one else in the house to mess with it) Second, almost all of VVs loads were for a length of 1.142". Granted their loads are a bit warmer than some of the other manuals for their powders. The closest I found was in Lee's book. Even in that loading the COL was much less. What have been your experiences with 3N37 and VVs recommended loads? Are any of you loading the lighter bullet weights this long? Last edited by slickpuppy; October 17, 2001 at 06:33 PM.

October 16, 2001, 06:02 AM	#2
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	3N37 I load FMJ-RN to OAL 1.140-1.160", based on bullet. Longer is better AS LONG AS sufficient case neck tension is present. My present preference regardless of bullet weight is 1.155". I've used 3N37 for medium-to-IPSC Major in the 9x19 and 9x21; normally very accurate, clean, and in my experience very easy-metering. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

October 16, 2001, 02:14 PM	#3
swabjocky Senior Member Join Date: August 27, 2001 Location: upstate sc Posts: 384	3n37 i use a 124 fmj round nose oal 1.140 in a taurus 99.i use a 550b also and have not had any problems with metering.this load is accurate in my taurus using 5.7 grs.i have tried many different powders and this one is best.i dont know the speed. swabjocky

October 20, 2001, 05:32 PM	#7
swabjocky Senior Member Join Date: August 27, 2001 Location: upstate sc Posts: 384	550 metering problem there is one thing you might check.there is a small white plastic square that rides in the charge bar. as you pull the handle down look to see if the square is missing.i have had that part to fallout. swabjocky

October 16, 2001, 02:21 PM	#4
Clark Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 1999 Location: WA, the ever blue state Posts: 4,678	VV has dumbed down it's loads Hornady 147 gr HPBT XTP Vihtavuori 1st edition:9x19mm 4" barrel, 147 gr, 1.142", 6.1 gr 3N37, 1152 fps 36.3kpsi Vihtavuori 1st edition:9x19mm 4" barrel, 147 gr, 1.142", 5.7 gr 3N37, 1140 fps 36.3kpsi Vihtavuori 1st edition:9x21mm 4" barrel, 147 gr, 1.161", 6.6 gr 3N37, 1227 fps 42.8kpsi Vihtavuori 3rd edition:9x19mm 4" barrel, 147 gr, 1.142", 5.2 gr 3N37, 1066 fps max Vihtavuori 3rd edition:9x21mm 4" barrel, 147 gr, 1.161", 5.5 gr 3N37, 1120 fps max

October 17, 2001, 05:41 PM	#5
slickpuppy Senior Member Join Date: August 29, 1999 Posts: 928	Thanks for the replies. I had put this particular caliber conversion kit together last year with another set of 9mm dies and switched them out with my Reddings the other day. After reading your replies I figured I had the problem here. I was correct. I disassembled the powder measure assembly and found some rust on my powder bars. I cleaned that up with some 5 0 steel wool and put the sucker back together. I cycled it through about 300 times and still had a slight metering issue. I had moved my scale to another location and it apparently wasn't very level. Moved the scale back where it was and now no problems. Now I need to go shoot these rounds!

October 20, 2001, 04:07 PM	#6
slickpuppy Senior Member Join Date: August 29, 1999 Posts: 928	I tried the West Coast 9mm 124 grain Flat Point at 1.142 COL and it was a no go with all of my 9mm firearms. I loaded up a few dummy rounds and they jammed in the rifling of every 9 I tried it in prior to loading. I dropped the COL back to 1.093 and the extraction was a bit sticky. Looks like I will need to drop it back a bit more in COL. From searches here I am going to give 1.070 COL based on Lazer-Cast manual data. It looks a bit closer than the profile I was using.