I just read on another forum that the VV powders are "notorius for eroding barrels". The post went on to say that the VV powders originated in Russia and nothing changed after a Scaninavian Co. bought them out. Are todays VV powders the same corrosive formula as the old Russian stuff?? I just bought 2 lbs. of N560 to try in my 300WSM and 6.5X55. If this stuff is going to be hard on my barrels, I don't want to take the chance.
Thanks

First I`ve heard of this.
I can`t reply on all VV powders but I`ve used a lot of VVn320 in my 45acp and haven`t seen any sign of damage or wear yet.

Shoot off your question to the USA importer:

Kaltron-Pettibone
1241 Ellis Street
Bensenville, IL 60106
630-350-1116
630-350-1606 FAX
vihtlap@kaltron.com

I believe they will tell you that everything you have been told about VihtaVuori gun powder is 100% BS. Or go to the VV website and read what they have to say about the hi-energy line of powders.

http://www.vihtavuori-lapua.com/rifle.asp

They are partnered with Lapua, the recognized best brass manufacturer known to precision shooters. Products from both companies are pricey, but you get what you pay for.

FYI...if, after getting an answer right from the horse's mouth (so to speak) and you still feel queasy about using that N560, send the remainder to me. Or, like any other smokeless gunpowder, sprinkle it lightly on your lawn or garden for fertilizer.

That sounds like a hoax. VV powders generally burn cleaner than others and are usually very precise in most calibers.

The "100"-series has a lower nitroglycerin content than the "500" series, similar to the Reloader powders. The latter are said to burn hotter and might generate more barrel erosion. The former for sure not.

A) Vihtavuori powders have never been made in Russia or by Russians.

B) They are very clean burning.

C) The new N500 series should be one of the best new powders around.

I believe the VV powders are popular with the bench rest set.

Spent some time last week with a Trinidad trained target rifle builder who recommends them.

I've been using N150 in my 7x57 and like it.

I've also been using RE-19 in my 6.5x55, and the barrel seems harder to clean. I'm going to try N160.

flaco

quote:

Originally posted by DUK:
That sounds like a hoax. VV powders generally burn cleaner than others and are usually very precise in most calibers.

The "100"-series has a lower nitroglycerin content than the "500" series, similar to the Reloader powders. The latter are said to burn hotter and might generate more barrel erosion. The former for sure not.

Here is a link to the forum I found this info on the VV Powders.

http://www.reloadersnest.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3177

I was hoping he was full of shit! Thanks Guys!!

IMO VV powders are among the best powders going. I believe what you are hearing is an old tale that always centers around double-based powder, or any powder for that matter that has a high nitroglicerine content. What was true almost a century ago isn't today, and to my knowledge anyway, it pertained to "flake" military powders. Powders such as the RL series are double-based too, and I remember hearing the same rumors 10, maybe 15 years ago.

With that said, it is my experience that VV powders suffer much less from lot-to-lot variations, than do the RL powders. They are also accurate, clean, powerful, and consistent.

I've burned a fair about of Vn340 in my 40S&W...no issues.

I tried Vn560 in my 300WSM...no problems except relatively poor accuracy until 3+ grains below max. It sucks to have to buy 2 lbs for an experiment too!

I recall some years ago discussing loads for IPSC with a very experienced competition shooter.

I told him I was looking at the Accurate line of powders, and in fact using AA 3100 in my 300 WinMag.

His comment was that the deterrent coatings used on the AA powders was abrasive, resulting in throat and bore damage when used in the volume of competition shooting.

He recommended using the VV line of powders instead as they seemed to NOT be abrasive, in his experience and that of other IPSC shooters he knew.

I still use some of the AA line of powders, but am trying to find and use more of the VV. Hard to find here in Idaho.

I have found the VV line of powders to produce some amazingly small SD from my rifle loads. My only complaint is cost & I wish they were available in 1# cans for initial load dev.

quote:

A) Vihtavuori powders have never been made in Russia or by Russians.

B) They are very clean burning.

C) The new N500 series should be one of the best new powders around.

http://www.tgsafari.co.za

Always remember that you are unique. Just like everybody else.

Don't listen to cewe! He is a capitalist, running dog, anti-revolutionary propagandist for Finland. Next thing you know he will saying that the Finns kicked Soviet ass all through the birch trees in the winter war.

lawndart

quote:

I still use some of the AA line of powders, but am trying to find and use more of the VV. Hard to find here in Idaho.

Try Cliff's Gun Safes and Reloading in Boise at Emerald and five Mile. Sportsmans Warehouse also carries some of them. I usually order direct from Powder Valley.

Lawndart: The compliments warm my frozen heart (it´s -14C outside and falling)!

If we would have had any reasonable backup our Eastern border would be at the Ural Mountains!

I shit you not bro!

True dat, True dat! I think Suomussalmi will be spoken of with some reverance for many years to come.

I use several VV powders at both ends of the spectrum, VV133, 550 and 560. There can be little doubt about their accuracy or clean burning. I clean my rifles thoroughly after every range session and see no damaging effects. So far as I can tell both Lapua and VihtaVouri make excellent products. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

Cal,where are you buying from,can't seem to find any?

Modern powders are just that: modern.

There have always been stories of certain powders or calibers as being barrel burners.

A good example of this is the 220 Swift. From the day it came out, it was known as a 'barrel burner'. I would attribute this idea more to the fact that older powders had a high percentage or silicates in them (like sand) and did more to hurt barrels than any hod rod caliber ever did.

Never heard any such nonsense about Accurate powders being harmful to barrels. I would say they are one of the better powder companies out there, too bad they are not as popular as they used to be. Their double base pistol powders, like No. 9 are great, clean burning and great performance.

-Spencer

There were some posting on http://www.shortmags.org about N-560 and N-550 in the two 300wsm I never did get an more velocity with those powders
so for the extra cost was just one of those things that didn't work out. I had better luck with N-165. If you look at their reloading manual in those two powders some calibers I think they work better in and you will use more powder with N-560 than N-550 for pretty close to equal velocity in some cases. I've had real good luck with N-135 and N-133 also. I think it like anything else in relaoding you just have to hit the right combination.

quote:

Originally posted by cewe:
Lawndart: The compliments warm my frozen heart (it´s -14C outside and falling)!

If we would have had any reasonable backup our Eastern border would be at the Ural Mountains!

I shit you not bro!

A pity it didn't turn out that way. The world might have been a better place if Finlands border was further east! Over by the Pacific ocean for example.

----

As for VV, I've used N160 and N550 with no noticable problems, and will continue to use them!

quote:

A pity it didn't turn out that way. The world might have been a better place if Finlands border was further east! Over by the Pacific ocean for example.

Yes, but could you imagine trying to rule the russians? The dental bills alone would bankrupt the empire!

LD

Lawndart: I don´t think Russians can be ruled, they have to be "overseen" and "guided" -a bit like managing sheep.

ErikD: Thank you for the compliment!

steve4102,
full of shit=contempt
uncultured characterization of fellow shooter
Save it for bunny huggers and hoplophobes.

quote:

Originally posted by brassb:
steve4102,
full of shit=contempt
uncultured characterization of fellow shooter
Save it for bunny huggers and hoplophobes.

sometimes it becomes an obligation to call them the way you see them. i agree with steve. one should not be in the kitchen if they are allergic to heat, and if anyone tries to blow smoke they better be armed with facts and documentation.

quote:

Originally posted by ShopCartRacing:

Never heard any such nonsense about Accurate powders being harmful to barrels. I would say they are one of the better powder companies out there, too bad they are not as popular as they used to be. Their double base pistol powders, like No. 9 are great, clean burning and great performance.

-Spencer

JFWIW I pass along what I'm told by a much more experienced shooter than myself. And remember, he was referring to the pistol powders.

I currently use the maximum suggested load of AA3100 in my 300 Winchester Magnum for exceptionally accurate loads with 180 Nosler BT bullets. And my California hunting buddy also uses the same powder in his 7 Remington Magnum for VERY accurate hunting loads.

quote:

sometimes it becomes an obligation to call them the way you see them. i agree with steve. one should not be in the kitchen if they are allergic to heat, and if anyone tries to blow smoke they better be armed with facts and documentation.

I do not dispute the accuracy of what steve4102 said. No problem with calling a spade a spade. If someone is blowing smoke, and you can catch them with their pants down, by all means put a boot up their butt! I just shy away from losing sight of objective truth in the midst of character assassination. Those are the tactics of our enemies. I am convinced that shooters and hunters are among the last sane people on Earth and I've got these naive notions about us acting that way.