Vihtavuori N350

Disclaimer: All of the following powder charges were taken from reloading manuals produced by gun powder companies or other reloading manuals that may vary in powder charges greatly. Various components combined, make all the difference in the world. I am not responsible for your actions. Always refer to official reloading manuals when reloading. As usual, I must say that this information is what works for me. Use your own common sense. You are responsible for your own actions!

1.     Vihtavuori N350 might be an excellent replacement for Power Pistol if you would like similar velocities with a powder that has little or no flash.

2.     Using my M357 with a 4" barrel, N350 can get within 24 fps of Power Pistol's top end.

3.     N350 appears to be a very clean burning powder.

4.     Uniform metering.

5.     Economically, N350 generally uses less powder charge to do the same thing as many of its competitors.

6.     N350 can easily drive excellent, accurate loads at IPSC Minor Power (125) and Major Power (165).

7.     This may be pure subjectivity, but N350 seems to have less perceived recoil from the lightest to the heaviest loads. Some of the other powders seem to be more harsh. Vihtavuori powders seem to be quite popular in IPSC competition shooting and these modern powders can generate high velocities without unduly increasing the pressure. For this reason and the above facts, I like to think of N350 as the Rolls Royce of 357 Sig powders.

8.     The Vihtavuori powders are owned by Nammo Lapua Oy, although they still use the Vihtavuori name on their powders. www.vihtavuori.fi/vihtavuori/ (U.S. Distributor: Kaltrone-Pettibone 800-683-0464)

On Dec 7, 2000, I received an email containing 357 SIG loading data from Nammo Lapua Oy, tk.lapua@nammo.fi. I have only tested N350 so far. The 13th edition of the Speer's Reloading Manual also has some loads with N105, 3N37, and N350. The Nammo Lapua email stated that they used a 124 gr FMJ bullet and a cartridge length of 1.122:

·  N350 starting charge 7.5 grs maximum charge 8.7 grs

·  3N37 starting charge 7.5 grs maximum charge 8.6 grs

·  N340 starting charge 6.5 grs maximum charge 7.6 grs

Steyr M357 with standard 4" barrel

Starline brass

Winchester primers

Rainier plated 124 grain flat point bullets

Cannelure groove and a strong crimp

OAL: 1.125 (Vihtavuori recommends 1.122)

Steyr M357 with standard 4" barrel

Starline brass

Winchester primers

Rainier plated 124 grain flat point bullets

Cannelure groove and a strong crimp

OAL: 1.135