Vihtavuori 3N38 Smokeless Powder
The Vihtavuori 3N38 is a premium, single-base smokeless handgun powder specifically developed for competitive pistol shooters requiring high-velocity, high-performance ammunition. It is one of the slowest-burning powders in the Vihtavuori N300 series and is renowned for producing excellent accuracy, consistent velocities, and exceptionally clean-burning performance. Originally designed for IPSC and USPSA competition, 3N38 is an excellent choice for shooters looking to achieve Major Power Factor loads in suitable cartridges.
Features
- Premium single-base smokeless powder
- Designed for high-velocity competition handgun loads
- Extremely clean burning with minimal fouling
- Excellent lot-to-lot consistency
- Meters accurately through powder measures
- Ideal for Major Power Factor competition loads
- Consistent ignition and excellent accuracy
- Manufactured in Finland to stringent quality standards
Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Vihtavuori |
| Powder Series | N300 |
| Powder Type | Single-base smokeless powder |
| Burn Rate | Slow (within the N300 handgun series) |
| Grain Shape | Tubular |
| Primary Use | Competition handgun ammunition |
| Country of Manufacture | Finland |
Popular Cartridges
Vihtavuori publishes tested data for 3N38 in a range of popular competition handgun cartridges, including:
- 9mm Luger (9×19mm)
- .38 Super Auto
- .38 Super Comp
- 9×21mm
- 9×23 Winchester
- .357 SIG
- .40 S&W
- 10mm Auto
- .45 ACP
Best Applications
3N38 excels in:
- IPSC and USPSA competition
- High-performance 9mm loads
- Major Power Factor ammunition (where permitted)
- Action pistol competitions
- Heavy-for-calibre handgun projectiles requiring high velocity
Always use Vihtavuori’s official pressure-tested reloading data for your exact cartridge and projectile combination. Do not substitute data between different bullet designs or manufacturers. Current, manufacturer-tested data is available in the latest Vihtavuori Reloading Guide.




