Vectan
Nobel Sport Vectan AO
A medium-burning flake for field loads, specifically cited by Shooters World for bismuth and copper shot in 12 gauge as well as 16- and 20-gauge work.
A medium-burning large green flake for field loads, and the specific reason Shooters World cites it is non-toxic shot - bismuth and copper in 12 gauge, plus 16- and 20-gauge work. Placed in the Herco, IMR 800-X, 3N37 and Longshot band. Note the name inconsistency you will hit when searching: Shooters World writes AO, some Nobel Sport literature writes A0. As with the rest of the line, one importer stands between you and both the powder and its data.
- bismuth shot 12-gauge loads
- copper shot field loads
- 16 gauge
- 20 gauge
Who has Nobel Sport Vectan AO today
Checked October 10None of the retailers we track list Nobel Sport Vectan AO right now. See what is in stock.
Official Nobel Sport Vectan load data →
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Nobel Sport Vectan |
|---|---|
| Product family | Vectan |
| Status | Currently produced |
| Application | shotshell |
| Grain form | flake |
| Lee VMD (bulk density) | 0.1196 cc per grain · 0.54 g/cc |
| Composition | single-base |
| Typical cartridges | 12 Gauge, 16 Gauge, 20 Gauge |
Grain shape
Large flake - degressive, gas off early - and the large plate size means it bulks up in a bushing, so check drops against a scale rather than trusting a published bushing figure blindly.
Why geometry decides burn rate more than chemistry does: Shape Is the Product.
Written AO on the Shooters World site and A0 in some Nobel Sport literature. Identified by large green flakes. Shooters World places it in the same burn range as Alliant Herco, IMR 800-X, Vihtavuori 3N37 and Hodgdon Longshot. Vectan is French-made Nobel Sport propellant; Shooters World is the current US distributor and publishes the US load data.
This powder is obscure enough in the US that its practical character is thinly documented. The note above is deliberately short rather than padded.
Sources
The specifications above come from Nobel Sport Vectan's own published documentation, linked below. The two “RCM's read” sections are ours, not theirs — our assessment of what this powder is like to load, drawn from its published characteristics and from what handloaders consistently report. No manufacturer endorses them and no source below backs them. If you think we have one wrong, tell us — we would rather fix it.