Power Pistol

ColColt

ColColt

Member
Joined
May 2, 2010
Messages
1,304
Reaction score
289
Location
TN
What do you think of Power Pistol for the 45 ACP?
 
Register to hide this ad
Well, so much for that! :) Back to Unique I suppose.
 
Been wanting to try PP in 45acp too. I have some I use for 9mm just never tried it in 45. What does flash hurt anyway? I shoot outdoors.
 
I have come to the conclusion that Power Pistol is the best powder for maximum velocity .45 ACP and 9mm in revolvers. If you are loading it for an auto, I don't know what to tell you. But if you are loading for a 625 you will not be disappointed. Yes, it does have a bit of a flash, but I have shot my heavy loads in the dark and I can live with it.

Dave Sinko
 
Will not Power Pistol work well with hard cast lead bullets? I never see any data with lead bullets and PP though. I never shoot jacketed or plated bullets.
 
Power Pistol is a fairly slow powder for the .45 Auto and will probably deliver high velocities with heavy bullets BUT, like said above it also produces A LOT of flash. A similar powder to Power Pistol is AA#5 which was specifically designed for use in the .45 Auto. I've used it in the 45 and it produces some "hot" ammo which will probably surpass the velocities delivered by Power Pistol. That said, my favorite powder for use in the .45 Auto is W231. A charge of 5.5gr under a 200gr or 230gr bullet is hard to beat. W231 is a clean and accurate powder that I wouldn't want to be without... I highly recommend W231/HP-38 for use in the .45 Auto.
 
Last edited:
I read somewhere that W231 and HP-38 are the same exact powder. I can't imagine that but I feel sure I saw it somewhere. I use AA #5 a lot but for some bullet weights, Unique seems to give more velocity according to Speer's #14 manual whereby #5 will for other weights.

I shoot mostly 185 and 200 and occasionally the 230 gr JHP. I don't care much for LSWC's because of the leading-cheap for sure but, I don't like using the Lewis Lead Remover every time I come back from the range.
 
ColColt said:
I read somewhere that W231 and HP-38 are the same exact powder. I can't imagine that but I feel sure I saw it somewhere.

I shoot mostly 185 and 200 and occasionally the 230 gr JHP. I don't care much for LSWC's because of the leading-cheap for sure but, I don't like using the Lewis Lead Remover every time I come back from the range.
Click to expand...

Yes, W231 and HP-38 are the same powders.

I reload LSWC's exclusively - have NEVER had a problem with leading. :)
 
I have recently started using Power Pistol in place of Unique, although I still like Unique. I have found very good loads for .44 Special, and .45 Colt, and am still fine tuning a 200 gr. LSWC load for .45 Auto. I have not noticed any extra flash, but I shoot outdoors. Power Pistol is cleaner than Unique, and drops charges out of my Lee Auto Disk that exactly match the Lee charge/volume table data. Unique always throws way under the listed charges, so I have to keep my own table data to know which cavity to use.

Another benefit of Power Pistol is higher velocity at lower pressures. For this reason it seems perfect for loads from mid-range to full power. I have not tried it in any reduced or light charges, because I just don't think it's made for that application.
 
I have had good results using PP for 230 grain jacketed bullets such as Speer Gold Dots and Hornady XTP's. Accuracy has been good and it burns clean. For cast bullets it's hard to beat W-231. I use 5.5 grains with a 200 grain SWC for great accuracy (at least for me;).

This is with a S&W 4586 and a Kimber 1911.
 
Some of the powder I have is getting old...about 15 years. There's a gun show this upcoming weekend and maybe I'll just pick up some fresh Unique, AA#5 and try the Power Pistol. According to Speer's manual it's the powder to use with the heavier bullets such as the 230 gr.
 
I am looking for data using 170gr SWC from Oregon Trail Bullets using Power Pistol. I intend to use it as a target load in my full size and compact M&P.

I have looked all over on the web with no success. Can anyone help?

Sorry, I should have said this was for a .40 S&W. DUH
 
Last edited:
I don't shoot many jacketed bullets in .45 ACP, but have used a lot of cast in various designs from 185-230 grs. While I have developed a few loads that shot reasonably well with Power Pistol, overall accuracy level has been slightly behind such powders as Bullseye, 231, and Titegroup. With regard to velocity only, Power Pistol may beat them all.
 
gator

I haven't used laser-cast in 45 acp but
laser-cast offers a load manual for their bullets for sale on their website

Home

also, you can email Maryjo and she'll email you a pdf with the load data for their bullets and your caliber (free):D

[email protected]
 
Spew. Go buy some HP-38 or pay a dollar more for Win 231. I shall continue to preach on about the HP-38/Win 231. Why mess with flakes no matter the size when HP-38/Win 231 flows like mercury, is almost NEVER off by more than +/- .1gr, and it can be used in anything from .25 ACP to .44 Magnum. I don't use it for magnum and don't really like adding that part but still it can be used. And I have. But I don't continue. I just wanted to know. And yes, I reload .25 ACP for the Baby Browning. What a PITA but I like a good challenge. The shell holder looks funny.
 
I am forgetting that Alliant lists a .38 +P with a 158gr SWC for a heck of a load but it is from a 6" barrel if I remember right. Meh. I still prefer HP-38.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

tennexplorer
Model 26-1 Mod1
Replies
4
Views
382
tennexplorer
tennexplorer
biku324
  • Locked
Expired/Withdrawn WTB - 625 Mountain Gun in 45 ACP
Replies
1
Views
515
biku324
biku324
J
  • Locked
FS- Kimber Springfield S&W Pistols
Replies
2
Views
1K
jasongt06
J
Xfuzz
Added a couple Colts to the safe....
Replies
16
Views
640
Dump1567
Dump1567
F
S&W 1911 SC .45 ACP Commander model Question.
Replies
8
Views
599
BarryinIN
BarryinIN

Latest posts

Back
Top