What do you think of Power Pistol for the 45 ACP?

Lots of FLASH!

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

only for jacketed slugs. I'm fond of it. cheap too. and clean.

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.

I use PP almost exclusively with cast bullets. I've found it works fine in the .45 ACP.

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.

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SWCA #3437

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.

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.

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AL
Pax Per Potens

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

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)

maryjo@laser-cast.com

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I'd like to agree with you BUT

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.

Power Pistol is my go to powder in .38 Super. Very accurate with Zero 115 grn JHP.

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.

What cartridge?

Another 3 year old thread brought back from the ABYSS... Why?

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SWCA #3437

Some of us where not around three years ago
I use PP in 38/357 and 40 and like the results

Arch,
I guess Gatorjak, the 2013 new OP has been doing some research on his own, using Google and/or the forum search trying to get some information, before posting a question - just as many here on the forum have requested.

Good for him!

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I'd like to agree with you BUT

Because everyone should know to go buy HP-38!!!!

Can't be too good. My LGS has one can of powder in stock after months of being ravaged. it's power Pistol. :=)

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Dave

Could this be the next gen PP?

Alliant Powder - BE-86

Power pistol works great in high pressure 9mm and .40 S&W. I use my PP exclusively for these calibers.

I feel that Unique has the optimum burn rate for the .45 acp and PP is on the slow side of that optimum efficiency. In the .45 acp I found it to produce lower velocity than the manuals indicate while Unique is much better for full power ball equivalent or 1K fps + loads using 185gr JHP's in .45 ACP. Since you use more grains of PP than Unique its not as economical.

If it was the only powder I could find then I'd use it but a little faster powder would be preferred.

IMO, Power Pistol out performs Unique in full power 45ACP loads, like "+P" & 45 Super. It's slower & denser, which is what's needed for these. Try the documented 11.3grs. under a 185 JHP, in a Super case and a properly setup 1911, or 325/625, to see. I like & use Unique too, but there's no comparision in this setting.

Brian Pearce did an article in Handloader a couple of years ago about 200gr bullets in .45acp. He said PP gave +P performance at standard pressures. He used several different bullets and powders, and it was a good article. I prefer 230gr for .45acp in my autos and heavier swc in revolvers. PP was originally a noncannister grade powder called BE84.

see below.

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dd884
JMHO-YMMV

I didn't know PP was formerly called BE84. "geddylee" (above) mentioned a new powder Alliant is appearantly coming out with called BE-86. Coincidence? It says it "Contains flash suppressant". Some people (not me) don't like how flashy PP is, so maybe this is to address that? Couldn't find any load data for it in their online guide yet.

.40 S&W Just saw I forgot that. Sorry

Well, I'm hoping this is the start of a good trend where all the manufacturers add a flash suppressor to their powders.

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SWCA #3437

Lyman #49 lists P-P & 175gr. LSWC data for 40S&W.
Start 5.8grs/~900fps to max. 6.6grs/~1000fps.

This should get you going with your 170gr. OTBs.

Thank you Bluedot37!!! I appreciate your help.

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.[/QUOTE]

I use IMR Trail Boss with 230gr cast RN and don't have a leading problem. Cleaner then using W231 with FMC.

I loaded 6 44mags using Power Pistol. Recipe was:
44 240gr target hollow point
10 grains Power Pistol
Winchester Large Pistol or Mag Pistol loads primers
1.6 coal
Anyone see any issues with this before I test it at the range?

I use Power Pistol with cast 230 grain with standard velocity and find it does just fine. In fact I load Power Pistol in 9mm, 38spl, and 45acp and really don’t bother using anything else. I think I have even used it in 380 but it’s been a while.

You are the first person I have ever heard say that Trail boss is cleaner than W231.

10gr ought to be @ 1000fps. Pressure shouldn't be a problem. Think Unique only just a tad slower.......

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dd884
JMHO-YMMV

Unique will work for full loads in my 9mm but.........

when I start stuffing the large 147gr bullet in that little case
case volume and Unique do not work well together.

I found that BE-86 is finer grained and will beat Unique powder, hands down on getting MORE
fps out of my loads.

Some say that BE-86 is on a level with PP, but not having any PP powder
I can't find out which might be the better powder.

Later.

I've just started loading 38sp. 158gr Speer soft point with 5.4gr of PP. The site I looked up the recipe said that 6gr was a +p load. Does that sound right?

Yes, that is the data from Alliant who makes that powder.............

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dd884
JMHO-YMMV

Hodgdon explained: Many people have tremendous brand loyalty and would swear that W231 is the greatest thing since sliced bread and HP-38 is junk. And vice versa. But they are exactly the same power manufactured in the same plant but packaged differently.

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