Love the "power" of PowerPistol

[NvrGiveUp]

Take all this:
S&W Shield 9mm
Power Pistol powder
Winchester primer
Rainier 115plated HP

And get THIS:

[Protocall_Design]

Power Pistol is formulated to generate a large volume of gas for guns with compensators on the end of the barrel. It works fine in guns without comps, but that's why you get a big fireball and lots of noise. If that's what you like, that is perfectly OK.

[427mach1]

Originally Posted by Toolguy

Power Pistol is formulated to generate a large volume of gas for guns with compensators on the end of the barrel.

Where did you read that? All I have found is that it is formulated for high-performance loads in 9mm, 40, 357 sig, 10mm, etc.

[RGVshooter]

Originally Posted by Toolguy

Power Pistol is formulated to generate a large volume of gas for guns with compensators on the end of the barrel. It works fine in guns without comps, but that's why you get a big fireball and lots of noise. If that's what you like, that is perfectly OK.

As a semi pro USPSA/IDPA shooter, I can tell you that pretty much every guy that has a compensator isn't using Power Pistol. If they're using a Comp, they're shooting major and most likely .38 super - 40s&w. Most of the powders they use are W231, Unique, Hodgden CFC. etc. Power pistol burns at a much slower rate and to achieve the velocities they require would need an insane amount of powder, but will foul up their pistols in no time cause it won't burn thoroughly.

Now on to the OP... IMHO, Power Pistol is a good powder to use, very forgiving for new reloader's as well. It is flashy, and that's why most competitive shooters won't use it. Here is a good recipe to try using 115 grs FMJ.

Hornady or Berry's bullet FMJ 115grs

5.6grs Power Pistol

COAL 1.10"

This will function beautifully thru a M&P shield 9 and M&P full size 9mm. Flash will be moderate, FPS average around 1100. For reduced flash, you can use 5.2grs. for a average of around 1050fps.

[GeoJelly]

Thanks RGVshooter! I have a couple pounds of PP and haven't started loading it yet. Your PP load is the same as Hornady recommends - but I haven't seen someone comment on the load itself - till you came along ... I picked up 1000 of the Berry's plated 115's back before the election - just in case - now I can start burning them up. Kinda off-topic - has anyone encountered any setback when using the Berry's or other plated bullets? I have a separate (Lee) taper crimp die but the whole idea of having a bullet set back is pretty scary ...

[Protocall_Design]

As a Master level Bianchi shooter I can tell you that I am using it in a 6" 686 revo with a 5 port comp on the end and there is almost no recoil with 135 power factor loads. There is a lot more recoil with 231. Not everyone shoots USPSA or major power factor.
I'm running 6.5 grains of PP with a 125 gr. JHP in a .38 special case, getting about 1.5" groups at 50 yds.

[TAROMAN]

Love it in 38 Special +P - extremely accurate.
357 Sig - like shooting flash bang grenades.
44 Special (!) Great for bowling pins.

[RGVshooter]

Originally Posted by GeoJelly

Thanks RGVshooter! I have a couple pounds of PP and haven't started loading it yet. Your PP load is the same as Hornady recommends - but I haven't seen someone comment on the load itself - till you came along ... I picked up 1000 of the Berry's plated 115's back before the election - just in case - now I can start burning them up. Kinda off-topic - has anyone encountered any setback when using the Berry's or other plated bullets? I have a separate (Lee) taper crimp die but the whole idea of having a bullet set back is pretty scary ...

I also use Berry's bullets. Just to make reloading easier, adjust your expander die just enough to get the bullet started in the case. In other words, if you used Hornady FMJ's or similar, you're going to have to slightly readjust the expander just a hair because berry's are plated. berry's are .356" dia vs .355".

For the crimp what I do that works for me is to adjust the crimp just enough to get the bell shape out of the case from the expander die. Just enough crimp that will leave a thin tiny shiny ring around the mouth of the case. Too little crimp can cause the case to get stuck in the chamber, so can too much crimp.

For those who are interested;

I use .40 for steel plate challenges; but a reduced load. .40 minor lol. But this load functions perfectly out of a all stock Glock 23-22. I havn't tried it in a M&P40 or other pistols.

Hornady XTP 180 grs bullet
3.2 grs titegroup
COAL 1.135"

try it! recoil feels like a whimpy 9mm and accuracy is good. I forgot what it chrono'd at but the power factor was 131.6

[mike campbell]

I've been working with a Colt GCT in 9mm for steel challenge where no power factor is required. I'm seeking a true bunny fart load, as close to the recoil of a .22LR as I can get, with maximum 25yd accuracy.

After testing dozens of recipes with 115-125 HP's, including 16 different powders, my front runner is:

115HP with 4.0 grains of Power Pistol at 860 fps.

To put that in perspective, a mild 115 load of 1100 fps would have a PF ~ 126.

This load, with its PF ~ 99, generates 40% less free recoil energy. Accuracy is stellar (surprisingly better than any "fast" target powder). In stock configuration my Colt is a single shot with this load. Now it's tuned for positive feeding/ejection with virtually zero muzzle flip. A centerfire that runs like a rimfire. Bunny power.

[JBnTx]

If you like Power Pistol, you should try BE-86.
You just might like BE-86 better?

[rsrocket1]

Originally Posted by JBnTx

If you like Power Pistol, you should try BE-86.
You just might like BE-86 better?

Ditto. BE-86 has a flash suppressant. It sits between Unique and Power Pistol in terms of speed (similar to Herco) with small easy to meter flakes and very little residue. It's my favorite pistol powder but I still like PP for full power loads when I want to make a big flash and turn heads at the range.

[Qc Pistolero]

Superb performance in .38 Spl +P.Blast and flash aren't so much so and in .38 they are quite mild anyway;chrony reading is what counts.And PP is very good in that dept.
Qc

[RGVshooter]

The least amount of Power Pistol I've tried for a 115gr FMJ was 3.8 thru my M&P 9 however I was getting inconsistent FTE's. It might work well in a lighter recoil spring but I was just farting around trying to see how low i can go with it. Flash was non existent. Most I tried was 6.0grs which is within the max of 6.7grs. (all my info is straight out of hornady 9th edition)

6.0 grs was fun! I chrono'd it out of a M&P 9 & my 5 shot average got 1168fps, Flash at the indoor range I used made me feel like I was shooting a hand cannon. Honestly, I'd stick with 5.6-5.8grs Power Pistol for a 115gr fmj

[BLUEDOT37]

If I was limited to only one powder it'd be Power Pistol.

I use it in everything from 9mm to moderate loads in my 500 S&W (it's not position sensitive), but I think it really shines in auto cases; 9mm, 40 S&W, 10mm, & 45ACP.

Oh yeah, I like it's flash too!

.

325NG, 45 Super muzzle blast using 185gr JHP & 11.3gr Power Pistol

(-01)

.

[lebomm]

Has anyone tried PP in .38-44 HV ?

Larry

[rwsmith]

PP does get great performance out of .38 special, too.

[fredj338]

It is not power just flash & blast. Try BE86 instead.

[Rogeronimo]

Originally Posted by Toolguy

Power Pistol is formulated to generate a large volume of gas for guns with compensators on the end of the barrel.

I know that I've read this about Autocomp.

[BLUEDOT37]

Nothing wrong with Power Pistol's power. In 9mm, 40 S&W, & 45ACP it, & LongShot, are usually among the highest velocities. I prefer Power Pistol over LongShot.

.

[ArchAngelCD]

I don't usually load the 9mm to the upper end of the range but when I do I use Longshot or HS-6. I guess i should try Power Pistol again. Trouble is, there are so many good powders in the same pressure range it's hard to try them all. BE-86, CFE-Pistol, AutoComp and W572 are a few not to mention the older powders too.