Can anyone tell me what this powder is?

[Kiwi cop]

A local ammunition reloader sells a powder it calls "Action Pistol". They describe it as:

"The best products change and improve over time with every generation.
This modern propellant powder is the result of constant research & development going back more than 45 years at the world’s most modern spherical powder factory built in the 1970’s
Since Fred Olsen’s 1933 patent there have been several generations of this famous ‘spherical powder’ with its long shelf life, high density, temperature stability & Low flame temperature, (the results of continuous improvement)
This Propellant is intended for careful Reloaders who will take the time to ensure safe reloading procedures are followed."

I use it for reloading 9mm. A link to the loading tables is:

http://belmontammo.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/pistol2.png

I am intrigued by the reference to "the world’s most modern spherical powder factory built in the 1970’s" and am wondering just what this powder is known as elsewhere?

 

[DWalt]

There are lots of powder factories around the world. I don't know how many make ball powder. The largest is St. Marks Powder (General Dynamics) in Florida, and for sure, they make it. It started production in the late 1960s.

Sounds like a lot of advertising puffery to me.

 

[WR Moore]

I believe I've seen the powder advertised, back some time ago. I don't see it on a burning rate chart from a couple of years ago. You might check the Hodgdon & Alliant websites.

It might have been phased out and replaced by something else. You might try matching load data with Power Pistol and something else similar.

A quick search indicated it WAS a Winchester (now Hogdon) powder, but was dropped-at least in the US (or relabeled as something more macho). A lot of powders are produced Ghu knows where, but imported and sold under local labels.

 

[Nevada Ed]

AP;

Ever hear of the 1958 Edsul ?

 

[rwsmith]

Just looking around....

Just looking around the web it seems to be a high quality and pricey powder. Maybe the American equivalent of Vihtavuori.

This is the first I've heard of the stuff. Their reloading tables are rather scanty.

Belmont Ammo is a NZ company, but it says the Action Pistol powder is made in the USA. Is it available in the US? Not planning on buying any, just curious.

 

[Joe4d]

there was a winchester action pistol, that got dropped when everything merged with Hodgdon. looks close in burn rate to it.
Probably didnt sell to well, as they lost the fact that action pistol shooters dont want full power ammo, WAP was too slow for non comped guns and too fast for comped guns.

 

[Joe4d]

oh and suppossedly Winchester action pistol became Ramshot Silhouete ,, dont know if that is the same action pistol as what you have

 

[Joe4d]

Seems I mispoke. If and I mean IF this is the same powder as winchester action pistol it is now liscensed as silhouete and is a good on the slow side of medium powder and one of the few that is favored by folks trying to make major pf out of 9mm for open guns.

 

[colt_saa]

There is no doubt that Ramshot Silhouette is Winchester Action Pistol (WAP) with a flash suppressant added.

It is a favorite powder for loading the 9x23 Winchester cartridge.

Is Belmont's Action Pistol the same stuff?

Belmont's own website calls this powder WAP.

Based on the load tables for Belmont Action Pistol, it appears to be extremely close to the WAP loading data of decades past

Belmont also offers other Winchester powders that are labeled with the Belmont logo.

Since Belmont is in New Zeland, I would not find it unlikely that they import the powder in large bulk containers and package it into handy one pound packages in their plant

Winchester Action Pistol (WAP) was introduced in the early to mid 1990s. Winchester dropped it a few years after that. I do not recall how long after that Silhouette appeared

 

[Kiwi cop]

Thanks for all the info. I was just curious as to he origins of this powder.

The reason that I like this powder in 9mm is that it burns clean and is quite bulky. A 5.5 gn load will fill the case almost to the top if double charged (which only happens when I drop the first 10 drops at the start of the loading session then weigh the 11th to make sure of the charge before I commence placing the projectile, seating and crimpingj.

One of my 9mm’s has the rifling a bit deep into the chamber. Many normal length rounds wonky chamber which is okay as the gun is very accurate with light (100-105 gn) bullets. 6.1 gn gives just under 1300 fps and is my preferred steel load.

And 5.5 gn pushing a 124 gn PRN is my preferred IPSC minor load.

 

[gwpercle]

I believe I've seen the powder advertised, back some time ago. I don't see it on a burning rate chart from a couple of years ago. You might check the Hodgdon & Alliant websites.

It might have been phased out and replaced by something else. You might try matching load data with Power Pistol and something else similar.

A quick search indicated it WAS a Winchester (now Hogdon) powder, but was dropped-at least in the US (or relabeled as something more macho). A lot of powders are produced Ghu knows where, but imported and sold under local labels.

Correct, I remember seeing it in Winchester Load data as
WAP, Winchester Action Pistol. No longer in Winchesters line up .
Gary

 

[Rule3]

In this Global Economy it gets confusing. I would also GUESS it is a Olin Winchester powder made at St Marks in Florida.

Googling the MSDS pulls up Winchester

It doesn't appear that Belmont is a producer:

About Us – Belmont Ammunition

Heck a lot of powders sold by Hodgon Powder are actually made in Australia ADI, imported to the US.

What does the label say , should have a made in xyz.?

Only way to be sure is contact them, Winchester (olin) or General Dynamics.

 

[H Richard]

I stay with powders that are clearly marked by a major manufacturer with loading data available. And I tend to stay with the good old powders that I have found will work. I'm too old to reinvent the wheel every time I want to work up a batch of reloads.