Power Pistol in .38 +P loads...357 Magnum brass, 357 Magnum pistol?

[sniper]

Looking for a decent replacement for what I call "Hot .38, mild Magnum" loads. 4" barrel. I've never tried Power Pistol, but it is mentioned favorably on most forums, and seems to fill the case pretty well.
I've tried Hodgdon's Universal and Trail Boss, with variable results.
I have some Unique left, and some AA#5, HP-38, and BE 86 to experiment with. Any other suggestions?
I will attempt loads ~900 fps. At 86, I've outgrown the need for drama, and just hate to spend more than a Benjamin "Just to see!" Of course, it will depend on what I can find at my local lgs. AA5 and HP 38 seem to be the low-price leaders at ~$35/Lb, with Alliant Unique, BE 86 and others coming in at ~$ 55/Lb. So far, Brian Pearce's article on .38 +P and 38-44 loads in an ancient , OCT, 2016 Handloader magazine (iirc) seems to be a good starting place, and uses some of the powders I have.They may still have back issues, which will be worth the co$t!

 

[rwsmith]

I've tried some Power Pistol and it's good for what you are trying to do. Barrel length? Weight of bullet? And are you shooting them out of a .38 or a .357? My comments are geared to .38 special. If you are using a .357 I think most of these powders would work. I REALLY like HP38/Win231 but I don't think it's quite up to that unless you are using lighter bullets. I also like Acc #7 for hotter loads but I don't use it in .38 Special. Acc #5 may be more in what you want, but again, if you are using lighter bullets. BE-86 should be good with lighter bullets and Unique works nearly across the board. Hodgdon CFE Pistol is a possibility. I LOVE old reloading data, but the money may be better spent on powder. Data is available for the powders you mentioned and many of the older powders, if not discontinued, are less available.

Yeah, after re-reading your question and thinking .357 instead of .38 I don't think you'll have a problem with any of these powders, with any weight bullet. And yeah, Acc #7 is too hot for what you need. Try Acc #5.. And HP-38/Win 231 is my go to for everything powder.

 

[gwpercle]

AA #5 seems to be just a touch slower burning than Unique and might be just right for "hot 38 /mild magnum" .
It was available at my local shop , so I'm trying it out in cast bullet 38+P and mild 357 loads ... with a 158 gr. cast SWC -
6.0 grs of AA #5 has produced nice accuracy ...
Try the AA #5 ... at least it;s ... Available !
Gary

 

[WR Moore]

As someone else noted: 900 f/s WITH WHAT BULLET? Hornady gives 6 gr PP as a max +P .38 load with a 158 gr JHP. Alliant lists 8.5 gr with the 158 gr Gold Dot at a not quite 1100 f/s .357 load. Gold Dot data is somewhat different from conventional JHPs. Quick math gives about 7 gr PP for ~900 f/s. With lighter bullets I found I could do better velocities with less BE-86 and a whole lot less flash.

 

[71vette]

I think your Power Pistol thoughts are sound. I've had good luck with HS-6 and Silhouette in that role as well. 357 is the easy part. Getting good performance from 38 without going too hot is the tricky part…..

 

[Forrest r]

Power pistol will work in the 357mags, but it's pretty meh. There're better choices out there like bluedot.

PP really shines in the 38spl's/44spl's/45acp's/etc. Basically, reloads in the 15,0000psi to 25,000spi range.

 

[TAROMAN]

I have loaded Power Pistol in 38 Special with great results.
Shot hunter silhouette with a Model 67 equipped with a Matchdot II.
Did very well, then my club dropped the match.
Did a ladder test of loads this was the final choice:
From my records:
Bayou 160 RN coated LOA: 1.530"
6.3 Grains Power Pistol
Vmin: 941
Vmax: 969
VAvg: 955
ES: 28
SD: 9.07

I shoot a lot of PP in different calibers and have found that it performs best in the higher loadings.

 

[USSR]

My .38 FBI Load consists of a cast 158gr SWCHP propelled at 940fps by 7.0gr of HS-6 out of my 2.5" Model 19. Nice load, and nothing to sneeze at.

 

[PattonTime]

Of all the powders you have mentioned, Accurate #5 is my choice, I really like Power Pistol & BE-86 but only BE-86 seems to be available right now 7 both are much more expensive as you mentioned.
It works well for me in many calibers, is available & inexpensive so I use it.
I also buy & use Shooters World Auto Pistol if I find it for less, it is not the same powder exactly, but is made by Explosia, which is a eastern European, maybe Czechoslovakia company that used to supply Accurate years ago.

 

[jem102]

Power Pistol is quite versatile...if you can find it and should work well for your purpose.

 

[sniper]

Of all the powders you have mentioned, Accurate #5 is my choice, I really like Power Pistol & BE-86 but only BE-86 seems to be available right now 7 both are much more expensive as you mentioned.
It works well for me in many calibers, is available & inexpensive so I use it.
I also buy & use Shooters World Auto Pistol if I find it for less, it is not the same powder exactly, but is made by Explosia, which is a eastern European, maybe Czechoslovakia company that used to supply Accurate years ago.

Thank you!

 

[38SPL HV]

I like in my 4 inch S&W 586 and Ruger BH 4 5/8 inch 357s, 6.0 grs Power Pistol, CCI 500 primers behind coated cast 158 gr SWC or Speer's 158 gr LSWC in Starline 38 Special +P cases…chronographs approximately 1,000 fps. My standard 38 Spl +P use 5.4-5.6 grs Power Pistol and same bullets, velocities 915 fps - 950 fps