Power Pistol, whoda thunk it?

[gen3guy]

My only complaint with Power Pistol is the muzzle flash, especially with the larger calibers. Other than that I agree with the consensus.

 

[David Sinko]

I think Power Pistol is the best thing going for highest velocity 9mm and .45 ACP revolver loads. I just make sure to load the bullets long so they don't chamber in the weak autos that can't stand the pressures of a good 940 or 625 revolver.

Dave Sinko

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Yeh, I like it...

My ammo can, dressed-up for range duty.

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[papajohn428]

I was a diehard Unique user for the first 20 years I reloaded, now Power Pistol has filled that slot. According to my records, I am on my 9th 8-pound keg of it, and there have been a lot of 4-pounders and singles in between. It works well in the 38+P loads I train with, it's perfect in the 40S&W, and it even works well in the 45ACP. I use other powders from time to time, but if I only had access to one powder, Power Pistol would be The One. The flash doesn't bother me at all, because I only use it for practice and training ammo.

 

[iPac]

Power Pistol and 2400, all I have ever needed

When I first started reloading, I did my homework and ended up going with power pistol for the 9mm. Glad I did. As I added new calibers to my collection it has performed just as I expected it would in all of them. Flawlessly. Only my magnum rounds get 2400, 357mag and 44mag. Every thing else I give power pistol. Most load data calls for a little more power pistol as compared to other types but I love the way it meters, burns, and is fairly clean. So using a bit more powder is worth it.

Just my two cents.

 

[dmar]

Most of my loading is with W231 and Bullseye for non-magnum pistol rounds (9mm, ,38spcl., etc.), and 2400 and some Unique for the magnum stuff. BTW, I just found, and bought, 2 pounds of 2400 at my LGS yesterday and asked the owner if a leprechaun riding a unicorn delivered it to the store...

Anyway, after reading through these posts, I'm now inspired to give PP a try. I've got a good supply of 231, Bullseye, and Unique, but PP sounds like it could replace these powders when the time comes.

But, how does it work on the magnum loads? Is it best for just the light target/plinking loads, or can you get some good velocity out of it, too? Again, I'm currently using 2400, and some Unique when I go a little lighter. My LGS always has a good supply of PP.

Also, I've got some new 10mm dies that have been sitting in a drawer, and I'm going to motivate to get them set up for loading. For you guys that load PP for 10mm, how are the results? For comparison, I already have some Blue Dot and Longshot that I had planned to use for 10mm...

 

[Erich]

It's like Unique for magnum loads: you can do them, but there are plenty of better powders for that purpose. For instance, 158-gr LSWCs in a .357 Magnum load - max velocity I get is around 1230 fps with PP's max load. Very small spreads, btw. But I get almost 1400 fps from the same gun with 2400 (old load data - not today's neutered data) and easily best that with Lil' Gun.

It's not for plinking loads, but rather for full power .38 Spl/.45 ACP/9mm loads. It seems to like the pressure zone around 20,000 CUP.

I don't remember how PP worked in my 10, and I'm on the way to the range so I don't want to dig out the data (sorry).

 

[dmar]

It's like Unique for magnum loads: you can do them, but there are plenty of better powders for that purpose. For instance, 158-gr LSWCs in a .357 Magnum load - max velocity I get is around 1230 fps with PP's max load. Very small spreads, btw. But I get almost 1400 fps from the same gun with 2400 (old load data - not today's neutered data) and easily best that with Lil' Gun.

It's not for plinking loads, but rather for full power .38 Spl/.45 ACP/9mm loads. It seems to like the pressure zone around 20,000 CUP.

I don't remember how PP worked in my 10, and I'm on the way to the range so I don't want to dig out the data (sorry).

Thanks Erich, that helps...

So, how was the shooting today? I wanted to go, but too much to do in the yard.

 

[Erich]

Glad to hear it and thanks for asking. After a bad start (I'd just intended to go to a relatively nearby indoor range, but they irritated me enough that I drove the 35 miles to the outdoor city range), it was very nice. The new-to-me birth-year Beretta worked very well and is just a lovely (old?) gun.

 

[Vortec MAX]

I loaded up some Power Pistol in 38 SPL, 45 ACP, and 45 Colt to try. I headed to the range this morning but it was so cold and windy that I came back home. Hoping for nicer weather next weekend. I loaded three charge weights in each caliber to chrono. I will let you know how they work out.

Mike

 

[BLUEDOT37]

For you guys that load PP for 10mm, how are the results? For comparison, I already have some Blue Dot and Longshot that I had planned to use for 10mm...

I found 10.0gr/P-P very accurate with Zero 165gr JHP. Handloader #253 listed this load at 1418fps using a Speer 165gr GD-HP.

That same issue listed 8.5gr/P-P at 1251fps using a Speer 180gr GD-HP, which I too used with a 180gr Nosler JHP. However I found 13.0gr/2400 very accurate in my 1076. Handloader listed it at 1190fps using the 180gr Speer.

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[Moe Mentum]

I heard that the new Alliant BE-86 is Power Pistol with flash retardant . I am having trouble finding it, but when I do, I will see how it works out.

 

[Erich]

Man, THAT would be a good powder, Moe. Thanks for the info.

 

[bigsteve113]

I'll never forsake my Unique or 2400. But I've been loading my .40's with Power Pistol lately and have been very satisfied. I recently worked up a .40 load with 9.0 grs of Power Pistol and the 155 XTP. Chronoed at 1240 fps from a 4" barrel with zero signs of pressure, pleasant recoil, and dang good accuracy.