Looking to replace Power Pistol for near-magnum 357 loads

I've never used PP, so I don't really have a frame of reference.....

I use Unique for my 3/4 throttle loads, and they aren't very obnoxious.

Possibly BE-86. It's very similar to Power Pistol but with an added flash suppressant. Less flash also means less Boom!
Max charge with a 158gr bullet is 7.8gr and it gets very close to the velocity of PP
I have used both BE-86 and PP in 9mm and with loads of the same approximate velocity it seems quieter

BE86 could do it, but 2400 would probably be better.

I like 2400 for part throttle loads but I can't say I ever paid any attention to the boom. Maybe Unique? I like hearing the echo from my H110 loads bouncing off all the treelines in the adjacent fields (with ear protection of course)

There are many good powders that work well for the 357 mag. I now use titegroup with a mag primer for my 357 mag nra silhouette match loads.

I have used RedDot and Unique for mild loads with good results and less noise I think just a little more Flash with the Unique loads for paper punching
for mid range to upper loads I would use 2400

I like Bluedot, but I use it in reduced rifle loads so I tried it in 357.
Universal was pretty good.
I didn't like CFE-P.
I never tried PowerPistol so I can't compare.

I know you said 158gr bullets but just a heads up if you go lighter in bullets http://www.alliantpowder.com/getting_started/safety/safety_notices.aspx
SAFETY NOTICE
At Alliant Powder, we take safety seriously. That’s why we periodically test our products in different situations to be sure our use recommendations stay current. Check here for any safety notes or recall information. Stay safe and keep accurate.

Alliant Powder periodically reviews and tests their published reloading data to verify that our recommended recipes have not changed over time.

During the latest review Alliant Powder discovered that Alliant Powder's Blue Dot® should not be used in the following applications:

• Blue Dot® should NOT be used in the 357 Magnum load using the 125 grain projectile (Blue Dot® recipes with heavier bullet weights as specified in Alliant Powders Reloading Guide are acceptable for use).
• Blue Dot® should NOT be used in the 41 Magnum cartridge (all bullet weights).

Use of Blue Dot® in the above cases may cause a high pressure situation that could cause property damage and serious personal injury.

We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause and appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this matter.

Oh I forgot to mention, my father in law does not like recoil so I load him a 125 xtp over a mild charge of bullseye to get 1200 FPS. That’s a very mild shooting and quiet load but still quite a lot more power than a 38+p. I don’t think it’s quite the power factor your looking for but thought I would mention it.

Macchina said:

I have almost used up my pound of Power Pistol running 8.4gr under a 158gr plated bullet in 357 Magnum. I love the performance of the powder, I'm getting within 150 fps of my Max loaded H110 hunting ammo with 1/3 the powder. Power Pistol also seems to have a much lower peak pressure than most any other powder.

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You can do the same thing with Unique.

While PP works well for me with light for caliber bullets in .357(125gr), I've never had that much luck with it with standard for caliber weight bullets, when it comes to best accuracy.

HS-6 will get you over 1300 fps on a 158-grain projectile, and I have not found it as loud as PP or 110. Longshot will get you up there in velocity too, but it is loud.

My load is with 2400.
Not bad on the recoil & is pretty clean burning.
Also not a lot of excess noise & flash

Blue Dot. Don't use compressed loads of it, though, been known to crack hammers on Pythons.

HS-6 for 158's. More pleasant to shoot than PP. I like magnum primers with HS-6, but they're not mandatory.

Macchina said:

I have almost used up my pound of Power Pistol running 8.4gr under a 158gr plated bullet in 357 Magnum. I love the performance of the powder, I'm getting within 150 fps of my Max loaded H110 hunting ammo with 1/3 the powder. Power Pistol also seems to have a much lower peak pressure than most any other powder.

The issue is Power Pistol has a very big blast. I don't mind the flash but it seems to be louder than other loads. I've had this powder for a few years and haven't kept up on new powders. I'm looking for an efficient and powerful powder like Power Pistol but with less blast. Does this exist now?

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Have you tried backing off your Power Pistol load a bit? I load 7.9 gr behind a 170 gr Keith syle SWC. It is accurate and chronographs a little over 1250 fps from my 6" GP-100. As for muzzle blast, it is a magnum revolver. If I am concerned about the boom, I load it down to .38 Spec. velocity with Tite Group or Bullseye. Muzzle blast is a byproduct of powerful loads. For my purposes, I will stay with Power Pistol for 90% of W-296 performance with half the powder.

2400