I want a Big Fireball

AZone · Jan 20, 2023

Okay,so I did some research on the interweb,and read some "complaints" about Power Pistol having excessive muzzle flash..AHA says me,l have some of that!
At the Alliant site, they list 200 grain bullet,and 15 grains of PP, so I loaded up some 165 LSWC and 11.5 grains of PP.
I'll try them out Sunday,and post results for those of you whose curiosity has been piqued!

AJC1 · Jan 20, 2023

JAMES Michael WILKIE said:
Okay,so I did some research on the interweb,and read some "complaints" about Power Pistol having excessive muzzle flash..AHA says me,l have some of that!
At the Alliant site, they list 200 grain bullet,and 15 grains of PP, so I loaded up some 165 LSWC and 11.5 grains of PP.
I'll try them out Sunday,and post results for those of you whose curiosity has been piqued!

That powder is unnaturally loud. I don't remember flash though.

rfwobbly · Jan 21, 2023

Shamelessly stolen photo...

AZone · Jan 21, 2023

rfwobbly said:
Shamelessly stolen photo...

View attachment 1128652

Any clue what that load was?
And I like the Triskele,are you a motorcyclist

Bcwitt · Jan 21, 2023

Put some magnesium powder in w the powder. That should do it.

Walkalong · Jan 21, 2023

Be careful, that's a flame throwing incendiary.

rfwobbly · Jan 23, 2023

JAMES Michael WILKIE said:
Any clue what that load was?

Not my photo, but we all pretty much agree it's H110/W296 powder.

JAMES Michael WILKIE said:
And I like the Triskele, are you a motorcyclist?

Was for 50 years. Had to give it up.

AJC1 · Jan 23, 2023

Walkalong said:
Be careful, that's a flame throwing incendiary.

I wonder what a nice rifled barrel would look like after.... I know they do that in shotgun but that's very different imo.

AZone · Jan 23, 2023

rfwobbly said:
Not my photo, but we all pretty much agree it's H110/W296 powder.

Was for 50 years. Had to give it up.

View attachment 1128901

Ouch! I have a few of those too, but I'm still riding...
As far the FIREBALL, the 165 grain bullet and 11.5 grains of Power Pistol was pretty impressive, I could have been happy with it..
But, because I'm me, I tried something else and got astounding results...
I filled a 44 Mag case with PP(27 grains) and pressed an empty , (with no bottom plug),Speer shot capsule down over it. The sides of the capsule displaced enough powder so that it was filled to the top,a light crimp, and ready to go.
The fireball was more like a fat streak ,2'x5', beautiful!

highlander 5 · Jan 23, 2023

Don't have any load suggestions but one of the biggest fireballs I ever saw was from a S&W model 53 22 Remington jet 8 3/" barrel looked like the blast from a rocket launcher.

GeoDudeFlorida · Jan 23, 2023

highlander 5 said:
Don't have any load suggestions but one of the biggest fireballs I ever saw was from a S&W model 53 22 Remington jet 8 3/" barrel looked like the blast from a rocket launcher.

Ohhh yeah! I used to load mine up with IMR 4227 for the T/C. Wait… I may still have that barrel! Hmmm :thumbdown:

someguy2800 · Jan 23, 2023

JAMES Michael WILKIE said:
Okay,so I did some research on the interweb,and read some "complaints" about Power Pistol having excessive muzzle flash..AHA says me,l have some of that!
At the Alliant site, they list 200 grain bullet,and 15 grains of PP, so I loaded up some 165 LSWC and 11.5 grains of PP.
I'll try them out Sunday,and post results for those of you whose curiosity has been piqued!

When I used to shoot action pistol matches at an indoor range everyone was always giggling about the fireballs from my 9mm power pistol loads, but I couldn’t really see them from behind the gun.

I love a full load of H110 behind a 125 gr hollow point in a 4” 357 mag. Giant fireball and a concussion that hits you in the chests and reflects off the trees. It has to be the most inefficient loading on earth but it’s fun.

As someone else posted, blue dot also does good fireballs at a much lower charge weight and recoil, but good luck finding any. People used to call it flaming dirt.

tomrkba · Jan 23, 2023

JAMES Michael WILKIE said:
For no other reason than entertainment value ,I want to work up a load for a 3" 44 Mag that will provide the largest possible fireball.
I know that a slow burning powder is part of the recipe,so have some 748 rifle powder to try.
What I'm wondering is the best weight bullet, I have some 165 grain up to 250 grain.
Any suggestions?

Remington UMC 180 44 Mag out of a 2.5" barrel is ridiculous.

GeoDudeFlorida · Jan 23, 2023

someguy2800 said:
When I used to shoot action pistol matches at an indoor range everyone was always giggling about the fireballs from my 9mm power pistol loads, but I couldn’t really see them from behind the gun.

I love a full load of H110 behind a 125 gr hollow point in a 4” 357 mag. Giant fireball and a concussion that hits you in the chests and reflects off the trees. It has to be the most inefficient loading on earth but it’s fun.

As someone else posted, blue dot also does good fireballs at a much lower charge weight and recoil, but good luck finding any. People used to call it flaming dirt.

The secret to Blue Dot flaming is a low load under a light bullet.
When you load Blue Dot, the closer you get to max the more well behaved it gets.

Riomouse911 · Jan 24, 2023

rfwobbly said:
Not my photo, but we all pretty much agree it's H110/W296 powder.

Was for 50 years. Had to give it up.

View attachment 1128901

My buddy took his family to the TT this past year. They had a great time.

My son had a similar, insurance paid $93,500 for the flight after the race.

As for handgun fireballs, another vote for H110. These are from 4” .357 magnums:

But the ol’ 5.56 can spit some flame, too. This is a Daniel Defense 14.5” with a Surefire suppressor-adapter in place (with the can taken off).

Stay safe.

highlander 5 · Jan 24, 2023

someguy2800 said:
When I used to shoot action pistol matches at an indoor range everyone was always giggling about the fireballs from my 9mm power pistol loads, but I couldn’t really see them from behind the gun.

I love a full load of H110 behind a 125 gr hollow point in a 4” 357 mag. Giant fireball and a concussion that hits you in the chests and reflects off the trees. It has to be the most inefficient loading on earth but it’s fun.

As someone else posted, blue dot also does good fireballs at a much lower charge weight and recoil, but good luck finding any. People used to call it flaming dirt.

Got the same reaction from folks at the range only I was shooting a 7 1/2 " Rrdhawk 6 shot model everyone thought I was shooting a 44 mag because of the muzzle blast,fireball etc.

Archie · Jan 24, 2023

Obturation said:
Slow powder and light bullets will do it. I'd go for the h110.

Yup! What I was going to say.

I want a Big Fireball

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