.357 Mag, 45 acp Powders

Sorry, not RC, but here's my 2 cents.

There is no real reason to load Power Pistol lightly. It is really meant to be loaded closer to the top end. Power Pistol does not burn completely even at max loads. It's real claim to fame is lower pressure at max loadings which leads to higher muzzle velocities without going over pressure. The price to pay for that is less complete burning and lots of underoxidized gasses which ignite ones they reach the outside atmosphere (read muzzle flash). Red Dot/Bullseye/Clays are much better powders to use with lighter loads. You can tell when you are loading too light because you will start getting sooty cases. Many times you'll get that before you start to fail at cycling autoloaders.

I read somewhere that PP is similar to the formula in Unique with a coating of inhibitor to slow the burnig down and allow for a slower initial pressure build up.

I like 8g of PP under a 158g lead bullet in 357 magnum for mid 1100 mv's out of a 4" bbl. Decent kick and good muzzle flash. It also gets the most out of 45ACP and 40S&W, but again, no real need for it when just plinking.

Hope that helps.

RC, roughly how far up the line between min and max do you need to be with Power Pistol for it to burn cleanly?

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I mentioned Power Pistol because I have used it in both of those chamberings. I find that it gives me fantastic top end performance in 45acp. I get my highest velocities in all bullet weights with it. In 357 you can get some real good loads with it, but it will never match 2400 or h110. You will however be well aware that you are shooting a magnum handgun, that much I can assure you.

blarby said:

If however, you've loaded both before, and diverged into two powders, the explanation for your reasoning would be fantastic.

I'm a big fan of multi-use, but not where its unsuitable.

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While the suggestion of Unique and other powders in that burn rate range are valid choices and will work, IMO any powder that will do well in the .45 Auto will be lacking for use in the .357 magnum if you want to load real magnum loads.

I use W231 for the .45 Auto and W296 for the .357 Magnum. Even the powder I use for medium power .357 Magnum loads, HS-6, isn't a good choice for the .45 Auto because the .45 Auto is a low pressure round unlike the 40 S&W or 10mm.

I don't believe that you mentioned what bullet weights you intend to shoot, or what performance range you were looking for?

Unique is a good all round pistol powder, I have gotten good velocities from both calibers with it. 2400 may work well with the 357 in heavier bullets, but it's volume may limit what can be done in the 45 ACP.. Bullseye is another good all round powder, but it's burn rate is at the upper end, may not be the best choice if you are looking for high velocities. It's pressure curve can be pretty sharp. H110, and Herco may do well depending on the velocity and bullet weight range... I have gotten really good high velocity loads in 357, and in 45 ACP with IMR4756, but it has a radical pressure curve and does not like heavy bullets... 1 tenth of a grain can make the difference at the top of the spectrum between cases falling out, and blown primer pockets, but stay a tad under and the performance has been smokin with lighter bullets, in the 125gr weights in 357, and 185gr in the 45ACP..

As stated earlier, it is rare to find one powder that will do it all.. even Black Powder shooters have more than one grind,or one brand on the bench if they load more than one caliber and are serious about it.. My bench probably has 20 or more different powders shelved near it...

I personally wouldn't use one powder for 357magnum & 45acp
Not that my opinion is any better than anyone else's.

It just seems to me you want a slower powder for 357 like W296 (yes, that's what I use)
And faster powder like Tite Group for 45acp.

Just 2¢ worth.

I like Unique, As it works well from ,380 to 45LC & everthing in between, Though I shoot cast with the 357 & bigger bores.

My bench is simple, Two powders Unique & H110 and the H110 is for Full House loads JMO ; )PS F/H loads is with SJSP for hunting
Y/D