PB: A better shotgun or handgun powder?

[USSR]

I have been stopping by a country gunshop that picks up reloading components and equipment at auctions and estate sales. Been picking up some old but unopened powders of types that I have zero experience with and would never buy, but at $12.50 per pound, it is tough to pass up. Latest acquisition is a pound of PB. I've got a 12 gauge shotgun and handguns firing .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .45 ACP and .45 Colt, and would like to hear from those with experience with this powder as to whether you like it more for shotgun or handgun use. Thanks.

Don

 

[Skinnedknuckles]

During the drought I picked up a pound of PB and since I was just starting to reload .45 acp I decided to dedicate it to that caliber. My only complaint was the amount of unburned powder that ended up on the shooting port bench. But I was just loading plinking fodder and not trying to push the limits. I wouldn't buy it again if I could get HP-38 or TiteGroup, but at $12.50 a pound I might change my mind. I didn't try it with either 9mm or .38 Special but I believe Hodgdon lists loads for both.

 

[springer99]

Picked up a few pounds of PB a couple years ago during the shotgun powder drought but never got around to using it, although it was a popular powder for 12ga.

I recently decided to use it up in 38Spl and 44Mag. mid-power, plinking loads and like it a lot. I was using mostly HP-38/231, but AFAIC this is a fine substitute. It is burning clean and I have no problems with it at all. A great price at $12.50/lb, but you do know that it was discontinued about a year ago I believe?

 

[au_prospector]

Out of production. Discontinued in 2014 apparently.

So don't fall in love with it!

 

[Salmoneye]

I'd buy all I could at $12.50...

Faster than Unique, and slower than Trail Boss (according the Hodgdon burn rate chart)...

 

[dave333]

Ive never used it in shotgun loading but it has worked great for me in 9mm and .40 loads. For midrange target loads its always been very accurate and pretty clean shooting. That said Ive only shot through about 1lb of it, bought it shortly before it was discontinued, liked using it but didnt pursue since it wouldnt be available much longer.

 

[Steve C]

If you look at the burn rate chart PB is right between HP38/w231 and Unique. It should do well more full power loads in low pressure cartridges like the .38 spl and .45 acp. In shotguns it would be good for pheasant load/ heavy field 1-1/4 oz loads but a little slow for target trap and skeet loads.

 

[USSR]

Yeah, I realize it was discontinued a couple years ago, but their is plenty of load data for it, and it is in a sweet spot on the burn rate charts.

Don

 

[BYJO4]

PB powder was an excellent shotgun powder and was heavily used by reloaders for many years. It was discontinued several years ago.

 

[rfwobbly]

PB is also a single base powder, so it should burn cool and clean.

 

[rskent]

I tried it for 9mm because it was all the shop had on the shelf.
After I tried it out, I went back and bought the last they had.

Not my first choice but very serviceable.