Power Pistol in .45-very loud!

[RussellC]

Took a bunch of my handloads to the range, all 230 grain Precision Delta FMJ.
100 loaded with Acc. No. 2, 100 loaded with Hp-38, and 100 loaded with Power Pistol. All were fairly stiff loads, all 1.265 OAL.

The Power Pistol, beside making nice muzzle flashes in the well lite range, were very loud. I've used it in 9mm before and don't remember this aspect.
While all these .45 loads were loud, the Power Pistol rounds sounded like a cannon. They were carefully measured 7.5 grain rounds.

Anyone ever noticed a significant difference with this powder? Alliant shows a max of 8.1 with a FMJ RN, I cant imagine much more!

Russellc

 

[Ex]

Have never loaded with Power Pistol, but I've heard (?) that about it many times. LOUD with a pronounced muzzle flash.

 

[tootall]

Just a quick estimate from Quickload..

800fps in a 4" barrel...

Load charge adjusted to obtain 800fps at muzzle.

Percent powder burned at muzzle exit:

AA#2 (load to 800fps), 89% burned at muzzle
HP-38 (800fps), 99% burned at muzzle
Power Pistol (800fps), 72% burned at muzzle

Guessing both the flash and blast is burning unburnt powder..

Also:
Universal Clays is also 98%
Win 231 is 99%

 

[MutinousDoug]

The bang you hear and the flash you see is almost entirely from residual pressure in the barrel at the time the bullet exits. Power Pistol is a relatively slow burning powder so pressure remains high longer than fast burning powders such as HP-38/W231, or Bullseye. Higher pressure generates a louder bang and higher temperature gas (a result of higher pressure) creates a brighter flash. Even if virtually all the powder in a cartridge burns (as happens with HP-38 as noted) you will still be able to observe some muzzle flash just from the glow of the super-heated propellant gas.

 

[CZ9shooter]

When loaded toward the upper end PowerPistol is quite a bit louder than the other powders I use with every I cartridge I have tried it in. 380, 38spl, 9mm and 40sw. The difference may be a little less dramatic in the 380.

Put two different loads in a mag or cylinder to really hear the difference.

 

[tootall]

Re-ran some Quickload..

Both power pistol and HP-38 had about the same 'muzzle exit' pressures (about 5000 psi). Just thought I'd check that.

Quickload is just an estimate.
FYI

 

[Wreck-n-Crew]

7.5 grain rounds.

According to all my data that load is .1gr over max at least for a 230gr fmj. Just out of curiosity where did the load data come from? I don't think your in the danger zone but just curios as too the source.

Either way your pushing at least 850fps and some data I have has it closer to 890fps.

 

[Dudedog]

tootall
neat numbers.
I thought Longshot was even louder than PP when I used both.
230gr 6.6 gr Longshot, can't find my vel numbers but probably around 870 ish.
If you have the time I wonder what the % burn on that is.

5.6 gr in 9mm with a 125 is also LOUD, well it is called Loudshot for a reason.


May have to add Quickload to my wish list for Christmas.

 

[RussellC]

According to all my data that load is .1gr over max at least for a 230gr fmj. Just out of curiosity where did the load data come from? I don't think your in the danger zone but just curios as too the source.

Either way your pushing at least 850fps and some data I have has it closer to 890fps.

Alliant. Speer 230 grain TMJ RN, 8.1 grains max at 1.26 OAL I did 7.0, 7.3, 7.5 and a few at 7.7. 7.5 had a good snap to it....tremendous fireball and the RO looked in, but when he saw it was a .45 walked off. Alliant claims 916 fps out of a 4.4" barrel. (At max 8.1, not my loads)

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/powderlist.aspx?type=1&powderid=8&cartridge=35

Russellc

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I loaded 500 230 gr RN with 7.0 gr of Power Pistol. Yes, it boomed. Yes, it flashed. It also felt like it was beating on the gun. The gun was a Springfield 1911 with a 16 lb spring. It threw the brass nearly 20ft. It was too hot for my liking.

I have loaded 5 -6 thousand 125 gr. JHP .357 loads using Power Pistol. It's boom offends people nearby even with their ear protection.

 

[RussellC]

I loaded 500 230 gr RN with 7.0 gr of Power Pistol. Yes, it boomed. Yes, it flashed. It also felt like it was beating on the gun. The gun was a Springfield 1911 with a 16 lb spring. It threw the brass nearly 20ft. It was too hot for my liking.

I have loaded 5 -6 thousand 125 gr. JHP .357 loads using Power Pistol. It's boom offends people nearby even with their ear protection.

This was with Glocks, both a 30S and a 21Sf. Was a little snappy with the 30s, no big deal with the 21. These are fairly easy shooting guns for .45 caliber, but make no mistake, it was loud with big fireball. I was using a brass catcher attached to the 21, and one that attaches to the hand with the 30S, so I dont know how far it would have gone...most bounced out and fell around my feat. These were catchers from Graco models,

Russellc

 

[Rule3]

Yes, the "report" of PP is loud. There are better choices for the 45 ACP it's primary or best use is higher pressure 9mm and 40 SW. It is a bit slow and probably a higher nitroglycerin content.

Hornady has it as it's go to powder for those calibers. Good in 357 Sig also

 

[buck460XVR]

Anyone ever noticed a significant difference with this powder?

Maybe it's just the ear protection I wear while shooting, but I have yet to "hear" that much of a difference between powders while at the range. I do notice the slower the powder, generally the more flash.

 

[RussellC]

Maybe it's just the ear protection I wear while shooting, but I have yet to "hear" that much of a difference between powders while at the range. I do notice the slower the powder, generally the more flash.

That was my point. If you try power pistol, you will. I use high level ear plugs with electronic muffs over them. If you couldnt hear the difference, your deaf. Maybe part of it is felt. Everyone around me shooting 40s mentioned it as well.

Russellc

 

[Sunray]

A 16 lb spring is the factory standard. Mind you, a 230 over 7.5 is Power Pistol is a hot load. Aliant shows 7.4(881 FPS) as max for a 230 GDHP, but over 8 for other weights, a 230 TMJ included. All out of a 4.4" barrel.
Barrel length makes a difference for both muzzle flash and the bang of the air coming back after being pushed out by the bullet's passing. Once the bullet is out of the muzzle, the pressure is gone with no residual anything.
"...May have to add QuickLoad..." It's a computer program. Very few programmers have ever seen as firearm much less done any reloading.

 

[Wreck-n-Crew]

Alliant. Speer 230 grain TMJ RN, 8.1 grains max at 1.26 OAL

Yup I see it. Thats moving...but it's power pisting it tends to do that. I have 3 lbs. of it. Got it for 10mm. Might get some heavy springs on the way just in case!

 

[Rule3]

Most gun shots are loud

PP and longshot perhaps louder than most

Now if they could invent quite and clean powder live would be great!::

 

[buck460XVR]

That was my point. If you try power pistol, you will. I use high level ear plugs with electronic muffs over them. If you couldnt hear the difference, your deaf. Maybe part of it is felt. Everyone around me shooting 40s mentioned it as well.

Russellc

Since smokeless powder burns and does not explode, the noise created from the bullet exiting the barrel is not created by the burning of any particular powder, but by the pressure wave exiting the barrel and the ballistic "crack". The higher the pressure created, the louder the bang as the bullet exits the barrel. The ballistic crack only comes from bullets traveling faster than the sound barrier. Thus again, because of pressure and velocity, not the burning of the powder. IOWs I believe the increase in noise is because of a increase in pressure, not because one particular powder burns louder than another. I don't know if your .45ACP loads broke the sound barrier, but if they did, this would also increase the sound level when shot.

As for the deaf part, in my right ear I am close. While I shoot .45 ACP, I also shoot magnum handguns that make a lot more noise. Maybe that's why I don't tend to notice slight differences in sound levels from .45ACP loads. I do agree tho, that part of muzzle blast is not just heard, but felt. Stand within ten feet of a .460 mag going off and the concussion is enough to start your heart.

 

[RussellC]

Since smokeless powder burns and does not explode, the noise created from the bullet exiting the barrel is not created by the burning of any particular powder, but by the pressure wave exiting the barrel and the ballistic "crack". The higher the pressure created, the louder the bang as the bullet exits the barrel. The ballistic crack only comes from bullets traveling faster than the sound barrier. Thus again, because of pressure and velocity, not the burning of the powder. IOWs I believe the increase in noise is because of a increase in pressure, not because one particular powder burns louder than another. I don't know if your .45ACP loads broke the sound barrier, but if they did, this would also increase the sound level when shot.

As for the deaf part, in my right ear I am close. While I shoot .45 ACP, I also shoot magnum handguns that make a lot more noise. Maybe that's why I don't tend to notice slight differences in sound levels from .45ACP loads. I do agree tho, that part of muzzle blast is not just heard, but felt. Stand within ten feet of a .460 mag going off and the concussion is enough to start your heart.

Yes, I agree...with those large calibers I even feel them in my sinuses! It doesnt bother me when folks shoot those big calibers, some shooters seem a bit PO'd. I find they usually dont shoot long, I am sure its expensive as gittout even if you reload! Man some of those big rounds take a lot of powder and lead!

 

[glockky]

Hey where did you find power pistol lol

Power pistol is a great powder. It is my favorite for loading 40 s&W. I do not notice it being any louder than factory ammo is 40 but I have a feeling a large majority of factory 40 S&W ammo is loaded with power pistol.

If you want to see where power pistol really shines shoot some medium or high end loads across the chronograph. Most 5 shot string with my glocks usually have at least 2 duplicates and extreme spreads around 2 fps.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Recobs had Power Pistol a few weeks ago. I got two 4 lbs jugs from them.

 

[Average Joe]

I stay below max, and find its not much different than unique or red dot. I heard its flashy and loud, but I can't tell any difference with my mid range loads.

 

[SDGlock23]

Love Power Pistol and use it for upper end stuff and would agree that it's definitely loud.

 

[CZ9shooter]

My hotter 9mm loads almost always make me the guy with the loudest gun at the indoor range I frequent in the winter. I get a lot of people looking over my shoulder to see what I am shooting.

 

[7mmb]

I've shot 9mm loads of Power Pistol and SR4756 back-to-back. Power Pistol is a lot louder. It's all relative though. I started my reloading career with 357 Magnum and H110. Power Pistol doesn't seem that loud or flashy to me.