Power Pistol Recoil and Data

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GunAdmirer

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I like Power Pistol powder for 9mm and .40 S&W loads. However, I am confused about the data and recoil.

I've worked up 9mm and .40 to near max per published data. The loads don't show any signs of excessive pressure and are within data for standard pressure loads. I know PP is designed to produce higher velocity ammo at safe pressures. However, the recoil is greater than I am comfortable shooting in both calibers. 9mm feels more like .40 S&W recoil wise.

For example, I have loaded some 9mm ammo with 6.0 gr of Power Pistol and 124 FMJ bullets at 1.150". The recoil is greater with the PP loads than 9mm NATO in the same pistol. I know the loading data is within Alliant data and the powder charges are accurate.

Is this just a characteristic of the powder? I am concerned about loading to near maximum velocities due to the increased recoil and potential damage to the handgun.
 
You need a chrony.

Power pistol in .45ACP runs a few hundred FPS faster than published data in my hands, and that's based on the Hornady manual loads. I still like it but I download it to the right velocity, and obviously the recoil is normal too. PP also runs about 100fps faster if you leave the loads in the sun on the bench.

I got some 230 grain XTPs running well north of 1000 fps during load development, and brass was thrown nearly into orbit.

-J.
 
Have you tried lower powder charges? I work up a load from min to max, testing for accuracy as I go along.
 
Without a Chrono it's hard to tell. I use it in 9mm and 40 SW and no issues.

It may be psychological as it is a very LOUD powder. It has more of a report to it.

Folks have asked if I was shooting magnums or Hot loads and they are not.:)
 
Is there any particular reason you want to use the maximum load? I use 4.0 gr of PP with 147 gr bullet in 9mm. This is the minimum load that will cycle the slide. If you don't like the recoil, reduce your powder weight.
 
The loads don't show any signs of excessive pressure

Straight walled pistol rounds rarely do. They're not like bottlenecked stuff. By the time pistol stuff starts showing signs, it's already been at dangerous pressures for a while.
 
I ran your numbers through Quickload. With 124 gr Speer TMJ, 6.0 gr PP, and OAL of 1.15, the pressure is calculated to be a little south of 27,000 PSI and velocity a little over 1100 fps. According to the data, your case is almost 92% full. I would keep your OAL at 1.13 and over.

Remember that this is calculated and the bullet characteristics will be different. The QL data is a sanity check only.

I don't know anything about NATO 9mm.

I would reiterate, if you aren't comfortable with the recoil, reduce your load. QL calculates 5.0 gr of PP with 124 gr at 938 fps and less than 18,000 PSI. Please check this out with your loading manual.
 
Thank you for the replies. I did work up the load. The noise doesn't bother me. I was shooting outdoors with good earmuffs. I have been loading lighter loads for many years but want to load some factory equivalent or full powered loads. Nothing beyond published standard pressure loads.

I've been amazed at the recoil from the loads without being at max. More than 9mm +P or NATO. I read about others loading higher. Recoil doesnt bother me, but I don't want to beat up my pistols. I am going to reduce the loads. I just wondered if this was common with Power Pistol or anything to worry about.

I have worked up .40 S&W PP loads that were laser accurate but had a great deal of recoil - and still below published max.

Do similar powders, like HS-6, produce as much recoil as you get closer to max?
 
My fav 40 loads involve 165s on top of 4grs of BE or TG @ 1.150" OAL.
 
I use 9 grains of Power Pistol behind a 185 Nosler HP in 45ACP and really don't find the recoil any worse than any other powder.Flash however is a different story.This load is over max with Noslers new data but I have shot a bunch of them at that charge that I worked up using Alliants data before I had access to Nosler data. I never let any ammunition in the hot sun.:fire:
 
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