Power Pistol ?

[joneb]

I would like to try this powder in 38spl, 44spl and 45acp. I wondering how it does with cast lead bullets.
I'm assuming I would use standard primers ?

 

[ares338]

I use power pistol with great success in 45 ACP and cast 230 grain round nose sized at .452. Make sure to start at the lower end using this powder.

 

[45lcshooter]

Works great for my 45lc, standard primers.

 

[soloban]

I use it in 9mm and 45ACP. Works great !

 

[GT1]

Big flash, very cool, unless you don't like big flash.

It is good for impressing friends that aren't used to firearms too.

 

[cgpeanut]

Same here 230 grn round nose .451" diameter cast ballits works well with 6.5 grn power pistol, OAL of 1.260" this is the only recipe i use in my full size m&p 45, Sig 1911 and Springfield xds.

Note: use my recipe at your own risk, always check the lyman reloading manual and confirm.

 

[engineermike]

I couldn't stand the flash at the indoor range . Other than that it worked great in my 9mm, S&W 40 loads.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

IMO Powder Pistol is a medium slow speed powder that in just a little slower than I would like for low pressure rounds like the 38 & 44 Specials and the 45 Auto. Sure it can be used but there are better choice out there. Powder Pistol is more suited for higher pressure rounds like the 9mm, 357 Sig and 40 S&W. It's also a very flashy powder and I'm not sure it's a good choice for lead bullets.

For the 3 low pressure rounds you are wanting to load I would think Clays, Bullseye, W231/HP-38, AA#2, Red Dot, Zip and other powder in that burn rate range are more suited. (again, IMO of course)

 

[kerreckt]

Big flash, kind of dirty but it works just fine.

 

[codefour]

IMO Powder Pistol is a medium slow speed powder that in just a little slower than I would like for low pressure rounds like the 38 & 44 Specials and the 45 Auto. Sure it can be used but there are better choice out there. Powder Pistol is more suited for higher pressure rounds like the 9mm, 357 Sig and 40 S&W. It's also a very flashy powder and I'm not sure it's a good choice for lead bullets.

Yeah, that just about sums it up. It is a great powder in my oppinion. But for lower pressure cartidges, I still use Unique. Power Pistol will work in lower pressure rounds, but IMHO, i think there are better powders outthere for those.

Power Pistol makes a great light magnum powder too. You can load some modest .357 / .44 Magnum loads with it.

It is a little slower burning than Unigue but not slower than say 2400.

 

[thomis]

Load a few and try it and see if you like it. You may be happy. If not, move to another powder.
Don't use mag primers, they aren't necessary.

 

[joneb]

Thanks for all the replies
I like numbers I see with Power Pistol in the reloading data, but I'm not sure I want to see the flash in these cartridges

 

[jjjitters]

It is also a sharp recoiling powder. I can instantly tell which load of mine has P.P. in it. It does it in all calibers. I only use it in 9mm ,under the few plated or jacketed I shoot and it is extremely accurate for those. Don't care for it under lead, there are a LOT of better suited powders for them.

 

[cowtownup]

what do you like to use under lead bullets jjjitters? longshot??

 

[jjjitters]

Longshot is worst than P.P for recoil.

For lead it is AA#5(9 & 40), WSF(9 & 40), or Sr7625(all). Hp-38 is also good, especially under a 200gr lswc, but to my surprise SR7625 beat it in my 1911 and XDm 45. I am shooting a pistol league with a 25 yrd bullseye style slow fire, so I get a lot of practice in finding what scores the highest accuracy, consistently. There are others that people use and I haven't used them all ( I'm trying though !) so it not a full list.

 

[Lj1941]

Power Pistol

I like Power Pistol for jacketed loads in 40, 45Acp and 9MM. I think the flash gives it character.I prefer Red Dot for 45ACP lead loads and Clays or 231 for plated loads in the 40 & 9. I do not use lead in the 40 or 9.I also like PP for 38 Special in 125 gr JHP in +P loads and Clays/Clay Dot or 231 with 158 LSWC loads.

 

[ConcernedCitizen]

I use Power Pistol for my 9mm competition loads. One of the reasons I like Power Pistol is that is has one of the widest min/max range of most powders I've looked at. I like knowing that I have a greater safety margin should my press throw a high charge. It also tends to have the highest velocity at maximum loads. You can safely go from light target loads to +P loads using the same powder and projectile in most instances.

With the lower level target loads, I don't notice any more recoil, noise, or muzzle flash than 231 or Unique. Once you start getting into the upper range, though, the muzzle flash becomes very noticeable. I would describe it as a bright white jet flame, which was easily visible on an overcast winter day. The muzzle report from the higher loads can be a bit loud too, especially if shooting indoors.

I've heard that the hotter you run it, the cleaner it burns, but I have not had any problems with my light target loads. I push a 124 grain JHP somewhere between 1,000-1,050 fps depending on the pistol, and it's easily one of the most accurate loads I've found for most of my competition pistols.

One of the only drawbacks using Power Pistol, besides muzzle flash & report, is static cling. The static doesn't seem to bother my thrown charge weights, it just leaves a light film of powder coating the inside of the hopper. It's a bit annoying when emptying the hopper, but something I'm willing to live with. I've also heard that the high nitro content can etch or discolor powder hoppers, so it's best to avoid leaving any sitting in the powder measure for extended periods of time.

 

[joneb]

One of the only drawbacks using Power Pistol, besides muzzle flash & report, is static cling.

I notice the static with Bullseye as well and its not a deal breaker for me.

 

[ConcernedCitizen]

I also had static problems with Bullseye, but don't seem to have any problem with Unique or 231. Any idea on what causes the problem to be powder specific?

 

[joneb]

Any idea on what causes the problem to be powder specific?

I think switching out the plastic reservoir to aluminum would take care of the problem. Maybe there are after market ones available or the manufacturer of the powder throw may offer it as it is common for blackpowder.

 

[Waywatcher]

Power Pistol with a Rim Rock 158 cast lead SWCHPGC is my favorite load for .38 special. Bar none.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Power Pistol with a Rim Rock 158 cast lead SWCHPGC is my favorite load for .38 special. Bar none.

You see now, this is why they make so many powders. I like the same bullet over HS-6 for my FBI Replica load...

 

[soloban]

I load it near max and my guns are usually fairly clean after a range trip. I second the comment about accuracy and jacketed bullets.

 

[vba]

I use Power Pistol for heavy bullet loads in .45 ACP. By heavy I mean 255 gr 45 Colt cast bullets. Some of my loads approach .45 Super performance and they feed and fire just fine, pretty accurate as well.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

I use PP for jacketed slugs in my .32, .380, 9mm, .357 and .45acp. I have a marlin camp 9 and .45 which have really responded to PP loads, exhibits much velocity increase over handguns vels. it does have much flash in handguns - not so much in the carbines.
I use BullsEye or RDot for cast slugs.