Power Pistol?

[MoreIsLess]

I wish powder mfgrs would make sampler packs with 3 or 4 different powders so you don't have to buy a whole pound of something to decide if you like it or not.

 

[Dudedog]

Opps forgot to say Thanks Paul,
appreciate the info.
Still need to try some Sport Pistol, hear good things about it.

 

[PhillySoldier]

I did some more ransom rest testing over the weekend. My first test was a ladder test of powder weights; 5.8g was optimal. Second test was trying varying seating depths. Since my seating depth changed from 1.12 to 1.15 I figured I would try another powder test to see if the results have changed. 5.8g was still the most optimal; however it now had a velocity of about 50 fps lower than my first test. I tested up to 6.0g but the velocity was still lower than my first test. Perhaps in the future I'll test it a bit more at higher velocities just out of curiosity but for now im thinking of calling this test done.

Overall I think Power Pistol was extremely accurate. I didnt however like the kick and flash it seems to have. I regularly shoot 45 and a 50 ae desert eagle, so its not like recoil normally bothers me. Might just be that im used to my sig 226 9mm feeling smoother. Also my recoil spring looks to be starting to warp and its only a couple months old now. This might just be coincidence.

I learned a lot over the past month in my different testing and I guess one of the things sticking out the most to me was the one time i switched brands of brass and how much that seem to effect the overall group sizes.

Anyway i think for my next test, i'll try an different powder to see if I can find something as accurate but smoother. Not sure what though. I have some titegroup at the house or ive been hearing good things about WSF; so might go buy some of that to try. Any suggestions?

 

[ray15]

I learned a lot over the past month in my different testing and I guess one of the things sticking out the most to me was the one time i switched brands of brass and how much that seem to effect the overall group sizes.

Brass can change things quite a bit. When the case wall thickness varies you may have to use a different sizing die to get proper case mouth tension, as well as adjust the expanding die to get an appropriate case mouth expansion. Both the change in case wall thickness and the degree of bell will influence the crimp setting. Many people use mixed headstamp brass, but I sort mine to prevent this sort of round-to-round variation in my loads. As you have seen a different case may require re-optimization of the load.

Anyway i think for my next test, i'll try an different powder to see if I can find something as accurate but smoother. Not sure what though. I have some titegroup at the house or ive been hearing good things about WSF; so might go buy some of that to try. Any suggestions?

I have tried Titegroup in 115gr. 9mm; it works prett well. This load uses the thickly plated xtreme 115hp, which usually compares pretty well to Hornady jacketed bullets with respect to pressure/velocity. I would rate this charge as 0.2-0.3gr. below max (~1150fps is possible). It shoots well in my guns.

xtreme 115gr. plated HP
4.2gr. Titegroup
CCI SPP
Blazer brass
OAL - 1.08"
CZ P10C (4")

Average: 1112.2 FPS
SD: 10.5 FPS
Min: 1099 FPS
Max: 1136 FPS
Spread: 37 FPS

Sport Pistol is my other favorite fast powder for 9mm. I use CFE Pistol and BE86 in the general speed range of Power Pistol (they are just a touch faster) for hotter loads. They don't have quite the muzzle blast of Power Pistol, but anything in this speed range is going to kick a bit if loaded hot enough to be effective. The faster powders and/or heavier bullets will shoot softer. I use Titegroup or Sport Pistol with the xtreme 135HP plated@920-1000fps for a really soft shooting loads. BE86 with the 135s makes a smooth hotter load.

 

[PhillySoldier]

Yeah I was definitely adjusting the dies for the different brass, specially considering I was testing varying seating depths at the time. I could picture the differences if the brass were mixed but having been separated and adjusted for; I didnt expect an 80% difference in shot group size.

I had tried 4.2g Titegroup w Precison Delta 124g and blazer previously. It didnt do to good and was getting like 5.5" shot groups at 25 yards.

How does the Sport Pistol do with FMJ's and JHP's or is it more for coated/cast bullets?

 

[ray15]

I had tried 4.2g Titegroup w Precison Delta 124g and blazer previously. It didnt do to good and was getting like 5.5" shot groups at 25 yards.

That's pretty hard to explain. But sometimes things just don't work out with a given set of components and gun. Do you chronograph these loads?

How does the Sport Pistol do with FMJ's and JHP's or is it more for coated/cast bullets?

Works great in my experience. I've attached the load data pdf - there's more plated and jacketed than not for 9mm.

 

[PhillySoldier]

Yes it was chronoed id have to check through the chrono files but i know it was around a 130 power factor which i previously would aim for before i started the ransom rest testing

 

[MDof2]

Love it in my 40's.