kmw1954
Member
I've looked at 4 or 5 burn rate charts in the past and none seem to list even close to the others.
Fast Pistol Powder Options
- Thread starter Zendude
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I had 9MM and .45 Colt test cases all ready to go, so I loaded up 18 .45 Colt and 21 9MM.
I will shoot the .45 Colt 6 powder back, 6 powder forward, and 6 powder level from a 25-5.
With the 9MM I will shoot 7 from a 3" P-365, 7 from a 4.5" XDm, and 7 from a 5" 1911.
7.2 Grs W-244 and a WLP primer with the Missouri Bullets coated 255 Gr SWC @ 1.600 to 1.605 OAL
4.0 grs W-244 and a CCI 500 primer with the RMR 124 Gr "Match Winner" TrFP @ 1.073 to 1.075 OAL
I will shoot the .45 Colt 6 powder back, 6 powder forward, and 6 powder level from a 25-5.
With the 9MM I will shoot 7 from a 3" P-365, 7 from a 4.5" XDm, and 7 from a 5" 1911.
7.2 Grs W-244 and a WLP primer with the Missouri Bullets coated 255 Gr SWC @ 1.600 to 1.605 OAL
4.0 grs W-244 and a CCI 500 primer with the RMR 124 Gr "Match Winner" TrFP @ 1.073 to 1.075 OAL
earplug
Member
I'm a long time Bullseye user and a friend gave me his stash of Red Dot left over from his shotgun days. I have been loading it in my 38 SPL WC and its been fine.
k4swb
Member
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I await your report with great anticipation!
Eddietruett
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I've had good success with Titegroup but always wind up going back to Bullseye for the best accuracy with the real light wadcutter loads. You didn't say what type bullet you were shooting but a lot of the sootiness you mentioned can come from the lube on lead bullets and not so much from the powder. Try a coated lead bullet that doesn't need any lube and you will be surprised how much cleaner they shoot.
rfwobbly
Member
All "fast" powders naturally burn hotter. But the one component that contributes most to higher temperatures seems to be nitroglycerin. Nitro is added to most common powders as an inexpensive way to speed up the "burn rate". So a lot of your "faster" powders have a very high nitro content.
However, there are exceptions. "Single-base" powders have zero nitro content, and thus burn at considerably lower temperatures. The (now deceased) IMR line of pistol/shotgun powders including PB and 7625 were two of the more prominent single base. But others such as Accurate Solo-1000 and VihtaVuori N300 series (310, 320, 330) can still be had.
There are other double-base powders with low nitro content. If cooler burn temps are your primary concern as you suggest, then take time to download the manufacturer's MSDS sheet on each proposed powder and look at the percentage of nitro content.
Nitro content is to add energy to the mix, (More speed for the charge weight, more efficient, powder goes farther) the burn speed of the powder can vary from fast to slow.
N-310 is very fast and has no nitro content. It is very good for accuracy in things like .38 Spl target loads. AA # 2 is low or no nitro content (Don't remember off the top of my head) and is another good choice for target loads in .38 Spl. If you have not tried these they might work for you. Both meter very well, at least as well as Bullseye.
I've used Accurate #2 ,WST and Bullseye with great success in 38 special and 45ACP.
Forgot about it, good stuff, and much less position sensitive than many powders at low pressure in big cases.
I really like WST because it's light colored and very easy to see in the case. Been wanting to try some Vihtavuori powders but they are very difficult to find in my area.
Jim Watson
Member
Too bad DuPont quit making pistol powder; 5066 was their last and best.
One gunsmith recommends against loading for his target pistols with the usual dual purpose shotshell powders, says their residue is gritty and will increase wear. As my FLG says, Bullseye is sooty but it is not gritty. N310 is neither.
One gunsmith recommends against loading for his target pistols with the usual dual purpose shotshell powders, says their residue is gritty and will increase wear. As my FLG says, Bullseye is sooty but it is not gritty. N310 is neither.
thomas15
Member
Yes I call it a sleeper powder for 9mm pistol. With a bit of patience it works well, that is when it's available.
CoalTrain49
Member
I find AS an excellent 9 mm powder. Of course there are probably about 10 others also.
WST and Competition perform almost identically in .38 Spl with plated WCs. It would take a better pistol shot than me to prove one superior. Since I had tried a pound of each, and they matched each other so well, when WST could not be found a few years ago, I bought some Competition. With my one pound lot of Competition it took about .1 Gr less to get the same velocity as WST. Maybe because Competition has a higher nitro content and maybe because my lot was a hair faster, dunno. If they are both available next time I will buy WST.
That is a big plus for me as well.
In .45 ACP my load is 4.4 gr WST or 3.9 gr of Competition. I've got 12 lbs of Competition and 10 lbs of WST.
I had started on a 1 lb. WST. When things were scarce, Natchez came up with a 4 lb. jug. Probably still have 3 lb. left.
I will keep that in mind of Competition if I run across some. But I will always try to keep WST in good stock.
I wonder why the difference is bigger. Caliber I guess.
Anyway, my use was under a 148 Gr HBWC from Berrys loaded a bit out of the case in .38 Spl, and under an X-Treme 158 gr SWC in .357 brass.
300Whspr
Member
Haven't seen anyone mention GreenDot yet.
Burned a lot of it in 12ga back in the day, but never have tried it yet in pistol/revolver... should be a good one. I'm definitely going to try it at some point.
Burned a lot of it in 12ga back in the day, but never have tried it yet in pistol/revolver... should be a good one. I'm definitely going to try it at some point.
Jim Watson
Member
I once got some Green Dot cheaply. Shot most of it in 9mm.
OK but nothing I cared to replace at regular price.
OK but nothing I cared to replace at regular price.
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