Opinions on Power Pistol

[Shimitup]

I was just perusing my Lyman manual for potential powders to fit the gap between W231 and HS6. I'm currently burning old stock of Unique which I hear is nastier than the current formulation. Power Pistol certainly seems to fit the bill for the performance loads I intend to use it for. I'll continue to stick with W231 and Bullseye for my target loads I'd use it mostly in 9mm and .45 acp. I'd love to hear some feedback.

Thanks,
Shim

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I really like Power Pistol for jacketed bullets in .45 and .357. It meters very well, and burns very clean.

 

[LiveLife]

I tried both HS-6 and WSF and stayed with WSF for full power loads.

 

[mjsdwash]

not as good as they say. I dont like the new unique at all. Power pistol is alright, but better speeds and accuracy in 45 with bullseye. accuracy is allright in 9mm, speeds run 1100 in 125 gr max loads with powerpistol in a beretta 92. Aliant's old unique load ran a 125gr at 1250fps with excellent accuracy with unique, but that out of print now.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I like the new Unique. It does a fantastic job with my .45 cast loads. As far as 125 gr JHP's, when I decided to follow Alliant's warning and stop using Blue Dot, it was a toss up for me to use Power Pistol or Unique. I loaded both and got about the same results. I found Unique just about as clean. The only reason I chose PP was because I had several pounds of it to burn.

 

[joed]

I'm a big PP fan. Tried it in .45 acp and was so impressed with it that I started using it in .38, 9mm and .44 instead of Unique. I used up the last of my Unique and replaced it with PP. It gives better velocity in most applications and is a very clean burning powder.

Not sure why they say the newer Unique is cleaner burning, I never noticed a difference.

 

[amlevin]

I prefer Power Pistol over HS-6, W-231, or Unique for my loads. Only downside I have experienced is that it can have a huge muzzle flash which often causes fellow shooters to interrupt me with "what are you shooting" questions.

 

[Shimitup]

Thanks Y'all,

One thing I noticed was that while versatile across a wide range of semi auto calibers it has a pretty narrow pressure range. As I recall the latest Lyman book doesn't list any for revolver cartridges, obviously I need to upgrade my other manuals. WSF and some of the faster Ramshot powders also caught my eye. Really no pressing need to change, just trying to expand my horizons after a few decades of using the same old stuff.

Now off to the range to chronograph new loads with the same old powders.

 

[ljnowell]

I dont use Power pistol for much in revolver cartidges(except 158gr LSWC-HPs in 357) but I do love it in 45acp and 9mm jacketed loadings. I find that it gives the best performance in lighter(185 and 200gr) JHPs in my 45acps while also giving the best accuracy. It meters decent also, unlike unique.

 

[joed]

I'm glad someone else says Unique doesn't meter well. I had more problems with it in my Dillon measure then I could count. I was happy to give it up for PP.

 

[rsrocket1]

Use Unique and PP in high end loads

Have you actually tried your "old" Unique?
I wouldn't put it into your 45 ACP if you are looking for mild loads. At low charges, even the new stuff will get the cases and chamber all sooty and blow exhaust back into your face. At full pressure loads, the newer stuff (that's all I have) is about as clean as any other powder.

Both Unique and Power Pistol are low pressure loads meaning that in order to achieve a certain muzzle velocity, they produce a lower max chamber pressure. This produces better max velocity loads without stressing the chamber of your gun. The downside is that it also means lower than typical pressures with reduced loads which results in unburned powder, gas blowback around the case (sooty cases) and if the bullet is not quite big enough in the bore, gas cutting and leading in the chamber side of the barrel.

I would use the Unique in your 9mm loads because that is an inherently high pressure round and the Unique will burn up cleaner in it than in your 45 ACP which is a low pressure load. I would also use the PP and Unique closer to the high end of the load data.

For lower recoil rounds I've found Red Dot to be great. It seals up the case nicely with a quick rise in pressure even with low charges (4.5g with a 200g LSWC for a MV of about 840).

Unique works very well with my 40 S&W since that is also a high pressure load and mid range loads (5g under a 180g LRN) burn cleanly. Power Pistol works great for full house fun. A couple of days ago I was averaging 1060fps with a 7.0g load of PP under a 180g LRN bullet. Those kicked the M&P40 real good and the cases showed no signs of excess pressure. I was also averaging 1170fps with a 4" 357 revolver using 8.0g PP under a 158g LSWC.

So I would recommend saving the Power Pistol for max loads and use the 231 and HS6 for the mid range loads, then use up the Unique in the 9mm or for reduced recoil rifle rounds (10g under a 100g bullet in a .308 bolt rifle is a terrific practice round).

In my surfing, I've "heard" that Bullseye is finely ground Unique and that Power Pistol is Bullseye with an additive to slow it down to get higher max velocities. Take that with a big grain of salt.

The fun thing is that when testing all this stuff out, you get to shoot!

 

[LiveLife]

I was just perusing for potential powders to fit the gap between W231 and HS6. I'm currently burning old stock of Unique which I hear is nastier than the current formulation. Power Pistol certainly seems to fit the bill for the performance loads I intend to use it for.

"old" Unique? ... I wouldn't put it into your 45 ACP if you are looking for mild loads. At low charges, even the new stuff will get the cases and chamber all sooty and blow exhaust back into your face.

Both Unique and Power Pistol ... The downside is that it also means lower than typical pressures with reduced loads which results in unburned powder, gas blowback around the case (sooty cases) and if the bullet is not quite big enough in the bore, gas cutting and leading in the chamber side of the barrel.

I would also use the PP and Unique closer to the high end of the load data.

I'll continue to stick with W231 and Bullseye for my target loads I'd use it mostly in 9mm and .45 acp.

For lower recoil rounds I've found Red Dot to be great. It seals up the case nicely with a quick rise in pressure even with low charges (4.5g with a 200g LSWC for a MV of about 840).

+1. For reduced target loads, faster burning powders still build pressures fast enough at start-mid range load data to produce consistent chamber pressures for clean powder burn and accurate shot groups. For 200 gr SWC bullet, even with low charge of 4.0 gr of Promo/Red Dot, load produces accuracy and reliably cycles the slides of my 45 pistols. For moderately slower burning W231/HP-38, start charge won't produce clean burn and consistent enough accuracy for me but at mid-high range load data, it burns clean and produces very accurate shot groups.

So I would recommend saving the Power Pistol for max loads and use the 231 and HS6 for the mid range loads

+1 for W231/HP-38 but for me, HS-6 needs to be pushed at high-to-near max load data for optimal accuracy.

How about Universal? I would figure it would be a good replacement powder for Unique that fits between W231 and HS-6.

As to fast/moderate/slow pistol powders I have used for 9mm/45ACP, I would recommend them as follows:

Fast: Promo/Red Dot, Clays, Bullseye, Titegroup
Moderate: Green Dot, WST, W231/HP-38, Unique, Universal, Power Pistol
Slow: WSF, HS-6, AutoComp

 

[BeerSleeper]

Power pistol in 9mm is pretty good, but it doesn't meter quite as well as 231. I can get my hornady measure to drop 231 right on most of the time, periodically being off +/-.1gn. Power pistol tends to be +/-.1gn more often, and every once in a while will drop a measure at +/-.2gn

I haven't done meticulous comparisons, but I have no complaints regarding accuracy.

Very flashy. The flashiest powder I've shot is either this one, or blue dot. It's a toss up which is which.

I like power pistol in 9 and 40, but I'm only beginning to load 45. There's load data for PP in 45, but 45 being a much lower pressure chambering than 9 or 40, I suspect PP might not be ideal for that, but there's no substitute for trying it yourself, and forming your own opinion.

 

[CZ57]

A better option for your jacketed loads, particularly JHP loads is Ramshot Silhouette. It is a very low flash powder (treated for low flash) and in .45 ACP start loads are close to factory equivalent velocity. You can go to +P velocity without +P pressure if that's your thing. Similar in burn rate to WSF but originally designed for autopistols. With a 230 gr. JHP over 7.5 grains of Silhouette I get 1.5" rested groups at 50'. 8.8 grs. with a 185 gr. JHP runs about the same in my SA XDm. Check out the data at www.ramshot.com

 

[Josh45]

IMO,

Power Pistol works great in 9mm and .40 S&W. Gives good accuracy and the recoil for me at least isn't to bad out of a Phantom and a Glock 22

 

[kgpcr]

I love PP in my .40! Its good powder

 

[Shimitup]

Back from the range. Win231 loads in several calibers under different bullets with SD's in the sub 10's. Unique is running SD's about 17 today. Wondering why I'm shopping for a different powder!

 

[Striker Fired]

Because deep inside you know that you can do better if you tried another powder.

 

[Shimitup]

I'm afraid you know my sickness.

 

[Clark]

I handload; 19 Badger,.222, .223, 22-250, 6mmBR, .243, 25acp, 25/35, 250/3000, 257 Robert Ackley Improved, 260Rem, 6.5x55, 270, 7x57mm, 7mm Rem mag, 32acp, 32sw, 32S&WLong, 32-20, 7.62x25mm, 30-30, 303Sav, 300Sav, 7.62x39mm, 308, 7.5Swiss, 30-06, 300WM, 303Brit,7.62x54R, 8x57mm, 338WM, .380, 9x19mm, 9x23mm, 357 Sig, 38 sp, 357 mag, 38sw, 40sw, 10mm, 10.4mm, 401 power mag, 44mag, 45acp, 45Colt, .410, 45/70, and 12 ga.

Power Pistol is my favorite for;
25acp
32acp
7.62x25mm
380
9x19mm
9x23mm
357 Sig
38 S&W swing out, not break top
45acp

And it is not bad for:
40 S&W
10mm

 

[Shimitup]

Appreciate all the replies. Having reviewed all my chronograph data today one thing that stands out is the sickly performance of my Ruger LCP. It's my pocket gun and I'm afraid if I had to use it I'm going to make my assailant mad. (please no one get into legal issues with handload carry, that topic is worn out.) The load that chrono'd consistently over 900 in my Walther PPKS runs about 780 in the LCP. I'm sure most of it is having no barrel to speak of, probably a looser bore as well.

Currently using W231 at the loading I worked up for the PPKS, no pressure signs at all in the LCP. I suspect I can work it up a few more tenths with 231 for the LCP but I'm thinking I'll be very lucky to hit 900 with any powder. When I started this thread I wasn't thinking about focusing on only one caliber but as this one is often my CCW I really want to optimize it. More powders I've added to the list are Autocomp, Titegroup, and Zip.

 

[Striker Fired]

I've used Auto Comp and it is a good powder.It might be good for that short barrel.It made for compensated guns but works good for 45acp on high end loads, haven't used it for 9mm yet.

 

[rfwobbly]

I'm in love with VhitaVuori N320 and N340. These are single-base powders that burn completely at almost any load level. They also seem to burn at lower temperatures than the usual double-base powders. Their mini-stick physical form means that they meter very well without "hanging" up or spilling out of the powder measure.

Best of all, power-wise they are very dense. So you'll use loads closer to 231, say 4.0 to 4.3 in 9x19 loads, in place of 5 and 6 grain loads.

 

[Jim Watson]

I went through one can of Power Pistol and had amlevin's experience: "What have you got in that thing?" Velocity is high with handbook loads and the blast and flash give you that manly feeling.

 

[Shimitup]

I guess that's about all you can do to feel manly holding an LCP.