Power Pistol Alternatives

[slowr1der]

I've been using Power Pistol as my main pistol powder almost since I started reloading. I've been very happy with it. It seems to produce good velocity and work in most common pistol calibers. It works well in everything from 380, 9mm, 40/10mm, to 45. I really have no complaints about it's performance and the fireball doesn't bother me. What I don't like is that the price is now well over $50 per lb.

Is there another powder as versatile that can be found cheaper? CFE pistol is significantly cheaper in this area, but I've read lots of complaints if not using it at max loads. I'm willing to give it a shot though. I just wondered if there are any others I should be looking at.

 

[Docendo Discimus]

I am very fond of W231/HP-38. It is very versatile and reasonably priced.

 

[Gary H]

What makes a powder similar? I assume that characteristics like burn rate, size/shape and flash suppressant would be factors. If so you might start with a burn rate chart.
Burn Rate

 

[black mamba]

Vihtavuori N340 is very close to the same burn rate as Power Pistol and usually available. Used to be VV powders were the most expensive, but now others have risen past them so at $40 a pound they aren't too bad, and it's great powder.

 

[Charlie98]

I assume that characteristics like burn rate, size/shape and flash suppressant would be factors. If so you might start with a burn rate chart.

Funny... the burn rate chart tells you none of that.

Unique, for example, is right next to PowerPistol on the chart I use... and they are nowhere near similar powders.

 

[Howa 9700]

BE-86. Said to be Power Pistol without the fireball. And as powder's go, one of the least expensive and now widely available.

Search results for 'Be-86' - Graf & Sons

www.grafs.com

BE86

Alliant BE86

www.natoreloading.com

 

[geo57]

BE-86. Said to be Power Pistol without the fireball. And as powder's go, one of the least expensive and now widely available.

Search results for 'Be-86' - Graf & Sons

www.grafs.com

BE86

Alliant BE86

www.natoreloading.com

+1.

 

[AJC1]

Alliant has gone up the most in price, and I latched onto ramshot a while ago. Silhouette does everything in those calibers I want, but doesn't have the loud bark or the muzzle flash. True Blue is almost as good. The hogden equivalent would be hs-6. Vhit makes some great powder, but I've only tested their rifle 100 series.

 

[Blue68f100]

I've been using Power Pistol as my main pistol powder almost since I started reloading. I've been very happy with it. It seems to produce good velocity and work in most common pistol calibers. It works well in everything from 380, 9mm, 40/10mm, to 45. I really have no complaints about it's performance and the fireball doesn't bother me. What I don't like is that the price is now well over $50 per lb.

Is there another powder as versatile that can be found cheaper? CFE pistol is significantly cheaper in this area, but I've read lots of complaints if not using it at max loads. I'm willing to give it a shot though. I just wondered if there are any others I should be looking at.

For those caliber I use WST and WSF. They are small flattened ball powder that meter accurately. The WST is good for light target loads and the 380acp. I've loaded to full capacity with WST for 45acp using 185gr XTP's. WSF is my general powder that I use to replace Unique with many decades ago. I have W231 as my backup powder.

 

[JJFitch]

Winchester Action Pistol works for me but I haven't bought any in this decade!

 

[AJC1]

Winchester Action Pistol works for me but I haven't bought any in this decade!

Wap is now Silhouette

 

[American_Fusilier]

Great topic, as I'm on the exact same boat. Power Pistol is my go-to pistol powder, but it's hard to come by now and pricey, and CFE Pistol is the most available here too.

Though I must confess I haven't been powder shopping for a while now...

 

[JJFitch]

Wap is now Silhouette

Isn't it Silhouette rebranded Power Pistol!?

 

[AJC1]

Isn't it Silhouette rebranded Power Pistol!?

Nope, that's be-86

 

[JJFitch]

Nope, that's be-86

OK, I just checked a burn rate chart and they are in fact similar but may not be exact!

 

[AJC1]

OK, I just checked a burn rate chart and they are in fact similar but may not be exact!

I don't know if wap had flash suppressant or not... I never got to even try it...

 

[Nasty Canasta]

I use a lot of CFE Pistol across several calibers without any issues using medium charges. It meters well & as I use plated bullets it does seem to make barrel cleaning a breeze. If you take it up to max loads it has some of the best velocities compared to other powders that I’ve looked at.
I wouldn’t rule it out & it is available.

 

[savagemann]

BE-86. Said to be Power Pistol without the fireball. And as powder's go, one of the least expensive and now widely available.

Search results for 'Be-86' - Graf & Sons

www.grafs.com

BE86

Alliant BE86

www.natoreloading.com

+2 on BE86. It has been my go to powder for quite some time now.
I bought some when it first came out and haven't looked back.
I mostly use it for medium to high power loads, but it does seem to burn clean for light target loads as well.
Fills the case nicely too.

 

[P Flados]

For you cartridges, Power Pistol is one of the best for maximum velocities, but as noted that comes at a steep price.

Of your cartridges, 9mm is a good choice for evaluating your options with Quickload. If you want something very similar and are willing to drop down just a little in velocity, try something from the QL table below. They all perform about the same and use similar charges at the same performance.

However, for mid range loads I would personally recommend going a little faster. Any of the following powders will cost less per pound and use less powder per round than Power Pistol:

Titegroup,
Clean Shot
Win 231
HP 38
Ramshot Zip

Cartridge          : 9 mm Luger (SAAMI)
Bullet             : .356, 120, LEE 356-120-TC
Useable Case Capaci: 8.622 grain H2O = 0.560 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 1.075 inch = 27.31 mm
Barrel Length      : 4.0 inch = 101.6 mm

C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

Powder type          Filling/Loading Ratio  Charge    Charge   Vel. Prop.Burnt P max  P muzz  B_Time
                                      %     Grains    Gramm   fps     %       psi     psi    ms
---------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------
Ramshot Silhouette                  82.4      5.7     0.37    1150    96.2    30277    5140   0.434  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester WAP                      82.7      5.7     0.37    1150    96.0    30317    5145   0.434  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant POWER PISTOL                97.0      6.1     0.40    1150    81.5    27598    5811   0.448
Vihtavuori N350                    104.7      6.1     0.39    1150    91.8    29392    5303   0.435
Accurate No.5                       74.6      6.1     0.40    1150    86.3    29716    5441   0.436
Shooters World Auto Pistol          74.7      6.1     0.40    1150    86.3    29726    5443   0.436
Vihtavuori 3N37                    100.7      6.2     0.40    1150    91.3    28962    5404   0.441
Hodgdon Longshot                    78.2      6.2     0.40    1150    91.3    29967    5301   0.436  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot True Blue                   77.0      6.2     0.40    1150    91.5    30426    5246   0.434  ! Near Maximum !

 

[Bill M]

Thanks for all the info!
I use Power Pistol for 357sig, and 10mm, but I'm down to 1.5#, I previously used N350, but will look for some BE-86 to try!

 

[AJC1]

For you cartridges, Power Pistol is one of the best for maximum velocities, but as noted the comes at a steep price.

Of your cartridges, 9mm is a good choice for evaluating your options with Quickload. If you want something very similar and are willing to drop down just a little in velocity, try something from the QL table below. They all perform about the same and use similar charges at the same performance.

However, for mid range loads I would personally recommend going a little faster. Any of the following powders will cost less per pound and use less powder per round than Power Pistol:

Titegroup,
Clean Shot
Win 231
HP 38
Ramshot Zip

Cartridge          : 9 mm Luger (SAAMI)
Bullet             : .356, 120, LEE 356-120-TC
Useable Case Capaci: 8.622 grain H2O = 0.560 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 1.075 inch = 27.31 mm
Barrel Length      : 4.0 inch = 101.6 mm

C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

Powder type          Filling/Loading Ratio  Charge    Charge   Vel. Prop.Burnt P max  P muzz  B_Time
                                      %     Grains    Gramm   fps     %       psi     psi    ms
---------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------
Ramshot Silhouette                  82.4      5.7     0.37    1150    96.2    30277    5140   0.434  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester WAP                      82.7      5.7     0.37    1150    96.0    30317    5145   0.434  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant POWER PISTOL                97.0      6.1     0.40    1150    81.5    27598    5811   0.448
Vihtavuori N350                    104.7      6.1     0.39    1150    91.8    29392    5303   0.435
Accurate No.5                       74.6      6.1     0.40    1150    86.3    29716    5441   0.436
Shooters World Auto Pistol          74.7      6.1     0.40    1150    86.3    29726    5443   0.436
Vihtavuori 3N37                    100.7      6.2     0.40    1150    91.3    28962    5404   0.441
Hodgdon Longshot                    78.2      6.2     0.40    1150    91.3    29967    5301   0.436  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot True Blue                   77.0      6.2     0.40    1150    91.5    30426    5246   0.434  ! Near Maximum !

I love how your charts meet the ideas in brainpan

 

[9mmepiphany]

I previously used N350, but will look for some BE-86 to try!

Check the current price of VV powders, it might be less than the BE-86

 

[vanfunk]

I’d recommend BE-86 too; I picked up a few pounds after my 4 lb jug of Power Pistol ran dry and have been happy with it in everything from .38 Special to mid-range .44 Magnum. Another powder to consider is WIN 244; for some reason, it’s always on sale around me and can be found as cheap as $30/lb. I’ve found it to be VERY consistent, and 7.5 grains behind a 240 grain LSWC in .44 Magnum produces 975 fps with extreme spreads of 7-8 fps. Love that load. I’ve been super happy with Silhouette for .38 Special and have found it produces the highest velocities at the lowest pressures with cast bullets, and impressive accuracy. I haven’t tried it in other calibers, though.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I wonder why Win 244 is so cheap. I bought 7 lbs of it a while back for upper $30./lb. It's one of the newer powders and they're usually the more expensive ones. I know velocity is lacking with it.
Where velocity with PP and BE86 seemed sometimes conservatively stated, Win 244's suggested velocities seem almost exaggerated.
I have to load maximum load to get what barely over minimum load of BE-86 usually generates, with the batch of 244 I bought.
Maybe it's not selling well.
It does seem to be accurate though.

 

[vanfunk]

Tightgroup Tiger, I’ve had the exact same experience. BE-86 usually produces velocities 75-80 fps higher than published in my .45 Colt revolvers, whereas WIN 244 typically runs 75 fps slower. No doubt there’s variation between calibers and guns but overall my experience has mirrored yours. It doesn’t bother me, though, and with so many powders now going for $45/lb, spending $30 on WIN 244 and getting 1000 rounds out of it is mighty welcome. Back to the OP’s question though, I still find BE-86 to behave most similarly to Power Pistol, with about half the flash.