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View Full Version : Scored some pistol powder today!



Bob T
12-14-2014, 12:32 PM
Haven't been able to score any locally all summer/fall. Last I found was some Green Dot and TiteGroup at a gun show last spring. But I went to a local show this morning and got lucky. I was there when it opened at 7:30am, and found a guy with some pistol powders...selling fast.

Watched the last two pounds of Bullseye go into someone else bag as I got to the table, but I got a pound of Unique and a pound of Power Pistol. I was glad to get the Unique, as it is my go to powder. I bought a few pounds during the last shortage in '94, and had just opened the last pound of it the other day. Never used Power Pistol, but I've read good things.

I could have gotten more, as he had a dozen or so of each, but the price was inflated and I didn't want to contribute to the shortage problem. They were all gone within 30 minutes.

Time to go reload.

tony k
12-14-2014, 06:51 PM
Congrats! What are you using the Power Pistol in? Here's how I use it:
9mm
147 grain xtreme plated RN OAL of 1.13"
Everything from 4.5 to five grains of Power Pistol works great in my CM9. On the stouter side. Cleaner than longshot.

9mm
115 grain xtreme plated RN OAL of 1.10
6.3 grains of Power Pistol was notably accurate. Max load of 6.7 grains was very stout.

45ACP
Zero 230 grain FMJ OAL of 1.26
8.1 grains of power pistol gave me a 3" 5 shot group in my old Taurus 1911. Havent tried it in my CW45.

45ACP
Hornady 200 grain XTP OAL 1.23
This is a POWERFUL combination. 7.6 and 8.2 grains of Power Pistol work good in my CW 45, but after about 60 rounds the power residue starts to cause the gun to jam when you chamber the first round. A firm slap to the magazine fixes it, but it's not ideal. More power might clean up the burn a bit. I tested up to 8.6 grains. The recoil and muzzle blast are mpractical (more like ridiculous) at that point. The only thing worse that I've tried is Longshot with these same bullets. People call it "loudshot" for a reason.

muggsy
12-14-2014, 08:58 PM
I use it in .380 ACP, 9MM Luger, .38 spcl and 45 ACP. Clean burning and low flash.

Bob T
12-15-2014, 04:34 PM
I use it in .380 ACP, 9MM Luger, .38 spcl and 45 ACP. Clean burning and low flash.

I loaded up some .38 Special with it yesterday, under some 158 gn jacket soft points. Hope to try it soon.

tony k
12-15-2014, 09:59 PM
Congrats! What are you using the Power Pistol in? Here's how I use it:45ACPHornady 200 grain XTP OAL 1.23This is a POWERFUL combination. 7.6 and 8.2 grains of Power Pistol work good in my CW 45, but after about 60 rounds the power residue starts to cause the gun to jam when you chamber the first round. A firm slap to the magazine fixes it, but it's not ideal. More power might clean up the burn a bit. I tested up to 8.6 grains. The recoil and muzzle blast are mpractical (more like ridiculous) at that point. The only thing worse that I've tried is Longshot with these same bullets. People call it "loudshot" for a reason.CORRECTION: 8.2 grains is the max for Powerpistol/ 200grain xtp. The recoil is stout, but there wasn't significant muzzle blast. Sorry, my load data for Longshot and PowerPistol is right next to eachother in my Excel spreadsheet. The muzzle blast and recoil is impractical/ ridiculous for longshot.Muggsy, are you sure Power Pistol is low flash? I thought it was known for its "impressive" fireballs in some loadings? I've never experienced it but I've heard others comment on it.

marshal kane
12-19-2014, 09:58 AM
Haven't been able to score any locally all summer/fall. . . I got a pound of Unique and a pound of Power Pistol. . . I could have gotten more, as he had a dozen or so of each, but the price was inflated and I didn't want to contribute to the shortage problem. They were all gone within 30 minutes.

Time to go reload.
It's been very difficult to find pistol powders lately and everything you do find seems to come with inflated prices. While I try to keep a pound or two of powder in reserve, I don't think this is a good time to start buying one pounders in large quantities. If you can find 4 or 8 pounders and the price is right, that may be a different story.

berettabone
12-20-2014, 12:21 PM
I don't reload, and I don't pay attention to powder brands................does anyone know what kind of powder/how much they are using in some of the more popular defensive ammo? Just curious............I would assume that they may want to keep it a secret, but if anyone knows?????????????????

Bob T
12-20-2014, 12:28 PM
It's been very difficult to find pistol powders lately and everything you do find seems to come with inflated prices. While I try to keep a pound or two of powder in reserve, I don't think this is a good time to start buying one pounders in large quantities. If you can find 4 or 8 pounders and the price is right, that may be a different story.

Agreed! The powder I have from the mid 90s cost about $18 a pound. Last spring I bought a pound each of Titegroup and Green Dot for $23, which didn't seem too bad. The Power Pistol and Unique I just got were $30 each, which seems steep. Since I get 1400-1600 rounds out of each pound, I don't need to stock up. Sure would like to get hold of some W231/HP38 though.