Cartridge is from Ammo Manufacture: Michigan Ammo Company Ammo 165gr JHP
Ballistics Information: 10mm Auto
Muzzle Velocity: 1300 fps
Muzzle Energy: 619 ft. lbs
Pictures: Before/After disassembly:
Brass Make/Headstamp: Star Line - Nickel
Bullet Make/Weight/Construction/Info;Length 0.5835"/Dia.0.400": Montana Gold 165 gr. JHP actual weight 165.0 grains
C.O.A.L.: 1.2520"
Primer: Brass color
Case: Diameter 0.4215" Crimp Diameter 0.4220" Length 0.9865"
Powder Description/Positive ID/Type/Charge Weight: Power Pistol 9.6 grains
Tested 11/29/2012 MAC-Michigan Ammo Company 165 Gr. JHP 1265 fps : Diameter 0.4270"  primer moderately flatten

There's a different powder. It looks similar to #9 though. How do you ID them since they are so close?

No. 9 is more like like flattened balls and much much finer. 

This powder is more the shape of discs, like hockey pucks on a minute scale.  A lot of Alliant's powders (Unique, Blue Dot, Power Pistol, Bullseye, 2400, STEEL,...) have that same general shape, varying by thickness and diameter.

I placed some Power Pistol along side to compare and I could not tell them apart from each other.  The only other in your list I don't have on hand is 2400 I have worked with it in the past & Steel and I haven't worked with it so I can coment on that one, so I have now way of knowing if it would actually fit the profile by weight to velocity yield.

This photo is one I took with my camera from my computer screen while at Alliant's website one day some time ago.  They don't seem to show powder pics anymore, or, I simply can't find where they have them on the website.  Either way, this was the best I could contribute in regard to 2400.

After double checking I guess I have a pic of Alliant Steel too; 

Quote from: REDLINE on November 20 2012 09:35:11 PM MST
No. 9 is more like like flattened balls and much much finer. 

This powder is more the shape of discs, like hockey pucks on a minute scale.  A lot of Alliant's powders (Unique, Blue Dot, Power Pistol, Bullseye, 2400, STEEL,...) have that same general shape, varying by thickness and diameter.

It's not 2400.  It would take 14+ grains to move a 165 close to 1300 FPS.  9.6 grains would be rather anemic.  I have some 2400, if a pic is still needed.

9.6 grains of Power Pistol would be more realistic, in all respects.

Yes 2400 is like I remember it as thicker cut flakes than Blue Dot but the excruded diameter is between PP & BD if I can recall.
Steel has a larger flake thinner simular to that of 800X.

Thanks for posting pictures they help improve the ID process...

I tend to agree with the call of power pistol.  Good economical powder, fits the velocity profile and visually identical.

Your Welcome The_Shadow.  I try to be helpful when I can.

sqlbullet;  I'm kind of thinking it almost much be Power Pistol at this point.  The main reason I say that is, if it isn't Power Pistol then what other possibility is still out there based on what we know so far?  I can't think of one.  Is it even possible for Unique to push a 165gr slug to 1300fps from ~4.5" of barrel?  It sure as heck isn't Bullseye.

I'm putting these in the sheet. For sure Power Pistol?

I don't see Unique making that velocity without big open mouthed, my fingers hurt, I need new grips sized smiles.

Like I said in another thread, you are only 100% sure when the powder is in the can, but this looks like and fits the ballistics profile of Power Pistol.