Power pistol in 10mm

mlk3454 · March 08 2013 01:50:12 PM MST

I am new to loading 10s but I have been loading 9s and 40s for some time at volume along with 480 here and there. For the 9 and 40 I like to use power pistol as it meters well in my lee turet. I plan on testing powders (when I can get more primers...) to see what works best for my gun. I see a lot about 800x, long shot, and blue dot. I have long shot, power pistol and a couple AA(5 & 9 I think). I don't see much posted on power pistol but was wondering everyone's experience with it for loading 10s. I plan on loading mostly 180-200gr jacketed bullets (I have some xtps and nosler handgun). Thanks!

The_Shadow · March 08 2013 03:16:04 PM MST

mjk3454, Welcome to the forum! Power Pistol is a good powder for the 10mm, it is said to produce bright fireballs. I have used it in several loadings and some of the commercial loaders are using it as well. It can be a little fast for some applications, but is clean burning for most. I really like it in 9mm and 40S&W...

It is hard to beat the performance of 800X for the yield and LongShot which measures nearly identical for a given load runs about the same velocities, from mild to wild. Blue Dot is one I have used since I started loading 10mm back early 1990, it is still one of my most used powders.

Best regards, ${$default_grin_smiley}$

mlk3454 · March 09 2013 06:09:03 AM MST

Thanks for the reply shadow! It will be interesting to see a fireball out of a semi auto...I was used to seeing those out of my big revolvers.

Rgwilder · March 10 2013 06:22:21 PM MDT

I have loaded a couple hundred with 155 gr xtp and power pistol and love it. The blue dot is a flame thrower haha great hunting load potential. I will be starting a power pistol target load with 165 gr plated tmj when I can score some more brass.

REDLINE · March 10 2013 07:58:33 PM MDT

I've been wanting to score myself some 10mm brass, but without putting in an order directly with Starline, I'm not so sure that's gonna happen. I'ld expect Starline themselves is even backed up on distributor orders right now, and I doubt we would come before the distributors.

rogn · March 17 2013 09:05:48 AM MDT

I think Starlines current date is in April. I do know if you dont get in the Que you'll not get any. Mine got here a month or so back as promised.
Starline dealings have been first class. Get yer brass on order.

sqlbullet · March 18 2013 09:07:30 AM MDT

Get on Starline's list. Everytime I have ordered it has been a backorder, but I generally get my order within a month or so.

gandog56 · March 18 2013 09:28:40 AM MDT

Quote from: The_Shadow on March 08 2013 03:16:04 PM MST
mjk3454, Welcome to the forum! Power Pistol is a good powder for the 10mm, it is said to produce bright fireballs. I have used it in several loadings and some of the commercial loaders are using it as well. It can be a little fast for some applications, but is clean burning for most. I really like it in 9mm and 40S&W...

It is hard to beat the performance of 800X for the yield and LongShot which measures nearly identical for a given load runs about the same velocities, from mild to wild. Blue Dot is one I have used since I started loading 10mm back early 1990, it is still one of my most used powders.

Best regards, ${$default_grin_smiley}$

Really? To me fireballs mean the powder is not all burned before the bullet exits the barrel, which mean's you are wasting powder. The best powders should produce very LITTLE flame out the end, signifying that all the powder burned.

sqlbullet · March 18 2013 01:22:34 PM MDT

That can be one reason, but not the only reason.

REDLINE · March 18 2013 02:47:44 PM MDT

Yeah, that can be one reason. No flash at any top velocity level for 10mm is pretty much nonexistent too. There's always going to be some, it's more about keeping it under some amount of control and some powders simply seem to be inherently better at this than others, regardless how much powder (within some sort of reason) is still burning after the bullet leaves the barrel.

10mmTim · March 25 2013 11:08:32 AM MDT

I'm new here and to to loading 10mm but have been reloading rifle , pistol and shotgun shells for over 25 years. I just got a Glock 20 Gen4 and have the LW guide rod, guide rod adapter and spacer ordered for my gun. Next will be a LW 6" barrel

The_Shadow · March 25 2013 12:06:33 PM MDT

10mmTim, Hello and welcome to the forum! ${$default_cheesy_smiley}$ Congrats on your G-20 4th gen, I hope you have run some rounds down the pipe in the stock configuration to check out for any issues?

When it comes to loading the 10mm, I have added steps to my loading practices to insure 100% reliability for feed and function.
I "Pass-Thru" size all my cases in the LEE FCD with it's guts removed to restore make them uniform.
Then run them in my regular RCBS carbide sizer die to de-prime and improve neck tension.
Then expander die is used to uniform them to accept the bullets being used.
Then I hand prime all my cases.
Then hand weigh my powder charges and seat a bullet without any crimp being applied, this allows more uniform seating.
Then I run them in the taper crimp die to finish with proper crimp.

When it comes to semi autos I am very anal about reliability... ${$default_grin_smiley}$

gandog56 · March 25 2013 01:12:17 PM MDT

Quote from: 10mmTim on March 25 2013 11:08:32 AM MDTI just got a Glock 20 Gen4 and have the LW guide rod, guide rod adapter and spacer ordered for my gun. Next will be a LW 6" barrel

Well nothing personal here, but I HATE Glocks! And the first thing people seem to want to do to them is put in a third party barrel. I would have just put that Glock cost and the barrel money into a gun that fits my small short fingered hand better, like my two 1911's.

REDLINE · March 25 2013 09:19:09 PM MDT

Quote from: gandog56 on March 25 2013 01:12:17 PM MDT
Quote from: 10mmTim on March 25 2013 11:08:32 AM MDTI just got a Glock 20 Gen4 and have the LW guide rod, guide rod adapter and spacer ordered for my gun. Next will be a LW 6" barrel

Well nothing personal here, but I HATE Glocks! And the first thing people seem to want to do to them is put in a third party barrel. I would have just put that Glock cost and the barrel money into a gun that fits my small short fingered hand better, like my two 1911's.

You've never modified/upgraded anything that had more than zero cost on any gun for any attribute you saw to your liking on any firearm you've ever owned?

Hate is a strong word. I get all individuals having an opinion. But to hate a Glock? Why would anyone ever hate a Glock even if they never chose to own one? It's an inanimate object that is generally recieved well by the masses. Hate?

mlk3454 · March 26 2013 05:47:37 AM MDT

Back to the OP question. I loaded some 180gr cast FN to 1.25~ and WLP. The charge that seemed most consistent and fun to shoot was 8.5gr of PP. The chrono showed an average of 1315fps and the brass and primers looked the same as the ones flying at 950fps (6" SL barrel). The Lee book shows a lower velocity for lead and the other sources don't have much info on PP. There was some smoke upon firing which I often see shooting the lubed lead and flash was only visible a few times (I shot late morning so hard to see that anyway). Just throwing this in the thread to keep it on track.