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Thread: Power Pistol in 38spl 125gr cast??

  1. #1
    Boolit Buddy
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    Power Pistol in 38spl 125gr cast??

    Is Power Pistol unsuitable for cast 125gr bullets in 38spl??
    The reason I asked is I can't seem to find any load data for this.
    I have a Ruger GP100 Wiley Clapp (3" barrel) that shoots a little high with 158gr cast bullets going 800-900fps and I am looking to establish a load to bring it closer to it's sights. I want to get a light cast coated bullet moving about 1000-1100fps in hopes of accomplishing this. Got a couple of loads ready to chrono but want to try some power pistol. Might try 6.0gr to start with.

  2. #2
    Boolit Master
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    My Hodgdon manual lists 6.3 grains of Power Pistol as a +P load with a 125 jacketed, at 17,200 Psi. Plenty safe in your GP-100. I'd expect a little less pressure, and a little more speed from your cast. Velocity is listed as 1,165 fps. from a 7.7" test barrel.

  3. #3
    Boolit Master


    fecmech's Avatar
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    The Alliant manual lists 6.3 as +P for .38 spec. with a 125 gold dot hp and 10.5 in the .357 mag with the same bullet.
    "Masculine republics give way to feminine democracies, and feminine democracies give way to tyrannies.” Aristotle

  4. #4
    Boolit Buddy
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    That's what I had been seeing for jacketed too and my reason for starting at 6.0gr. I can't see any reason why there would be a problem with it in a cast load but found it odd there don't seem to be any listed loads.

  5. #5
    Boolit Master
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    My accuracy load in .38 Spl is a 150 gr. RF with 5.5 grains of Power Pistol. You will be plenty safe with 6.0 and a 125 cast.

  6. #6
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by dubber123 View Post
    My accuracy load in .38 Spl is a 150 gr. RF with 5.5 grains of Power Pistol. You will be plenty safe with 6.0 and a 125 cast.
    What 150 are you shooting?

    I just bought some power pistol. I was looking for in the Unique range.

  7. #7
    Banned

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    power pistol is a step behind unique and a step ahead of Herco.
    this means you can use unique data to get started.
    it's right there with BE-86 as far as how it burns and acts in pistol cases.

  8. #8
    Boolit Buddy
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    I finally got to test my initial load of 6.1gr of Power Pistol and found it to run right around 950fps with both the Lee 356-125-2R and 356-124-TC sized to .358 and tumble coated with Harbor Freight powder coat paint. They weigh 127 and 130gr and are accurate.

  9. #9
    Boolit Buddy
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    6.7 gr Power Pistol behind a Lee 125 rnfp gave 1020 ish avg from a Ruger SP101 3". Damfine load.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check