Power Pistol loads for .357 mag

[meshugunner]

I need some advice, please. I just scored 3lbs of Alliant Power Pistol. I've never used this powder but in these times of scarcity I was glad to get it. I was hoping to load up some .357mag with 158gn LSWC in my Dillon 550. I hear tell it's an excellent powder for .357mag and .38Sp +P but my reloading manuals don't show loads for CBs over 125gn. Poking around the net, it seems that people use about 8gns of PP for a boolit of this type.

I'm not comfortable trusting random posts at unfamiliar sites but I have a lot of confidence in the members here. So if you could advise me...

1. A good starting load.
2. A typical working load.
3. Can I use Small Pistol primers?
4. Any other issues with this powder that I should know about?

Thank you for your help.

[Beerd]

8 should be about right

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloade...8&cartridge=28
..

[Bonz]

I like to 'blast' my GP100 so I load 8.0 grains of PowerPistol with a 158gr bullet. For my Ruger LCR, I drop down to 7.0 grains ( .38 +P is a max of 6.0 grains ). I use nothing but small pistol primers, have never used magnum primers. "Any other issues with this powder that I should know about ?" Yep, its really hard to find, its fantastic in 9mm and its my favorite powder for .500 magnum ( 24.0 grains with a 350 grain bullet ). Powder, when fired, has a loud report and blows a great flame out of the muzzle

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloade...spx?powderid=8

[meshugunner]

Thanks Beard & Bonz. From what you've said it looks like I should stay between 6 - 8gns with a 158gn LSWC.

Interestingly Alliant does give a .38Sp load of 5.4gns of PP for 158gn LSWC. I think I'll stick with a faster powder for plain .38Sp but I might do some +P with PP

Thinking I'll crank out 6gn - 8gn loads in half grain steps, 10 of each and clock them.

[Bonz]

Sounds like a plan. I always "work up" to a load, don't fully trust manuals or even QuickLoad...

Lee manual states that you can go up to a max of 8.5 grains with a 158 grain XTP (JHP) which I have done. I normally crank out .357 rounds on my progressive press and monitor the charge to make sure that it doesn't fall below 8.0 grains, a little buffer

[Edward]

3.5-4 gr PP in my 9mm,356 -124 gr /6gr in my 40,.401-175gr swc and 8gr with the same bullet in my hunting load in my 10mm (all glocks) . I do like Power pistol !