WidenersMidSouth Shooters SupplyInline FabricationRepackbox
Lee PrecisionLoad DataRotoMetals2Reloading Everything
Titan Reloading
Results 1 to 15 of 15

Thread: PB Powder by IMR

  1. #1
    Boolit Mold
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
    Location
    Arizona
    Posts
    11

    Question PB Powder by IMR

    IMR discontinued PB a while back, which greatly saddens me. I used it to good effect with 158 gr LRN in .38 spcl target loads when my wife was competing. Does anyone still use stocks on hand? As an alternate question, has someone found a suitable alternate with similar characteristics to PB?
    NRA Life Member

  2. #2
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Location
    St. Louis
    Posts
    2,028
    PB was the second powder I ever loaded. Bought 8 lbs of it from Powder Valley right as it was discontinued. After I used it all up, I discovered Red Dot and Promo. Very close and just as versatile.

  3. #3
    Boolit Master oldhenry's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Albany, GA
    Posts
    902
    PB was my #1 choice for .38 Spec. .45 ACP & .45 Colt. & I was upset when my last 8 lbs. was emptied. I considered it a clean burning Unique.

    The closest thing I've found to replace it is HP-38/231.

  4. #4
    Boolit Grand Master
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Northern Michigan
    Posts
    8,899
    There are so many good powders for pistol applications that the loss of PB is of no consequence. I look for sales and buy whatever is the cheapest and I buy a lot of it. Bought 30 lbs of CleanShot without every using it because it was cheap.

    PB is hardly ever recommended in the thousands of loads posted on this site. Might answer why it was discontinued. Many competitive shooters use Bullseye, and HP 38 (W231) for Target loads. I have had success with Clays as well. I suspect CleanShot will work well but I have not tried it yet.
    Don Verna


  5. #5
    Boolit Grand Master Outpost75's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    over the hill, out in the woods and far away
    Posts
    10,158
    PB's claim to fame was as a 20-ga. shotshell powder favored by Skeet shooters. Niche market.
    The ENEMY is listening.
    HE wants to know what YOU know.
    Keep it to yourself.

  6. #6
    Boolit Master

    BigAlofPa.'s Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    Shamokin/Coal twp Pa.
    Posts
    1,670
    What is PB? I was browsing my loading books today. And saw it listed in some loads.
    One round at a time.
    Member of the NRA,GOA and FAOC. Gun clubs Zerby rod and gun club. Keystone Fish and Game Association.

  7. #7
    Boolit Grand Master Outpost75's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    over the hill, out in the woods and far away
    Posts
    10,158
    Quote Originally Posted by BigAlofPa. View Post
    What is PB? I was browsing my loading books today. And saw it listed in some loads.
    PB is abbreviation for "porous base", which is an uncoated flake straight nitrocellulose with no deterrent, graphite only. Originally used for 12-ga. Duck loads and 20-ga. Skeet. Good reduced load powder for cast used for same general applications as Unique, but smaller particle size well suited for machine loading.
    The ENEMY is listening.
    HE wants to know what YOU know.
    Keep it to yourself.

  8. #8
    Boolit Master

    BigAlofPa.'s Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    Shamokin/Coal twp Pa.
    Posts
    1,670
    Thank you for answering Outpost75. Always good to learn something.
    One round at a time.
    Member of the NRA,GOA and FAOC. Gun clubs Zerby rod and gun club. Keystone Fish and Game Association.

  9. #9
    Boolit Bub

    Join Date
    Mar 2020
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    39
    G'day from Downunder

    G'day All , I used PB for my pistol loads for years it was a great powder and sorely missed when it was no longer available down here I went to 452 AA for my pistol loads but sadly that to was discontinued now days I use WW 231 for every one of my pistol loads as it meters well and makes large and small charges easy to do I strongly recommend it.

    Regards Paul.

  10. #10
    Boolit Mold Elliot Ness's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2019
    Posts
    1
    PB was a great powder for me in 9MM

  11. #11
    Boolit Man
    Join Date
    Mar 2020
    Posts
    82
    PB and SR 4756 were favorites of mine too. The small flake size, very clean burning, and it shot well in cold weather. I used PB in 3 dram, 27 yard trap loads.It was always more expensive, and hard to find compared to other powders.

  12. #12
    Boolit Man Fireball 57's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    90
    Gents, PB by IMR was/is a great powder. Loaded up 102 grain SWC Eastwood PC in a Wilson 9mm ie; 1.015" OVL. Shot to center of target, 25 yards. Ran about 1080 fps. That was a nice load. Have a great week!
    If you don't have AMMUNITION, your rifle is a CLUB.

  13. #13
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
    Location
    NC
    Posts
    2,863
    Quote Originally Posted by BBMF1 View Post
    G'day from Downunder

    G'day All , I used PB for my pistol loads for years it was a great powder and sorely missed when it was no longer available down here I went to 452 AA for my pistol loads but sadly that to was discontinued now days I use WW 231 for every one of my pistol loads as it meters well and makes large and small charges easy to do I strongly recommend it.

    Regards Paul.
    Paul, a little off topic, but do you have any load data for 452aa other that what shows up in speer #11? I was given about 15lbs and am trying to decide if I should use it in anything other than 45acp.

  14. #14
    Moderator Emeritus
    garandsrus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Warren, MI
    Posts
    2,935
    Do a search here for 452AA and you will find some load data.

  15. #15
    Boolit Buddy Brokenbear's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    SE Mo
    Posts
    209
    Am I the only one who felt like PB smelled like roasting pecans as it burnt ..used PB years ago when I was in college ..shooting live pigeons and Calcutta shoots

    Bear

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
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