Who else likes powderpuff loads?

9

9mmSkeeter

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I load 9mm and a few other handgun loads, namely 380 ACP. In my 380 I really have spent time working down the loads as even standard loads in a pocket pistol hurt the hand. I've gotten down to about 3.2 grains of Auto Comp or 2.2 grains of Titegroup, real pleasant to shoot. Now, listed load data starts AutoComp at 4.0, so when I say I've worked it down, it's been over the course of a year. My gun cycles it reliably but yours may not. I still shoot 2" groups at 10 yds.

My 9mm loads usually use about 4 grains of TiteGroup under a 115, or 3.5 under a 124. Increase that amount by 1 grain and you have my Auto Comp load. Those are also both below listed loads but perfectly safe in MY situation. I'm an all or nothing guy, it's either gonna be a real blast literally, or a enjoyable relaxing shooting time with no hand fatigue. Those are my main two pistol powders, but for rifle I like big booms so I lad those a little hot. How about you, any powder puff loaders here?
 
I don't know if the classic "NRA Bullseye Load" for .38 Special (2.7 gr of Bullseye under a 148 gr Speer HPWC) qualifies as "powderpuf" but it is a mild and very accurate load. I shoot more of these than anything else.
 
I like ultra lights in my 30-30. 115 LRN over 6 grains Trail Boss is easy to shoot and accurate. In .357 I shoot 'mid-range' loads, a 158 Rainier RNFP over 5.5 grains Universal or Unique, good for about 900 fps. I used to shoot a 140 LFP over 4.0 Clays for a real powder puff load, but I've switched over to plated exclusively now in .357.
 
That's why we handload.

That's also one of the reasons why I like wheelguns so much. Cycling isn't an issue. As long as the bullet leaves the barrel, you're good to go. I've loaded 38 Short Colt rounds just for fun. 1.8gn Bullseye under a 100gn DEWC. Recoil was nearly imperceptible. 499 fps. My 38 Special IDPA PF round chronos at about 750 fps. It's a pretty light round.

As far as semi-autos, I've only intentionally downloaded for 10mm Auto. Admittedly, when I first got my Glock 29, it kind of beat me up a little. So I loaded 180gn plated slugs with 5.6gn of AA2. 890 fps, which is mild by 10mm standards. Cycled fine, and it gave me the opportunity to get used to the gun and to eventually work up to hotter rounds.
 
I have several hundred 158gr dewc's loaded up with 0.7gr of hp38. They are so much fun, the even make it outta the barrel of the 20" carbine everytime. You wouldn't know it wasn't a 22 if you weren't loading it yourself.
 
I have several hundred 158gr dewc's loaded up with 0.7gr of hp38. They are so much fun, the even make it outta the barrel of the 20" carbine everytime. You wouldn't know it wasn't a 22 if you weren't loading it yourself.
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.38 special?
 
I'm all about loading on the low end these days. I shoot IDPA,so I have had fun loading down to the allowable power factor and still have something that runs the gun. Then the same thing finding the minimum load that will let me shoot (and win) bowling pin matches. Then for the dueling tree and steel matches again I need that balance of the lightest load with the best recoil signature that gets the job done. But most of all I need my gazillion practice/play loads. No need wearing out my gun or joints with powered up stuff when I can put a reduced power recoil spring in my XDm and shoot dinker loads which also makes my powder last longer. I can put 2.6 grains of Clays under a 175 swc and save 6.4 grains of #7 doing it. As a side note I have finally gotten my hands on some Clay Dot which a cheaper and more available replacement for Clays which I use a lot of in pistol and my 7/8 oz 12 ga trap loads. I intend to see if it is truly a direct replacement in my applications and will report back my impressions on this forum for interested parties. Viva la powderpuffs!
 
My 'wimp' load would measure-up as a 'powderpuff' load in my opinion.

I started loading it in the early 70's with Olin 230 powder. They quit making that and came out with 231. I worked up a suitable loading for 200 grain lead 45 ACPs using 5.6 grains. Being a one track minded person, I tried and liked that same 5.6 grains of 231 under 240 grain 430/1 lead in my .44 Mag. Yep, just too lazy to change the Lyman powder measure. I still load and shoot this 'wimp' load a lot. My son and daughter grew up on it. Now my granddaughters are shooting it.

Velocity at 10 feet is an average of 642.9 FPS out of a 6 1/2 in S&W Model 29-2. To my surprise, I average 651.9 FPS out of my S&W Model 29-4 with a pinned 6 inch barrel.
These are 'wimps' compared to my 2400 loads at 1238.2 FPS, 6 1/2 in barrel.

I would gestmate that over 90% of my 44 shooting is with my 'wimp' loading.

Enjoy,

OSOK
 
When I got my first .44 Magnum I had a good case of "Magnumitus" and often came home with sore/achy hands and if I was shooting my Ruger SBH, my middle finger was bloody. After a few years, I found I wasn't shooting my .44s as much as I did when I first got them and realized it just wasn't as much fun anymore (huge recoil, massive muzzle blast). I tried some .44 Special loads in Magnum brass and my .44 shooting got back to "normal", about twice per month and mebbe 200 rounds. I figger a 250 gr. lead slug at about 800-900 fps is good fer anything I'd be shootin' at. I don't think I've fired a full Magnum load in 10 years...:cool:
 
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Like Mikld, My early .44 mag loads were stuffed full of 296 for flame, noise and recoil. Daggum 44 MAGNUM! Now I find 185 DBBWC over Trailboss is so much more enjoyable to shoot. Accurate too. In my Bisley Vaquero, the wadcutters so loaded have the same POI as my medium hot 240gr cast semi wadcutters. Nice not to have to play with the sights. (Yes, the sights on my Vaquero can be adjusted. I had a SW rear milled in and a Patridge front installed. Old eyes struggle with a hog waller sight.) I load wadcutters over trailboss for the wife in her .357 also. Trailboss is nice powder.
 
I can think of a dozen good reasons to load and shoot medium, light, or even wimpy powder puff loads. Only a couple of reasons to load hot/max loads.

I haven't lately had to dispatch a charging grizzly, or a drug crazed lunatic, so my handguns usually shoot loads more suited for pleasure and economy. I keep a few shells around for the occasional lunatic or grizzly.

I've got one rifle that preforms best with a max load, and that's kinda bothering me, because it's older, and a design that doesn't really need the stress. I've pretty much decided to sacrifice a little power and performance just to take it easy on the old girl. jd
 
I really like 2gr of Trail Boss under a 158 swc in 38 special. Shoots fine from a 6" Python and a 16" Rossi 92. It's my go to replacement for 22 these days, might even be quieter than 22 from the lever gun.
 
I really like 2gr of Trail Boss under a 158 swc in 38 special. Shoots fine from a 6" Python and a 16" Rossi 92. It's my go to replacement for 22 these days, might even be quieter than 22 from the lever gun.
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Is Trail Boss pretty much non-position sensitive when used in minute amounts? jd
 
I've never noticed any issues as far as position sensitivity. You've got to remember the stuff is pretty bulky to begin with, so 2g of it takes up more space than a tiny charge almost any other powder.
 
Who else likes powderpuff loads?
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.32 S&W Long
94 gr LFP
5.5" Ruger Blackhawk
480 fps

Does that answer your question? ;)

That load is actually running 18% more powder, now, than when I initially developed it.
The initial loads were fantastic to shoot, but right on the edge of sticking bullets. The 18% increase in powder charge provides just enough of a boost for me to feel like it's 100% reliable.
 
yes. 38spl, give it a try, its really a lot of fun, please be diligent to make sure it makes it outta your barrels, it does all of mine though and even my friends s&w
 
I like me some wimpy loads now and then.

My favorite is a 200 grain RN, with some Trailboss under it in my .38 cases.

I also do 250 grain Speer Hotkor's with Trailboss in .38's. Can't help but giggle when I shoot them.

I've loaded 4-450fps stuff for my .327 SP101, nieces, nephews, and my wife really like those.
 
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