800X powder

[Skipper488]

I'm looking to begin standardizing on one powder to store in bulk. I've used Red Dot, HP38 and 800X on j-word bullets with varying degrees of success. I was reviewing the published data and it appears that for a cast .45acp 230grain round nose that 800X drives higher velocities (in fact the highest in the publication I was using). The only down side is that I was unable to find any 12 gauge loads for less than 1-1/8 oz of shot.

The questions are;
1. Is there a load for 1oz shot 12 gauge loads?
2. Has any one seen any problems with 800X
3. Overall how would you rate 800X compared to say HP38 for accuracy and cleanliness?

[GLynn41]

I have no clue about a shot gun but 800x is great in a .40 or 45acp or .41 mag -- for a while I used was 800x in my .41

[prs]

I'm looking to begin standardizing on one powder to store in bulk. I've used Red Dot, HP38 and 800X on j-word bullets with varying degrees of success. I was reviewing the published data and it appears that for a cast .45acp 230grain round nose that 800X drives higher velocities (in fact the highest in the publication I was using). The only down side is that I was unable to find any 12 gauge loads for less than 1-1/8 oz of shot.

The questions are;
1. Is there a load for 1oz shot 12 gauge loads?
2. Has any one seen any problems with 800X
3. Overall how would you rate 800X compared to say HP38 for accuracy and cleanliness?

I think you would run into problems with 1oz 12ga 800X rounds. I would expect inconsistent igniton and occasional bloopers, expecially if you shoot in cold weather. My only experience with 800X has been in 16ga 1oz rounds and had such problems even there. If I were out hunting in low teens to mid 20 degree F temps, it would just just sort of toss the shot out there in a "poof". 12 ga could be even worse.

prs

[rond]

I have had very good results with Red Dot in both .45 ACP and 12 gauge shotshells. I still have a can of 800X I can't seem to find a use for.

[JeffinNZ]

800X is too slow for 12 gauge 1 - 1 1/8 loads. It is a field powder. I was given 5lb of it MANY years ago and used it a lot with cast bullets in .303 Brit, .32-20 and .22 Hornet. Worked great. PITA to meter however. Big flakes.

[onondaga]

800X has many uses, I literally use it for rock blasting! It is pretty versatile but not real clean burning in 45 ACP from my experience with cast bullets.

Gary

[Skipper488]

The Red Dot seems slow and all of the loads for .45acp the start load is the max load and it's not all that fast. I'd like one powder I can use for the .45 and 12 gauge that provides full charge loads.

[garrisonjoe]

One word - Unique.

[JeffinNZ]

One word - Unique.

Indeed, however my 800X was free. 5lb, free. Now there's a four letter word I am rather fond of.

[BCB]

Sure there is reloading data for 800X with 1 ounce and 1 1/8 ounce loads, using AA hulls...

The Lyman 4th Edition Shotgun manual list many (well quite a few)...

But, it is a bit of a slow burner...

I used it many many years ago, but went to other powders and eventually quit reloading shotgun as I don't use them much anymore...

Good-luck...BCB

[Sully]

If you are going to stockpile ONE powder...for everything from 1 oz 12 gauge to 230 FMJ .45 ACP's....store UNIQUE...!

Gives HIGHER velocitys for a 230 FMJ usig slightly less powder...and works fine in all 12 gauge loads. From 20 gauge to 28 gauge...and from 38 special to 357 to 45 ACP and 44 mag. Works in all of them

[Sully]

one word - unique.

yup!!

[pjh421]

That's funny. I was given about 6 pounds of 800X in 2003. I wanted to use it in .44 Magnum revolver loads but it was so difficult to measure consistently that I sort of gave up on it. The big flakes bridge in the powder measure. Since I don't load shot shells, how important is it to load consistent charge weights for shot and slug loads?

Paul

[chboats]

800x will work great in a 12 gauge for 1 1/4 once and heavier loads. It needs to be at or near max shoot gun preasures to work well. Used a lot of it for duck loads back when we still used lead for water fowl.

Tried to use it in my 44 mag but like everyone else has said never could get consistant charges.

Carl

[HighHook]

800x is a great powder. The main reason for its lack of data and use is it does not meter well. Other than that it is a great powder for a lot of uses.

Like every body else says Unique...never run out of this stuff!

[Three44s]

I'd try Hodgon's HS-6 ............ it meters like SIN!

And I like it much better for medium loads in my .44's ........ For performance in the .45 acp I would trust it far more than 800X due to the IMR powder's bridging tendency.

Good in 12 gauge with an 1 1/8 ounce load in a field loading!

I burn a lot of that number ........... it has taken me a long time to burn up that 800X however!

Three 44s

[Skipper488]

The metering is a problem, I was actually looking for something to meter better than the Red Dot when I decided to try it. I discovered it wasn't much of an improvement and only load a few rounds with it. I then tried the HP38 but haven't been entirely pleased with it either. I think I will give the Unique a try. I'm just concerned that powders are going to be harder to come by in the near future and I want something that will work for the majority of my loads so I can stock as much of it as possible. Thanks for the advice guys.