45 acp

[runfiverun]

well due to last years economic down-turn it seems I only have 1500 pieces of 45 acp brass to re-load this spring.
so the question is which powder to choose.

[Love Life]

All the cool guys are shooting Bullseye. It has been scientifically proven that men who use bullseye in their 45 acp loads get at least 50% more phone numbers from good looking ladies...who may or may not also give them gas money.

Just sayin.

[w5pv]

The young ladies are quickly becomming a dream of the past.

[Nocturnal Stumblebutt]

I don't really have much of an opinion because I have never used anything but Bullseye in 45 ACP because I have never had a reason to try anything else. I started with bullseye, quickly found a load that worked very well, and never bothered to try anything else.

That said, if this keeps up I may try red dot, green dot, or promo so that I can reserve my bullseye supply for 38 special, which I shoot a lot of.

[DougGuy]

I use good ol' 231. It might not burn as clean as other powders but then I like trashy women too.. :bigsmyl2:

[Sig]

Out of those choices I'd vote Bullseye. I much prefer WST thou.

[garym1a2]

I use WST in 45acp and save by bullseye for 9mm and 40s&W.

[bhn22]

Hmmm, depending on bullet weight, 1500 rounds of 45 ACP would use almost exactly one lb of Green Dot. Or Bullseye, but not 231...

Green Dot!

[cbrick]

Pretty simple choice for me since the only one of the powders you listed that I have is 231.

Think I'd go ahead and use 231 in it.

Rick

[DR Owl Creek]

1st Choice: Unique
2nd Choice: W231
3rd Choice: See 1 & 2 above

Dave

[Pb2au]

Bullseye testing showed great promise for me.
I just acquired a pound of W231, but have no real experience with it yet, so I will not weigh in there.

[country gent]

I use 231 in 34 acp loads with 200 grn semi wadcutters on up. Its provided some very accurate loads for me. I started with it back in my bowling pin ipsic days and havent changed since.

[country gent]

OOOOPPPPS 45 acp. mis typed there

[Shooter6br]

Unique / Universal

[Bonz]

I load 45acp with LongShot (my favorite), Win231, BullsEye and recently Alliant's new powder, BE-86

[twc1964]

Unique is what i use most often but lately ive been using wsf in my loads. I find it really accurate with a 230tc. I recon that theres lots of good powders but these are my choices. Ymmv

[woodbutcher]

:smile: Personally.When I was reloading .38,.357 and 45acp I used 230 with very good results.
Good luck.Have fun.Be safe.
Leo

[M-Tecs]

Bullseye has been the choice for the 45 ACP for the past 102 years. Laflin & Rand introduced it in 1913. If it's not broke don't fix it.

[geargnasher]

231 ain't what it used to be when Winchester made it. The old stuff, 25+ years old, is good stuff. The new stuff, I've tried and tried to make it work once I used up my old stuff and I swear it's garbage. I gave up on it completely and went back to the classic powders that Alliant makes now, they haven't managed to screw them up....yet.

Gear

[ph4570]

Recently got back into 45 shooting. Had a full jug of Universal and have been using it with success. I have a 30 year old unopened pound of Bullseye and will give it a go. That is what I used in the past.

[MtGun44]

I believe that Bullseye was created specifically for the .45 ACP. Titegroup is a nearly
identical powder as far as grains versus velocity in this particular cartridge. Currently
working thru another 8 lbs of TG.

Bill

[gray wolf]

I like my powder like my woman, so I have to favor tight group.

WHAT ?? at 73 I can't care ?
http://ts2.mm.bing.net/th?id=HN.608034178333017189&pid=15.1&H=104&W=160 http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=HN.608005840142667288&pid=15.1&H=240&W=160

[geargnasher]

Are we having "random facebook" thread withdrawals?

Gear

[runfiverun]

well I got unique and titegroup too. [and a couple of others]

I have used titegroup in the past but it's a little snappy in the recoil area, and unique had a better more controllable recoil impulse.
I could see it was just a tick too slow in the 1911's I have, the powder was still burning when the cases were ejected.
so I figured something in the middle would be a bit more appropriate.
Dad used nothing but 231 forever and the 45 feels just about right with it, maybe just from shooting it for so long [shrug]
I have never tried bulls-eye in the 45 case.

keep e'm coming.
i'll probably use the groups vote to work up a load with,,,,, or just go with the green-dot. :lol:

[DukeInFlorida]

TITEGROUP is my choice for 45 acp, .40 S&W, and 9mm Luger

It wasn't one of the choices in the poll, so I didn't vote

[DoubleAdobe]

I used some AA #5 once just for the hell of it, went back to BE, though. Excellent powderage for daggum near everything I shoot.

[Echo]

My wad-gun wouldn't function reliably with the standard 3.5 grs of BE. When I went up to 3.6, reliability became 100%, and that was my load for many years of competition.

[GREENCOUNTYPETE]

Like so many polls / elections the option I would vote for is not on the ballot , for this I am going to write in my vote anything you can find , as long as it shoots , I just saw the first pound of BE I have seen in 2 years and I thought they wanted to much for it , probably the only reason it is still on the shelf

[MtGun44]

W231 is good, too. And you are exactly right that Unique is a touch too slow. Works OK for
230 gr but the velocity variation with a 200 SWC has to be seen to be believed. I have seen
10 shoot test on chrono show 125 fps variation with Unique and H&G 68 in a 1911!
But still very accurate, somehow. I use TG because it costs less per pound and uses
less per shot, is accurate and works well.

With a 200 gr SWC, use 5.6-5.9 of W231, depending on your chamber and what you are
trying to accomplish. These are IPSC major power factor loads from the old days. 5.9 is max.

Bill

[NC_JEFF]

Bullseye.
River what load are you considering with American Select?

[Cactus Farmer]

I'm fond of Blue Dot, about 10.5grns with the Speer 200 grn bucket hollow point. Blows jack rabbits into giblets. They just seem to loose all their togetherness.

[DCP]

700x is all I have ever used

[danthman114]

When it comes to pistols I use what ever I can get my hands on. Rifle on the other hand, very selective...

[alg3205]

There is another powder than Bullseye for 45 acp?

[Clay M]

Just found a big jug of N310 I bought some years back so I may be using it soon..
I have always used Unique because I keep a good bit of it on hand..

[jonp]

I picked for you to use up that 231 although I load my 45ACP with Promo.

[btroj]

Dude, you have a Red dot too, right? Use it. I would if I had that option.

[runfiverun]

American Select has a ton of load data available for it in hand gun applications, I have 8 pounds of it just sitting there.
I'm casting away for the 9mm right now [so it's next on the list] and I was thinking of trying the bulls-eye in it
[16 pounds] and possibly use the AM Select in the 41 mag and maybe the 357 for some target loads.

I like to put together a package of boolits, powder, brass, and primers for a particular load then set aside those components until the brass or lot of powder is used up.


so far I have everything that's been suggested but the VV-310.
powder supply isn't my problem, selection is..

[wv109323]

NRA Bullseye pistol shooters have burnt up more Bullseye than any of the others. The .45 ACP is pretty easy for load for.
Powders that I have had sucess with are: Bullseye, WW231, Clays, 700X, VV310,WST and Solo 1000. You can get accuracy with any of them.
The Marines use VV310 in their match loads.

[freebullet]

Lol, I should be asking you which powder!

I'd go Fer the green dot first because it is usually cheaper than others. I might make a work up with several powders and shoot them all the same day looking for any that stand out.

Barrel length might help decide, how long is it? I've used powder burn rates from red dot - hs6 in 45acp. Seems as if the longer barrels do get a little snappy with the fast powders.

[runfiverun]

whatever a mil-spec 45 acp is, 4" airc.
my black-hawk is 4-5/8.
I may add a Hi-point carbine at some point, the 9m one I have is a hoot.

yeah Brad.
I have red-dot it is the one powder I really would never be without.
green-dot is actually red-dot that turned out to be a slow lot of powder so they added green flakes.:lol:
it just happens to be the same burn rate as imr's P/B powder.

[RobS]

American Select is a great 45 acp powder. It burns clean, is lower smoke, and at about 4.5 grains you'll be a bit over 800fps with a 230 grain boolit.

[45 2.1]

well due to last years economic down-turn it seems I only have 1500 pieces of 45 acp brass to re-load this spring.
so the question is which powder to choose.

Lamar, you missed the best choice.............Unique.

[Bullwolf]

I voted for Bullseye. My choices in order of preference would be:

1. Bullseye - A very efficient powder, and proven accurate at most any 45 ACP weight range from 230 grains or less. An accurate powder choice with 200 grain H&G 68's too.

2. Unique - May not go quite as far as Bullseye does, but I really like Unique with the heavier weights (230 grains, or more) of 45 ACP. I don't like to use Unique with 185 grain or lighter 45 ACP boolits though.

3. Win 231 - Sometimes it works great for me, like with the 200 grain H&G 68 clones, other times it just doesn't. I loaded a silly amount of Win 231 commercially as it was my bosses favorite powder for darn near everything. We loaded and sold a commercial lubed lead H&G 68 copy, and a jacketed 230 grain 45 ACP boolit loaded with Win 231. I only warmed up to Win 231 powder with the 200 grain commercial H&G 68 boolits. W231 works, but was just "OK" in the 230 grain jacketed and plated boolits. I still prefer to use Bullseye or Unique, rather than Win 231 in that weight range.

4. Red Dot - Very similar to Bullseye in 45 ACP. If you can't easily get hold of Bullseye, dive into your shotgun stash of Red Dot or Promo, and try some out in 45 ACP, you might really like it.




- Bullwolf

[KYCaster]

Check out this burn rate chart:

http://www.reloadersnest.com/burnrates.asp

Anything up to about #78 (SR4756) can be used in 45ACP.

I've used......7,8,9,10,12,17,22,24,26,27,28,31,32,34,3 5, 37,38,40,41,43,44,46,49,51,52,57,58,62,63,64,66,68 ,75 and 76.

Naturally, some worked MUCH better than others....my point is; any reasonable choice can be made to work, so don't give up your 45 because you can't find your favorite powder.

Your American Select feels "snappy" because it's a fast burning powder, right up there with Clays and Accurate #2. By choosing a heavier boolit and slower powder or heavier boolit and lower velocity, you can make it feel a lot softer. With careful selection of boolit weight/powder speed/velocity, you can change the recoil impulse to suit you.

Best all around powders for 45ACP would be from #35 (WST) to #49 (Accurate #2). My go to powder is HP38/231, because it's so versatile....it works well in a wide variety of handgun loads. I won't be caught without it and always have a good supply on hand.

Not relevant to the discussion, just to explain the variety of powders I've used in 45ACP......I have been seriously involved in USPSA/IPSC handgun competition since 1982. For quite a few of those years, my former spouse (bless her lil' black heart) and my son were also shooting regularly. For about 10 years, I loaded about 1000 rounds of 45ACP each week.

Many of the matches we attended awarded prizes based on order of finish. By the time our names were called, the pickins were pretty slim, but I could usually find a pound or two of powder that nobody else wanted, or approach the guy who picked up the odd ball powder and offer him half the retail price. Didn't matter what the powder was, if it had any application in handgun loads, I'd load it in 45ACP or 38SPL. Still do it; yard sales, flea markets, swap meets.....when I see powder or primers I'll offer a trade or low ball price and usually come home with something I can use.

Anything to feed the habit.......
Jerry

Edit to add......
The reason I included SR4756 is.....at the 1999 USPSA national match, I met a guy who was shooting a 45ACP 1911 loaded with 320 gr. lead RNFP and SR4756. At that match I was shooting a 260 gr. RNFP with Hodgden Universal.

Like I said before, you can change boolit weight, powder speed and velocity to make the recoil impulse suit whatever you think is ideal. I've used everything from 155 gr. to 260 gr., including every option in between and I've found that it doesn't change my scores at all.

If you THINK it makes a difference, then it does.

[Someflyers]

I bought a can of 700X about a hundred years ago for loading trap loads. Had some 45 cases sitting around, so I loaded them up and shot some bunnies with it. That is all it has consumed since. 4.6-4.8gr with a 200gr LSWC.

Now that I'm thinking about it, I wish all the other guns in the safe would shoot the first hand loads as well right off the bat. Would have saved me lots of time, money, and grey hair!

[bobthenailer]

For many decades BE was my go to powder for 45 acp , but I switched to the now discontued WSL about 20 years ago with excellent results! still have about 1.5 lb of WSL left, when its gone ,ill use Tightgroup as accuracy is the same as BE and it keeps the gun cleaner inside & out.

[Cmm_3940]

ΙΜᎡ ΡΒ

[ole 5 hole group]

Bullseye is good, 231 is probably just as good but VV N310 and N320 are far better - so there you have it.;)

If you want to run 230 grain & 265 grain bullets at or over 950fps - then you will probably want to expand your VV line of powder to include N350.

[GhostHawk]

I said Bullseye, I'm actually using Red Dot and so far pretty happy with it.

Seems to be at least as accurate as factory loads, groups perhaps a touch smaller which is nice.
Recoil is a touch more managable. I'm a small guy and those factory .45acp rounds do scare me a mite and rock me a little.

The data I have says 5.3 grains max I used 4.5 behind a .452 228 grain plain base design.

[nagantguy]

I use 231 in 34 acp loads with 200 grn semi wadcutters on up. Its provided some very accurate loads for me. I started with it back in my bowling pin ipsic days and havent changed since.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who knows and loves the 34 acp, bullseye all the way for that wonderful round as well as .45acp.....

[runfiverun]

I'd love a 34 acp long I bet I could push a 135 gr boolit to 1200 fps. :lol:

[captaint]

Took a while, but r5r finally mentioned Red Dot. One of my fav's for the .45ACP. Titegroup is fun too.

[osteodoc08]

Love me some 231 cause that's what I was raised on. BE would be a good one though.

[daniel lawecki]

Since Clays would be #1 second choice now is Titegroup.

[runfiverun]

I'm trying not to use red-dot.
I gotta burn up some of this other powder, if I didn't have them kicking around I would go straight to the red-dot.



It looks like bullseye is the far and away favorite, with 231 being the second pick.
there is a lot of other good suggestions in the other posts and I think I have everything mentioned [except the VV powder] you guy's are making this harder.:lol:

[Saltner]

GM3 Nobel Sport and Nitrokemia Rex yellow for 200/230 grains
Nitrokemia Rex green for 240/252 grains

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Titegroup was my 45acp powder of choice for J-words, that was before I got into the castboolit scene. Anyway, about that time when I started casting my own (2010), I stumbled into a bunch of older, sealed 1lb Bullseye (paper type) canisters for $10 each at a gunshow...bought 'em all. So, that is the main reason why Bullseye is my new 45acp powder of choice. Works great in my Baby Eagle and Taurus PT24/7 ...I don't currently have a 1911.

[Kraschenbirn]

Of the choices offered, I'd go with Bullseye...burned a lot of it in softball loads back in my paper-punchin' days...but, today, my personal preferences would be Unique for 'serious' loads and 700X for 'softball'/plinkers.

Bill

[HeavyMetal]

Bullseye's been around a long long time and can shoot well, BUT, back in the 70's I tired of cleaning my gun every 20 rounds or so and started looking for a cleaner replacement for it.

requirements we simple: shoot as good as Bullseye loads and be cleaner!


tried most everything out there, bluedot, red dot, green dot, unique, PB. Most shot as well, Bluedot made lots of velocity but was a lot more per charge to use to get there so it got selected for SD loads, none really ran cleaner.

Then a guy who no longer writes for Handloader's reloading column suggested WW 452 AA, still have 5 pounds of it, and problem was solved. better accuracy than Bullseye and a ton cleaner to boot.

Today that has been "improved" and is now called WST ( winchester Super Target) it shoots just as well as the 452 AA and is just as clean. I think the imporvement was to help it's sensitivity to heat?? 452AA does not like hot primers either!

Federal or winchester standard primers work best with either of these powders and can routinely print 5 rounds touching at 25 yards in just about any series 70 or 80 Colt 1911.

[Certaindeaf]

So the question was what of your four usable powders to use? Get a Barbie doll and curl its hair.

[Shooternz]

I use 700X cause some one gave me 5lb, it works very well as accurate as anything else I've tried.

[flyer1]

Ya'll might laugh but, i have been using Accurate nitro 100 for the last 25 years. It is a flake powder that is a bit hard to meter. It burns very clean and goes a long way. It is more accurate than I am. I only shoot 230 gr fmj and lead.

[BD]

I'm into my last 6 lb jug of HPC-18, (surplus 231). It will be a cold dose of reality when I have to buy powder for the .45acp again. I don't suppose there's much out there for $6/lb these days :(

[runfiverun]

not even for 3 times that 6.00
I have been watching powder jump up over the last month or so.
8 pound rifle powders went from 169 to 189 [same jugs that hadn't sold yet]
and pistol powders went from 19.99 to 24.99 a pound. [and from 124 to 149 for an 8 lb jug]
I don't know what caused the price jump all at once maybe demand, maybe greed.

[bhn22]

I'm guessing you're right.

[firefly1957]

You gave us the choices, a few years ago i decided to start using up my OLD cans of powder i had 2 full pounds of Red Dot i used a lot of it in 38 Sp. and 45 acp it works great as it runs out i will be switching to Green Dot. It also works great and it usable in 20 gauge shotgun as well. I am loading Lee 1 oz. slugs (12Ga)in 1.75" shell roll crimped to 1.5 inch with Green Dot the loads shoot well the idea is increased magazine capacity. They give my pump 7 shots over 5 with 2 3/4 shells.

[Buzz64]

With a 200 gr Mihec - 5.1gr of HP-38. Guess you can put it down under the 231 option.

[runfiverun]

well I went and done the sensible thing.
I made up 50 of each powder at the same [book] velocity and went and shot them.

bulls-eye ehh not bad I think I'm gonna start using it in the 38 special with the 358477 though.
231- same old same old but I got some other uses for it too.

American select- now this wasn't a bad choice, I can see why it has so many applications listed in handgun loads.

I shot some of the unique loads I already have made up too.
but I can't get over it being just a touch too slow for my guns and seeing those sparks from the ejection port.

green-dot- I think this is the one I'm sticking with.
I tried 5.3grs with the 230 rn boolit and it was shooting just to the top of the front sight [actually about 50-50] at 25'
I moved back to the 25yd line and it was right where I like the gun to shoot.
the recoil is easily manageable and sight acquisition for a second shot is pretty quick.
I also threw some 200 gr swc's in the mix for the second round to confirm the load and they shot 100% using the same 5.3 grs. with a bit better accuracy than the rn's did.
and the Dillon just kept on throwing the same 5.3,5.3,5.3,5.3,5.4,5.3,5.4,5.3,5.3.
I'm happy, the guns are happy, and the wife even liked shooting this load.
I'm staying with this one until the whole 8 lbs are gone.

maybe..:lol:

anyway it's been interesting to see how many use the old stand- by's and some of the other than loads listed.
that sr-4756 load is one I might try with some 250gr boolits.
I have a couple of pounds of it I like to use in my 45 colt from time to time.

[smokeywolf]

Use mostly Bullseye for 45ACP. Unique works well, but as you pointed out it's a little slow for this cartridge.

Have always used Bullseye for 38 spl. and Unique for 45 LC.

[Lead Fred]

I use 800x, with the 230gr cast puts them out a 1911 ay 933fps, my Sig , 890fps (dang shorter barrel)

[10-x]

Unique, 30 + years, and yes I also use bulleye,but unique is, well unique.

[Certaindeaf]

Red dots approximate liberal tears most so it's best.

[bikerbeans]

700x for really slow 200 lswc and WST for upper end 230g lrn.

BB

[pworley1]

I will continue to use Unique until I run out, then move on to my Bullseye.

[yancey]

For my 45acp i have changed to W231 being the powder of choice. I used No. 5 for a long time but you can't find the stuff these days.
Oh !! Bullseye and Unique are ok too.

[Doggonekid]

As far as this poll goes I vote Bullseye. I used up the last of my old Bullseye about a month ago. It was so old it was I think a 11 oz square can you had to push down on the lid to release it and squeeze the sides of the lid to put it back on. My choice of power is limited to what I can get. Which isn't much. What I have in stock my choice is Unique.

[TXGunNut]

Can't recall last time I saw Green Dot around here, never tried it. Will score a few next time I see it for next time I need 45acp loads. I'd forgotten about the sparks from my old Unique loads; could be fun for a late afternoon/evening shoot.

[retread]

I use WST in 45acp and save by bullseye for 9mm and 40s&W.

^ that is my strategy also.

[Ron in PA]

1 st choice Unique
2 nd choice W231
3 rd choice Promo
Ron

[gwpercle]

This is assuming I can walk into my local shop and buy all of the powders listed on the poll , right?
If that's the fact jack, I'll go with Bullseye.
In truth I'm starting to scrounge, found a can of S&W / Alcan AL-5 powder in the back of supply closet, don't remember when I bought it but price tag is $2.00, going through older manuals and finding data so I've got some powder for now. Thank goodness I keep all my old manuals, they are coming in handy right now.
Gary

[freebullet]

I'm glad you found what works, so what do I win?

[Plate plinker]

Whatever shoots well and is the cheapest. Probably bullseye for that reason.

[runfiverun]

I'm glad you found what works, so what do I win?
I was kinda leaning towards the g-dot but wanted to see what others were using.

[freebullet]

I was kidding, I didn't think there was a prize. You did kind of win though by finding what performed for you.

[saphelps]

I use Unique since I was able to acquire 4 pounds last year. Haven't had the opportunity to land some bullseye to compare the two but have been happy with Unique so far.

[Le Loup Solitaire]

Bullseye, Red Dot, and Green Dot. All three have always worked well for me in autos and revolvers at 25 and 50 yards. LLS

[farmerjim]

I have only loaded 45 acp once so far. I used Herco, and it worked great.

[runfiverun]

I love Herco in my 357.
I think it's a bit slow for the 45 with normal boolit weights