.45acp powder recommends request

[petem]

I want to work up a load for my 1911 5" using 200gn cast flatpoints from the Lee 90234 mold. I'm planning at this point a 4-6% antimony 1-2% tin alloy with powdercoating (subject to change). My desired target is 1000-1050fps. My request is for recommendations of a clean burning powder. I'm looking more for minute of charging critter accuracy than anything else. Did I leave out any critical details?

Thanks in advance.

[kevmc]

:popcorn:
Starting to load cast for my .45 also/////

[Yodogsandman]

petem, welcome to the site!

"a charging critter", huh? That sounds like you need some pretty accurate ammo!

I've been using 4.2 gr Bullseye with 200 grainers for real good accuracy but, I have a lot more load development to do. That's only good for about 750 FPS, though.

It might be more important to get lots of practice with whatever powder you do choose.

[Victor N TN]

There are many loads for the acp. I have used about every powder and bullet combination. BUT for the cleanest shots use Vithavouri (?) N-340. With my hard cast 230 grain H&G, 5.7 grains will speed it up to 880 fps out of my 1911 with a 5" barrel.

This is without a doubt the CLEANEST burning powder I've ever used in the almost 200,000 rounds of 45acp I've loaded and shot. I got tired of having to clean the pistol between relays at matches. Bullseye and Unique are good powders for economy. But like I said... they get nasty. But a lot depends on the bullet and crimp as well.

Good luck.

[reed1911]

Power Pistol! 6.5 start by the book, but I'd start at 7.0, 8.8 is max for standard .45ACP pressure. Meters very well. Burns VERY clean.

[waksupi]

Use the search box, you will find more suggestions than you can read in a day!

[Larry Gibson]

Classic 1000 - 1050 fps load in the 45 ACP with 195 - 205 gr cast bullets is 7.5 gr Unique. Always works. I have pressure tested that load (M43 Oehler PBL with Contender test barrel) and it is well within the 21,000 psi MAP for the 45 ACP even with jacketed 200 gr bullets.

Larry Gibson

[Char-Gar]

I have over 50 years experience loading cast bullets in 45 ACP for use in the 1911 pistol and here are my top three powder recommendations in order of preference;

1. Bullseye
2. Bullseye
3. Bullseye

When you are done shooting, wash your hands and clean your pistol, as we have done for over 100 years.

[RobS]

I would work some of the slower powders to keep pressures down. Longshot, WSF, HS-6 and Power Pistol are older powders and the newer generation powders Alliant's BE-86 or CFE Pistol. I've used BE-86 with 230 grain HP's and it's a really good powder.

[Motor]

Bullseye or Unique. You'll use less Bullseye.

Motor

[Outpost75]

If you want a CLEAN burning powder, which leaves minimal residue in either the gun or brass, WST is the clear winner.

However, you are not going to get 1000 fps within standard pressure with a 200-grain bullet.

Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook, 4th Edition (2010) on p.277 maxes out at 4.9 grains for 840 fps with #452630, similar to H&G68.

I load 5 grains in Federal NT small primer pocket brass with WSP primers and get 855 fps from my gun.

Very accurate and satisfactory.

[quilbilly]

4.6 gr of Bullseye and the same boolit here for both my T/C 10" barrel (1070 fps) and my Ruger Blackhawk (930 fps).

[Artful]

I used to use Bullseye for light bullets and Unique for 230 and above but due to current state of component availability I had to look around for alternatives.

I went in a group buy of XTR7 powder - and it's working well, burns reliably use Titegroup data as just a little slower, clean burning, price has been reasonable.

Reloading Data
http://www.hyattgunstore.com/images/newsletter/loading_data_ETR7_Exp_Ind.pdf

I'm using 230 RN plated Berry's right now with 5.3 grn of powder - Cartridge OAL 1.259" - CCI 300 LPP

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?268571-Expansion-Industries

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?291792-ETR7-now-in-stock-head-s-up

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?293145-ETR7-Load-Data

[MT Chambers]

Depending on the size of your "charging critter", but if it's big and mean and on 4 legs, I'd use a bigger round such as .41 Mag., .44 Mag., .45 Colt's, or bigger.

[bullet maker 57]

I use 231.

[C. Latch]

There are 40, maybe 50 commercially available powders that will work well in the .45 ACP. It is quite literally the easiest cartridge to feed, ever.

What powders do you have access to? That's the question you need to start with.

[Pumpkinheaver]

In my opinion it's hard to beat bullseye in the good old .45acp. If I could just find some!!!!

[Larry Gibson]

The OP is not asking for the "best powder" or what we like or use for use in the 45 ACP. I agree with most and use Bullseye myself for my standard loads.

The OP wants 1000 - 1050 fps with a 200 gr cast bullet out of his M1911. Using Bullseye for that, or WST or 231 for that matter, is going to get pretty dicey pressure wise. We might best think about what the OP wants and is asking before we throw out simply what we like or are using that doesn't answer the OP's question. Just saying is all........

Larry Gibson

[Tom W.]

As is usually mentioned, read a few loading manuals....Don't blow your handgun up.

[jgh4445]

Just finished some range work today. Had pretty good accuracy from 6 gr of 231 under a 200 gr cast wadcutter (WW). 5" S&W 1911. Didn't experience any pressure signs at all, but I'd work up to it. OH...don't think it was in the 1000fps ball park.

[osteodoc08]

155487VV powders are by design, quite clean and have been some of the cleanest I have ever used, but tend to be pricier and I've only used VV powder to try in the past.

A combination of cleanliness and speed are not hard to achieve. I'd recommend BE-86 powder from Alliant. It can be used in a host of different calibers, is quite clean and has added flash suppressant as well.

[bangerjim]

ETR7 is the cleanest burning easiest loading powder I have ever used. Also the most economical these days!

http://expansion-industries.com/reloading/powder/pistol-powder/etr7-smokeless-pistol-powder-4lb.html

The have published load data for 45ACP which I have used very successfully in the past.

I use it for ALL my pistol loads these days.

[RobS]

The OP is not asking for the "best powder" or what we like or use for use in the 45 ACP. I agree with most and use Bullseye myself for my standard loads.

The OP wants 1000 - 1050 fps with a 200 gr cast bullet out of his M1911. Using Bullseye for that, or WST or 231 for that matter, is going to get pretty dicey pressure wise. We might best think about what the OP wants and is asking before we throw out simply what we like or are using that doesn't answer the OP's question. Just saying is all........

Larry Gibson


Yep, for sure. Why I suggested in post #9 to use the slower burning powders for this caliber.

[Shiloh]

Bullseye and Unique. Mostly Bullseye.


Shiloh

[jonp]

Driving a 200gr 1,000fps+ from a 1911 is going to be tough with std powders and stay within pressure specs i think.

[Blackwater]

You've received some good advice here, particularly about not getting 1000+ fps. from a fast burning powder. The comments about VV powders being clean is supported in my experience as well. As mentioned, there are probably 50 powders that can give really good results in the .45 with 200 gr. LSWC's, but there are few who'll give 1000 fps. That's the problem you're up against.

The two that come to mind are Unique and CFE Pistol, but I haven't used any CFE in it yet, so can give no testimonials on that. On Unique, though, I've shot a ton in my time, and that's not all that far from being true, too literally. Long ago, I found 700X gave good lighter loads, but Unique left absolutely nothing to be desired for the heavier loads. Unique is, as the name indicates, a very "unique" powder. No other powder of my acquaintance covers as many bases as Unique. Its formulation seems to make it burn well at low, med and high pressures, up to a point of course. It won't give top velocity in ctgs. like .357 and .44 mags, but it sure does a good job for med. vel. loads even there. It's definitely the most versatile powder I've ever found, for sure. Good luck finding some now, though.

And that touches on the biggest problem you're likely to encounter - FINDING what you want. In lieu of that, just get whatever you can, and try to get 1 or 2 lbs. of whatever you can FIND, and see how it works. If you want warmish loads, just use the max. listed charge, and accept a tad less velocity than your aim is for right now. It'd be a VERY rare day if your target could tell the difference, I assure you. Then, when you can, get an 8 lb'er of Unique, and you'll be set for a good while.

As to accuracy, that's probably more a function of our loading techniques than it is on what powder we choose in the .45, usually, and I'd recommend crimping as a separate and final step if you want good, reliable reloads. It DOES make a difference, and eliminates the tiny little pushed up ring of lead that seating and crimping in the same step usually yield. Those tiny little rings may seem insignificant, and they are ... for a while. But they'll accumulate and plate themselves to the front of your chamber and cause failures to fully close relatively quickly. This ain't good if you plan on stopping charging anything with your gun and loads. Just a lil' tip to help you survive. Too many people are in too big a hurry to load their ammo, and that's one of the reasons many recommend factory loads for self defense. Assemble your reloads with judgment and care, and they'll serve you at least as well as factory loads. I like them better because I KNOW what's in them - every single one I chamber. I find that reassuring. YMMV, of course.

[zomby woof]

WST, Red Dot, PP, 231 BE the list goes on and on. Almost all pistol powders will show a load for 45 acp. The 1000+ target is a little fast for my taste with a 200. Good luck

[clum553946]

Lyman cast manual sez HS6 will get you there

[DerekP Houston]

well I don't have a chrono so YMMV. Just tested my 45 ACP loaded with blue dot (200gr HP w/ 9.5gr). Felt like a damn cannon, but point of impact was dead on with sights and no excessive pressure signs. Wasn't a planned powder just ended up with some and trying to find a use for it.

[daniel lawecki]

There are many good powders for the .45 acp. with that said I've use Clays, 231, Bullseye, and now I'm using Titegoup. Clays was my cleanest burning powder I like Titegroup and have been shooting thousands and thousands of rounds with it. But my favorite bullet is a cast 200 grain SWC. Check Hodgdon web site they have great info. Oh and welcome to the forum.[smilie=s:

[funnyjim014]

I use 231 and BE for normal target loads. Just tried cfe for the first time in 9mm. Give it a look, print clean and seemed consistent

[BrassFinger]

I can't add any help to the 1,000 fps goal, but for "clean" recommendations I've been having great luck with Ramshot Competition. The local shop had some for ~$26/lb. and my Bullseye was getting a little low so I thought I'd give it a try. 4.0 gr. with 230 RNL and 4.2 with 201 LSWC (RCBS moulds) using the published data works very well, no unburned powder, very little smoke, and accuracy better than I am capable of.

What is unusual is that this powder is not the usual black/grey color. It's a light tan, almost translucent color, so I'm guessing that graphite isn't used as a coating/inhibitor on it like all the usual powders I have used so far.

Chris

[c1skout]

I'd have to go look at my notebook to be sure, but I was shooting that boolit and a H&G68 clone at about those speeds with Accurate #7 powder. I don't remember it being dirty compared to my usual W231.

[mongoose33]

I use WST in my .45 ACP. About 5.0 grains seems to do the trick w/ 200gr powder coated boolits.

[DrCaveman]

I can't add any help to the 1,000 fps goal, but for "clean" recommendations I've been having great luck with Ramshot Competition. The local shop had some for ~$26/lb. and my Bullseye was getting a little low so I thought I'd give it a try. 4.0 gr. with 230 RNL and 4.2 with 201 LSWC (RCBS moulds) using the published data works very well, no unburned powder, very little smoke, and accuracy better than I am capable of.

What is unusual is that this powder is not the usual black/grey color. It's a light tan, almost translucent color, so I'm guessing that graphite isn't used as a coating/inhibitor on it like all the usual powders I have used so far.

Chris

Ill second the cleanliness of ramshot competition. The velocity ceiling seems pretty real, though... I pushed beyond the book loads with 200 gr h&g68, and did not see much velocity increase but experienced worse accuracy. The few that i shot seemed beyond the sweet spot for the powder.

I am with the unique recommendation, and i figured i would throw sr4756 into the discussion. Ive not done any heavy load testing with it in the 45 acp, but it offered impressive loads from 9mm and 38 spl where ive tried it. Problem of course is finding any sr4756.

Accurate #7 might be worth trying too

[Horseman1]

The trick is getting that kind of velocity out of that bullet in a 45 auto and not exceed pressure limits. Hodgdon's web site has data for cfe pistol that would get us into the ballpark and I have seen that powder available recently. I usually choose a bit faster powder for my 45 auto loads. I have used cfe pistol in 9mm with good results.

[Shiloh]

Driving a 200gr 1,000fps+ from a 1911 is going to be tough with std powders and stay within pressure specs i think.

My best accuracy and recoil management comes around 800 fps or so. Is there a reason you want to take them to 1000fps.??

Shiloh

[Mark454]

For +p loads I've used HS6, but only in +p or 45 super brass. It will get you what you want but I suggest going up a few lbs on your recoil spring if you plan to shoot alot of these.

I cast the Lee 200rf as well. Love it. I load it over 4gr of clays and call it a day. Super accurate and you can Barely even tell the guns been shot. Only runs about 850 though...

[therealhitman]

Bullseye meters well but is dirty and has sharp recoil impulse IMO. 231 was my standby for years of plate and IPSC shooting with a softer recoil at like velocities. But WST is a great metering powder, clean as it gets and is my go to .45acp powder for the last few years. 700X is also a clean fast burner and may be better for faster loadings than my match shooting loads. Really 700x is great for almost everyrhing below magnum loads and I've even used it in light .223 loads, it just doesn't meter that well compared to WST, WSF or Bullseye.