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Tumtatty
06-11-2008, 11:22 PM
Just bought a SA Mil-spec 1911 and a Lee 2-Cavity Bullet Mold TL452-200-SWC

What's the best powder to use? I've used Green Dot for my Glock19. Will that work ok?

Thanks!

docone31
06-11-2008, 11:30 PM
I use Blue Dot. 10.0gns.
I have the same mold. My 1911s are really happy. No unburned grains, very little mess in the barrel, no slide issues, not much smoke, easy recoil, targets pretty well. I have had no issues with measuring it.
I like it.

DLCTEX
06-11-2008, 11:40 PM
Green Dot works great for 45 ACP. DALE

billyb
06-11-2008, 11:58 PM
i use 231 and bullseye. Bill

colbyjack
06-12-2008, 12:03 AM
i use clays 4.3 grains and a 200 grain SWC and seated to 1.253" mixed brass and cci 300 primers. it averages 10 shots 835 FPS out of my 1911 and S&W 625 thats a power factor of 167 major for IPSC. real clean powder, first one i used and havent tried anything else cause it works well for me. -chris

JIMinPHX
06-12-2008, 12:09 AM
I’ve had real good luck with 231 & Bullseye. I’ve also seen others have really good results from Tightgroup.

trickyasafox
06-12-2008, 12:14 AM
I like unique- but I use it for everything. I have better luck with warmer loads- less unburned powder

runfiverun
06-12-2008, 12:22 AM
i like titegroup for most pistols and revolvers
but if you got g-dot try it. i was using unique with cast in my 45 and it was good only went with t-group cause it metered better in my measure.

kooz
06-12-2008, 01:20 AM
231 and Bullseye is what I use most of the time.

Meatco1
06-12-2008, 01:21 AM
I've used AA452, WW231, Unique, and SR4756. All work well, though I have a slight preference for the Unique load.

Richard

azrednek
06-12-2008, 01:37 AM
4.0 grs of Bullseye with various cast boolits weighing apx 200 grs is the most accurate load I've put together in my 45 ACP revolvers. I've tried other powders but I have always gone back to Bullseye for the best results.

Boomer Mikey
06-12-2008, 02:44 AM
TITEGROUP™ As the name implies, this new spherical propellant was designed for accuracy. Because of the unique design, this powder provides flawless ignition with all types of primers including the lead-free versions. Unlike pistol powders of the past, powder position in large cases (45 Colt, 357 Magnum and others) has virtually no effect on velocity and performance. Cowboy Action, Bullseye and Combat Shooters should love this one! TITEGROUP has it all, low charge weight, clean burning, mild muzzle report and superb, uniform ballistics.

http://www.hodgdon.com/images/tg1b.jpg


My favorite "universal" pistol caliber powder... very close to Bullseye in burning rate but burns cleaner, 5 grains will get you 900 fps with a 200 grain SWC, 850 fps with a 230 RN, and 240 grain SWC's. Not position or primer sensitive... the only powder I've found that I can mix different brand primers with and see no significant difference in group size or velocity.

My "universal" rifle caliber powder is H4198.

Before Titegroup came along I would have said WW231, Bullseye or Unique.

Boomer :Fire:

Bass Ackward
06-12-2008, 06:20 AM
You can make anything work. Well, sorta.

The best powder in my guns is the one that works. And the problem there is that as the gun breaks in and moves through it's life cycle, what works best will change. The real problem is that it ain't always the one that you expect that to be. The one holers always burn dirty or cost too much to use. Some darn thing.

If you got GD, then use it. At some point you will try something else and you will get different results. IF that is better, you will cuss yourself wondering WHY oh WHY didn't I try this sooner. Then you will be diagnosed with Powder Changeitis.

If your lucky, your first change will be for the negative. Then you will go back to GD and stay there for a very long time. Then you don't have to mess with changing the powder thrower, wondering what's in this box or that. All in pursuit of that smaller group.

I see some guys that shoot something all their life. Their basements aren't as cluttered as mine. :grin: And they have more money for guns.

It's a terrible disease. :grin:

10-x
06-12-2008, 07:01 AM
Have used Unique and Bullseye with excellent results since the 70's.

Bass Ackwards has perhaps found the disease we all suffer from..........
"POWDER CHANGEITIS"
Maybe this forum contributes to the progression of this ailment?[smilie=1:

How bout ,"BOOLIT CHANGEITIS", "MOLD CHANGEITIS" on and on..........:drinks:
Regardless , be safe[./SIZE]

randyrat
06-12-2008, 07:13 AM
Just bought a SA Mil-spec 1911 and a Lee 2-Cavity Bullet Mold TL452-200-SWC

What's the best powder to use? I've used Green Dot for my Glock19. Will that work ok?

Thanks! Ever try a night fire with Green Dot or Unique and your Compact 9 G gun you'll have about 2" flash if you can't hit the PEEP you'll make him leave a trail and he will have to change his shorts for sure........... Dang good advice from all these guys.... I like that "Changeitis" Good one. I like 4 grs Red Dot lately.

lonewolf5347
06-12-2008, 08:07 AM
my mil spec runs 5.1 W231 with a 200 Grain SWC
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a380/lonewolf5347/new1911andduckpictures004.jpg

ChuckS1
06-12-2008, 08:11 AM
WST 3.8-4.2 grains

kir_kenix
06-12-2008, 11:52 AM
w231, bulseye, and titegroup are all winners. Bulseye usually gets the nod from me, however.

Cherokee
06-12-2008, 12:04 PM
I use/have used 231, WST, HS6, Unique, BlueDot. I don't believe there is one perfect powder for 45 ACP. Pick one and start by following the reloading manuals.

Tom W.
06-12-2008, 01:11 PM
I like Bullseye, Green Dot, Blue dot and even some Herco...

ForneyRider
06-12-2008, 01:28 PM
For 45 .ACP, I use W231 for light-normal loads and Power Pistol for medium-heavy loads. Power Pistol can do .45ACP +P, .45 Super and .460 Rowland loads.

You see/hear a lot of Bullseye, Tightgroup, Clays for precision shooting.

I might try one of those next.

jonk
06-12-2008, 01:41 PM
For jacketed I like .5cc of Red Dot. For cast I get better results with bullseye, .43cc.

Sorry for the cc rating as opposed to grains, I just know which settings on my auto disc I use.

Ricochet
06-12-2008, 02:21 PM
Nice thing about the .45 ACP is that just about any medium to fast pistol or shotgun powder will work fine, and even some of the slow ones will work acceptably if you don't mind leftover powder.

mtgrs737
06-12-2008, 03:09 PM
I have used both 231 and Unique without any problems and good performance, Green Dot should work well too. Give it a spin!

OBXPilgrim
06-12-2008, 05:45 PM
It would probably be a shorter list to ask which shotgun/pistol powders DON'T work well in 45ACP.

yondering
06-12-2008, 06:36 PM
Yeah, the ol' 45 ACP is pretty flexible as far as powder choice. I can't think of anything between Bullseye and 2400 that wouldn't work, if you wanted it to.

I use Bullseye for light (185 and 200gr) loads, Unique or Universal for 230gr hardball, and Power Pistol for +P loads. I really like Power Pistol for the hot loads, it meters well and easily duplicates the Hornady +P factory loads. My most accurate load is 5.7gr Universal with a 230gr cast RN.

Tumtatty
06-13-2008, 11:43 PM
Thanks for the help guys!

Doble Troble
06-14-2008, 08:10 PM
I buy Unique 8 lbs at a time so that I don't run out. It works for every pistol I have. It works for a lot of rifle loads with cast bullets. It works for shotgun shells - both slugs and shot.

If I met Unique's inventor I'd give him a kiss on the forehead. He has made my life less complicated.

If I meet the inventor of the cell phone I'm going to punch him/her.

For 45 ACP with 200 gr SWC I load 5.3 gr. It's not fast, it's not smoky, it's not hard to handle and does not lead my bore. It is accurate and will put big, wide and long holes in any thing it hits.

Hi-Performance Bullet Coatings
06-14-2008, 09:29 PM
Don't forget 700X and ReDot. American Select is also a good choice.

FieldShunt
06-14-2008, 09:40 PM
The .45ACP round was designed for the 1911 and was made with a powder we now call Bullseye. So, you sure won't go wrong with ol' BE.
It is a tad dirty, so it's modern replacements Winchester Super Target (WST) and Vihta Vuori N310 are my preferred powders.
Nearly always, it's WST for me.
WST is claimed to have a reduced report. It does- it's quieter. You'll shoot better with less noise.
Also, these three powders will give less recoil at the same power level than medium-speed powders like Unique.
Try it- I did.
I blind-loaded magazines for a couple of clubmates with alternating loads, using WST, VV310, VV320, 231, Unique, Titegroup, and VV340. All bullets were 230gr Rainers travelling at about 750fps, a nice "major" power level.
WST and 310 clearly recoiled less than all the other powders. Unique was noticeably worse. Titegroup was the same as Unique.
The 340 stuff was absolutely the worst, loud, kicking and shoving, slow sight pickup, and blasty. And it was 15fps slower than the WST load.
340's relegated to .357 magnum mid-upper-level loads for me, although 350 does a nicer job with less pressure worries.
WST: pleasant to shoot and quiet, and cheap to boot.
Bill

Ricochet
06-14-2008, 10:28 PM
Yep, Bullseye's the gold standard.

I'm using up a bottle of Nitro 100. A little of that goes a long way. When I get done with that, I've got a big jug of surplus #2. If I live long enough to get through that, maybe Promo'll still be around.