whats your go to powder 45 ACP

[LUCKYDAWG13]

just thought i would ask you whats your go to powder
for 45 ACP i like to use Bullseye. under a 225gr castboolit
looking to see what else to try

[justing]

i like win231 under a 230gr boolit
i like the same load for 45 auto rim

[rexherring]

My three are BE, HP-38/W231, or AA#5. I've also used 700X and Unique with good results.

[sparky45]

I'm loading what I have, Red Dot and Green Dot and so far I really like them.

[ole 5 hole group]

One thing with the 45ACP, it shoots well with about anything you feed it. You can't go wrong with using Bullseye, WW231, VV310 or VV320.

[GRUMPA]

Only 2 types I use in mine, Bullseye and 540

[Rodfac]

Winchester 231 or HP 38...WST will do as well. Rod

[PbHurler]

I Like VV N310 with 200gr SWC's, VV N320 with 230gr RN's

[ACrowe25]

w231, first one I tried and no reason to change...

[Potsy]

I shoot H-Universal pretty much exclusively in my Kimber. My Kimber with 200's and 230's likes it as does my .45 Colt and my .44 Special. Makes it kinda handy.
Though admittedly, most folks that are real serious ACP fanatics seem to tend to burn faster fuel.

[mainiac]

currently, my favorite is 700x,,,next best is a tie,between 231 and bullseye.....

[Three-Fifty-Seven]

,,,,,,,,

[HATCH]

I use unique for almost everything.

[Adam10mm]

I only use WSF in the .45 ACP. I cast Lee's 230gr TC and load it with 6.0gr of WSF set to 1.185" OAL for a velocity of 849fps.

It's right in the sweet spot of burn rates along with Unique, #5, HS6. HS6 can be finicky with its pressure curve, #5 has a low powder density so it's not an economical powder. It boiled down to Unique versus WSF. I got the same velocities with about the same powder charges. The only thing going for WSF over Unique is it meters better. If I didn't care so much about powder charge accuracy, I'd choose Unique. It's also the most affordable.

[btroj]

I have a bunch of Clays so guess what I am using?

I have a bunch of HP38 waiting to go into service when the Clays is gone.

Is there a wrong answer?

[35remington]

I don't think there's a wrong answer........save for some of the Lyman reloading data printed above.

Stay a long, long, long ways away from the maximum load of 7.3 grains of Unique and the 225 Lyman RN published in their data. Not only does it get a whole lot more velocity than they suggest, they also are not aware of same, having published that same load for way too long.

The data for Red Dot gets a lot more velocity than they state in several different 1911 pistols, so be advised if you want circa 830 fps velocities that your charge will be notably lower.

I truly respect and recommend Lyman's loading books, but I have long counseled that the Unique/Lyman 452374 data is in error as to the allowable upper limit. These would be past plus P velocity.

[LUCKYDAWG13]

looks like the 45 ACP isn't a picky round to load for my LGS has a lot of
red dot in stock looks like i may have to try some of that

[imashooter2]

You're already using my go to powder, but Clays is good too.

[Case Stuffer]

As an idivdual I used BullsEye and Unique for years but when I started a sideline reloading business years ago I went to WW-231 and used it for .45ACP,9MM,.38Spec. and .357. Perhaps not the best but works well and used by a lot of comerical reloaders or at least was . WW-231 was hard to come by recently so switched to HS-6 and seems OK but does require about 25% more so a little more expensive.

Note the 25% more comment should not be taken as a suggested guideline.

[mainiac]

I don't think there's a wrong answer........save for some of the Lyman reloading data printed above.

Stay a long, long, long ways away from the maximum load of 7.3 grains of Unique and the 225 Lyman RN published in their data. Not only does it get a whole lot more velocity than they suggest, they also are not aware of same, having published that same load for way too long.

The data for Red Dot gets a lot more velocity than they state in several different 1911 pistols, so be advised if you want circa 830 fps velocities that your charge will be notably lower.

I truly respect and recommend Lyman's loading books, but I have long counseled that the Unique/Lyman 452374 data is in error as to the allowable upper limit. These would be past plus P velocity.

You aint kiddin!!!!!!!! Im new to the 45acp,,so i have been shooting about 800 rounds,trying different loads in my ruger 1911.. I used lymans loads with unique and the 452460. I started low,and up i went.When i got to the max listed load of unique,the gun hurt my hand,,and it threw my cases about 15 feet away. Turned my ruger into a different breed of cat!!! Im not going there again,,,,nope.....

[35remington]

That's plenty of Unique even with the 200 grain Lyman 452460 SWC (7.3 grains). Rather too much, as velocities exceed 1150 fps. It's way too much with the 225 grain 452374.

[EMC45]

For that gr. range of bullet I like 4.5gr. Bullseye.

[bobthenailer]

For years i used Bullseye with no problems then i found WSL (winchester super light) im really happy with this powder in the 45 acp but im almost down to the bottom of the 8lb keg and its sadly now disconued .
For other cartradges that ive previously been using BE in ive switched to Tightgroup powder about 15 years ago with excellant accuracy and alot cleaner gun. when the WSL is gone i will use TG in my 45 acp loads .

[Mk42gunner]

Most of my .45 ACP loads have been assembled with W231 and a 200 gr SWC, currently the Lyman 452460.

Robert

[freebullet]

Hs-6 work great 4 me. I'm sure any listed would do fine

[Dale53]

I am a .45 ACP fan. A couple of years ago, I attended the Louisville, KY NRA Convention. I had decided to clean out my powder cabinet and use all of the odds and ends up. I was about at the end and decided to buy a quantity of powder for the .45 's. I had long used Bullseye, Unique, PB, and 5066 (obsolete but a DANDY powder). Taking advantage of my being at the Convention, I talked to the tech's at Hodgdon Powder. I told them what I had in mind and they suggested QUICKLY that I try Titegroup (the Tech was a .45 Competitor). I bought an eight pound caddy and have been very happy with it. It measures very well, and is considerably cleaner than Bullseye. Further, it works well in the light target loads that I am currently using (4.0 grs of Titegroup behind a MP mold for the H&G #68). This is similar to the classic load of Bullseye in similar quantities with better measuring and cleaner results.

Further, Titegroup allows you to load this cartridge up to full power for varmint use. While their may be better powders for a specific use in the .45 ACP, I am more than happy with my results. I have shot well over 100,000 rounds of .45 ACP and .45 Auto Rim and this is now my current favorite.

FWIW
Dale53

[Blammer]

Bluedot for me, and WW231 as I have 10 lbs of both... :)

[BD]

I really like Titegroup in the .45 acp and have shot up 16 lbs of it along the way with great results. It's very versatile, meters well and fills the case enough to prevent double charges. I plan to go back to it when my current lot of HPC-18, (surplus 231), runs out.
BD

[LUCKYDAWG13]

thank you all

[jonp]

Used to be Unique as I used that for several calibers. I've tried bullseye, 231 and Universal with good results but ran into 8lbs of Promo at a great price and have had great results. I'm going to say that for plinking/target I'd go with Promo or Unique but for faster loadings 231.
I should note that after reading an excellent article by bill wilson on lighter 45acp's i've gone to 200gr boolits for use in my plastic kahr's

[Bwana]

My 45 ACP load is 4.5gr of Tite Group with a 230 gr rn.

[RobS]

I'm an odd ball here with reloading 45 Auto. I use Herco with 230 grain boolits. I also use Herco in my mid Ruger 45 Colt and 454 Casull loads with 300 grainers so it's why I lean the Herco direction. If it weren't for the 45 caliber revolver loads I would use Green Dot exclusively for 45 Auto work. The powder is a kept secrete I think with lighter recoil for compatible velocities versus other powders.

[km101]

Unique has been my go-to powder for more than 25 years. It's dirty but it works great. The .45acp wil digest almost anything that you feed it, so many of the popular powders will work fine. Find one that you like and fine tune it.

[tacklebury]

Unique and bullseye

[retread]

I go with the Titegroup. 4.6 gr. with 230gr. I was using Bullseye and Unique. The Titegroup did what the name says, it tightened up my group and markedly.

[gandydancer]

I like the ol Bull's eye and unique.for about 30 years. I tried others. always go back to them two. GD

[HDS]

I've used N320, N32C and I am considering N310 now, it's the fastest VV powder and people say it's great for precision and low recoil.

5gr of N320 is what I am currently shooting over a 200gr SWC, does fine in my 1911. Used to do the same with N32C, a milder load but too mild, not enough seal so it dirtied the gun up, considering trying 5.5gr...

[Lefty SRH]

3.8gr of CLAYS under a Lyman 452374 boolit with OAL of 1.300". It's for my S&W 625 JM

[davegalesr]

I use 4.0 gr of Clays with a 200 gr cast SWC for my 1911 - shoots straight and clean.

[Sax.45]

Bulls eye, and unique...Tried and true.

[MtGun44]

Titegroup is my first choice for the last 10 yrs, prior to that Bullseye and Win231/HP38
held sway at various times, largely controlled by something being on sale or a deal
at a gun show. Unique works fine and is accurate, but has amazingly large velocity
variation, but fortunately with no concomitant variation in point of impact. Like 125 fps
extreme spread with 200 SWC. It gets much better with 230 gr boolits and a very firm
crimp. Unique - a real favorite - and very accurate, appears to be just a hair too slow to be
optimum, but still works fine.

Can't make full power with 230 gr boolits within the pressure limits of the .45 ACP
with Clays, for less than full power loads, a great choice and extremely clean burning.

Bill

[Hunter]

My favorite powder for the .45 Automatic is Unique.

[jonp]

I don't think there's a wrong answer........save for some of the Lyman reloading data printed above.

Stay a long, long, long ways away from the maximum load of 7.3 grains of Unique and the 225 Lyman RN published in their data. Not only does it get a whole lot more velocity than they suggest, they also are not aware of same, having published that same load for way too long.

The data for Red Dot gets a lot more velocity than they state in several different 1911 pistols, so be advised if you want circa 830 fps velocities that your charge will be notably lower.

I truly respect and recommend Lyman's loading books, but I have long counseled that the Unique/Lyman 452374 data is in error as to the allowable upper limit. These would be past plus P velocity.
I'm glad you posted this. I started working up Loads with a Sprinfield v-10 a few years ago and when I got near 7grs I noticed the recoil getting...rather violent. I stopped there and thot maybe it was just me. the cases were flung into next week

[practical_man]

just thought i would ask you whats your go to powder
for 45 ACP i like to use Bullseye. under a 225gr castboolit
looking to see what else to try

Bullseye is a fine powder for this bullet. I use 3.7 to 3.9 grains of Clays for my target load. I also use a bunch of Winchester 231 because I use it in other calibers. Titegroup will work fine but it smokes to high heaven with cast bullets. It is also a little spikey about pressure. Solo 1000 also works great for this and many other calibers.

If I could only have one pistol powder for target loads it would be Winchester 231. If I could have two, I would add Unique for 44 special and heavy 35 caliber pistol loads.

The reason I use clays in the 45 is that I shoot a bunch of it in 12 gauge so it is always on the bench. It is highly accurate at 50 yards, less than 2" groups from my 1911.

-john

[stubshaft]

5.2 Red Dot behind a 200gr SWC

[dougader]

I've been using W231 for years in 45 auto with cast bullets. If I want higher velocity I turn to Blue Dot. When those are gone I have Universal to play with, and I'd like to try Power Pistol, Longshot and True Blue as replacements for my old Hercules Blue Dot.

[dudits]

win231 or bullseye

[Grandpas50AE]

SR4756. I have tried a lot of powders for .45ACP over the past 40 years, and always end up coming back to SR4756. I load to mid-range performance, which is what SR4756 is good at, so that's my favorite.

[Artful]

Well, I've tried 700x, 231, Bullseye, Red-Dot, Unique, WSF, AA#5

Of those I've used Red-Dot most for light bullets (180-200) and Unique for heavy bullets (225 up to 255 grn)

Both work really well in my guns. Your mileage may vary - each gun is a law unto itself.

[nouseforaname1246]

I like bullseye. Its super cheap and while its kind of dirty, its a very soft fouling and easy to clean.

[Reverend Al]

When I bought my Series 70 Colt Government Model brand new in the box in 1979 (JUST pre-80's series thank goodness!) we fitted it up with a BarSto SS match barrel with a solid bushing and it's had 90,000 + cast loads through it over the years. (Probably hasn't fired more than about 500 J Words in it's life!) Most of them were loaded with W231 with a hand cast 200 grain SWC although I've used nearly every other suitable powder that I've had on had at one time or another. All varieties of powders seemed to work well and the gun still shoots WAY better than I can hold it with nearly any load or bullet! I tried Red Dot, 700X, Bullseye, Green Dot, Unique, HP38, and many others that are obsolete and gone these days, but I always seemed to come back around to W231 in the end ...

[j_dude77]

Bullseye and Unique.

[skeet1]

Unique is just that, Unique!

Ken

[Kull]

Vihtavuori N320 is hands down my favorite.

[Artful]

VV N320 burns really clean - but I have not tried it except in subsonic rifle rounds.

[nagantguy]

I have never looked any farther than 5 grains of bullseye under a 230 case boolit. Very accurate and low deviation. A little dirty maybe but just insures I clean my gun more often.

[khmer6]

Between unique and titegroup cheap plinking

[mainiac]

Ive narrowed my powder choices down to 2. reddot for 6-750 f.p.s.,,and 231 for wide open speed.
Both these powders shoot the tightest,most consistant groups,so far.BTW,,with a #68 copy, or the 452460.

[DEVERS454]

I vote for either W231 or Bullseye. Both will do 830fps with the lee 225gr TC or the 230gr RN TL boolits out of my 1911 and Ruger P90.

I don't even water quench my subsonic boolits these days.. Leading had been a thing of the past since I quit bad habits.

[lylejb]

last night I was firing 4.8gr of American Select with 200gr 68 clone. Shows promise, but I wouldn't call it "ultra clean" as the label says. It is much cleaner than BE /Unique, however.

It seems interesting to me that so many call out 231. I've had the same can of it for 20 years. While it does go bang in most everything, it's never really seems to be the best in anything. I've tried 45 acp, 38/ 357, 44 spl / mag. funny how that works sometimes.

[USSR]

Solo 1000 also works great for this and many other calibers.

+1.

Don

[mainiac]

231 shoots sweet in my .45. This is almost blasphemy to say,but bullseye dont shoot near as well as red dot in my gun. And tight group shoots nothing but big glob groups for me..

This is what makes reloading so enjoyable to me,,the experimenting.Just like cooking!!!

[dirtrooster]

red dot and 700X

[km101]

The great thing about the .45acp is that it shoots almost any powder with good results.

My two favorites are Unique and 231. They also happen to be what I have the most of right now.

[Coonazz]

Titegroup, 231, Unique and red dot. My 625 isn't a picky eater!

[Three Bears]

Try different kinds.... Back to Unique for .38 Spec to 45-70

[Nose Dive]

H110 to hunt and Unique for fun.

Nose Dive

Cheap, Fast, Good. Kindly pick two.

[Reloader06]

H-110?? Wow.

My faves are TiteGroup, WAP(Silhouette), AA#2, Blue Dot. From 155 grn to 260 grn.


Matt

[got_lead?]

4.3 grains of titegroup under a 200 gn rnfp cast. Gives about 840fps and 1.5 in h groups.

[MtGun44]

H110 in .45 ACP???????????????????

Are you kidding?

I just verified that Hodgdon does not list any data for H110 in .45 ACP.
Wildly inappropriate burn speed and not a powder to use in lower
velocity/pressure applications.

Bill

[Lloyd Smale]

other then a few match loads that certian guns like with bullseye all ive loaded in the acp in the last 10 years is pr200 (surplus aa2). I still have 25lbs of it. AA2 is a great powder in the acp. its clean and accurate. Like i said ive got a couple guns with a couple loads that prefer bullseye and if im shooting in actual competition ill use those loads but for 99 percent of my 45acp, 40sw and 9mm use i use pr200

[ColColt]

Depends on the bullet but 231, Universal Clays and HS-6.

[Clay M]

I use Unique because I have a bunch of it , but it does lead some and there are better powders I am sure.

[Love Life]

Whatever works the slide and is with a couple inches of where I want to hit, to be honest with you.

Back when I started reloading I was in the "Try every powder possible" stage, so I ended up with a bunch of 1 lb bottles of different powders. So what I do now is I find a load that functions and is accurate. Then I load and shoot until that powder is gone. Once it is gone I move to the next powder and so on and so forth. Once I finally burn through the last 5 different 1 lbers I have I can start using up my 8 lb jugs of unique.

[nvald1982]

a lot of my friends like unique

[nvald1982]

for 45 acp

[GT27]

5.0 grains of Titegroup/230 grain Lee RN (90351)

[LuvMy1911]

My favorite (of R.dot, clays, w-231, unique, and Bullseye) has been Unique because I aways had/ or could get some... or W-231 when I could get it (seems much easier to measure via a dispensor?)

I've seen others on the forum mention (if I recall correctly) that HP-38 is very similar??? Can someone please confirm/correct me on this one? (I LOVE W-231, but it's hard to find in 4/8lb cans around here!)

I'd try the Hodgdon's if it meters like the W-231!

[Kull]

231/HP-38 are the same thing as far as I'm aware.

[firefly1957]

Red dot 5.0 grs. it works quite well and since i have a bunch of old stuff on hand...... That load is for about any bullet from 180-230 lead or jacketed some books have it as to hot others not it works well for me. (My Lyman book goes to 5.5 grs under a 230 gr FMJ with safe pressures listed)

[jonp]

H110 to hunt and Unique for fun.

Nose Dive

Cheap, Fast, Good. Kindly pick two.
Your using H110 in a blachawk convertable, right? Never entered my mind to try it in an auto and I cant think the results would be that great

[jonp]

Since my original post i've tried different loadings for my 45acp with 231, universal, unique and promo. I've settled into 4.4 - 4.6gr Promo under a 200gr boolit. Nice recoil, not too dirty and fairly accurate for me. Plus I have 8lbs of Promo. Been using it in my 45lc also for lite loads and the jury is still out on that one

[wvmanchu]

4.0 gr Bullseye under a Lyman 452488 195gr Boolit.

[mtgrs737]

The faster powders are what I use for 45 acp. W231/HP38, Red Dot, Green Dot, and Bullseye are my favorites with cast. All these powders will meter fine with 231 being great, but as a trap shooter I have lots of Red Dot, Green Dot powder bought at the best high volume pricing. When I can, I like to support American companies who employ Americans.

[375RUGER]

700X is the powder. I also use Universal and W231.

[tfreeman1911]

I've used a few different powders under 225gr ball:
Red Dot from 4.8-5.0gr
Titegroup at 4.4gr
They're ok, but the max load of Red Dot makes my hand hurt after a while. I went through 100rds the other day in my 1911 and it wasn't pleasant. I thought Titegroup was generally too dirty, as it is out of my Beretta 92 as well. You'll be cleaning your magazine followers for a while.
I've also started messing with Clays and 700x. I love how clean Clays burns in 9mm but haven't tried it in 45ACP yet. As for 700x, I've loaded some 40S&W and have yet to try them yet, but I've heard good things.
Mostly likely I'll be trying Bullseye next.

[joec]

I've loaded them with Bullseye, Titegroup, Unique, HP-38, WST, Universal, Clays and AA#2. I like the HP-38, WST, Universal best for accuracy though Titegroup but as the previous poster said it is a bit dirty. I stopped using both Bullseye due to it not metering well and AA#2 as it wasn't as good as others I have.

[35remington]

joec, bullseye not metering well is your fault.

Its fine granules meter as well as most ball powders. Check your technique.

It's you.

[Combat Diver]

I used to shoot lots of canisters of AA5 but last decade its been Unique however for just about all my pistol shooting.


CD