I've got a few powders to try for my .45acp... what do you guys suggest?

[Animal]

I've been waiting on my RIA1911 .45acp from Budsgunshop since the 29th... They did a decent job getting it out, but USPS and whoever else involved is taking their sweet time.[smilie=b:

In the meantime, since this is a totally new cartridge for me to start working with I'd like an idea of what your experiences are with the following powders:

Hodgdon Clays (not universal)- I have almost 3lbs of it
IMR-PB- think I have almost 2lbs
Red Dot- just picked up a pound today
Blue Dot- I have about 3/4 pound of this

I don't know the exact boolit I'll load for it yet, but it will be 230gr cast lead from wheel weights. I'm sure I'll also be using Winchester LP primers, and maybe a few Federal Large Pistol.

I'm looking for a practice load and a battle load. I'm guessing my battle loads will probably need 800-900 fps and my practice loads need to be a bit lighter to preserve the life of the weapon.

No, I'm not planning to be in any form of battle... but the problem with battles is that they tend to show up uninvited.

Thanks guys

[dbosman]

Start with Clays, or Red Dot.

From http://www.alliantpowder.com
45 Auto 200 gr Speer LSWC Speer 1.19 4.4 CCI 300 Red Dot 4.5 831
45 Auto 230 gr Speer LRN Speer 1.27 4.4 CCI 300 Red Dot 5.1 841

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp
155 GR. CAST LSWC Hodgdon Clays .451" 1.230" 4.9 1040
180 GR. LFP Hodgdon Clays .452" 1.140" 3.8 783
200 GR. CAST LSWC Hodgdon Clays .451" 1.225" 3.6 759
230 GR. LRN Hodgdon Clays .452" 1.200" 3.5 716

[paul h]

Another vote for red dot or clays. I'd save the blue dot for other rounds.

Honestly the 45 acp isn't that picky and in the fast the medium burning rate powders it's tough to find a powder that doesn't work well.

[seaboltm]

Blue Dot is OK if you want some +P or some +P+ stuff. Other than that, stick with the Red Dot. For 45 ACP I am a Unique kind of guy.

[Animal]

Blue Dot is OK if you want some +P or some +P+ stuff. Other than that, stick with the Red Dot. For 45 ACP I am a Unique kind of guy.

I haven't tried Unique in any of my other loads, but I've kept my eye out for it at my LGS. I've heard a lot of great things about it.

[Animal]

I'm glad I stocked up on Clays when I did. I needed something for my .357 mag to burn and Clays was the only powder in town. I wasn't a big fan of it then, but it looks like I might be starting a good friendship with clays very soon.

[Animal]

Blue Dot is OK if you want some +P or some +P+ stuff. Other than that, stick with the Red Dot. For 45 ACP I am a Unique kind of guy.

I was leary about trying the Blue Dot. It has been a great powder for my .44 mag and .357 mag loads, so I had a hard time thinking it would function in a low pressure 45 auto. Guess I'll save it for my maggies.

[seaboltm]

I haven't tried Unique in any of my other loads, but I've kept my eye out for it at my LGS. I've heard a lot of great things about it.
Unique works well in many hand guns. It works fine in 44mag, although Blue Dot give a tad more velocity, but nothing like H110. My field load for light hunting/plinking/hiking in 44 mag is a 240gr SWC over 9.5 grains of Unique for 1160 fps. In fact, I see no need for Blue Dot even though I have a lot of it. I either use Unique, or if I need more, I go straight to H110.

[fredj338]

IMO, Clays is only good for low vel loads, pressures spike at the top end. RD works pretty wel, you just might be able to get to 850fps w/ 230grLRN w/o going +p. If you can find WST, best 45acp powder going for lead or jacketed IMO.

[Foto Joe]

If you come across some AutoComp don't be afraid to try it. My 1911's like it a lot.

[rsrocket1]

Be very careful of Clays and only use it for low velocity loads. As fred says, it builds up pressure quickly without driving the bullet very fast. I love it for low recoil loads, but would not want to try to get any sort of velocity out of it. I also use it to get full pressure out of light (3/4 oz) 12 gauge target loads.

Red Dot will work for light loads and will also let you get a little higher velocity than Clays.
Blue Dot is a much slower powder and will get you full speeds, but you need to load it fully and not "down" load it as it does not like less than full loads.

Count yourself very lucky in getting the Clays. The Australian plant that supplies the Clays family of powders for Hodgdon has had production problems (rumor says fire) and we may not see new shipments of those powders at least until into 2014 or later. Fortunately, Hodgdon Titewad, Alliant Extra Lite, Clay Dot and Red Dot/Promo can fill the niche.

[jonas302]

red dot has been working pretty good for me

[runfiverun]

not the blue-dot.
I have used all the others listed [and more] with no problems.

[KYCaster]

Clays or Red Dot for the light loads, PB for the "battle" loads.

Jerry

[olereb]

I know its not on your list but Bullseye works great for me,i shoot a lot of 45acp and always use that.

[grampa243]

5.2 grains of Green dot. under a 230 grain cast boolit.. runs the g30 great.

[9w1911]

Red Dot- just picked up a pound today
Blue Dot- I have about 3/4 pound of this
I love all the dots you cant have 2 and not get the 3rd

Blue currently is the favorite but but I have yet to try Red in 45acp

[geargnasher]

I've shot a lot of Clays in my 1911s under both 200-ish and 230-ish boolits. It's fine, fairly clean, and accurate if you keep it sensible. The recoil impulse is sharp, which is good for mild loads and light boolits but don't push it with the heavies as has been said.

IMR PB is an extremely under-rated powder for 230s and the .45 ACP autos, I'd do a full workup with that and Red Dot first, since you have them on hand and they are both excellent for the weight, caliber, and platform you have.

Gear

[Animal]

Clays or Red Dot for the light loads, PB for the "battle" loads.

Jerry

Jerry, what have you found with PB that makes it a worthy "battle load"?

[Animal]

If you come across some AutoComp don't be afraid to try it. My 1911's like it a lot.

I've been keeping my eye out for it, but not luck.

[Animal]

Red Dot- just picked up a pound today
Blue Dot- I have about 3/4 pound of this
I love all the dots you cant have 2 and not get the 3rd

Blue currently is the favorite but but I have yet to try Red in 45acp

agreed. I'm getting the other when I find it.

[fredj338]

Jerry, what have you found with PB that makes it a worthy "battle load"?

Not Jerry, but PB has a little more room at the top end than Clays or RD. Used to be quite popular back in the day.

[Foto Joe]

I've been keeping my eye out for it, but not luck.

That's about where I'm at with 700X

[Animal]

That's about where I'm at with 700X

I found 4 8oz cans of 700x (and I mean metal cans) at the pawn shop yesterday. I was concerned about how old the powder was and if it was any good, but I decided to give it a try. I just picked up one can, but I'm a little concerned about weather I should use it or not.

[Wayne Smith]

My advice - get a manual or two! Especially Lyman's cast boolit manual. Lots of tested loads there.

[jonp]

I found 4 8oz cans of 700x (and I mean metal cans) at the pawn shop yesterday. I was concerned about how old the powder was and if it was any good, but I decided to give it a try. I just picked up one can, but I'm a little concerned about weather I should use it or not.

I don't think I would use powder I found in a pawn shop. You have no idea where it came from, what that person may have mixed into it or even if it is the same powder listed on the label. I would dump the powder in the garden and keep the cans for decorations.

In fact let me rephrase that: I would NEVER use powder I bought from a pawn shop no more that I would a 1/2 can of something I found in a yard sale somewhere unless I knew the person selling it. That"s just me

[Ed_Shot]

+1 on the Lyman 4th Ed. Handbook recommendation. I use Lyman 452374 (230 gr.) and 452630 (200 gr.) in 1911 and Glock 30. Found Blue Dot disappointing. Unique is ok but snappy. I settled on Promo (Red Dot) 4.5 gr for accurate paper punching.

[jonp]

+1 on the Lyman 4th Ed. Handbook recommendation. I use Lyman 452374 (230 gr.) and 452630 (200 gr.) in 1911 and Glock 30. Found Blue Dot disappointing. Unique is ok but snappy. I settled on Promo (Red Dot) 4.5 gr for accurate paper punching.

4.6gr Promo works well and is cheaper than Red Dot to buy bulk.

[Foto Joe]

I found 4 8oz cans of 700x (and I mean metal cans) at the pawn shop yesterday. I was concerned about how old the powder was and if it was any good, but I decided to give it a try. I just picked up one can, but I'm a little concerned about weather I should use it or not.

Interestingly enough, the two 8oz cans of 700X that I do have came from an old gun shop that originally opened in 1964 and had been stuck in a box somewhere in back for 30+ years. I wouldn't sweat the age so much as I would the source. If the cans still have the original fiber seal under the cap I might be inclined to use them, otherwise they will make good fertilizer. Once the can is unsealed the powder will slowly degrade, I'd be really uncomfortable using ANY powder that I wasn't absolutely sure about.

From the same gun shop I picked up a couple of flats of RWS large pistol primers. Inside each of the flats is a promotional insert giving discounts on reloading equipment. I thinks to myself "Self, these are some pretty good prices even without the promo." Then I read the disclaimer on the insert, the promo expired December 31, 1968!!! After running a couple of hundred through 45 Colt and 45 ACP I went back and cleaned him out of the 2,500 that he had. They may be old but they work just like new.

[randy_68]

I had good luck with 4.5 gr Red Dot and the Lee 200TL boolit in my AC Commander.

[jaysouth]

Titegroup, clays, bullseye, red dot, green dot, unique, HP 38/231/zip all work well. Having said that, I am working on a jug of clays for 200 gr SWC and a stout load of HP38 with a 215 gr. Saco for social interactions. I have used all the powders above and they all miss the target about the same. I have not found a magic powder, primer/bullet that lets me go to Camp Perry.

Another one that a friend uses with good results is WST. It burns clean and uses smaller doses for good economy.

[Bonz]

I always check the gun powder manufacturers website to see if they have a load recipe for what I am working on. If they don't, I rely on my "Modern Reloading, Second Edition by Richard Lee". And, BullsEye gun powder works in almost anything ;-)

[35remington]

Somewhere between 4.5 to 5 grains of Red Dot or Promo works for me, too, with 200 SWC's and the various 230's. It is economical, found everywhere, meters decently enough at these charge weights, is bulky so a double charge would get noticed and is not particularly position sensitive, aided by the fact that the bulk makes less airspace present in the case in the first place. Has more top end and will duplicate standard velocities better than Clays, its near equivalent, and gets much better speed per grain of charge weight than many of the alternatives.

Permissable loads achieve standard to somewhat over standard velocities with lead bullets.

[Animal]

A big +1 on powders that fill the case. I've been spoiled with powders like 2400 that will 'tell on you' if you do double charge. It sounds like I have a good supply to get started.

[Animal]

On the 700x, I'm not using it if the can isn't sealed. I haven't pulled the cap off yet. The pawn shop is also a gun store that sells new reloading supply and equipment... Just in case someone thought I bought a second hand can of powder.

[old gunner]

I have used a lot of red dot, for practice. worked well, clean burning.
now I am trying trail boss, appears to work as well as red dot,
also trail boss is great in my ruger lcr 38 spcl.

[Foto Joe]

I've loaded some 45ACP with TrailBoss in the past but I wasn't all that thrilled about how dirty it was. On the other hand I was tumble lubing with 45-45-10 then too so that might have had something to do with it. Since I recently picked up a Lyman 4500 I think I'll try it again with some NRA 50/50 lube and see how it does. TrailBoss is pretty foolproof although I've found with the chronograph it will hit a point of diminishing return velocity wise, usually somewhere below the max load provided by Hodgdon.

As far a wanting a lighter load for your 1911 I don't have any real hard data on it yet but I just picked up a Lee .452-200SWC mold. I've only fired six or eight rounds of those boolits as of right now 'cause I had some issues with the mold alignment but now that it's fixed I'm thinking that might just be my target boolit of choice for 1911's, they seem to feed just dandy at 1.250" COL. I'll know more once I get a hundred or so down the tube.

[Trelan]

I actually like Accure #5 for my Ruger P90. It is a little hard to meter so I hand dip each case......play around with red dot and unique as well

[jonp]

On the 700x, I'm not using it if the can isn't sealed. I haven't pulled the cap off yet. The pawn shop is also a gun store that sells new reloading supply and equipment... Just in case someone thought I bought a second hand can of powder.

That sounded like what you were saying. If it is a also a gun store is the powder new stuff then? I would be ok with that as this is a different situation.

[Animal]

No. It's old stuff. I asked the clerk how they managed to get those old cans. She said "we pulled them out of storage when people started buying up reloading supply".

[jonp]

No. It's old stuff. I asked the clerk how they managed to get those old cans. She said "we pulled them out of storage when people started buying up reloading supply".

No, that is what I meant by "new stuff" as in new in the package not how old it is. If the powder has not been opened and has not been kept underwater or something I would use it as long as it didn't smell off. I've got some opened that is almost 20yrs old at this point and it behaves fine. Just smell and look at it.