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BigJimP · July 22, 2010, 11:42 AM

Looking for input on "cleanliness" or any issues with Universal in .45 acp.

My primary powder is TiteGroup / but I'm working with a new reloader and he has 8 lbs of Universal so he wants to use that. In looking at the tables Min is 4.5gr, 703 fps, 11,400 CUP -- Max is 5.4gr, 857 fps, 16,800 CUP / we will load a 230gr CMJ RN Montana Gold bullet. He will shoot the loads in a 1911, 5" barrel .../ CCI large pistol primers.

I think we'll target his loads for 5.1gr / around 800 fps ....but before I suggest that ( and I'll test a few before we run a couple thousand rounds ) ...but any input for me on the low end of the powder range / or on the high end ...on how dirty or smokey it was / did you get a lot of unburnt powder at the low end ??

My experience with Universal is in shotguns ( and its really dirty in a 20ga load at 14gr at 11,900 psi, 1200 fps/ but real clean in a 28ga load at 13.8gr and 11,500 psi and 1200 fps ) ...so I use it for 28ga and not in the 20ga. There is a lot of unburnt powder in a 20ga load / but almost none in the 28ga ....yet the specs are pretty close in both gagues ??

so I'm curious about your experience in .45 acp / thanks, in advance, for your input .

July 22, 2010, 11:42 AM	#1
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Hodgdon Universal in .45 acp Looking for input on "cleanliness" or any issues with Universal in .45 acp. My primary powder is TiteGroup / but I'm working with a new reloader and he has 8 lbs of Universal so he wants to use that. In looking at the tables Min is 4.5gr, 703 fps, 11,400 CUP -- Max is 5.4gr, 857 fps, 16,800 CUP / we will load a 230gr CMJ RN Montana Gold bullet. He will shoot the loads in a 1911, 5" barrel .../ CCI large pistol primers. I think we'll target his loads for 5.1gr / around 800 fps ....but before I suggest that ( and I'll test a few before we run a couple thousand rounds ) ...but any input for me on the low end of the powder range / or on the high end ...on how dirty or smokey it was / did you get a lot of unburnt powder at the low end ?? My experience with Universal is in shotguns ( and its really dirty in a 20ga load at 14gr at 11,900 psi, 1200 fps/ but real clean in a 28ga load at 13.8gr and 11,500 psi and 1200 fps ) ...so I use it for 28ga and not in the 20ga. There is a lot of unburnt powder in a 20ga load / but almost none in the 28ga ....yet the specs are pretty close in both gagues ?? so I'm curious about your experience in .45 acp / thanks, in advance, for your input .