powder selection for 45 auto

[Marco Califo]

I like Unique as a versatile backup powder for hot handgun loads. I am also planning on loading up some 308 cast bullet loads using Lyman data, for shooting steel plates at 100-350 yards.I think my shoulder will appreciate it.

[MarkCO]

N320 and WSF have been my Go-To powders for .45ACP.

When I run out of N320, I might have to experiment, or use up the old stash of Clays.

[Nick_C_S]

what does a powder have to do for you to consider it "versatile"

Nothing, I suppose. I say that because versatility isn't a primary characteristic I'm looking for in a propellant.

I'm not saying Unique isn't versatile. I'm just saying I don't find it any more versatile than many others. Clean, consistent burns over a wide variety of calibers, bullet weights, and most of all - charge weights; is my definition of versatile. Unique tends to run sloppy unless it's loaded up into higher pressures. I have found that it makes excellent 230gn 45 ACP ammo (as mentioned, but they are probably running over sammi spec pressure) and great 125gn 357 Mag ammo (short of full-magnum performance, of course). But other than that, I have found it rather troublesome in the clean burn area. I suspect it would do well in 10mm Auto, but never tried. 9mm Luger too, except its metering characteristics in such a small case makes me nervy.

I bet BE-86 can do anything Unique can do, and do it cleaner. For instance.

[44 AMP]

Fair enough, I've never used BE-86, or most of the other newer powders, since Unique and a couple others always did what I wanted. Versatility is just a plus, and being "clean" isn't really on my priority list.

[Nick_C_S]

being "clean" isn't really on my priority list.

Same here . . . in and of itself, that is. But clean burns mean consistent burns. Consistent IS on my priority list.

Unique is able to do a lot of different stuff well enough, and that is generally considered to be versatile. It's just been my experience that it doesn't do any more particularly well than any other intermediate burner.

I suppose load style has a lot to do with it too. I don't like to deviate much from a propellant's wheelhouse. Using a given powder because "it'll do" is not my way. It needs to be "great for the application." That point of view narrows my definition of versatile.

Because of what I load and how I load, I consider WW231 to be versatile. It works great in at least 80% of my 38 Special and 45 ACP applications - my two most popular calibers. From where I'm sitting, that seems quite versatile.

We define things based on our perspective and experience. Unique has been around a long long time. That alone speaks for itself.

[Sure Shot Mc Gee]

AA # 7 has to much barrel flash for my liking. My series 70 colt G. Cup gets alone well with AA#5 just fine. A substitute powder I again like for the 45 acp is Win 231. Never did shoot much Unique here..

[Sarge]

Winchester 231/HP-38 has been my standard 'zero-to-sixty' handgun powder for decades and it's all I use for bulk 45 ACP loads, usually with Bear Creek's 230 grain flat point.

[RoyceP]

Velocity
(fps)
Notes
Caliber L Bullet Case Minimum BBL Primer Powder
(inches) OAL Length
45 Auto 200 gr Speer LSWC Speer 1.19 5 CCI 300 Unique 5.4 790 -
45 Auto 230 gr Speer LRN Speer 1.27 5 CCI 300 Unique 5.8 849 -
45 Auto 185 gr Speer GDHP Speer 1.2 4.4 CCI 300 Unique 8.2 1,015 -
45 Auto 200 gr Speer GDHP Speer 1.2 5 CCI 300 Unique 7.3 984 -
45 Auto 230 gr Speer TJM RN Speer 1.26 5 CCI 300 Unique 6.5 832 -
45 Auto 230 gr Speer GDHP Speer 1.2 5 CCI 300 Unique 6 806 -
45 Auto Speer 230 gr CPRN Federal 1.26 5 CCI 300 Unique 7.3 966 -
45 Auto Speer 230 gr CPRN Federal 1.265 - CCI 300 Unique 7.3 966 -

[hdwhit]

Personally, I load a 185 grain bullet over a charge of Blue Dot. Works great in my Grandfather's M1911.