.45 acp powder choices - Page 2

hogcowboy · April 21, 2011, 12:47 PM

I use Unique in my Kimber with good results.

Scorch · April 21, 2011, 12:51 PM

I have used Unique for over 30 years, and am not likely to change any time soon, even though it is a little sooty. For others who are looking for an easy-to-use powder, I recommend W231, HS6, or Universal Clays. I have never used TiteGroup, but I have friends who use it and love it.

I generally advise new loaders to avoid Bullseye. It has very low load density and a double charge is very hard to spot, as opposed to Unique, where a double charge will overflow the case and be all over the press, the bench, the loading block, the floor . . .

Sky Master · April 21, 2011, 05:46 PM

Can't beat HP38/231, I've been using this in my Colt Gold Cup for over 30 yrs.

CherokeeT · April 22, 2011, 05:59 PM

231 has been my #1 choice for at lest 30 years. Accurate loads have never been a problem with it, it's clean, measures well, etc..... WST is also a good choice if you can't find 231 (same as HP-38). AA5 also works well but I have my 231 loads that work so well, why change.

hodaka · April 22, 2011, 07:24 PM

231 and AA#5 for me. I have tried Clays and although clean, too light.

mrbro · April 22, 2011, 07:55 PM

700X

Nosparetime · April 24, 2011, 12:11 AM

My favorite powder is Clays. I used this to match a duty load that was used by a police department I was loading for. I have had good success with 700x and have used 231 if someone insists. Don't particularly like 231.

I do have a question though. I have a large quantity of 452AA powder. Years ago I used it in 45ACP. Is there any good reason not to use it?

Nevmavrick · April 24, 2011, 07:26 AM

WW452 should work just fine. I just shot the last of mine in my .45. WST is very close, if you want to get more.
I'm a fan of Unique, and always have some in the cabinet. I don't use it in the auto, tho'. The same with Herco. There are just too many others that work better.
I used both, and enjoyed both in an M17 S&W, usually with a slightly heavy bullet...say a 255gr.
Have fun,
Gene

Bleeber · April 25, 2011, 07:26 AM

Clifford, what weight bullet was that load to take the hog?

Thanks!!

**Mike Irwin** · April 25, 2011, 09:06 AM

ALL of my thousands of .45 ACP handloads (including .45 Auto Rim) have been loaded with WW 231.

I doubt if I'll ever use another powder.

Eagle Keeper · April 25, 2011, 12:20 PM

HS-6, I did a 100 two weeks ago, went through half of them last week, no problems, 230cast RN, 7.5 of HS-6, also have Clays to try out next, grouping @12yds, 14 rounds, in the O-Tay ( index finger touching thumb) group, whats that 1.75"-2.00" group, ran through a 3"Colt Defender, I'am sold, thanks for the time~~~><>.

lonewolf5348 · April 25, 2011, 07:33 PM

win 231 5.0 GR. with 200 gr swc
I just switched to Clays 3.5 sweet load and a tack driver in my SA 1911

Miata Mike · April 25, 2011, 08:18 PM

So far I have used Bullseye, Unique, and most recently WST with 200 grain LSWC.

MOREAMMO · April 25, 2011, 08:59 PM

After trying quite a variety, my favorite is HP38.

Toolman · April 27, 2011, 06:57 PM

I like 700X, W231 & Ramshot Silouette (sp). I want to try Ramshot True Blue next.

Nnobby45 · April 27, 2011, 07:25 PM

Quote:

I like 700X, W231 & Ramshot Silouette (sp). I want to try Ramshot True Blue next.
__________________

Jeff Cooper had a favorite load using 700 X.

I use W231.

1. Very common and easy to find.

2. Meters VERY well. It's a flattened ball powder.

3. Not particularly dirty.

4. Every manual has loads for W231 (except for those that use their powders exclusively).

5. Works well from light target loads to full power hardball.

6. I've found this powder to be very consistent from one lot to another.

Yes, I know we all have our favorites. Unique has been used for years and is versatile. Lot's of other suitable powders.

I tried Winchester Actioin Pistol (WAP) and it was fine, though velocity variations were higher. I now use it for 9mm and .40 cal, for which it's excellent. WAP was discontinued by Win. and is available as RamShot Silhouette.

CAUTION: When I compared WAP with Silhouette using my chronograph, the results were exactly the same---where the charge weights were concerned.

BUT, the two metered differently VOLUME wise! By quite a bit. You have to readust your powder measure between the two.

So don't assume. Verify with your scale.

Nnobby45 · April 27, 2011, 07:32 PM

We could take a lesson from competition shooters. Couple decades ago (or was it longer?), the .45 was the King of IPSC.

The two most popular powders for competition shooters, who fired many thousand of rounds in practice, was Bullseye and W231.

Some shooters felt they could detect slightly less recoil with Bullsye.

Both are among the faster buring pistol powders.

April 21, 2011, 12:47 PM	#26
hogcowboy Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2010 Location: N33 32.941 W 97 53.546 Texas Posts: 231	I use Unique in my Kimber with good results. __________________ Do things as if your life depends on it. It COULD! American Legion Rider

April 21, 2011, 12:51 PM	#27
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	I have used Unique for over 30 years, and am not likely to change any time soon, even though it is a little sooty. For others who are looking for an easy-to-use powder, I recommend W231, HS6, or Universal Clays. I have never used TiteGroup, but I have friends who use it and love it. I generally advise new loaders to avoid Bullseye. It has very low load density and a double charge is very hard to spot, as opposed to Unique, where a double charge will overflow the case and be all over the press, the bench, the loading block, the floor . . . __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

April 22, 2011, 05:59 PM	#29
CherokeeT Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2008 Location: Medina, Ohio Posts: 273	231 has been my #1 choice for at lest 30 years. Accurate loads have never been a problem with it, it's clean, measures well, etc..... WST is also a good choice if you can't find 231 (same as HP-38). AA5 also works well but I have my 231 loads that work so well, why change. __________________ God Bless America US Army, NRA Endowment TSRA Life, SASS

April 25, 2011, 07:26 AM	#34
Bleeber Junior Member Join Date: April 24, 2011 Location: Naples, Florida Posts: 10	Clifford, what weight bullet was that load to take the hog? Thanks!! __________________ B.Leeber President/Biochemist Premium Nutrition, Inc.

April 25, 2011, 09:06 AM	#35
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	ALL of my thousands of .45 ACP handloads (including .45 Auto Rim) have been loaded with WW 231. I doubt if I'll ever use another powder. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

April 21, 2011, 05:46 PM	#28
Sky Master Senior Member Join Date: May 30, 2009 Posts: 136	Can't beat HP38/231, I've been using this in my Colt Gold Cup for over 30 yrs.

April 22, 2011, 07:24 PM	#30
hodaka Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2006 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,010	231 and AA#5 for me. I have tried Clays and although clean, too light.

April 22, 2011, 07:55 PM	#31
mrbro member Join Date: September 14, 2008 Posts: 195	700X

April 24, 2011, 12:11 AM	#32
Nosparetime Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 100	My favorite powder is Clays. I used this to match a duty load that was used by a police department I was loading for. I have had good success with 700x and have used 231 if someone insists. Don't particularly like 231. I do have a question though. I have a large quantity of 452AA powder. Years ago I used it in 45ACP. Is there any good reason not to use it?

April 24, 2011, 07:26 AM	#33
Nevmavrick Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2010 Location: Sparks, Nevada, near Reno Posts: 183	WW452 should work just fine. I just shot the last of mine in my .45. WST is very close, if you want to get more. I'm a fan of Unique, and always have some in the cabinet. I don't use it in the auto, tho'. The same with Herco. There are just too many others that work better. I used both, and enjoyed both in an M17 S&W, usually with a slightly heavy bullet...say a 255gr. Have fun, Gene

April 25, 2011, 12:20 PM	#36
Eagle Keeper Member Join Date: December 2, 2010 Location: S/E Michigan Posts: 24	HS-6, I did a 100 two weeks ago, went through half of them last week, no problems, 230cast RN, 7.5 of HS-6, also have Clays to try out next, grouping @12yds, 14 rounds, in the O-Tay ( index finger touching thumb) group, whats that 1.75"-2.00" group, ran through a 3"Colt Defender, I'am sold, thanks for the time~~~><>. __________________ A armed society is a polite society !

April 25, 2011, 07:33 PM	#37
lonewolf5348 Member Join Date: January 20, 2006 Posts: 93	win 231 5.0 GR. with 200 gr swc I just switched to Clays 3.5 sweet load and a tack driver in my SA 1911

April 25, 2011, 08:18 PM	#38
Miata Mike Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2010 Location: North East WI Posts: 418	So far I have used Bullseye, Unique, and most recently WST with 200 grain LSWC.

April 25, 2011, 08:59 PM	#39
MOREAMMO Senior Member Join Date: October 5, 2009 Location: Southeast WI Posts: 144	After trying quite a variety, my favorite is HP38.

April 27, 2011, 06:57 PM	#40
Toolman Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 514	I like 700X, W231 & Ramshot Silouette (sp). I want to try Ramshot True Blue next. __________________ Crime Control. NOT Gun Control.

April 27, 2011, 07:32 PM	#42
Nnobby45 Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2004 Posts: 3,150	We could take a lesson from competition shooters. Couple decades ago (or was it longer?), the .45 was the King of IPSC. The two most popular powders for competition shooters, who fired many thousand of rounds in practice, was Bullseye and W231. Some shooters felt they could detect slightly less recoil with Bullsye. Both are among the faster buring pistol powders.