Powder help for 45acp

DannyAbear · May 4, 2007, 01:41 PM

I currently use 7-8 grs power pistol behind 200 gr gold dot for my 2 45s, both of which have 3 1/2" barrels. And have no problems with either. But, would I be better off using a faster powder like bullseye for these short barrels?
Thanks

WCW · May 4, 2007, 02:12 PM

For what it’s worth, I personally use 6.1 gr. of 231 with the Speer 200 gr. Gold Dot. It works superbly in my Ruger P90. It’s a tad faster than Power Pistol, but I really don’t think it makes a whole lot of difference. I have loads that are just as accurate as the 231 loads but using AA#5, which is slower than both the mentioned powders. If I get dead-reliable functioning and good accuracy, that’s where I usually stop experimenting. A little savings on powder never hurts either.

ECLIPSE45ACP · May 4, 2007, 02:23 PM

231 is my go to powder 5 grns behind 200 grn ranier Fp 1.250 OAL.

kingudaroad · May 4, 2007, 03:43 PM

I've been using Unique with that same bullet with very good results in my 1911Sc 4".

Stargazer · May 4, 2007, 06:08 PM

Don't overlook 700X powder. It takes less than Unique to go the same velocity and burns super clean.

amamnn · May 5, 2007, 03:04 PM

Less powder is not necessarily a good thing. In fact, it's been shown over and over and over that the more you fill the case, the more consistient your ammunition will be. I used to try to save money by using powders that required less (on paper) to do the same job. In practice, they did not, and the money saved was negligible. 231 is a good powder that fills the case fairly well and meters very well.

Unique works ok, but meters like mud in my equipment. All this being said, 231 and unique are both do - it - all powders which work ok over a variety of calibers and applications and like all one size fits all items, seemingly are never the best at any one load. If I had to use only one handgun powder it would be 231 though.

cheygriz · May 5, 2007, 05:31 PM

Power Pistol is an excellent choice. You will gain nothing by going to a faster powder. I use HS-6 which is even slower. (But I also load +P.)

Edward429451 · May 5, 2007, 07:46 PM

I've always had great results with 231 but late breaking data is in and putting the squeeze on 231 as my best 45 powder. The powder is Power Pistol and even if it takes a little more, the difference is real so would be worth the switch. Dunno how it would be in a short barreled 45. You could always try it.

Mr.RevolverGuy · May 6, 2007, 09:01 AM

+1 for this load it is my exact load and I have tried a number of different loads.

Just awesome

231 is my go to powder 5 grns behind 200 grn ranier Fp 1.250 OAL

May 4, 2007, 01:41 PM	#1
DannyAbear Member Join Date: November 20, 2006 Location: Baton Rouge, La. Posts: 72	Powder help for 45acp I currently use 7-8 grs power pistol behind 200 gr gold dot for my 2 45s, both of which have 3 1/2" barrels. And have no problems with either. But, would I be better off using a faster powder like bullseye for these short barrels? Thanks

May 4, 2007, 02:23 PM	#3
ECLIPSE45ACP Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2007 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 177	231 is my go to powder 5 grns behind 200 grn ranier Fp 1.250 OAL. __________________ GLOCK 17 9MM KIMBER ECLIPSE CUSTOM II .45 ACP COLT PYTHON 6" STAINLESS .357 MAGNUM "SPEAK SOFTLY AND CARRY A BIG GUN!"

May 5, 2007, 03:04 PM	#6
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	Less powder is not necessarily a good thing. In fact, it's been shown over and over and over that the more you fill the case, the more consistient your ammunition will be. I used to try to save money by using powders that required less (on paper) to do the same job. In practice, they did not, and the money saved was negligible. 231 is a good powder that fills the case fairly well and meters very well. Unique works ok, but meters like mud in my equipment. All this being said, 231 and unique are both do - it - all powders which work ok over a variety of calibers and applications and like all one size fits all items, seemingly are never the best at any one load. If I had to use only one handgun powder it would be 231 though. __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

May 5, 2007, 05:31 PM	#7
cheygriz Senior Member Join Date: May 11, 2002 Location: high up in the rockies Posts: 2,289	Power Pistol is an excellent choice. You will gain nothing by going to a faster powder. I use HS-6 which is even slower. (But I also load +P.) __________________ If you think a mighty military force is expensive, wait 'til you see what a weak one costs.

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May 4, 2007, 02:12 PM	#2
WCW Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2007 Posts: 132	For what it’s worth, I personally use 6.1 gr. of 231 with the Speer 200 gr. Gold Dot. It works superbly in my Ruger P90. It’s a tad faster than Power Pistol, but I really don’t think it makes a whole lot of difference. I have loads that are just as accurate as the 231 loads but using AA#5, which is slower than both the mentioned powders. If I get dead-reliable functioning and good accuracy, that’s where I usually stop experimenting. A little savings on powder never hurts either.

May 4, 2007, 03:43 PM	#4
kingudaroad Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2005 Location: austin Posts: 735	I've been using Unique with that same bullet with very good results in my 1911Sc 4".

May 4, 2007, 06:08 PM	#5
Stargazer Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 506	Don't overlook 700X powder. It takes less than Unique to go the same velocity and burns super clean. __________________ 5.56mm, reach out and touch something. .458 SOCOM,reach out and knock something down. M70 Web Page

May 5, 2007, 07:46 PM	#8
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	I've always had great results with 231 but late breaking data is in and putting the squeeze on 231 as my best 45 powder. The powder is Power Pistol and even if it takes a little more, the difference is real so would be worth the switch. Dunno how it would be in a short barreled 45. You could always try it.

May 6, 2007, 09:01 AM	#9
Mr.RevolverGuy Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 988	+1 for this load it is my exact load and I have tried a number of different loads. Just awesome 231 is my go to powder 5 grns behind 200 grn ranier Fp 1.250 OAL