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Old November 8, 2002, 05:52 PM   #1
RemVssf
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Current loads for 45 ACP

I haven't loaded for my 45 in 10 yrs. Mainly loading 308 Win.All my data books are long gone except for the Sierra rifle data. Since I am in the South I figure my powder (Bullseye)is due to be dumped (heat & humidity)and start all over again.
That said ....

What is the current "Flavor" in powder for 45 ACP? I'll be loading 200 gr & 230 gr Rainer bullets. Pistol is a Sig 220.

Brass could be anything from once-fired NM to just fired Hydra Shoks. WLP primers.
Thanks
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Old November 8, 2002, 06:02 PM   #2
Jim Watson
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I live in Florence, AL and I am loading out of a keg of Win 452 AA that is 14 years old. Estate sale purchase, one of our local shooters passed away this summer.

If your Bullseye was stored anything close to reasonable it should be fine. There is WW II .45 ACP being reimported from France and Russia. Most is ok. Some manuals give guidelines for spotting deterioration... rusting of container, red nitric oxide fumes, acid odor (not to be confused with solvent smell), lumping of granules.

If you have any amount, check it closely before you throw it away. If you feel you must, or if it is good and you use it up; well, they still make Bullseye.

I have tried this and that. It doesn't make a difference I can tell, once I have adjusted the velocity to what I want - a 200 @ 850 for IDPA and IPSC. When that 452AA is gone, I will go back to 700X which I buy for 12 gauge.
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Old November 8, 2002, 06:39 PM   #3
RemVssf
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Yessir, I understand the storage part. It has been in a dry area but with temp fluctuations. As in my outside workshop ALL these years. Will check the signs. Talking about old ammo ... I was last on active duty in 87 and I was firing some 50 BMG with a date stamp of 44 and 52. Shot nice.

I have not kept up on pistol powders except to read the posts the last week. I'm all over the current 308 powders but don't have a clue about any of the "Clays". Just thought I'd get a fresh info download.
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Old November 8, 2002, 07:39 PM   #4
John Lawson
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I use 6.3 of Universal Clays for the 200 gr Rainier bullet with Winchester primers. Very accurate load.
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Old November 9, 2002, 03:14 PM   #5
blades67
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My current .45 ACP load is 6.5 grains of Unique under a Berry's 200 grain flat-point, or 200 grain SWC, using mixed brass and a hot primer of Russian manufacture. (Just can't remember the name, but it's non-corrosive.)
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Old November 9, 2002, 05:54 PM   #6
markmcj
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4.9 grains of Titegroup under a 200 grain LSWC.



mark mcj
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Old November 9, 2002, 09:02 PM   #7
PDshooter
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4.8 to 5.3 of Win.231 208Gr. H&G68 LSWC
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Old November 9, 2002, 09:53 PM   #8
day5creations
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5.4gr Bullseye
200gr LSWC (H&G68)
OP's Brass
Win. Primer

gets me 880fps, ES17 from my Combat Commander, a little too much over the 165,000 PF, but I have not clocked 5.3 yet, and 5.2 was too low.
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Old November 9, 2002, 10:11 PM   #9
Chemistry
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6.1 grains Vihtavuori N340
230 grain plated RN bullet (Rainier, Berry's, West Coast)
Any standard large pistol primer
COAL = 1.260"
Crimp to 0.471-0.472" with Lee Carbide Factory Crimp Die

Very soft shooting, accurate, no muzzle flash, clean burning.
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Old November 10, 2002, 01:33 AM   #10
Ala Dan
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I'm currently testing Universal Clay's pushing a 200
grain LFN bullet from Mangus, in a Sig P220. I will
post the result's as soon as I'm done!

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
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Old November 10, 2002, 06:34 AM   #11
Redneck2
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"Clean" powders

Accurate #5, Universal Clays, Titegroup, 231. Supposedly the V V are very clean though I haven't tried them

older powders like Red Dot, Inique, Bullseye, the "X"'s are all dirtier IMO

I use AA5 in my 10mm, 45 acp, and 45 LC with good results
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Old November 12, 2002, 11:22 PM   #12
volshooter
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My best grouping .45 ACP load is 3.8 gr of Bullseye under a 185gr SWC, seated taper crimp with about 1/32" of the .452 sized bullet showing. This load makes very tight holes in my 1911 copy. It's mild but I can hit exactly what I want.
Rick
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Old November 12, 2002, 11:31 PM   #13
KITT
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Another Bullseye user here.. 230 gr LRN with 4.0 gr Bullseye. Good target load, economical, and works in all seven of my 45s.
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Old November 13, 2002, 02:59 AM   #14
buford1
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My colt + kimber really like 5.6 gr of unique under a 230 gr rn
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Old November 14, 2002, 08:50 PM   #15
rjoy
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3260

I still use and enjoy Bullseye. 4.0 gr with a 200 gr bullet. Someone posted above about old powder. The bullseye I just mentioned was bought by my brother and myself circa 1970. It still shoots fine. Almost gone now.

I also use Clays and it seems to work fine also. I use 4.3 gr with the 200 gr cast.

Both loads seem to shoot equally well in my Blackhawk convertible and my 1911 clone.
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Old November 16, 2002, 09:49 AM   #16
barswaygo
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4.2grns of Win Super Target(WST)over a 230 gr cast bullet.1.250 length.Also the old IPSC standard load years ago,5.4 or 5.5 grns of 231 over a 200grn swc still works fine.
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Old November 16, 2002, 10:59 AM   #17
Number 6
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I find Red Dot to be superb in terms

of availability, versatility, and cost. I use it in everything from .380 to .45.

For my 200 gr. RNFP's (lead), I use 5.0 grains; for the 175gr .40 S&W load, 4.2 grains.

Start low; work up.
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Old November 16, 2002, 11:17 AM   #18
ngoehle
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http://www.handloader.com has a lot of recipes for you, depending on what you want to accomplish.


"Shooting - the art of taking perfectly good money and turning it into noise".
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Old November 16, 2002, 11:04 PM   #19
colima
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I can't believe nobody has posted the classic W231 load:

5.5 gr with a 200 lswc

classic IPSC load, I'm told.

I don't own a chrono (a mistake, but its a pain to get my range to let me use it anyway). This load seems fine in my guns. YMMV.

JAF
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Old November 17, 2002, 04:30 AM   #20
Pendragon
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I just shot my first 100 reloads today in my Valtro!

200gr LRNs with 6.2gr of Power Pistol

100% reliable and seemed to be very accurate - I am HOOKED!
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Old November 17, 2002, 10:33 AM   #21
RemVssf
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OUTSTANDING !!! Thanks fellow shooters.
I have 231 and a keg of never opened Bullseye (circa 1985) also "found" 2 Lbs of ball 296. That must have been in the 357 days. Haven't found anything using that in a 45. I hate to waste anything with the tight budget I am on and so far none of my nearby reloaders are messing with 357 right now. ~sigh~


Thanks for the info
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Will


No good deed ever goes un-punished. This just goes to prove that, " A thousand Atta-boys can and will be wiped out by one, AW- Crap !"
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Old November 21, 2002, 02:21 AM   #22
taco
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My "do-it-all" 45ACP load is 200 CSWC (H&G68 style), Winchester WLP primer and 5.6gr of Winchester 231. This load gives me 900 fps from my 5" 1911 pistols and 870 fps from my Sig220.

For accuracy, I go down to 5.1 gr of 231 for about 800 fps from 5" 1911 and 760 fps from Sig 220.

I been using Winchester 231 for about 15 years now and I still think it is one of the best powder for 45ACP and 38 Special.
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Old November 21, 2002, 12:29 PM   #23
Ala Dan
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A New Load For My Sig P220-

Caliber = .45 ACP
Cases = Assorted (Scarch Manufacturing Co.)
Bullet = 200 grain Hardcast Mangus LSWC
Powder = Hodgdon's Universal Clay's
Charge = 5.2 grains
Primers = W-W Large Pistol
Velocity = Approximately 767 fps, out of the test
weapons 4.25" barrel (Sig-Sauer P220)

Remarks-Very accurate, no lead fouling, little or
no unburned powder residue. Tested at distances
of 15 yards to 50 yards.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
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