Best all around Powder for .45 ACP

eaglecontroller · February 28, 2012, 11:16 PM

Ok, So Im back into reloading. Got everything up and running and I'm finding out that there are a few differences loading handguns and rifles... With my .45 I've purchased a few different types of bullet and would like to do some testing to see which I like best. Should I really use a different powder for each bullet, or do you think I should just stick with one powder.... Maybe Bullseye or Blue Dot? Any ideas, thoughts, criticism, or info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Edward429451 · February 28, 2012, 11:21 PM

Unique or WW-231, hands down.

scsov509 · February 28, 2012, 11:26 PM

The 45 is one of those calibers that really does well with just about any powder you use, so I wouldn't sweat trying to find that one powder that is THE best. I mostly use Bullseye, 231, Universal, or Power Pistol these days for all my handgun needs except the magnum rounds.

steve4102 · February 28, 2012, 11:27 PM

WST! You can thank me later!

jibjab · February 28, 2012, 11:41 PM

I don't know if they are the best, I use Bullseye for target, W231 general purpose, and AA#5 for heavier loads.
I have been wanting to try AA#2

eaglecontroller · February 28, 2012, 11:59 PM

So if you had to choose between AA#5, Bullseye, and 231 for all-purpose.... Which is it, and why? We can keep it short and simple if you like. My curiousity is running wild. Thanks for all the replies so far though.

MEATSAW · February 29, 2012, 12:00 AM

I use and highly recommend AA#5. Its an absolutely fantastic pistol powder. Perhaps its not as popular (availability maybe?) so people don't recommend it as much as say 231 or Unique. But when I started loading it was like I bought a whole new gun. More accurate, less recoil, and easier clean-up than any factory load I've ever tried -- and it meters excellent through my auto-disk measure. In your case consider local availability (who wants to pay hazmat fees? c'mon man) and price.

tdocz · February 29, 2012, 01:04 AM

I prefer Bullseye to Unique for .45 but the opposite for .40SW. Both are messy powders though. I like 231 and Blue Dot for .40 as well. Never used 231, and do not like to use Blue Dot, for .45. I find that all 4 are available locally for less than online, even before including hazmat and shipping.

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jag2 · February 29, 2012, 01:15 AM

Bullseye, 231 and #5 are all good but #5 is really sweet. I use the Lee powder dippers so the fine grain of #5 helps keep the loads consistent. It also seems to have a very crisp feel to it, kind of hard to describe. All of them will work fine.

hammered54 · February 29, 2012, 01:26 AM

I've used Bullseye, Bluedot and HS6...kinda like the HS6.

mnhntr · February 29, 2012, 01:39 AM

A#5

Jammer Six · February 29, 2012, 02:19 AM

The differences I've noticed are two: older powders tend to be much dirtier, but have a huge following because back in the day, they were all there was. So 231, Unique and Bullseye have hordes of folks who swear by them.

But Titegroup is, for my jacketed stuff, cleaner, faster and more accurate.

scsov509 · February 29, 2012, 02:25 AM

If I had to choose only one for 45 that was most "versatile" as you ask, then 231 has a pretty broad range of use. I also like Power Pistol a lot for autoloaders, it's probably my favorite powder for loading jacketed bullets.

jibjab · February 29, 2012, 03:42 AM

Quote:

So if you had to choose between AA#5, Bullseye, and 231 for all-purpose....

For me W-231 or HP-38 is the best do all powder I have tried for 45 acp it works well with jacketed or lead bullets, it not to fast and not to slow, in 45 acp its very versatile.
I would scratch Blue Dot off the list.

Artsville · February 29, 2012, 04:04 AM

I just switched to wst from w231. Cleaner softer recoil even at higher velocities.

**Mike Irwin** · February 29, 2012, 08:15 AM

WW 231 is my absolutely go-to powder for .45 ACP.

mumbo719 · February 29, 2012, 08:54 AM

Bullseye for a 45, end of story!

jimkim · February 29, 2012, 09:46 AM

I'm hooked on AA#7 for my XD. I know it's a little slow but it meters well and burns clean.

oneounceload · February 29, 2012, 10:15 AM

Then there are Clays, Universal Clays and Red Dot - all do well in the 45

Edward429451 · February 29, 2012, 10:54 AM

Quote:

For me W-231 or HP-38 is the best do all powder I have tried for 45 acp it works well with jacketed or lead bullets, it not to fast and not to slow, in 45 acp its very versatile.
I would scratch Blue Dot off the list.

I could have wrote this because I agree 100%. Why W231? Well that's because thats what Robbie Leatham was winning with in the 80's. So I tried it and it has been my main 45 powder ever since.

W231 has proven to be very stable and predictable lot to lot. It's not temp sensitive. It's very accurate. I know there are new powders out but why fix what isn't broken? 231 has also shown to be a great powder for other calibers including 44 Special and 45 Colt.

Pilot · February 29, 2012, 10:58 AM

I've also switched to Titegroup from the other powders, although I still use Clays for .45 ACP sometimes. They are both pretty clean.

eaglecontroller · March 1, 2012, 12:46 AM

Ok Great. So, for me its down to 231 and A#5.... I might get them both and do a few test. Thanks so much for all the info. This looks like it'll be a great place for info.

jibjab · March 1, 2012, 02:23 AM

I must confess I have ulterior motives

Bullseye,W-231 and AA#5 work very well in other cartridges I reload for.

abber · March 1, 2012, 03:51 PM

I get my best groups from Power Pistol.

hounddawg · March 1, 2012, 03:58 PM

I keep things simple when possible. I use 231 in 45ACP, 9mm, and 38sp. Even loaded some 357 mags with it

February 28, 2012, 11:16 PM	#1
eaglecontroller Junior Member Join Date: February 28, 2012 Posts: 3	Best all around Powder for .45 ACP Ok, So Im back into reloading. Got everything up and running and I'm finding out that there are a few differences loading handguns and rifles... With my .45 I've purchased a few different types of bullet and would like to do some testing to see which I like best. Should I really use a different powder for each bullet, or do you think I should just stick with one powder.... Maybe Bullseye or Blue Dot? Any ideas, thoughts, criticism, or info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

February 29, 2012, 02:19 AM	#12
Jammer Six Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 749	The differences I've noticed are two: older powders tend to be much dirtier, but have a huge following because back in the day, they were all there was. So 231, Unique and Bullseye have hordes of folks who swear by them. But Titegroup is, for my jacketed stuff, cleaner, faster and more accurate. __________________ "Huh?" --Jammer Six, 1998

February 29, 2012, 08:15 AM	#16
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 14, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 33,119	WW 231 is my absolutely go-to powder for .45 ACP. __________________ "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.

February 29, 2012, 09:46 AM	#18
jimkim Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2008 Location: middle GA Posts: 319	I'm hooked on AA#7 for my XD. I know it's a little slow but it meters well and burns clean. __________________ Jan. 4, 2007 gasoline $2.10 gal....HMMM?

February 29, 2012, 10:58 AM	#21
Pilot Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2000 Posts: 3,158	I've also switched to Titegroup from the other powders, although I still use Clays for .45 ACP sometimes. They are both pretty clean. __________________ Pilot

February 28, 2012, 11:21 PM	#2
Edward429451 Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,457	Unique or WW-231, hands down. __________________ "Always place your clothes and weapons where you can find them in the dark" Lazarus Long "Understand that the enemy is not the enemy in his own eyes ;this may offer you an opportunity to make him your friend. If not, you can kill him without hate, and quickly." Lazarus Long

February 28, 2012, 11:26 PM	#3
scsov509 Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2006 Posts: 748	The 45 is one of those calibers that really does well with just about any powder you use, so I wouldn't sweat trying to find that one powder that is THE best. I mostly use Bullseye, 231, Universal, or Power Pistol these days for all my handgun needs except the magnum rounds.

February 28, 2012, 11:27 PM	#4
steve4102 Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,282	WST! You can thank me later!

February 28, 2012, 11:41 PM	#5
jibjab Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2005 Location: Central , OR Posts: 1,699	I don't know if they are the best, I use Bullseye for target, W231 general purpose, and AA#5 for heavier loads. I have been wanting to try AA#2

February 28, 2012, 11:59 PM	#6
eaglecontroller Junior Member Join Date: February 28, 2012 Posts: 3	So if you had to choose between AA#5, Bullseye, and 231 for all-purpose.... Which is it, and why? We can keep it short and simple if you like. My curiousity is running wild. Thanks for all the replies so far though.

February 29, 2012, 12:00 AM	#7
MEATSAW Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2009 Location: Burnet, TX Posts: 513	I use and highly recommend AA#5. Its an absolutely fantastic pistol powder. Perhaps its not as popular (availability maybe?) so people don't recommend it as much as say 231 or Unique. But when I started loading it was like I bought a whole new gun. More accurate, less recoil, and easier clean-up than any factory load I've ever tried -- and it meters excellent through my auto-disk measure. In your case consider local availability (who wants to pay hazmat fees? c'mon man) and price. __________________ Veteran OEF (2002) and OIF1 (2003) - US Army Member of the Burnet Gun Fighters, Inc. and of course the NRA Oregon State University alum -- Go Beavs!

February 29, 2012, 01:04 AM	#8
tdocz Junior Member Join Date: November 30, 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 11	I prefer Bullseye to Unique for .45 but the opposite for .40SW. Both are messy powders though. I like 231 and Blue Dot for .40 as well. Never used 231, and do not like to use Blue Dot, for .45. I find that all 4 are available locally for less than online, even before including hazmat and shipping. Sent from my LG-E739 using Tapatalk

February 29, 2012, 01:15 AM	#9
jag2 Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2009 Location: dallas Posts: 242	Bullseye, 231 and #5 are all good but #5 is really sweet. I use the Lee powder dippers so the fine grain of #5 helps keep the loads consistent. It also seems to have a very crisp feel to it, kind of hard to describe. All of them will work fine.

February 29, 2012, 01:26 AM	#10
hammered54 Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2010 Location: Pinckney,Michigan Posts: 104	I've used Bullseye, Bluedot and HS6...kinda like the HS6.

February 29, 2012, 01:39 AM	#11
mnhntr Senior Member Join Date: April 9, 2008 Posts: 972	A#5

February 29, 2012, 02:25 AM	#13
scsov509 Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2006 Posts: 748	If I had to choose only one for 45 that was most "versatile" as you ask, then 231 has a pretty broad range of use. I also like Power Pistol a lot for autoloaders, it's probably my favorite powder for loading jacketed bullets.

February 29, 2012, 04:04 AM	#15
Artsville Junior Member Join Date: September 26, 2009 Posts: 10	I just switched to wst from w231. Cleaner softer recoil even at higher velocities.

February 29, 2012, 08:54 AM	#17
mumbo719 Senior Member Join Date: June 27, 2008 Location: Tampa Bay, FL. Posts: 328	Bullseye for a 45, end of story!

February 29, 2012, 10:15 AM	#19
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	Then there are Clays, Universal Clays and Red Dot - all do well in the 45

March 1, 2012, 12:46 AM	#22
eaglecontroller Junior Member Join Date: February 28, 2012 Posts: 3	Ok Great. So, for me its down to 231 and A#5.... I might get them both and do a few test. Thanks so much for all the info. This looks like it'll be a great place for info.

March 1, 2012, 02:23 AM	#23
jibjab Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2005 Location: Central , OR Posts: 1,699	I must confess I have ulterior motives Bullseye,W-231 and AA#5 work very well in other cartridges I reload for.

March 1, 2012, 03:51 PM	#24
abber Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2008 Location: PRK Posts: 728	I get my best groups from Power Pistol. __________________ I ain't got no safe queens. I shoots em all...

March 1, 2012, 03:58 PM	#25
hounddawg Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Posts: 760	I keep things simple when possible. I use 231 in 45ACP, 9mm, and 38sp. Even loaded some 357 mags with it __________________ Government is like a baby. An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other. - Ronald Reagan