Powder for 45 ACP

rdgantt · February 25, 2018, 05:02 PM

I'm about to start loading 45 ACP rounds and I need some recommendations on which powder to use. I'm planning on using Berry's plated 200gr Flat Nose bullets.

**Unclenick** · February 25, 2018, 05:14 PM

Welcome to the forum.

The old standbys are Bullseye and HP38/231 (the last two are the same powder in different packages). At 230-grain ball power level, Hodgdon Universal is cleaner burning than the older powders. Tightgroup also has a reputation for being cleaner, but hotter. If you want light target loads, Clays and N310 are good. Of all the above, HP38/231 is the easiest powder to meter consistently by volume. Other old standards include Red Dot and Unique. Dirtier and harder to meter, respectively, in my past experience, but I haven't used the former in 30 years, so I don't know if the dirtier thing is an impression or real. More modern powder for full power loads would be Power Pistol. HS-6 still has its adherents, too, for that purpose. There are also newer powders out at Alliant, among others. You will get to try some things out, but if you just want fairly immediate decent results, get HP38 or 231 and avoid the metering issue altogether.

std7mag · February 25, 2018, 05:27 PM

Welcome to the funny farm...

At least that's what you'll think starting in the world of reloading.

As Unclenick said, there are many powders out there for the 45.
I'm using Ramshot Silhouette for my carry rounds.
Alliants's Unique, Red Dot, Green Dot, Pwoer Pistol, BE86.
Ramshot Competition, Zip.

The powder choices are plentyful.

If you just using them for range shooting, check your manual for something in the 800-850 fps range.

1stmar · February 25, 2018, 05:51 PM

Ive been uskng clays for years. Its soft shooting and accurate. Not the cleanest but not bad either. 3.7gr 200gr swc. Ive used it for bullets as heavy as 250gr.

tallwalker · February 25, 2018, 06:09 PM

I still reload 12 gauge and have used 700x for years so have plenty of it. I use it for .45 with Berry's bullets as well. Used to be a go to load for Bullseye.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Charlie98 · February 25, 2018, 08:05 PM

My standard .45ACP powder has been Unique... for only the last 30 years, though. I have experimented with other powders... W231, WST, RedDot, TiteGroup... but I have always gone back to Unique. That isn't to say it's the best powder, it's just the one that has worked for me.

On the plus side... loading the .45ACP is about as easy as anything you could imagine, it's very hard to find something that just doesn't work (assuming you are loading out of a manual...) and the pressures aren't high enough to get you into too much trouble if you err.

BigJimP · February 25, 2018, 08:45 PM

Lots of options out there...for .45 acp.../ but I prefer Hodgdon Universal or Hodgdon Titegroup. You have to be careful with TiteGroup...its Min and Max are pretty close together.

Kevin Rohrer · February 25, 2018, 10:07 PM

An oft-asked question that could have been avoided if the OP had done a search here.

Unique, as always.

std7mag · February 25, 2018, 10:43 PM

Aaahhhhh, we were all young once..

Dufus · February 25, 2018, 11:13 PM

I have burned a lot of powder in the 45 ACP in 50 years.

The best so far has been VV N340.

cw308 · February 25, 2018, 11:44 PM

I use W231 with Rainier plated 230 gr.RN bullets . Plated bullets you can give alittle more flare on the case , easier on the plating when seating. Start your powder on the low side an work up untill you find what works best. Welcome to the family , it's a great forum.

Chris

Hammerhead · February 26, 2018, 07:27 AM

N310 (light loads only), N340 or Bullseye for my 200 grain plated .45 loads.

Road_Clam · February 26, 2018, 07:40 AM

WST works awesome for me.

Sure Shot Mc Gee · February 26, 2018, 11:26 AM

My preference for a 200 gr 45 cast or jacketed.
Accurate Arms #5 or Win 231. Both powders function my hardball sprung slides. Reliability is #1 with me. 70 Cups I have are without a doubt pin point accurate with either powders use.

jamaica · February 26, 2018, 01:29 PM

Bullseye

Rifletom · February 26, 2018, 02:41 PM

Unique and Universal mostly. Honorable mention: Clays, just cuz I like it.

T. O'Heir · February 26, 2018, 02:47 PM

Only ever used Bullseye with cast 230's myself.
The Bullseye 200 grain LSWC data will do nicely for your plated bullets. In any case, the .45 is a pretty forgiving and easy to load cartridge. The only serious caveat is 'Taper crimps only.' Otherwise, just follow your manual religiously and you'll be fine.

lee n. field · February 26, 2018, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdgantt

I'm about to start loading 45 ACP rounds and I need some recommendations on which powder to use. I'm planning on using Berry's plated 200gr Flat Nose bullets.

Bullseye.

Quote:

In any case, the .45 is a pretty forgiving and easy to load cartridge.

Yep, pretty forgiving. It's a big wide cup for powder.

There are subtleties you run into. Working through them is a learning experience.

Do heed the primer size, as there are some out there now that use small pistol primers (vs. the usual large).

Rangerrich99 · February 26, 2018, 09:03 PM

Bullseye, Power Pistol, Titegroup and CFE Pistol.

Lately I've been using either Bullseye or CFE Pistol (less apparent flash with this one), in that order of preference. Other than the flash they both work well, at least through the 4-5,000 rounds I've produced and fired so far.

Next I'd pick PP, with TG last, just because it's so easy to miss a double charge with TG in a big piece of brass and a relatively small powder charge.

Nick_C_S · February 26, 2018, 09:21 PM

It's hard to beat Bullseye and W231 (or HP-38). Bullseye in the 4.6 grain neighborhood; and W231 in the 5.0 grain.

I've loaded a lot of Berry's 200gn FP's with TiteGroup. TG is well suited for plated bullets. 4.8 grains yields 840 f/s through my full-size 1911s. OAL 1.175" And excellent range shooting round.

Arteest · February 26, 2018, 10:14 PM

Bullseye and Titegroup for practice/Target. Unique for more robust loads.

GeauxTide · February 27, 2018, 09:21 AM

My most accurate load under a 200 hard cast SWC is Unique. Lately, I've been using Power Pistol in 45 Colt, so will try on the next batch of ACP. It does burn cleaner than Unique, but part of the fun of shooting is cleaning.

Hunter Customs · February 27, 2018, 11:49 AM

I'm a firm believer in Winchester 231 for the 45acp no matter if I'm rolling light or heavy loads. I think I still have 16 pounds left so I'm pretty much set for the rest of my handloading career.

kmw1954 · February 27, 2018, 02:01 PM

Well maybe I can give an impression from someone who had never loaded for the 45acp by this weekend.

I have 20 rounds ea. of starting load HP-38, AA#5 and Ramshot Silhouette under a 200gr X-TREME RN plated for a brand new Springfield XD that I have never loader for before. But I am looking forward to this.

jamaica · February 27, 2018, 06:48 PM

kmw1954, sounds like you are in for some fun. I confess Unique has been on my bench for many years and I have loaded several handgun cartridges with it.

February 25, 2018, 05:14 PM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,742	Welcome to the forum. The old standbys are Bullseye and HP38/231 (the last two are the same powder in different packages). At 230-grain ball power level, Hodgdon Universal is cleaner burning than the older powders. Tightgroup also has a reputation for being cleaner, but hotter. If you want light target loads, Clays and N310 are good. Of all the above, HP38/231 is the easiest powder to meter consistently by volume. Other old standards include Red Dot and Unique. Dirtier and harder to meter, respectively, in my past experience, but I haven't used the former in 30 years, so I don't know if the dirtier thing is an impression or real. More modern powder for full power loads would be Power Pistol. HS-6 still has its adherents, too, for that purpose. There are also newer powders out at Alliant, among others. You will get to try some things out, but if you just want fairly immediate decent results, get HP38 or 231 and avoid the metering issue altogether. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

February 25, 2018, 10:07 PM	#8
Kevin Rohrer Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2010 Location: Medina, Ohio Posts: 1,050	An oft-asked question that could have been avoided if the OP had done a search here. Unique, as always. __________________ Member: Orange Gunsite Family, NRA--Life, ARTCA, and American Legion. Caveat Emptor: Cavery Grips/AmericanGripz/Prestige Grips/Stealth Grips from Clayton, NC. He is a scammer

February 26, 2018, 07:40 AM	#13
Road_Clam Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2013 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 1,719	WST works awesome for me. __________________ "To be old an wise you must have been young and stupid"

February 26, 2018, 09:21 PM	#20
Nick_C_S Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,619	It's hard to beat Bullseye and W231 (or HP-38). Bullseye in the 4.6 grain neighborhood; and W231 in the 5.0 grain. I've loaded a lot of Berry's 200gn FP's with TiteGroup. TG is well suited for plated bullets. 4.8 grains yields 840 f/s through my full-size 1911s. OAL 1.175" And excellent range shooting round. __________________ Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself. Life Member, National Rifle Association

February 25, 2018, 05:02 PM	#1
rdgantt Junior Member Join Date: February 16, 2018 Posts: 8	Powder for 45 ACP I'm about to start loading 45 ACP rounds and I need some recommendations on which powder to use. I'm planning on using Berry's plated 200gr Flat Nose bullets.

February 25, 2018, 05:27 PM	#3
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,611	Welcome to the funny farm... At least that's what you'll think starting in the world of reloading. As Unclenick said, there are many powders out there for the 45. I'm using Ramshot Silhouette for my carry rounds. Alliants's Unique, Red Dot, Green Dot, Pwoer Pistol, BE86. Ramshot Competition, Zip. The powder choices are plentyful. If you just using them for range shooting, check your manual for something in the 800-850 fps range.

February 25, 2018, 05:51 PM	#4
1stmar Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,378	Ive been uskng clays for years. Its soft shooting and accurate. Not the cleanest but not bad either. 3.7gr 200gr swc. Ive used it for bullets as heavy as 250gr.

February 25, 2018, 06:09 PM	#5
tallwalker Junior Member Join Date: January 28, 2013 Posts: 14	I still reload 12 gauge and have used 700x for years so have plenty of it. I use it for .45 with Berry's bullets as well. Used to be a go to load for Bullseye. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

February 25, 2018, 08:05 PM	#6
Charlie98 Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2006 Location: Great state of Texas Posts: 1,077	My standard .45ACP powder has been Unique... for only the last 30 years, though. I have experimented with other powders... W231, WST, RedDot, TiteGroup... but I have always gone back to Unique. That isn't to say it's the best powder, it's just the one that has worked for me. On the plus side... loading the .45ACP is about as easy as anything you could imagine, it's very hard to find something that just doesn't work (assuming you are loading out of a manual...) and the pressures aren't high enough to get you into too much trouble if you err.

February 25, 2018, 08:45 PM	#7
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Lots of options out there...for .45 acp.../ but I prefer Hodgdon Universal or Hodgdon Titegroup. You have to be careful with TiteGroup...its Min and Max are pretty close together.

February 25, 2018, 10:43 PM	#9
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,611	Aaahhhhh, we were all young once..

February 25, 2018, 11:13 PM	#10
Dufus Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2014 Posts: 1,967	I have burned a lot of powder in the 45 ACP in 50 years. The best so far has been VV N340.

February 25, 2018, 11:44 PM	#11
cw308 Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2010 Location: Plainview , Long Island NY Posts: 3,863	I use W231 with Rainier plated 230 gr.RN bullets . Plated bullets you can give alittle more flare on the case , easier on the plating when seating. Start your powder on the low side an work up untill you find what works best. Welcome to the family , it's a great forum. Chris

February 26, 2018, 07:27 AM	#12
Hammerhead Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,432	N310 (light loads only), N340 or Bullseye for my 200 grain plated .45 loads.

February 26, 2018, 11:26 AM	#14
Sure Shot Mc Gee Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,876	My preference for a 200 gr 45 cast or jacketed. Accurate Arms #5 or Win 231. Both powders function my hardball sprung slides. Reliability is #1 with me. 70 Cups I have are without a doubt pin point accurate with either powders use.

February 26, 2018, 01:29 PM	#15
jamaica Senior Member Join Date: March 24, 2006 Location: Northern Utah Posts: 705	Bullseye

February 26, 2018, 02:41 PM	#16
Rifletom Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2011 Location: So-Cal Posts: 805	Unique and Universal mostly. Honorable mention: Clays, just cuz I like it.

February 26, 2018, 02:47 PM	#17
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Only ever used Bullseye with cast 230's myself. The Bullseye 200 grain LSWC data will do nicely for your plated bullets. In any case, the .45 is a pretty forgiving and easy to load cartridge. The only serious caveat is 'Taper crimps only.' Otherwise, just follow your manual religiously and you'll be fine.

February 26, 2018, 09:03 PM	#19
Rangerrich99 Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2014 Location: Kinda near Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,254	Bullseye, Power Pistol, Titegroup and CFE Pistol. Lately I've been using either Bullseye or CFE Pistol (less apparent flash with this one), in that order of preference. Other than the flash they both work well, at least through the 4-5,000 rounds I've produced and fired so far. Next I'd pick PP, with TG last, just because it's so easy to miss a double charge with TG in a big piece of brass and a relatively small powder charge.

February 26, 2018, 10:14 PM	#21
Arteest Junior Member Join Date: February 24, 2018 Location: Hillsdale, MI Posts: 4	Bullseye and Titegroup for practice/Target. Unique for more robust loads.

February 27, 2018, 09:21 AM	#22
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,514	My most accurate load under a 200 hard cast SWC is Unique. Lately, I've been using Power Pistol in 45 Colt, so will try on the next batch of ACP. It does burn cleaner than Unique, but part of the fun of shooting is cleaning.

February 27, 2018, 11:49 AM	#23
Hunter Customs Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2005 Location: Osborn, Missouri Posts: 2,697	I'm a firm believer in Winchester 231 for the 45acp no matter if I'm rolling light or heavy loads. I think I still have 16 pounds left so I'm pretty much set for the rest of my handloading career.

February 27, 2018, 02:01 PM	#24
kmw1954 Senior Member Join Date: June 12, 2016 Location: SE Wisconsin Posts: 1,527	Well maybe I can give an impression from someone who had never loaded for the 45acp by this weekend. I have 20 rounds ea. of starting load HP-38, AA#5 and Ramshot Silhouette under a 200gr X-TREME RN plated for a brand new Springfield XD that I have never loader for before. But I am looking forward to this.

February 27, 2018, 06:48 PM	#25
jamaica Senior Member Join Date: March 24, 2006 Location: Northern Utah Posts: 705	kmw1954, sounds like you are in for some fun. I confess Unique has been on my bench for many years and I have loaded several handgun cartridges with it.