best powder for .45acp

[223coyote]

what is the best powder for metering and accuracy i have a sa gi,45 .
jim

[arkie2]

Hodgdons titegroup works well for me. It meters accurately and burns clean. I think accuracy would be more a function of the gun and the shooter if you're throwing consistent powder loads.

[fourrobert13]

I personally like Bullseye.

[xjz]

I'm using power pistol now and like it, although I'm tempted to use bullseye right now. I have used unique and liked the results except it was very dirty.

[Two Dogs]

+1 for Bullseye.

[ok41]

As long as we're votin'..I've tried titegroup, bullseye, and unique. My Kimber likes unique over 200 gr swc. But I'd tell anyone to shoot aroud (as in shop around) for their particular diet.

[100W_Warlock]

titegroup is one of the cleanest. But, folks have gotten very consistent results for shooting heavier bullets with Bullseyes or W231.

(I load 5.4gr of W231, which is not too bad with 230gr plated bullets)

[nass]

I use Clay's. HP38/W231 also works well and is very universal.

Clays is softer shooting in a 1911 for loads that both make major power factor.

[Shane Tuttle]

My vote is for HP38/W231, HS-6. These have been fun to use. I don't necessarily think they are the best because I'm still poking around on different powders myself.

I don't like anything about Universal except it meters really nice for me...

I might try Titegroup next. Seems to be a good following lately...

[Semper Paratus]

The best powder depends on what you are trying to do. Duplicate factory stuff? Powder puff target loads. Hot rod 200's for pin shooting? The answer to what is best for all of those is a different powder. I like AA#5 for duplicating factory specs 200- 230 gr bullets. I like AA#2, W231 or Bullseye for powder puff to mid range loads with 200 gr LSWC. When I need 1000+ FPS loads with 200s I go to VVN340. I have used HS6, unique, red dot, green dot, AA#7, all to good effect. The dots were particular favorites when I was reloading alot (1000+ a month)of 12 gauge shot gun, worked pretty well. Bottom line define your task...then reask your question.

[cheygriz]

Target loads- Bullseye, Titegreoup 231/HP38.

Ball loads- Unique, AAC#5, Universal

+P loads, HS-6, Herco and Power Pistol.

[Scorch]

I tried different powders for the 45 ACP, and keep coming back to Unique. Yes, it's smudgy, but it is consistent, burns well, and is accurate.

[223coyote]

thanks for all the replys , ill be shooting mostly target loads
jim

[Slamfire]

Bullseye is the oldest smokeless powder on the market. It was used in the original, and I mean 1910ish 45 ACP factory loads.

For target and standard velocities, Bullseye consistantly produces the lowest Standard Deviations and Extreme Spreads of the powders that I have tested. This is exactly what you want in an auto pistol . The more consistant the kick, the more reliable the functioning. (In my opinion).

When you ask Bullseye shooters what they use, Bullseye powder is still one of the most common powders to be found on the firing line.

Bullseye meters well and is well suited for use in progressive presses. It should be around for another century or so.

[Kentuckian]

Another vote for Power Pistol.

[JoeHatley]

I've been using Bullseye for 30 years. I've tried many other powders over the years, with Clays and TiteGroup being a couple of good ones, but I've never found anything better than Bullseye.

Joe

[snuffy]

231, end of conversation! It meters well, burns clean, is economical, and the price is right.

[Walkalong]

AA# 2, W231, Universal Clays, AA# 5.............Bullseye, Red Dot, Blue Dot...........

[Scorch]

Bullseye is the oldest smokeless powder on the market. It was used in the original, and I mean 1910ish 45 ACP factory loads.

Military ammo is generally loaded using bulk powders, not canister powders (with some notable exceptions). I have heard of loads duplicating 45 ACP Ball ammo performance using Bullseye, but I never heard that it was the original for the 45 ACP. That said, it is still a pretty good powder.

Bullseye

Smokeless pistol powder
Billions of rounds have been loaded with Bullseye since it was introduced in 1913.

Fast burning and consistent
Economical and accurate
Great for light 12 gauge loads

[Trapper L]

I use a lot of AA5 and HS-6 in the 45 ACP. Both are around the buring rate of Unique, just a little slower, but in ball powder. Meters thru a measure dead on. I also don't have pressure spikes from the quick powders at or near max loads. Recoil is not near as sharp either.

[Slamfire]

have heard of loads duplicating 45 ACP Ball ammo performance using Bullseye, but I never heard that it was the original for the 45 ACP. That said, it is still a pretty good powder

My source is "Colt .45 Service Pistols" by Charles W. Clawson.

He does not explicitly provide the powder used in the Model 1909 UMC cartridges. But on pg 68, foot note 6. For the Model 1911 cartridge "The propellent was approximately 5 grains of Bull's-Eye powder, the same as U.M.C's."

Incidentally there is a table which shows the velocity of the 230 FMJ was 802 fps at 0 yards.

Bullseye is the Alpha and the Omega for the 45 ACP.

[tbtrout]

I started with 231 and have not had a reason to change. Works well

[red-rider]

4.6 grains titegroup under a 200gr lead swc out of a 5 inch 1911. I got that load from a magazine and it shoots very well for me. I use 231 for hardball loads. I still experiment, thats a handloaders nature. I have recently bought aa#5 and #7, they are working very well in other calibers for and am looking forward to trying them in the 45

[ECLIPSE45ACP]

231, nuff said. not too peppy but will cycle an 18# spring in my kimber under
4.9 grains with a 230 grain RN. I tried titegroup and Unique did not care for either. Too much pop for rapid fire target shooting.

[crowbeaner]

Unique, SR4756, and AA#5 if you are after power.