looking for a clean burning .45 acp load.

Remow2112 · January 25, 2008, 02:42 AM

HI all,

Been reloading for close to 11 years now and I use Win 231 for everything but 9mm. In 9mm I use Universal Clays (uc from here on) which is the cleanest firing round I have ever loaded.

I tried UC in 45 and 40 and in both cases there is always unburnt powder and they were inconsistent in speed. Not badly inconsistent but I didn't like it.

Win 231 works great but is dirty. In 40 it is not a problem. In .45s (except for my glocks. 2 1911s and a Kahr P45) when they start getting dirty from the win 231 they will have a failure to load the first round of a new mag. The round is getting caught on the burnt powder residue.

Any idea or suggestions?

Thanks,
Dan...

Thirties · January 25, 2008, 08:31 AM

I noticed that Accurate Arms (AA) #5 is cleaner in my guns than W231.

firechicken · January 25, 2008, 09:24 AM

What makes you think it's powder residue causing the feed problems? Could it be maybe your 45's just don't like the bullet you're using, or the OAL you seat them to? I use 231 with lead bullets in my 45's. I get quite a bit of residue bulid-up, but have never had any feed problems. The bullet just wipes the residue away where it touches the ramp.

WESHOOT2 · January 25, 2008, 10:32 AM

WST
N310
N320
700X
others.....

I use mostly W231.

cdrt · January 25, 2008, 10:36 AM

A big part of the "dirty" equation is not the powder, but the lube on the bullets. I use Bullseye in both my 1911 .45 wad gun and a 1911 .38 Special conversion. The .45 is always gunks up from the lube on the bullets, whereas the .38 doesn't at all since I'm using Hornady full wadcutters that have a dry lube on them.

Scorch · January 25, 2008, 02:36 PM

Most powders burn cleaner as pressure increases. If you are seeing a lot of unburnt powder, try a firmer crimp or a larger powder charge.

I always load 45s with Unique. But what do I know?

TexasSeaRay · January 27, 2008, 02:13 AM

4.7 grains Bullseye behind a 200 LSWC.

Jeff

Stargazer · January 27, 2008, 10:00 AM

700X is pretty clean burning, just can't load too high as pressure goes up fast.

KeithB78 · January 28, 2008, 09:51 AM

i use w231 in both my 45s with no problems. I don't find itto be really dirty, now in combination with lubed LSWC bullets it gets nasty, but hat is the lube burning i suspect. But beats a leaded barrel.

BigJimP · January 28, 2008, 02:40 PM

I load Hodgdon TiteGroup - and I find it pretty clean in all calibers.

Remow2112 · January 28, 2008, 06:25 PM

Good suggestions. It is not a lube problem because I only use FMJ or copper wash.

I could try upping the crimp a little but I have the case mouth right at the measurement in my Lyman's book.

I use 5.5 of 231 under a 230gr rn. I load to max OAL. I could try seating the bullet deeper with universal clays and see if that helps with the unburnt powder.

The thing that makes it odd is that UC in 9mm works great. But in 40 (which is high pressure) and 45 (low pressure) I am getting unburnt powder.

I am much more willing to play with the 45 since it is low pressure and has a larger margin of error.

Just to add a little detail: When I shoot 231 45 loads I get a dark black powder residue at the muzzle and inside the gun. I can take my finger and wipe off the residue on the feed ramp and the jamming goes away.

Anyone using UC for 45 and not getting unburnt powder?

Thanks,
Dan...

Mr.RevolverGuy · January 28, 2008, 07:42 PM

+1 Titegroup

Stargazer · January 28, 2008, 08:03 PM

I was shooting 45 ACP in my Taurus revolver that I had on "loan" from them (their warranty department had possesion of the revolver more than I did before I sent it back to the place of purchase for a credit towards a S&W 686). Anyway, after a few rounds of Unique in that revolver it got hard to seat the rounds after 3-4 cylinders worth. Went to 5 grains of 700X and I could shoot (100) rounds before the .45 caliber snake was needed! Burned very clean.

AlaskaMike · January 28, 2008, 08:06 PM

Quote:

I use 5.5 of 231 under a 230gr rn. I load to max OAL. I could try seating the bullet deeper with universal clays and see if that helps with the unburnt powder.

I think that's your main issue. I had my 1911 and also my Sig P220 start to jam on me way too early during range sessions due to powder fouling with my 231 loads, so I experimented quite a bit with different charge levels and OALs. Going from 1.26" to 1.23" OAL made a significant difference for me with my charge weight of 5.6 grains, but I was using a 200 grain H&G 68 style SWC.

I wouldn't worry about trying a heavier crimp--my guess is that a crimp strong enough make a difference will be too strong of a crimp.

Even though my experiments clearly showed that 231 cleaned up significantly as pressure increased, I now only use either Clays or Power Pistol in .45 ACP, saving the 231 for revolver loads. Not that I felt that 231 wasn't good enough--the load I ended up with at the end of my experimenting was both accurate and clean (5.8 gr 231, 1.23" OAL). However I discovered that for light to medium loads, Clays was more economical, and Power Pistol allowed for more powerful loads while remaining within safe pressure range. Both give me accuracy equal to 231, so the other factors were the determining ones for me.

Mike

nate45 · January 28, 2008, 08:09 PM

Power Pistol is fairly clean burning.

I use 7.6gr with a 230gr XTP for a nice powerful load.

VAHunter · January 28, 2008, 10:33 PM

I've had good results from VihtaVuori N320 and N340 pushing both 185gr HPs and Rainier 200 gr FP's. Clean and low flash. I think Wilson combat used to include a Vihta load for the Hornady 200 gr XTP in the literature they'd sentwith some magazines I bought.

Power pistol is clean in the .45ACP loads but good golly it's loud and flashy. I save those PP loads for when I get someone in the lane next to me shooting his short barrelled .357 and I can't hear my 1911.

Grandpa Shooter · January 30, 2008, 02:51 AM

I am using 8.1 g of Accurate #5 behind a Mastercaster 200g LRN in my 1991A1 Colt compact. It is controllable, accurate and clean. Here is what it looks like.

coltfan · January 30, 2008, 04:57 PM

I have been loading the 45ACP since 1975 for a Colt Mk 4 Series 70. I have used just about all popular powders and multiple bullet styles and types. I have found that a failure to feed is almost always due to a magazine problem or bullet style or seating depth (affecting COL). I make sure my mags are cleaned regularly inside and out as well as replacing the mag springs as needed. I also have my old Colt mags fitted with Pachmayr SS followers and Wolff extra power springs. 9 out of 10 of these original 1975 vintage mag bodies are still providing reliable service (the 10th body was damaged and discarded).

Dirty powder is a nuissance but I dont think it is the cause of your feeding problem. Also, I would assume that you keep your weapon reasonably clean and lubricated as necessary.

January 25, 2008, 02:42 AM	#1
Remow2112 Member Join Date: May 3, 2005 Posts: 51	looking for a clean burning .45 acp load. HI all, Been reloading for close to 11 years now and I use Win 231 for everything but 9mm. In 9mm I use Universal Clays (uc from here on) which is the cleanest firing round I have ever loaded. I tried UC in 45 and 40 and in both cases there is always unburnt powder and they were inconsistent in speed. Not badly inconsistent but I didn't like it. Win 231 works great but is dirty. In 40 it is not a problem. In .45s (except for my glocks. 2 1911s and a Kahr P45) when they start getting dirty from the win 231 they will have a failure to load the first round of a new mag. The round is getting caught on the burnt powder residue. Any idea or suggestions? Thanks, Dan...

January 25, 2008, 10:32 AM	#4
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	cleaner WST N310 N320 700X others..... I use mostly W231.

January 25, 2008, 02:36 PM	#6
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,249	Most powders burn cleaner as pressure increases. If you are seeing a lot of unburnt powder, try a firmer crimp or a larger powder charge. I always load 45s with Unique. But what do I know? __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

January 28, 2008, 06:25 PM	#11
Remow2112 Member Join Date: May 3, 2005 Posts: 51	Thx for the advice. Good suggestions. It is not a lube problem because I only use FMJ or copper wash. I could try upping the crimp a little but I have the case mouth right at the measurement in my Lyman's book. I use 5.5 of 231 under a 230gr rn. I load to max OAL. I could try seating the bullet deeper with universal clays and see if that helps with the unburnt powder. The thing that makes it odd is that UC in 9mm works great. But in 40 (which is high pressure) and 45 (low pressure) I am getting unburnt powder. I am much more willing to play with the 45 since it is low pressure and has a larger margin of error. Just to add a little detail: When I shoot 231 45 loads I get a dark black powder residue at the muzzle and inside the gun. I can take my finger and wipe off the residue on the feed ramp and the jamming goes away. Anyone using UC for 45 and not getting unburnt powder? Thanks, Dan...

January 28, 2008, 10:33 PM	#16
VAHunter Member Join Date: August 10, 2000 Location: Virginia, USA Posts: 46	Clean burning .45 loads I've had good results from VihtaVuori N320 and N340 pushing both 185gr HPs and Rainier 200 gr FP's. Clean and low flash. I think Wilson combat used to include a Vihta load for the Hornady 200 gr XTP in the literature they'd sentwith some magazines I bought. Power pistol is clean in the .45ACP loads but good golly it's loud and flashy. I save those PP loads for when I get someone in the lane next to me shooting his short barrelled .357 and I can't hear my 1911.

January 25, 2008, 08:31 AM	#2
Thirties Senior Member Join Date: April 29, 2001 Location: Where the Red Sox meet the Black Bears Posts: 561	I noticed that Accurate Arms (AA) #5 is cleaner in my guns than W231.

January 25, 2008, 09:24 AM	#3
firechicken Senior Member Join Date: April 17, 2006 Location: Savannah, MO Posts: 224	What makes you think it's powder residue causing the feed problems? Could it be maybe your 45's just don't like the bullet you're using, or the OAL you seat them to? I use 231 with lead bullets in my 45's. I get quite a bit of residue bulid-up, but have never had any feed problems. The bullet just wipes the residue away where it touches the ramp.

January 25, 2008, 10:36 AM	#5
cdrt Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 2007 Location: The Lone Star State Posts: 255	A big part of the "dirty" equation is not the powder, but the lube on the bullets. I use Bullseye in both my 1911 .45 wad gun and a 1911 .38 Special conversion. The .45 is always gunks up from the lube on the bullets, whereas the .38 doesn't at all since I'm using Hornady full wadcutters that have a dry lube on them.

January 27, 2008, 02:13 AM	#7
TexasSeaRay Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 810	4.7 grains Bullseye behind a 200 LSWC. Jeff

January 27, 2008, 10:00 AM	#8
Stargazer Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 506	700X is pretty clean burning, just can't load too high as pressure goes up fast.

January 28, 2008, 09:51 AM	#9
KeithB78 Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2007 Posts: 156	i use w231 in both my 45s with no problems. I don't find itto be really dirty, now in combination with lubed LSWC bullets it gets nasty, but hat is the lube burning i suspect. But beats a leaded barrel.

January 28, 2008, 02:40 PM	#10
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	I load Hodgdon TiteGroup - and I find it pretty clean in all calibers.

January 28, 2008, 07:42 PM	#12
Mr.RevolverGuy Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 997	+1 Titegroup

January 28, 2008, 08:03 PM	#13
Stargazer Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 506	I was shooting 45 ACP in my Taurus revolver that I had on "loan" from them (their warranty department had possesion of the revolver more than I did before I sent it back to the place of purchase for a credit towards a S&W 686). Anyway, after a few rounds of Unique in that revolver it got hard to seat the rounds after 3-4 cylinders worth. Went to 5 grains of 700X and I could shoot (100) rounds before the .45 caliber snake was needed! Burned very clean.

January 28, 2008, 08:09 PM	#15
nate45 Senior Member Join Date: July 16, 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 3,746	Power Pistol is fairly clean burning. I use 7.6gr with a 230gr XTP for a nice powerful load.

January 30, 2008, 02:51 AM	#17
Grandpa Shooter Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2007 Posts: 140	I am using 8.1 g of Accurate #5 behind a Mastercaster 200g LRN in my 1991A1 Colt compact. It is controllable, accurate and clean. Here is what it looks like. __________________ Old enough to know better and way too old to care!

January 30, 2008, 04:57 PM	#18
coltfan Junior Member Join Date: September 24, 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 5	Dirty Powder I have been loading the 45ACP since 1975 for a Colt Mk 4 Series 70. I have used just about all popular powders and multiple bullet styles and types. I have found that a failure to feed is almost always due to a magazine problem or bullet style or seating depth (affecting COL). I make sure my mags are cleaned regularly inside and out as well as replacing the mag springs as needed. I also have my old Colt mags fitted with Pachmayr SS followers and Wolff extra power springs. 9 out of 10 of these original 1975 vintage mag bodies are still providing reliable service (the 10th body was damaged and discarded). Dirty powder is a nuissance but I dont think it is the cause of your feeding problem. Also, I would assume that you keep your weapon reasonably clean and lubricated as necessary.