.45 ACP questions

[AEC1]

First, I did use the search button so BACK OFF!!!

Ok that is out of the way now. I have my gear for reloading .45 on the way. I have spent hours looking at powder and searching this site and others about a good recipe for .45. Not down to the grains, just what to buy as I ma new to it all. I know Large pistol primers, I know I want 230 ball or SWC. Not sure about metal jacket or not. Not sure about powder type. Any suggestions?

[anyracoon]

Love Clays for my XD-45 Tactical.

[bruceflinch]

I use Unique & 230 grn jacketed. W231 works too, if you can find it. W231 burns a bit cleaner than Unique.

[mike100]

Unique and WW231 work for a wide variety of calibers, plus unique is good for my 28 ga shotgun so I tend to keep that on hand at all times.

6 grains of unique with almost any 45acp bullet is the universal recipe*

*better check the book to be sure for your specific projectile, naturally

I also like winchester WST for light precision pistol. it burns fast so you have to load light.

[pdq_wizzard]

I just got some Blue Dot for free, and I am thinking I just might have to go buy some. It shoots better than the Unique and Bullseye. (out of my Gov 1911 with cast 230RN that is)

from what I have found is just about any shotgun powder you find works good - great in a 45..... YMMV

[draconianruler]

Use the search button.......

I use Bullseye with good results. SWC are nice if you are going to do paper shooting since they leave nice clean cut holes.

[ar15robert]

Use the search button.......

I use Bullseye with good results. SWC are nice if you are going to do paper shooting since they leave nice clean cut holes.

Bullseye here too.

[goober]

me too Bullseye

[AEC1]

Thanks for the info guys. It looks like bullseye, Unique, and W231 will be what I am looking for. I appreciate the help.

[Fjold]

Bullseye and 231 preferred, Unique is much dirtier.

[joelogic]

I am using titegroup and after about a hundred rounds the front of the slide was covered in carbon build up. I will try something else next time. I am also using 230gr FMJ's from montana gold bullet. Bullet type will depend upon use.

[5hundo]

So far, I'm loving Winchester 231...

When I load .40 S&W it cycles my glock perfectly on the suggested starting grains. It's also one of the lowest weights of all of the powder charges in my Lyman book, which means that a pound of powder will go a long way. I've loaded up some .45 ACP for my 1911 but I've yet to shoot it (haven't had the time).

I've also used blue dot in the past for both pistol and shotgun. I scored a great deal on the remainder of a 5 pound can at a gun show and it worked out great.

I've also used Unique and I like it. The charges for Unique tend to weigh a little more than 231 but not by much and actually, it seemed to be more accurate than 231 but that might have just been me...

It looks like bullseye, Unique, and W231 will be what I am looking for. I appreciate the help.

When I bought powder the last time, I bought one pound of unique and one pound of 231. I loaded up a few different loads with each propellant, to see what I liked the best. Sort of a "Pepsi Challenge" kind of deal. I ended up being content with either...

For purely economical reasons, I prefer 231...

[SCMA-1]

I used WW 231 for almost 20 years for 45ACP; I discovered Hodgdon TiteGroup about 7 years ago and no longer use 231. 231 is a great powder for 45ACP but it's dirty; TiteGroup has more energy and more rounds per lb with much cleaner burn as well as great accuracy. I use 200gr RN copper plated for my IPSC/practice loads.

SCMA-1

[SDJim]

I'm using Bullseye for both .45 & .38 target loads. At 2.7 grn (.38 148grn DEWC's) to 4.2 grn (.45 185 grn SWC's) a little goes a long way . . .

[AEC1]

Thanks master Blaster.