700-X for plinking loads in 45 ACP

N

Nathan

New member
I went to the store last night to get some titegroup for 9 and 380 loads.

They had quite a bit of powder and I was thinking, maybe they have something for my new 45 Auto load I want to develop.

I'm looking to make a fairly clean to clean load that launches 230 PRN Bullets at 675 - 750 fps with great accuracy. I was thinking Universal, but my dealer had 700-X for cheap. They also had Universal, 231, HP-38, cafe pistol....I bought 700-X, but after reading about metering issues in lnl powder measures, I wonder if I should just get rid of it. Another nice factor is that 700-X in 1 lb jugs....really isn't 1 lb! It is 14 oz....whose idea was that?

So, should I play with 700-X or go back for 231, universal, etc? It's just a couple blocks away!
 
It will work just know it does not meter well at low volume such as the one needed for .45 auto. It is a shotgun powder, and in a larger volume meters well enough. Be ready to hand weigh each charge. Its poor metering is why I still have a near full can of 800x.
 
I used 700X for over a year when I couldn't find any of my favorite powders - Unique, Bullseye, or 231 for the 45 ACP.

It meters poorly at light charges, sticking with mid range loads might yield better results.

It burn OK, and was accurate.

If I recall - 4.2 grains with a 200 gr SWC at 1.225" was accurate, and fairly mild - right at 775 FPS. I had trouble when I went below 4.0 grains as my Lee autodisk didn't meter it well.

I am happy I have enough unique, bullseye and 231 now on my shelf, and would not buy 700X if I had the choice.
 
I use 700-X for 45acp 230 grain ball. It's fast burning, and it burns clean.

As others have said, it is a flake powder that doesn't meter consistently in the RCBS Uniflow. So, I weigh each charge. I've done it this way so long, it's no big deal for me.

My COL is 1.24" - 1.25" for the Ruger SR1911 platform. Crimp is 0.470" applied with a Lee Factory Crimp Die.

The charges I use are directly out of the Hogdgon website.

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/

So, I use a lot of 700-X and am happy with its performance. I also use 700-X for 380, 38 spl and 9mm.

Bayou
 
700X has been a favorite for the .45 and others. I use 4.5 gr with a 195 or 200 gr cast SWC. Meters well through a Dillon 550. Hits the X ring every time...well, some times. Unfortunately, I just ran out of the can of 700X where the SWCs hit the X ring every time.
 
Last edited:
Well, 4.0 gr of 700X is a great, fun load! I can just spill brass out the top of my xd45!

Can't wait to see how it runs in my 1911. I'm a bit worried as they eject about 6"-2 ft from the gun!

I need to shoot it at 25 yds. At 10, I was able to put 5 into an inch.

I'm going to make 200 and do some reliability testing in other 45's.
 
700x Is a flake powder. it will work. 231 will work better, it's a flattened ball powder.
Click to expand...

I'm sure you'll make some fine rounds with 700X. But it's really - really - hard to beat W231 for 45 ACP.

Your call.
 
Still running this setup. I like it, but for some reason about 1:50 throw at 2.0 gr or 4.5 gr when I'm setup for a nominal of 4.0 gr. Glad I have a Hornady Powder COP. Without that, I would have thrown this powder in the planter!

I think 2.0 gr would stick a bullet. I think I will go to 231 or something else for light loads in the future.
 
Nathan,
I feel your pain and have had similar issues with 700X.
I have only had two squibs in 40,000 rounds loaded in 5 years - and both were with light charges of 700x - one in 38 special and one in 45. Both were just powerful enough to stick in the barrels just before the muzzle, and were real buggers to pound out.

As mentioned above- it burns well, and is accurate, but meters like corn flakes.

As an FYI - Don't even consider 800X....it takes the charge weight frustrations to a whole new level....
 
I'm trying 700x for the first time today on some 9mm/115fmj loads.

My post isn't really relevant but with the Lee Auto Disc I had to use the .61cc orifice to get a consistent 4.0g charge, and it still wondered between 3.8 and 4.2. I might try my Auto Drum next and see what it can do.

I put 700x right there with Unique as being "frustrating" to meter :mad:
 
Still running this setup. I like it, but for some reason about 1:50 throw at 2.0 gr or 4.5 gr when I'm setup for a nominal of 4.0 gr. Glad I have a Hornady Powder COP. Without that, I would have thrown this powder in the planter!
Click to expand...

So, where does the 2.0 gr go? How can the little chamber hold 1/2 as much 1:50 throws? Any ideas?
 
I've run quite a bit of 700x through my full-frame .45. It works just fine.
First, I weighed 4.5gr with CCI300s, then I weighed 5.0gr with RP2 1/2s, and shot them through my Oehler M33. The velocities were 850-930fps, with extreme-spreads small.
Then I set my RCBS UNI- to 4.5gr and measured several groups of 5.
Then set it to 5.0gr and measured groups of 5.
The ES measured, were not significantly larger than when weighed.
This indicates to me that weighing EXACTLY is not necessary when using the small amounts of this easy-to-ignite powder.
I chose this powder because I bought it large container for trap shooting, and it would be a bonus if I could use it for pistol competition.
The bullet I was using was a 230gr cast round-nose. I also tested it with different alloys, and lubes.
Good stuff.
Have fun,
Gene
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top