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Powder for 45 ACP
- Thread starter rdgantt
- Start date
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.
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.
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.
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.
tallwalker
New member
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.
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Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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.
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.
Kevin Rohrer
New member
An oft-asked question that could have been avoided if the OP had done a search here.
Unique, as always.
Unique, as always.
Hammerhead
New member
N310 (light loads only), N340 or Bullseye for my 200 grain plated .45 loads.
Sure Shot Mc Gee
New member
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.
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.
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.
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
New member
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.
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
New member
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.
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.
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.
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.