Powder for 45 ACP

My most accurate load under a 200 hard cast SWC is Unique. Lately, I've been using Power Pistol in 45 Colt, so will try on the next batch of ACP. It does burn cleaner than Unique, but part of the fun of shooting is cleaning.
 
I'm a firm believer in Winchester 231 for the 45acp no matter if I'm rolling light or heavy loads. I think I still have 16 pounds left so I'm pretty much set for the rest of my handloading career.
 
Well maybe I can give an impression from someone who had never loaded for the 45acp by this weekend.

I have 20 rounds ea. of starting load HP-38, AA#5 and Ramshot Silhouette under a 200gr X-TREME RN plated for a brand new Springfield XD that I have never loader for before. But I am looking forward to this.
 
kmw1954, sounds like you are in for some fun. I confess Unique has been on my bench for many years and I have loaded several handgun cartridges with it.
 
I've tried to like W231/HP-38 in the .45, but I can't get the velocities I want with the 230grn bullet vs Unique... same for WST. I really wanted to like WST... it burns cleaner than anything I've ever shot in a handgun... but it can't match Unique's velocity.

Now that I've started loading 200grn FMJ for my 4" alloy 1911, I'm probably going to have to revisit the WST and W231 data and see if it will work.
 
W231 has been my most accurate load, though Unique and Power Pistol have been pretty good too. Looking at the 2018 issue of Hodgdon print reloading manual I am now very interested to try IMR Unequal. But W231 is my proven baseline I compare all new powders to for .45ACP. I would start with W231/HP38 if available. If not then Unique or PP in that order. Universal should be similar to Unique but I have not tried it.
 
I've tried to like W231/HP-38 in the .45, but I can't get the velocities I want with the 230grn bullet vs Unique.
Click to expand...

Yeah. They're apples n oranges. Unique has a considerably slower burn rate than W231. So if you wanna go fast - especially with 230's - Unique is the better choice ;).
 
There is no need to re invent the wheel: Bullseye. Bullseye powder was the powder used in the 1910 45 ACP test cartridges, the powder charge specified was 5.0 grains with a 230 FMJ at 800 fps. This load was used successfully in two World Wars, Korea, Vietnam and a whole bunch of bush wars we the public never heard about.

A 200 LSWC with 4.0 grains Bullseye has been a standard 50 yard Bullseye Target load as far back as I can trace it in the American Rifleman. It had to have been standardized before Clark wrote out it in the early 1950's.
 
My oldest set recipe - of all calibers - is for 45 ACP.

5.0 grains W231, under a 200gn LSWC. 840 f/s and tac-driver accurate.
 
90% or my .45 Auto reloads get bullseye. The other 10% gets mostly Titegroup or W231.

80-90% are using 200gr LSWC, them remains are a mix of plated, and JHP.
 
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