[fgr39]

I'm looking for a different powder to use for 45 acp. I will mainly be shooting 200lsw or 230 lrn. I wanted something with more bulk than AA#5. will be for target/IDPA. I can get both locally but getting one or the other and then doing a few test rounds isn't really gonna work, I live in MD and it is a challange to get to the range. Please give your opinion on each and pass some good loads

thanks

[stans]

AA#2 and W-231 are both very fast burning ball powders. It takes less of these powders than #5 to make the same velocities, so there is going to be even more air space inside the case. I know it has a reputation of being a dirty powder, but Unique is a medium burning rate flake powder and will take up a fair amount of space.

[MoNsTeR]

Between 231 and #2, loading density is about even. Red Dot, Clays, or 700-X would be bulkier.

[Jim Watson]

I have shot many pounds of W231 in .45ACP. It meters well and gives as good uniformity of velocity and accuracy on target as any. It does have a good deal of muzzle flash, so if your IDPA club is into low-light events, you might do better with AA #2 which generates a lot less flash. I load small batches with AA #2 for such occasions. These days I usually load .45 with 700X because it is my favorite shotgun powder and I buy it in quantity. I have loaded .45s with 452AA (discontinued) and Green Dot because they were cheap and Clays because it is clean burning and leaves little unburnt powder to get under the extractor of a revolver and bind up the cylinder rotation. Otherwise, it doesn't seem to matter. A 200 gr SWC at 850 fps is a very straightforward load and you can do it with about anything on the market. Start with the manual and finish with the chronograph.

Powders of greater bulk like Unique will be slower burning and will give less uniform velocity and more fouling if loaded way under maximum for target or minimum power factor loads. Writer Charles Petty keeps talking about advantages of things like Power Pistol and N340 to nearly fill the case in even target loads, but he hasn't written an article with any details.

Are you concerned that your powder measure, or your technique in operating it, or your procedure in inspecting charged cases is going to give you double charges of a dense or fast burning powder? Not good. Fix the problem.

[moxie]

I like Unique in the .45ACP.

Where are you in MD? I'm now in Gaithersburg. I was using On Target in Severn, near Ft. Meade. Nice range. But lately I've been going to the NRA range over the river in Fairfax. It's closer. Really state of the art, and the quietest indoor range I've seen. Even when people are shooting magnums and rifles, you don't "feel" the blast as much as at most ranges. Nice folks running the place, too.

[fgr39]

I'm in Smithsburg out near Hagerstown, there is a place in Thurmont that dose IDPA so that is where I'm gonna start going. I'm kinda new to reloading I don't really have any woory about double charging a case cause I'm pretty anal about inspecting everything. I do want something that will meter well, is fairly clean and eaisier to work with than #5 ( it leaks a little from the measure) I thought #2 was bulkier (took up more case volume) I dont have a chrono yet however with my #5 loads they felt a little hotter than factory ammo even at min. charge .... thanks for your replys and I welcome any more suggestions....

thanks

[Jmurman]

how the range is in Thurmont.

I am in Balto Co and use Continental Arms in Cockeysville

[Poodleshooter]

Try Unique or Universal Clays if you want a bulkier powder than #5. #2 is very fine (as are all "#X" AA powders).
Another shooting option in Smithsburg is driving out to the outdoor DNR range at Green Ridge St. Forest. That's further than Thurmont, but much cheaper (yearly membership was something like $20 when I left).

[Stevie-Ray]

Unique was always filthy in my .45. I ended up using Bullseye extensively. Pet loads were a 185 gr LSWC atop 4.8 grs, and a Speer 200 gr TMJSWC atop 5.7 grs.