powder suggestion for .45acp on a progressive

I recently picked up a Hornady LNL AP (LOVE IT) and have been looking for a new powder to use for 45. I like to load 185 Nosler JHP, and they are just for range practice. I have been loading single stage with 5.3 gr of BE and am looking for a powder that will fill over 50% of the case capacity so I dont get a double charge. I have heard good things about AA#5, and i hear that it measures very well, a big plus on a progressive. So any suggestions for a good-metering-over-50%-case-capacity powder?

700X, Unique, or any big flake powder that uses a big enough charge weight would be some to look at.

I have loaded lots of AA #5 and W-231 in .45 and they won't spill over on a double charge, but it will be quite obvious in the case. See every charge you seat a bullet over and you will be fine.

I use Unique in my 550. A double charge (I use 7.0 grains) will surely be noticeable. It also meters well.

I also have a L-N-L and love it....For plated or jacketed .45 ACP, I really like Power Pistol. With the Hornady measure, it meters usally right to the exact measurement setting.

To better answer your question, I looked in my Speer #14 manual and found that 8.5 grains would be a mid-range load for a 185 JHP. I measured out 17 grains and put it in a .45 case. It filled the case nearly to the top, but did not overflow. You should easily notice a double charge if you looked at the case when you put a bullet on it. Of course, the double charge would also easily stand out on the powder cop die's measuring rod......The design of the L-N-L makes double charging difficult. The use of the powder cop die and looking at the case when you put a bullet on it makes it nearly impossible.

I use alot of WST in .45 ACP. The light color alone makes it easy to see while loading on my LNL AP. A double charge is definitely noticable. I had to make this DC happen since I haven't figured out how it can under normal loading on the LNL. Also WST meters extremely well for me.

I load WST for all my 45's on my LNL. Meters great. Shoots clean

Nothing wrong with BE. I like Unique (with 6.0gn with 185-200gn bullets being very good), along with AA2, AA5, and 231/HP-38. Green Dot might be an excellent choice (it works well in .45 and I think it is fluffy).
You can try 4.0gn of Trail Boss. It will fill the case.
One advantage with the Hornady is that station 4, the bullet seating station, is directly in front of you and under your nose and it is easy to look down at the charge before you place a bullet on the case.

Green Dot "bulks up" better.

I use HS-6. A double charge will grossly overflow the case.

BTW, there's nothing wrong with Bullseye, 231, Titegroup, etc as long as you're careful.

Doesn't your progressive press auto-index so double charges are highly unlikely?

I use W231 on my LNL AP for 45acp and 9mm. It meters very well. You might also invest in a Powder Cop die, just for the peace of mind.

Yes, the LNL indexes automatically, but there are ways to get a double charge. The easiest is when we are running cases through it weighing charges to set up the powder measure or check our setting for the correct weight. Now we have cases with powder in them. If we get careless (and I did the other day) we can end up with a double charged case. Fortunately I was following the advise I always give (see post # 2) and I saw the charge I was going to seat a bullet over. Very disconcerting I can assure you. Bottom line was I saw the mistake and corrected it. No double charged round. It can happen. Always see the charge you are seating a bullet over.

That is the only way I have come close to making a mistake with powder on the LNL (and the Pro-Jector before it). Once it is up and running it would be very difficult to get a double charge if your powder meters well and can't "bridge" with with whatever setup you are using. I use different brass "powder drop bushings" highly polished inside for different calibers. The one/s for .22 need to be kept an eye on, as the diameter of the hole in it is small and some powders could bridge in the funnel causing problems. But again, if we see each charge we seat a bullet over, we will be alright.

The four main "powder drop bushings" I use.

+1 to what Walkalong said. I use Unique.

Using a bulky powder can be *very* important so double charges don't occur.

Using a bulky powder can be *very* important so double charges don't occur.

Not to get picky, but let's use the word "fluffy". "Bulky" can have other connotations.

Hornaday powder cop

http://www.amazon.com/Hornady-50063-Powder-Cop/dp/B003D6ZLXE

CLAYS ( not universal)
WST
W 231 / HP-38
WSF

Doesn't your progressive press auto-index so double charges are highly unlikely?

Yes the Hornady automatically indexes, but you can still get a double charge if conditions are right.

Not a good place to assume something will never happen.

CLAYS ( not universal)
WST
W 231 / HP-38
WSF
Why not universal?

I have and use a powder cop. Works as it should, but a buzzer or lockup die like RCBS or Dillon might be better way to go. Still use with rifle reloading, all five holes filled when using pistol setup.

I use WSF because it meters so well AND the #16 supply :-))

Another vote for the Powder cop. I use it on my Dillon.

Unique, 231, and Accurate #5 are all good powders for 45 ACP. I have settled on AA #5 for my 45 acp and have used it exclusively for the last few years in that caliber.

A friend of mine hand an occurrence that I believe was a double charge of bullseye many years ago. The case ruptured in the unsupported part and blew out the bottom of the magazine along with 3 live rounds. Bulged the rubber Pachmyr grips. He was lucky he got away with only minor cuts to the support hand.

Hodgdon referred to 3 shotgun/pistol powders in a confusing fashion, I think.

Hodgdon "Clays" is a very fast powder, much like Bullseye.
"International" Clays is fast, sort of in the same neighborhood as Green Dot or AA#2.
"Universal" Clays is a medium-burning pistol powder, like Power Pistol or SR 7625.

The names are in quotes so that I can remember to keep them straight. I have all 3 of the "Clays" in the powder magazine and THEY ARE NOT INTERCHANGEABLE, in spite of the similar names. Check out the burn rate for these powders and you will better understand why derek45 emphasizes the prohibition. Always check the load manual to make certain you are using the correct amount of the right powder.

AA #5.