.45ACP Titewad or Longshot

I will be picking a new powder for my 1911 and 200gr bullets. I used to use Unique, but decided that all my other powders come from one company, why not use them for the pistol too. I look up at Hodgdon's data site and find the two powders above that catch my eye.

Longshot has the highest velocity with pretty low pressure, but you put in 7.8gr which adds up fast. As I plan to hunt with this gun a bit extra power would be great.

Then you have Titewad which delivers decent velocity from a significantly lower charge of 4.5gr, but at higher pressure.

The possibility of getting 1500 rounds from a pound of powder (about a year's worth at my current pistol shooting pace) appeals to me. However, getting about an extra 100fps sounds good too for when that deer is a few yards further than I figured. So cost vs speed with no idea which one of these to try first.

My pistol skill is above average, but unlikely to exceed the precision of my utility grade pistol. I score a low (barely) expert on the USMC range with that horrible M-9, and when I shoot the course with my 1911 I only do about 15-20 points better. I can hit gallon jugs 4/5 at 50 with it and almost constantly at 25 (my target range for deer is <30).

Now, I haven't checked local stocks for pricing or availability which could make my decision for me, but how do you all like these choices for my application? Any good/bad experiences with them? Supply (rough to predict I know right now) more stable with one or the other?

Thanks for any input.

ArchAngelCD said:

IMO Longshot is too slow a powder for use in the 45 Auto. The 45 Auto is also a low pressure round and Longshot cleans up at higher pressures. I have never used Titewad because years ago it was not recommended for use in handgun ammo. I guess they have changed that now.

I do use mostly W231/HP-38 for all my 45 Auto ammo. It's clean and accurate for me in every 45 I've shot from. IMO W231/HP-38 was made for use in the .38 Special and 45 Auto. Don't overlook that powder when making your decision.

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I will look for those while powder shopping later today. I got 1k LR, 3k SR, and 2k LP primers waiting at the LGS.

Oh my bullets are Rainier Ballistics HP's and RN's. Figure that might help to know.

Well, if I wanted to load anything I had only 700-X to work with. So I will try that I guess. I was too impatient to wait for 2 weeks on the chance their next shipment had a better choice.

This powder any good? It was pretty cheap at $20/# compared to my Varget ($25/#).

Yeah I cracked it open and saw those large flakes. Oh well, I will make sure to be sure of the metering and set the measure to .5gr under. We will see. My old Lee is really good and does with in .1 on extruded powders like 4350.

billybob44 said:

"However, getting about an extra 100fps sounds good too for when that deer is a few yards further than I figured."
^^^

VERY unusual to find a Deer Hunter using a .45acp. as his primary hunting weapon??

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I just want to try it. I will have some meat up by then so I can afford to give it a go and be picky in my shots. After all, my LR308 and H&R ultra have already put some deer away for me.

However, I let my brother use this pistol for a couple years while he was working a security job. During that time someone (sibling anger here) took a dremel to the ramp. Round nose feeds fine, but the HP's won't feed at all.

I actually got it to meter pretty good. I was worried, but every load was within .1gr easily. I loaded to 5.1gr to allow room for the +.1gr (5.3 is listed max). I had to tap-tap at both top and bottom of the throw, but it worked really well. I load on a single stage anyways.