800x in 45acp

IMO: Poor choice for the typically low pressure .45 ACP.

It takes a nearly case full to reach normal pressure & velocity with most any bullet weight in .45 ACP.

So economy & performance isn't as good as it would be with slightly faster powders.

Such as Unique.

rc

IMR lists several loads for it in .45 acp. They run near 18,000 CUP, so they're at the top end of the pressure limits, but it is usable for the .45. As long as you're not running it through a powder measure, go ahead and use it up.

Hope this helps.

Fred

Working on my first 12 ga buckshot load right now using 800x. No experience with it other than that.

au_prospector said:

Bummer... so its good for other than? What

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Not only is it too slow a powder for the 45 Auto, it meters poorly too.

Good for? Other than the 12ga shells already mentioned it's also good for the 10mm, heavy bullet 40 S&W rounds and Magnum ammo applications too.

No answer to the original question using 800-X in 45 ACP but just yesterday I unloaded two magazines of 380 Auto with 800-X (3.9 grains behind 100 grain FP). I found it performed pretty much like my favorite 380 load in IMR PB. It cycled the action with a little snap and gave me similiar accuracy. I have other powder(s) for 45 ACP loads but with IMR PB being discontinued by Hodgon's, I'm looking for a subsitute for my 380 range guns.

I've read on various forums that the metering of 800-X is a problem but my experience is just the opposite. My press is a Lee with their auto powder measure. When I charge the case, I shake the press to settle the 800-X in the hopper for the next round. I measured exacty 3.9 grains with each load. Based on my results, I have acquired another pound of 800-X.

800X works great in 45 colt.

It's not optimal, but there's no reason not to use it if it holds you over until you can resupply with your normal powders. The fact that you don't meter it also works in your favor.

I'm using 800x in both 9mm and 45acp plinking rounds and it shoots just fine. Using a lee auto disk.

Ive herd the same about the auto disk. ELKINS and G.ROW have it wright. At first that was all I could get until I got a better powder for .45 it worked fine plate shooting! And honed my skills!

6.8 to 7 grains of 800x behind 230 grain xtreme plated works fine for me. It doesn't like lower-end charges in my experience. That goes for using it in 9mm, 38spec, and 45 acp.

i know metering isn't a concern of the OP, but I think it meters good enough. Yes, it feels a little crunchy, but the charges are pretty consistent in my experience. It's kind of "fluffy" when you first put it in the hopper. I throw about 50 charges before I actually start reloading to get it to settle down.

This might be blasphemy to some, but I actually like 700x and 800x better than unique. Both are cleaner and meter more accurately (though rougher).

If I were you Gold Prospector, I'd go back to cabelas and pick up a few more pounds of the 800x. Who knows when your favorite powder is gonna be back in stock?

It is on my to do list to try it with .45 but have not done it yet. My favorite .357 load is a 158 grain lswc with 7.5 grains of 800x.