.45 ACP loads

[trbon8r]

I just worked up a new .45 ACP load for my Les Baer. I'm happy with the accuracy, but it seems there is more unburned powder with this load than with the factory ammo I'm used to. After my shooting session, I had a noticeable amount of unburned powder on my arms. Not a ton or anything, but more than with factory ammo. I'm just wondering what the cause might be for the unburned powder?

My load is:

Federal case
Rainier 200 gr. Cast flat point bullet
CCI primer
4.4 gr. Clays

 

[Walkalong]

N310 & N320 if you are looking for squeeky clean and no residue. 700X also burns real clean at low pressures. Clays is touted by everyone as clean ,soft shooting, and accurate in the .45. I think they are loading a bit over current data though.

 

[The Bushmaster]

W-231 if you want a .45 ACP that burns clean and has a whollop...

 

[TonyT]

VV N-310 or American Select provide me with clean burning loads.

 

[trbon8r]

So you guys are saying that with the Clays powder it's not unusual to have a bit more unburned powder residue than with other powders?

 

[Walkalong]

It wasn't for me at least.

 

[BsChoy]

I have only tried starter loads of red dot under a 230 gr thus far but, it runs pretty clean and soft recoiling

 

[kellyj00]

clays isn't a bad powder. Lots and Lots of fellas use clays.

 

[mjrodney]

I've put more than 8 lbs of Ordinary Clays through my .45's, but at 3.8g under a 200g LSWC.

A minor amount of what I will call soot, but no unburned powder.

One shot, one hole groups, all day long.

 

[TexasCamper]

I use 3.9 gr of clays with 200gr SWC. I have no unburned powder with this load. 1.5 inch group with my clark @ 25yds

 

[Bitswap]

How are you determing how much 'unburned' powder you have? Is it possible your looking at burnt powder resisue? When you dump this stuff out and hold a match to it, does it burn?

 

[Primersinmyshoe]

I wish I had the time and energy to try other powders. Until then I'll continue to use my old standard load of 5.3g W231 under a 200g LSWC.

 

[CSA 357]

I used blue dot and had the same trouble, but after checking the powder was burned, but looked as if it wasnt try what the other poster said and stick a match to it, csa

 

[mjrodney]

The only time I've experienced unburned powder residue was with Universal Clays, NOT ordinary Clays, my .45ACP powder of choice.

With Universal Clays behind a .380ACP 95 grain bullet, the powder that fell all over the table in front of me looked exactly like the powder I put into the cartridge on the reloading table.

I was surprised.

I might as well have been spreading grass seed.

The rounds worked and hit the target with reasonable accuracy, but with a lot of mess left behind.

Universal Clays, if that is what you are using, is not like Ordinary Clays.

I wish Hodgdon would change their naming convention.

 

[byf43]

I wish I had the time and energy to try other powders. Until then I'll continue to use my old standard load of 5.3g W231 under a 200g LSWC.

Why 'mess' with it?

I've used 5.7 gr of W-231 for many, many years, and I have NO reason to change the recipe. (200 gr Hardcast LSWC.)

It works and it's accurate!

 

[Walkalong]

I shot 5.5 Grs. W231 and any 200, 225, or 230 Gr. Lead bullet for years before experimenting with plated bullets.

 

[PO2Hammer]

I use 4.1 grains of Clays under a 200 grain JSWC seated very long (1.277" for a USP). CCI primers.

Pressure is very low, yet no sign of unburned powder.

 

[kellyj00]

I've used red dot 4.3 grains under a 230 gr lead RN and TCBB with little to no lead fouling in a SA milspec 1911, XD 4" and a Sig220. Accurate and no trace left behind.

 

[hawkeye1]

Count me in. 5.5 grains W231 with 200 grain SWC

 

[71Commander]

I use 3.9 Clays under a 230 RN Masterblaster bullet. OAL 1.250. PF is 172.

This is the only 45 load I use in all my 45 ACP guns.