45acp reloading powder chooises?

[Wildbillz]

Hi All
I am getting ready to load up some 45acp rounds. I will be using 230grn cast lead round nose bullets from Montana Bullets, Large pistol primers from Wolf. Question is which powder would you use? I curntly have Bullseye, Unique and Win 231 to chose from. Which one for you and why?

Thanks for your recomdations
WB

 

[rcmodel]

Six of one and half a dozen of the other.

All three powders are perfectly suited for the intended use.

Maybe load some of each and see which one you like best.

rc

 

[PJSprog]

Maybe load some of each and see which one you like best.

Best advice ever, rcmodel ... not to mention a whole lot more fun than just taking someone else's.

BTW...I've had great luck with Hodgdon HP-38 under 185gr XTPs.

 

[Shmackey]

If you're using a powder drop, BE will meter a touch better than 231, and both will meter way better than Unique. If you're weighing charges, then yeah, it just doesn't matter.

 

[Owen]

I've been happy with all three. Whe i'm getitng ready to make a bulk buy, i just get whatever I can find the cheapest.

 

[KansasSasquatch]

If you cant find a great .45acp target load between those 3 powders then you're doing something wrong. Personally I like Unique best of the 3, W231 would be my second choice, followed by Bullseye. But if I were stuck with Bullseye, I surely wouldn't complain.

 

[Walkalong]

Those three powders are all extremely popular for loading .45 ACP. Really can't go wrong here.

Maybe load some of each and see which one you like best.

Pretty good advise.

 

[cfullgraf]

My main powder for 45 ACP with 230 RN is 700-X. I have been using it since 1980. I am happy with it.

I also have used Accurate #5, Unique, and W231. I do not remember if I have ever used Bullseye in 45 ACP but I used to carry it in inventory so probably.

Why do I use 700-X. I have been using it so long, i do not remember specifics. I could use any of the others just as well if I could not find 700-X. Unique and Accurate #5 I carry in inventory. Until recently. there was a long period that I did not have any W231/HP-38 in the house. My S&W M642 would not shoot well with anything else.

 

[leadchucker]

Go with Bullseye or 231, and save your Unique for the larger loads where the inevitable charge weight errors will make less difference.

 

[45lcshooter]

Unique and Pistol Power are good. Don't reload 45acp but know someone who does and they work great.

Also you can look into Trail boss. I've been loading them in 30-30 with cast, heard lots of luck. But waiting for spring to try them out in the 30-30 and 45lc.

 

[wkuban]

Bullseye for accuracy, Unique for higher vel. 231 will also work.

 

[highlander 5]

Fo me 231 is the most economical. I can get about 1200 rounds out of a pound of powder.

 

[kerreckt]

I have had the best success with Titegroup. Clean, accurate and economical.

 

[Starter52]

WW 231 has worked for me for many years, and in many handguns and carbines.

 

[gahunter12]

RC said it. I would like to ad WST to the list. WST meters very well, plus it doesn't smoke that much behind lead. I use WST behind all of my .45 acp loads.

 

[GLOOB]

I label my component bullet containers with the load info for each of my suitable powders, along with the estimated velocities. Then when I load, I can look at that, look at my stock of powders, and then go with w/e whim suits my fancy. Maybe I'm running low on powder X, and I want to save it for another caliber/load. Or maybe I've decided to use up the last couple oz of powder Y, which should just about get me through this batch, so I'll use that. Helps me to try new things and to mix it up.

For rifle, esp semiauto, it takes a little more time to work up a proper functioning and accurate load. But for pistol, I just go with what the manufacturers recommend, and it has always worked for me.

 

[Fishslayer]

Of those 3 Bullseye gives me the best accuracy. I've tried 231 & went back to Bullseye. Haven't tried Unique.

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

I always use a bulky powder like Unique, so I don't end up with a double charge. Safety first.

 

[Fishslayer]

I always use a bulky powder like Unique, so I don't end up with a double charge. Safety first.

Try Green Dot. Meters really well in my Lee Auto Disc. It's between Bullseye & Unique in speed. 4.6gr is readily visible in a .45ACP case and 9.2gr almost fills to the top so you could spot a double very easily. I get good results with it.

 

[joneb]

I have tried the three and I prefer Bullseye and W-231 for pistol. For my carbine I prefer AA#5 over Unique.

 

[ljnowell]

Of the ones you listed? Bullseye, without a doubt. If you had access to other powders, I would use AA#2, thats my favorite cast lead powder for 45acp.

 

[Lj1941]

Best for 230 LRN

Titegroup works best for accuracy for me in 230 LRN in my M&P.Power Pistol for 185 Nosler HP.I like Red Dot for 200 LSWC for accuracy.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

My favorite .45 Auto powder is W231/HP-38 but the list of powders that are suitable for use in the .45 Auto is massive!
This is a partial list because I'm sure i will miss some of the powders.
Hodgdon:
Clays, Titegroup, HP-38, Universal

IMR:
700X, PB and Trail Boss with lead bullets.

Winchester:
AutoComp, W231, WST

Accurate Arms:
AA#2 and AA#5

Alliant:
Bullseye, Unique, Clay Dot, Red Dot, Green Dot, Promo

Ramshot:
Zip, Silhouette

Vihtavuori:
Sorry, VV powders are not available where I live so I have never used them. A quick look at the load data on the VV site shows load data for the .45 Auto with N310, N320, N330, 3N37, N340 and N350 but I'm sure all those powders aren't ideal for that cartridge. I just can't tell you...

I listed 20 powders already and like I said, I'm sure there are more. Many reloaders will pick a company's powders to use, choose because of availability and price and stick with them. I use mostly Hodgdon and IMR powders for rifle loading but I do have Winchester, Accurate and Alliant powders for handgun loading on my shelves too.

 

[FROGO207]

I have used the three listed with good results also. I have used Blue Dot and 700-X with great results as well. I liked 700-X so well I went on to purchase several kegs of the same lot and have used that work up for years in all my 45's. There are truthfully a boat load of good propellants and you have some great options. Have fun finding what you prefer.

 

[foxs]

unique very good powder for many pistol.