Autocomp in 45 ACP

[CLP]

There's a lot of conflicting info on this powder in 45 ACP. Burns clean. Burns dirty. Only good for higher end of powder charge recommendations. Runs fine with charges on the lower range of the spectrum. Not good for 185gr JHP. Shoots 185gr JHP just fine. It can all be very confusing. I'm not sure everyone chiming in has used it, whether they're for or against it.
I obtained some Autocomp and CFE Pistol today. Mainly loading for 45 ACP- and that's what I'm focused on here in this thread.
One thing is certain, the powder charge range on the Hogdon site isn't very wide for a 230gr LRN- their starting load is 6.0g (est velocity of 789fps) and max load is 6.6gr (871fps). Shouldn't take much to work up a load. I'm using Starline brass, Win LPP, and will be using 230gr LRN bullets. Just for shooting steel plates and paper targets. If the worst criticism is that it's a dirty powder then I can live with that. I've read it's easy to meter and gives consistent velocities. I like the sound of that. So, anyone here have any recent experience with this powder in 45 ACP and this powder? I've read all the old threads and those on other forums- but there's still not a whole lot of solid data, and there's a whole lotta conjecture. If you've used this powder, what in particular did you like about it? What didn't you like? It wasn't my first choice, but there's not much to choose from these days.

 

[sauer1911]

I have used both. They seem very similar. at the low end both seemed dirty on the brass, but starting at about 6.2-6.3gr on both, they clean up and seem to be very accurate.

The CFE loads for 230gr lrn start at 5.4, the fmj lrn start at 6.0. For IDPA I load 6.2gr CFE at 1.22"oal and it is real accurate in my Sig 1911''s

be safe

Chuck

 

[CLP]

Any issues as your approach the recommended maximum charge?

One issue I'm aware of is that the charges are greater compared to other popular powders, so you won't be able to load as many bullets. Honestly, that's not a factor for me since I just needed something to tide me over until other powders became available.

 

[sauer1911]

have never gotten to the max, just seemed to be a waste of powder.

The stronger or max loads take longer to recover for subsequent shots.

Started at the min, usually 6.0-6.2-6.4 and or the max shoot them and decide by the grouping at 10yds.

More times than not just above the minimum load I'm pretty happy. Meets the Power Factor of 165, at about 183.

be safe.

 

[Mike44]

I recently started handloading 45 ACP with AutoComp. I am using Berry's 230 gn plated bullets, CCI Large Pistol primers. Like yourself, I selected AutoComp because it was available, and could be used in 380 Auto, 9MM, and 45 ACP. I used the data from the Hodgdon web site (Berry's says to use the LRN load data). I started with 6.1 gn and was happy with 6.4 gn in my Springfield 1911. 6.4 gn does not fill the 45 ACP shell very far, so be careful to visually check each cartridge. I am a pretty new handloader (6 months), so I can't offer comparisons to other powders.

 

[Rule3]

I bought a big jug of it back when I could not find HP 38. Even though it's a slower powered it works just fine. As mentioned you do use a bit more powder but that does not bother me. I just loaded per the recommended charge it goes bang.

As to "clean or dirty all that stuff is BS to me. If something burns it will leave residue. I clean my guns.

 

[Potatohead]

I'm not sure everyone chiming in has used it,

Probably a lot of this with what youve heard I suspect. ^


--I cant really help because I load 9 and 380 with it but I can tell you I've had no problems with it metering, nor have I noticed it being particularly dirty. Accurate for me also. And I use it regularly.

 

[TfflHndn]

I've used it in mid-range .45 loads, and it has worked fine. I didn't note any particular problems with soot. It's not my preferred load for .45. I generally use faster powders for target loads, or for full-power loads I use Longshot or Silhouette rather than Auto-Comp. And I rarely use 185 grain bullets with .45. So I guess I'm not much help except to say that AC is a decent powder for .45 but not my preferred powder.

 

[dredd]

I am currently playing with your requested info.
230/LRN
Autocomp
Springfield 1911

6.3/gr of powder was leaving a lot of soot on the case.
Pistol worked great and the load was accurate.

I have some more test rounds loaded up that I hope to try out next weekend.

I will be creeping up the charge weight to see if it will reduce the fouling.

It was also suggested that I try Magnum Primers.
I need to see if I can dig up some info before loading those up.

If anyone has any input on using Mag Primers, feel free to share it.


Note:
I also had the same results using 230/gr FMJ

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