AutoComp opinions and results?

[RainDodger]

Hi, guys -

I've got an opportunity to pick up some Win AutoComp pistol powder. I've never used it before. I found data on the Hodgdon web site, so I've got some load ideas, but I was wondering what you guys think of AutoComp powder in general.

Primary use will probably be .45ACP.

Opinions?

Thanks a lot!

 

[GLOOB]

IMO, it isn't very popular because it's marketed as ideal for guns with compensators. How many reloaders even own a compensated gun? I think a lot of people avoided it for that reason. I have used it in several calibers, and it has worked just fine in 9mm, 40, 45, and 38.

It has flash retardants. That's pretty rare for a cannister powder. It's a fine ball powder that is quite dense, and even though it is listed as a fairly slow powder on the burn rate charts, charge weights are fairly economical. This makes case fill non-existent. I believe it is the densest powder I have used. IIRC, you can actually take two 1 lb bottles and pour them into one.

I would guess it does better with hotter loads and heavier bullets in 45ACP, from burn rate and some other posts I read. I loaded it behind 230 grain FMJ on the hotter end. It shot nice and clean with a strong pushy recoil.

 

[Potatohead]

I really, really like it. I use it for 9mm though.
Shot 2 rounds of AutoComp today, function testing a load. They both went through the same hole.

Of course, it could've been my shooting

 

[357mag357]

I really like it. I picked up a pound a few months ago, wish I got two. Cant get it anymore. I have used it with 45acp with great results. Very accurate with 230 grain X-treme bullet. Have used it out of a 1911 and a carbine. It meters very well. Also, tried it in 38 special with impressive results. You won't be disappointed.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

Also, tried it in 38 special with impressive results.

Have anyone tried it in a .357mag? That's a post I've been waiting for.

There are 56lbs of it sitting at my LGS in 8lb jugs. They wanted a little north of $170.00 per jug.

If it works in a .38spl it should work in a mid range mag target loads but I know I will have to work up even another load to find the charge range.

I'm not hurting for powder so I think I'll leave them be unless someone comes up with a really accurate load for the .357mag.

 

[RainDodger]

Thanks for the great information, everyone. I'll pick up a couple of pounds and give it a try. I'm starting to run dry on my old standard 231, so I'm being forced to work up alternate loads. It sounds better suited for the heavier bullets, so I'll probably only use it in .45, with 230 grain projectiles.

It sounds versatile enough for .357, but I don't know for sure. If there are listed loads for it, you could certainly try it. If you have someone near with 8 lb. jugs, I'd find a way to use some of it! Pistol powder is too scarce to be real picky about what you buy these days, if you can find any loading data.

 

[TfflHndn]

I'd love to find an 8-pounder of AutoComp. It works great with 125 grain jacketed .357 magnum rounds. I have not worked up full ranges with heavier bullets yet, since my favorite .357 powder is Blue Dot, and I don't use BD for 125 grainers. But it's also great in 9mm carbine loads, and works will in .45 as others have said above.

 

[RainDodger]

I'd love to find almost any pistol powder in an 8 lb bottle! In my area I'm lucky to know someone that owns a shop and he'll let me have two 1# bottles instead of the usual one.

 

[Rule3]

See this thread. I have a post in there somewhere. Bottom line it is a good powder, I bought it when I could not find my favorite HP 38/ Win 231. You use a little more of it but works fine.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=757385

 

[Havok7416]

I use it in .357 Mag with good results. I'd use it even more if I could stumble across some! I was given a quarter pound and have used a good deal of it. I can't remember the charge off-hand, but it compares to mid-high charge of Unique. Data for the .357 is available on Hodgdon's website in any event.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

That's the way it always goes, just when someone finally does get some powder I can use and has lots of it, I have to drop 1200 bucks on my truck. Wheel bearing ate the left front 4wd hub and wrecks everything around it. :banghead:

 

[osprey176]

I picked up can a few months back when I couldn't' t find many other powders. I've been using it in 9mm,45cap,and 44mag. The 44mag loads don't give top velocities like IMR 4227,but they shoot well and aren't very dirty in my Super Blackhawk. The powder works very in my uncompensated 45and 9mms.I plan on continuing to use it,if I can find more.

 

[keith5008]

When I couldnt find the powder I normally use I tried Autocomp in .45 acp. 3-400 rounds Worked fine

 

[Dudedog]

Autocomp worked for me in 9mm. Seemed ok in .45 and light-mid range .357 Low muzzle flash, meters decent.

 

[CLP]

Like most, I bought an 8lb jug of it because it and CFE Pistol was all the LGS had for pistol powders (Simmon's Sporting Goods in Bessemer). Bought it primarily for 45ACP (no compensator). Love the fact that there's load data for 38 Spl, 38 Spl +P, and 357 Mag. Now I just need more free time.

 

[ARJJ]

I originally bought a few pounds of it because it was the only suitable ball powder I could find. Worked up loads in 9mm and .40. I really like it for 9mm. I have an 8 lb jug waiting to be tapped.

 

[RainDodger]

Just thought I'd finish off this topic.

I loaded up some test rounds: 6.2 grains of AutoComp under a 230 grain Montana JHP. (That's a mid-level load - I think 6.6 is the listed max as I recall.)

In comparison to my standard (for the last 25 years) load of 5.6 grains of 231 under the same weight bullet, the AutoComp load had more felt recoil than my heavier 231 loads.

Today I tested another batch of the same bullet, over 6.0 grains of AutoComp, which is the listed minimum starting load. It felt to me as if it had only slightly less felt recoil than my old standard near-max 231 load.

Interesting. I would probably chalk it up to the fact that AutoComp is slightly slower than 231 (I think). That's all I can think of, though it really doesn't matter because AutoComp was available and 231 is nowhere to be found!

Bottom line is, the 6.0 grains of AutoComp under a 230 grain bullet works fine in multiple 1911s, and the POI is the same as the 231 loads (for me). According to the manual though, that's a pretty slow bullet. It still functions with a Wilson 18.5 lb recoil spring, too.