One powder for .45acp and .44 mag

[Livnoutdoorsxd9]

Hey guys, I'm new to THR, but I've been reloading for about 5 years now, all rifle calibers. Im cutting my teeth on pistol calibers and am looking for a good powder for both to minimize powders on the bench. I was also curious about using cci 350s in either caliber or both. Thanks
ETA
The .45acp is a Kimber Custom II and I'll be using berry's 185fp

The .44 mag is a S&W 629 6" and I'll be using 240fp by ranier

 

[56hawk]

Unique or Blue Dot would be about as close as you can get. 45ACP and 44 Magnum are pretty far apart as far as powder requirements go. You would get better performance going with a slower burning powder for the 44. If you are just going to be plinking with it the options would open up a bit.

Not sure about using magnum primers in the 45ACP. I use non magnum primers in my 44s without any problems though. Don't think there is that much difference.

 

[zxcvbob]

WSF will do it. And maybe HS6 or AA#7.

You'd probably be better off using Bullseye or Universal or American Select in the .45ACP and buying another powder (Blue Dot or 2400) for the .44

 

[Livnoutdoorsxd9]

Ive already got some blue dot, maybe ill try my first .44 loads with that. Then I'll pick up something specifically for the 45acp. I hear clays is clean burning

 

[Fishslayer]

You could use W231 & load the .44 to .44 Special levels. No way you're going to get true .44 Magnum performance with a powder that's also good for .45ACP.

But why? Powder's pretty cheap. Just get 2400 or H110 for the .44 and Bullseye (or any number of other powders) for the .45ACP.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I use Unique in both calibers with good results.

 

[MCMXI]

The .45acp is a Kimber Custom II and I'll be using berry's 185fp

The .44 mag is a S&W 629 6" and I'll be using 240fp by ranier

How about these numbers ...

.45 ACP (6" barrel)
185gr FP
7.3gr > 994fps
7.9gr > 1,093fps

.44 Mag (7" barrel)
240gr FP
10.3gr > 1,175fps
11.5gr > 1,247fps

If you like those numbers ... VihtaVuori N340 is the powder for you. Walkalong got me using that powder for .45 ACP and 9mm Luger and it's accurate, consistent and clean. It's an extruded powder but it meters well through my Redding 10X on a progressive press. I've streamlined my handgun loads to three powders, H110 for .357 Mag, .44 Mag, .45 Colt and .454 Casull, N340 for .45 ACP and 9mm Luger, and Trail Boss for .45 Colt (Cowboy loads). I have a three or four pounds of W231 left but once that's gone I won't be replacing it ... it's way too dirty for my liking.

 

[243winxb]

Unique is more accurate then blue dot, but both work.

 

[Blue68f100]

I'm using WW - WST for my 45acp, Kimber Ultra TLE II. I have used it with Berry's 200gr RNFP, 230gr RN and 185gr HBRN with excellent results. It's a fine ball powder that meters well in all powder dispenses. This is the cleanest burning powder I have used, very accurate, high loft, low recoil. I do not have my reloading data book with me right now but you can get the details from Hodgen's sight. O do not have a 44mag, but on my 357mag I use 2400 for my LSWC, 296 on full house magnums loads.

 

[glockky]

I use W231 with both of them with good results. The W231 also gives you great results with lead bullets out of my 629.

 

[918v]

Bullseye or Unique.

 

[fuzzy_dba]

The .45acp is a Kimber Custom II and I'll be using berry's 185fp

The .44 mag is a S&W 629 6" and I'll be using 240fp by ranie

I use Unique for both 45acp and 44mag. It's not the cleanest for the 45acp, and not the hottest for the 44mag, but considering that you'll be using copper-plated bullets you don't want super-hot 44mag loads.

I keep my 200gr Berry's to ~900fps in the 45, my 240gr Berry's to ~1200 fps in the 44mag.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Yep, 1200 fps 240 grainers is not hard to get with Unique.

 

[DC Plumber]

I use Universal for 230g LRN in my 45acp and Universal with 240g LSWC in my 44mag.

Both are target loads, but both also use standard large pistol primers. I also use Universal in my 454 Casull for my Alaskan and for light loads in my .357 with 125 JHP bullets.

For my purposes, I could like on Universal alone. Unique will do the same thing as these two powders are very close in performance.

 

[buck460XVR]

I use Unique in both calibers with good results.

Same here. But for legitimate magnum loads in the .44 you WILL need sumpthin' else.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I agree that you will need something else for the hottest of the hot loads. I'd be searching for that powder, something like 2400, if I needed power to take down the baddest of the bad. However, for knocking over steel plates or punching paper I tend to shy away from those powders due to economics, since it usually takes about twice as much powder to get those gains.

 

[GaryL]

I've never tried Herco in 44mag, but have gotten remarkable results with it in 45acp. And a few unburnt flakes.

 

[bluetopper]

Universal or Unique will work, really any powder that will work in both, will be sacrificing performance in both!!!!!!

Powder is the cheapest component in reloading. Why not use one appropriate for the task at hand. If you just want to send a bullet down a barrel, go ahead.

 

[zxcvbob]

I've never tried Herco in 44mag, but have gotten remarkable results with it in 45acp. And a few unburnt flakes.

Herco is great in .357 Magnum and .45 Colt +P with cast bullets. I haven't tried it in .41 Magnum yet. The only reason I recommended WSF instead is I didn't know if Herco might be too bulky for .45 ACP.

 

[CZ57]

Ramshot True Blue will get it done in both calibers. Check out the data at www.ramshot.com I have used it with very good results in .45 ACP. Meters like fine sand as it is a true ball powder and very fine. Recommended for use in everything from .380 up to .454 Casull. IMO, it's the better ball powder equivalent of Unique.

 

[GaryL]

Herco is great in .357 Magnum and .45 Colt +P with cast bullets. I haven't tried it in .41 Magnum yet. The only reason I recommended WSF instead is I didn't know if Herco might be too bulky for .45 ACP.

I have a buddy who liked to say "just fill'r up with Herco". Even though it was in jest, it's not too far off.

I wasn't kidding about the unburnt flakes.

It used to be my go-to load for 50yd targets. Back when I could still see that far.

 

[evan price]

I've used Promo/Red Dot and also Titegroup in 45 and 44 mag. Using anything other than a slow Magnum powder in 44 Mag limits your velocity somewhat but for practice it's not a big issue. I like my 1100 fps 44 Mags with handcast 240-swc's a lot.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

HS-6 will give you true "Magnum" performance in the .44 Magnum and will also work well in the .45 Auto with that 185gr bullet you want to use. Just remember to use magnum primers in both applications because HS-6 is fairly hard to ignite and magnum primers will deliver better overall performance when used along with HS-6.

 

[ljnowell]

I detest unique. I cant stand it. Wont ever buy it again. For what you are asking, though, I believe unique to be the best choice.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I detest unique. I cant stand it. Wont ever buy it again. For what you are asking, though, I believe unique to be the best choice.

Of course there's always Universal instead.