One powder for .45acp and .44 mag

[Hondo 60]

Hodgdon Tite group or AA#7

Those would be my first & 2nd choices.

I use a lot of Titegroup for other calibers, so I have it on hand.
And I use a lot of #5, & like it, so I'd try #7.

 

[Hondo 60]

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.

ljnowell - could you please tell us why you don't like Unique?
Don't wanna hi-jack the thread, but I dislike it when people make statements like this but don't elaborate as to why. I, personally, would like to learn from others.

Thanks!

 

[evan price]

Unique = flammable dirt. But that's my opinion not fact.

 

[ljnowell]

ljnowell - could you please tell us why you don't like Unique?
Don't wanna hi-jack the thread, but I dislike it when people make statements like this but don't elaborate as to why. I, personally, would like to learn from others.

Thanks!

Sure:

Unique = flammable dirt. But that's my opinion not fact.

Thats not the only reason. I found a clean burning ball powder that meters wonderfully (much better than unique) and produces great results in most of my target loads. I tend to dislike "jack of all trade" type powders.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

The new formula of Unique is much cleaner than the old. I find it burns pretty clean once you pump the pressure up. If I use it with jacketed bullets, my guns don't get very dirty...Most of the grime comes from burning bullet lube with cast bullets. That doesn't bother me. A dollar pack of baby butt wipes cleans me right up and leaves me smelling fresh...LOL.

 

[Chief RID]

I have tried Universal, Accurate #5, Green Dot and Blue Dot in both. I shoot mostly cast in both. All performed OK. Green Dot is a real kick for the 44 mag and cast bullets. I think it is a little high on pressure, even at low velocities but you get a little smoke and a sharp pop, that I like and the accuracy is good for action shooting.

 

[918v]

I really detest people who advocate perceived cleanliness over accuracy.

 

[ljnowell]

I really detest people who advocate perceived cleanliness over accuracy.

Who here did that? I guess I must have missed it. I should also add that I have found my best accuracy loads with other powders too, never with unique.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I also wondered who he was talking about, too....^^

Anyway, I went and shot about 50 Unique chargerd .44 mags today. I would have shot more if I hadn't got caught in the rain. Was my gun a little dirty? Yep, but they sure were accurate. The soot cleaned right off, though. I find that Unique .44 mags burn cleaner than Unique .38 specials even though they use twice as much powder...After about 50 Unique .38, my hands usually look like a coal miner's.

 

[ljnowell]

I also wondered who he was talking about, too....^^

Anyway, I went and shot about 50 Unique chargerd .44 mags today. I would have shot more if I hadn't got caught in the rain. Was my gun a little dirty? Yep, but they sure were accurate. The soot cleaned right off, though. I find that Unique .44 mags burn cleaner than Unique .38 specials even though they use twice as much powder...After about 50 Unique .38, my hands usually look like a coal miner's.

Thats probably due to the operating pressures. It will burn cleaner the higher you get the pressure. I didnt find poor accuracy in my testing with unique, just nothing spectacular in my guns I tried it in. I just found my most accurate loads in a better metering and cleaner powder. To each thier own. I know lots of guys that dont like Accurate Arms powders, but I love #2 and find that #5 is good for hotter 45acp loads also.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Correct on the higher pressure = cleaner. I was aware of that from doing side by side testing with .38 and .357 when using the same bullet.

 

[ljnowell]

Correct on the higher pressure = cleaner. I was aware of that from doing side by side testing with .38 and .357 when using the same bullet.

Its a pretty big difference too.

 

[918v]

Who here did that?

What does it matter? I stated how I feel about the subject of powder fouling.

 

[Master Blaster]

Unique, will work for target velocity and slightly hotter loads in .44 magnum and it makes pretty good .45 acp loads. If you were using cast or swaged lead bullets and wanted target velocity only then Trailboss is an excellent powder for both.

For primers you can use Winchester WLP which is suitable for magnum and standard loads. First you should get a good reloading manual like the Lyman 49th edition and try to find loads for your particular desired charecteristics and then go with the bullets and powder and primers used in the manual.

 

[Eb1]

Unique

 

[Miata Mike]

My guess would have been Unique or maybe Bullseye. I plan on doing up a small batch of .44 mag tomorrow using Unique. It will be my first .44 mag loads and will be using 240 grain Keith style LSWC bullets from MBC.

 

[evan price]

Let's say I have two powders on my bench. Both will give similar accuracy and performance in the caliber I am loading. One of them is a ball powder that measures well and isn't very dirty. The other is a flake powder that gives inconsistent powder throws and leaves sooty grit all over everything. Which one am I going to choose?

And that's why Unique isn't in my lineup anymore.

If I want to deal with Unique's tendancies I might as well just go with Promo for its flaky texture and somewhat dirty tendancies, but it costs half as much per load.

 

[CHM]

800x works for me loading both.