Opinions on Best 45ACP Powder

[Texastbird]

I like Unique real well, but a friend gave me some lefover PB and it works great and smells nice too. Very consistant coming out of the powder measure. But it isn't as economical as some of the others.

 

[joneb]

For my 1911 pistol I use mostly W-231 and some AA#5 for 230gr bullets, for my Marlin Camp 45 I use mostly AA#5 or Unique.

 

[TIMC]

UIniversal clays is what I use on all my pistol calibers.

 

[Steve C]

For full power loads its hard to beat Unique, for target loads I like W231, it meters well and produces accurate target level ammo.

 

[robctwo]

For 200 gr SWC target loads, 3.8 to 4.1 Clays. For full charge 230 gr FMJ, 5.6 Universal Clays.

 

[earplug]

If a power factor is needed and clean burning, CLAYS is very good with 230 grain. many action shooting competitors reload with CLAYS.
I have had great results with Winchester WST and 200 grain cast bullets.

 

[Pilot]

I use Universal Clays exclusively for .45.

 

[OFT]

The 45 ACP was originally loaded with Bullseye. That's what I still use except for an occasional batch with Unique.

 

[evan price]

4.7 of Titegroup and a 230-RN. Nice!

 

[mjrodney]

Ordinary Clays is my favorite, as well.

 

[GaryL]

Not sure why, but I've always gotten my best loads filling up with Herco. Always seem to get some unburned flakes on my arms with it, and my best groups.

 

[Hunter0924]

I prefer Unique or Winchester 231 for .45 Automatic as well as a few other pistol calibers.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

W231 has been the best powder I've found for the .45 Auto. I charge 5.5gr under a 250gr FMJ bullet.

AA#5 was developed specifically for the .45 Auto and it's also a good choice especially for loads you want to make on the hot side with a JHP bullet. (BUT, I always come back to W231)

 

[71Commander]

Clays. Not Universal Clays or International Clays. Just Clays. 3.9 gr is all it takes to make major W/ 230 Ranier RN.

 

[THe Dove]

AA #5

The Dove

 

[ForneyRider]

W231. I got the recommendation from this site and am very happy with it.

I bought Power Pistol, another recommendation from this site, and very happy with it as well.

W231 for light, target loads.
pros: Great accuracy, clean, low flash, economical, easy to meter.
cons: quick burn powder increases pressure quickly on hotter loads. Be careful not to double charge. It's hard to see 4-5gr in 45ACP case.

Power Pistol for medium/heavy loads. (+P)
pros: great for power loads, easy to meter, economical.
cons: slightly more muzzle flash than w231.

 

[sparkyguy]

W231!

I've been very satisfied with 5.3gr of W231 for 45acp under 200gr SWC's. Great accuracy, clean, meters very good. I also load it for my 38spl target loads.

 

[kildar]

I was an exclusive 231 user for years. Loaded it in every caliber I shot. Because it worked in everything I didn't bother trying other powders. A year ago I read on THE of a complaint that 231 was dirty. I always figured all powders created probably the same amount of fouling that 231 causes but I was wrong. Although I still occasionally load 231 I've moved on to some great powders that equal or surpass 231 in performance yet create far less fouling. I currently like plain Clays for .45ACP, Titegroup or WST for .40 S&W and 9MM.

 

[BAT1]

I've used Clays, Tite group, Unique, and Bullseye. Considering I have a SS loaded Champ, It likes Bullseye, Titegroup, Unique, and Clays [185 gr] Bullseye, Unique, [230 gr] in that order. I can chew the centers out with Bullseye and Tite Group. This is for a four inch barrel, and factory springs. There are a lot of variables here. Barrel length, springs, maker, shooter and load development. I've found shorter guns need faster powders.

 

[Ghiller]

Hey Guys, new here, but I've been reloading awhile...I shoot plates, and target mostly, and I will agree with 95% of the crowd that NOTHING shoots softer than clays...until NOW...I have been playing with Trail Boss, and it is a plate shooters dream...if you think Clays is soft, you gotta try Trail Boss...It prefers a heavy Bullet..230 grain with 4.5gr of powder, or 5.2-5.4 gr of powder with a 185gr...no possible chance of a double charge as it fills the case completley...If you don't try it, you are missing out....simply unbelievable

 

[ljnowell]

How much do you reload? What method of powder measurement do you use? My most accurate and best shooting loads to date for .45acp have been loaded with 700x. It doesnt meter great though and I find myself weighing more than I do with other powders. This may contribute to the better ammo qualities I find with it also. My other failsafe powder for .45acp is bullseye. I find that when loaded to a moderate power level it isnt any more dirty than any of the factory ammo I have shot. I suspect that many of the poeple that complain about the dirty of bullseye are also shooting lead bullets which contributes to the "dirty". I just get used to it, it gives me a reason to clean my guns more.

 

[lev83]

another vote for Titegroup

 

[Ghiller]

I only shoot FMJ, lead is way too dirty...after 500 rds of FMJ, there is no need to even wipe the gun down..I just cannot believe the softness of Trailboss, but without the soft "pushy" feel of Clays...I have used TG in my 9mm, and it is snappier than most of my loads with VV320, and U.Clays.