Powder choice

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Hoopjj

Hoopjj

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Im getting ready to load some 185gr Speer gold dots for 45 acp and was looking for recommendations on what powder to use. I have Unique, Power Pistol, Bullseye, CFE Pistlol, BE-86 on hand. Not looking for load data just what your choice would be between those powders. Thanks in advance for your input.
 
My vote is for BE-86 as it is flexible powder that produces accuracy at high-to-near max load data as well as mid-to-high range load data. Most moderately slower burn rate powders tend to produce more efficient powder burn at near max load data and do not produce accuracy at mid range load data.

For decades, I used WSF (another flexible powder that produces accuracy at mid range) and same bulk Gold Dot/Golden Saber projectiles (in factory ammunition I used) to load duplicate/practice rounds.

In recent years, I replaced WSF with BE-86 which surpassed my previous accuracy reference loads.
 
I used Bullseye with some 185gr XTP and got good results. Shot well in both a 625 Revolver and a 1911.
 
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I would pick the powder that meters the best with proven accuracy. Of your list that would be Bullseye for me.
 
I have only used CFE-P, out of your list. In 45, CFE-P did best for me at or near max load. I have misplaced my load notebook, but it did very well with plated and lead bullets.
But I hear much good of BE-86.
 
I've shot some very good groups with power pistol and a 185gr bullet but if I was starting out to find a new load for that bullet wt. I would go with be-86.
 
I've used Unique for 25 years in the .45ACP, but mostly with the 230grn bullet. As much as I love Unique, I don't use it to load the lighter bullets. I don't have any experience with any of the others on the OP's list, but BE86 is next on the To Get List... mostly for 9mm, but possibly 200grn .45ACP, too. If it's only half as good as everyone talks it up, it'll probably be a keeper.
 
Unique, Bullseye, Power Pistol and BE-86 will all get you 1000 fps, but BE-86 might be your best choice in that it is cleaner burning at 45ACP pressures than Bullseye and Unique and it will not produce as much of a flashy muzzle blast as Power Pistol unless that's what you want. Personally that's exactly what I use PP for. When I'm going for high velocities, other powders can get me what I want but if I'm shooting something that fast, I want everyone to know it. :)
 
Of the powders you list I think CFE-P is the best choice. The suggestion of BE-86 isn't bad either. I would work up loads with both and see which is most accurate in your gun.

I have had good preliminary results with W244.
 
I have Unique, Power Pistol, and BE-86 on hand. I use Unique with 185 gr. in .45. However, I could substitute either of the other two with no problems.
 
I use Blue Dot in my 45 ACP with 185 grain bullets, but from the list you have there, my choices would be Bullseye or BE-86; mostly because I am already familiar with them.
 
I'm new to CFE myself and I just chronographed a load with the Nosler 185 JHP last week. With my 5" Randall I was shooting 7.6 gr CFE getting 977 FPS av. 6 shots fired with SD of 7.3. Same load in my Ruger 4 1/4" gave 921 FPS SD around 9 also 6 shots fired. I was favorably impressed with the powder, however my personal impression is that the only advantages over Unique is that it does burn cleaner and meters better, also I did not notice muzzle flash the prior week at an indoor range though I have not found Uniques flash objectionable. I've been shooting Unique a long time with great results and am not going to abandon it for CFE just yet, I did like it however, so maybe some day. Any one of the powders you have should do the job fine though I tend to reserve Bullseye for target loads.
 
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With Gold Dots I will guess you are after full power loads.
If that is the case I would try CFE-P first then BE86 . Power Pistol gives good vels but has more flash than CFE-P or BE86.
Any of the ones you listed should work and any one may be more accurate than another in your gun.
I haven't loaded Gold Dots but for me and my gun with 185 XTPs CFE-P gave both the best vels and the best accuracy.
Of course all guns are different.....

Why not try them all and see which works best for you?
Click to expand...
If you have the bullets to spare this is an excellent plan.

PS BE86 was a very close 2nd.
 
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I have tried all those powders in 45, but with heavier bullets. I think any of those you listed will work well, however my vote goes for BE86. CFE would probably be my second pick. Bullseye, while it is an old standard in 45, would be my last pick only because I think it burns dirty compared to the others.
 
Thanks for all of your input. I forgot that i just got some Sport Pistol. Has anybody tried it in the 45 acp and if so what was your thoughts about it?
 
fxvr5 said:
Where did you get the 200 grain JHP Nosler bullets? I don't see them on their website.
Click to expand...
You are right! Thank you. Nor did I post the correct weight on my first post. My bullets are Nosler 185JHP which they also do not list. I suppose they discontinued the lighter bullets. May my error serve as a reminder for everyone to please look up and work up your own loads. I did work up mine from correct data I just dumped the wrong numbers in the spread sheet, thus I'm going back to correct my spreadsheet and my first post.
 
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Hoopjj said:
Thanks for all of your input. I forgot that i just got some Sport Pistol. Has anybody tried it in the 45 acp and if so what was your thoughts about it?
Click to expand...

I wouldn't waste time on developing a load with that bullet using Sport Pistol. Alliant made that powder as a better metering version of Green Dot which is in between Red Dot and Unique. It is good for target loads but not for getting maximum velocity out of a bullet. It builds up pressure too quickly. Sport Pistol will be better suited for other loads.
 
Shimitup said:
You are right! Thank you. Nor did I post the correct weight on my first post. My bullets are Nosler 185JHP which they also do not list. I suppose they discontinued the lighter bullets. May my error serve as a reminder for everyone to please look up and work up your own loads. I did work up mine from correct data I just dumped the wrong numbers in the spread sheet, thus I'm going back to correct my spreadsheet and my first post.
Click to expand...

They still make the 185 JHP. It's very popular with Bullseye shooters, and is one of the most accurate bullets around, so I doubt they'll get rid of it.

https://shop.nosler.com/nosler-bull...5-caliber-451-185-grain-jhp-bullet-250ct.html
https://www.nosler.com/match-grade-handgun-ammunition/
 
rsrocket1 said:
I wouldn't waste time on developing a load with that bullet using Sport Pistol. Alliant made that powder as a better metering version of Green Dot which is in between Red Dot and Unique. It is good for target loads but not for getting maximum velocity out of a bullet. It builds up pressure too quickly. Sport Pistol will be better suited for other loads.
Click to expand...

Sport Pistol appears to be as good as BE-86 for producing high velocity. See the link below.

http://alliantpowder.com/reloaders/recipedetail.aspx?gtypeid=1&weight=185&shellid=35&bulletid=335
 
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