Reloading some 45 ACP - 230 gr HAP - use Silhouette or Longshot?

[mpofficer31a]

ALL,

I'm reloading some 45 ACP with 230 gr HAP & XTP bullets; would you recommend Silhouette or Longshot?

Will be using Winchester large pistol primers and following Hornady Handbook 10th edition load data.

This my first time with either powder and a 45. When I started to reload, I got a great deal on N-320, so I bought a few pounds. That's the only powder I've used for 45 until now...

Thanks all and Merry Christmas!

 

[Fishingted]

ALL,

I'm reloading some 45 ACP with 230 gr HAP & XTP bullets; would you recommend Silhouette or Longshot?

Will be using Winchester large pistol primers and following Hornady Handbook 10th edition load data.

This my first time with either powder and a 45. When I started to reload, I got a great deal on N-320, so I bought a few pounds. That's the only powder I've used for 45 until now...

Thanks all and Merry Christmas!

Just have experience with Longshot. I Like It.

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

Longshot is for full-power loads; don't know about the other one. Follow your manual recommendations and you cannot go wrong.

 

[kcofohio]

I have never used Longshot in 45 Auto. Very little of CFE-P. They were stout loads. Seemed on par with Silhouette, which I prefer for stout loads in 45.

As Kevin stated, follow the loads in the manual and you should be fine.

 

[Walkalong]

I got a great deal on N-320, so I bought a few pounds. That's the only powder I've used for 45 until now...

And it will work great for the intended bullets.

Do you want more speed with these? Silhouette & Longshot will both do it, and since I prefer Silhouette, that would be my choice. I did it with AA # 5 for a long time.

 

[AJC1]

Having no experience with longshot I cant say it's better or worse than silhouette but western powders includes +p load data in their free manual for download if that makes any difference.

 

[Walkalong]

I'm not interested in beating up my .45 ACP pistols with stout loads, they are play guns, target guns, plinker guns. I use fast to medium fast powders for them. If I need or simply want power, I have guns for that. Even when I was young I did not try to make a magnum out of them. (Well, it back then.)

I used to shoot at steel 55 gallon drums from distance for fun. Boom! .......... wait for it..............thud!

Lots of fun.

 

[Dudedog]

I haven't tried Silhouette in .45 (yet) but I have used Longshot back in the last shortage when it was all I could get.
Worked ok, good vels, happiest at the high side of it's charge range, made for stout loads.
I would say try both and see which shoots best for you.
Silhouette (since its a faster powder) might be better if you want less than MAX loads.
I'm like Walkalong, no real urge to hot rod my .45s, generally like something around the burn speed of HP38.

 

[kcofohio]

I'm not interested in beating up my .45 ACP pistols with stout loads, they are play guns, target guns, plinker guns. I use fast to medium fast powders for them. If I need or simply want power, I have guns for that. Even when I was young I did not try to make a magnum out of them. (Well, it back then.)

I used to shoot at steel 55 gallon drums from distance for fun. Boom! .......... wait for it..............thud!

Lots of fun.

That's what WST and a 185 gr. Berry's HBRN is for. I don't know how many times, when the sun is just behind and to the side of me, that I could watch the bullet travel down range.

 

[Demi-human]

would you recommend Silhouette or Longshot?

Yes!

I’ve great success with both. Really loud, hard hitting success with Hornady HAP 230s.

I like Silhouette better, based purely upon name.

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

I'm not interested in beating up my .45 ACP pistols with stout loads, they are play guns, target guns, plinker guns. I use fast to medium fast powders for them.

Which is why a powder like Unique is so good (or something in that speed range).

 

[MEHavey]

Longshot is "a bit slow" for even full power 230gr in a full-size 1911.
(Though not all that terribly bad when the smoke clears)

Of the "commonly available" powders, good old HERCO surprising has the
best balance of %Fill, Speed, and Burn completion for hardball levels.


.

 

[Johnnyd]

I've only used Longshot in 410. I think it would be too slow for 45 ACP. I think it would beat the crap out of my wrist and my gun.

During the last shortage I worked up Silhouette, aka Winchester Acton Pistol, with 9mm and 45 ACP with very good results. Nice recoil pulse and accurate.

 

[MEHavey]

Beating slow won't cause it to beat up either you or the gun.

It simply means that -- for the pressure limits -- you will not
see all the velocity you could from a better-suited powder.

 

[Walkalong]

Beating slow won't cause it to beat up either you or the gun.

No, running real fast does, which is what a lot of people are looking for when they choose a “slow for the caliber” powder.

 

[MEHavey]

Confucius say
Slow powders
... limited barrel length & pressure,
do not a fast bullet make
...Snow falling on cherry blossoms.


Burma Shave

 

[kmw1954]

I'd have to say Silhouette because that is what I have experience with. I have used it with plated and cast 45acp loads from 185gr up to 230gr.. I also use it in 9mm and 380acp.

 

[Fishingted]

Longshot is "a bit slow" for even full power 230gr in a full-size 1911.
(Though not all that terribly bad when the smoke clears)

Of the "commonly available" powders, good old HERCO surprising has the
best balance of %Fill, Speed, and Burn completion for hardball levels.

He didn't mention Herco But I love that powder in 45ACP. Just Loaded 500 rounds of 230 FMJ with it. Great Powder in the 45.

.

 

[Fishingted]

ALL,

I'm reloading some 45 ACP with 230 gr HAP & XTP bullets; would you recommend Silhouette or Longshot?

Will be using Winchester large pistol primers and following Hornady Handbook 10th edition load data.

This my first time with either powder and a 45. When I started to reload, I got a great deal on N-320, so I bought a few pounds. That's the only powder I've used for 45 until now...

Thanks all and Merry Christmas!

You Didn't Mention Herco but I used it during the last shortage. Had Very Good results in the 45 ACP. Used load info from site. Just loaded up 500 230 FMJ with it. Unique works well Too. But a lot of time I can find Herco when I can't get other powders.

 

[mpofficer31a]

Thanks ALL!

I'm not looking for an overly stout load, but still want a load that'll move a 230 gr HAP at 800-850 fps and hold a 2" diameter at 25 yards. I'm following the Hornady Handbook 10th edition load data.

I loaded some Silhouette test loads this morning. I'm using CCI primers and made test loads from 6.4 gr to 7.6 gr.

I'll let you know what I find out.

 

[Master Blaster]

I am a traditionalist in .45 acp, bullseye, w231, unique, or even solo 1000. Great accuracy for target loads cast bullets and even full power FMJ.

This is based on bullseye pistol experience so accuracy is #1, speed secondary.

Here is data from lyman 50, and Hodgden annual 2020. Long shot is listed as top velocity powder for 230 fmj. No sign of silhouette in the data as it is too slow

 

[AJC1]

My load is listed there as below minimum. I'm shooting 6 grains of pp under a lee cast bullet. It's a friendly round for my 12 yo son. Still sounds like a cannon

 

[Master Blaster]

My load is listed there as below minimum. I'm shooting 6 grains of pp under a lee cast bullet. It's a friendly round for my 12 yo son. Still sounds like a cannon

The load you see there with PP is for FMJ not lead.

 

[AJC1]

The load you see there with PP is for FMJ not lead.

I know I also have the cast manual

 

[Fishingted]

Longshot is "a bit slow" for even full power 230gr in a full-size 1911.
(Though not all that terribly bad when the smoke clears)

Of the "commonly available" powders, good old HERCO surprising has the
best balance of %Fill, Speed, and Burn completion for hardball levels.


.

I have Loaded a Lot of Herco in 45 Acp 230 Gr With Excellent Results. Just Loaded 500 Rounds 230 FMJ Recently. Moderate recoil, doesn't smoke much, and Very accurate. All in all a very Nice powder in My 45 Springfield. Like it much better than Bullseye.