Suggestions for 45ACP, 200gr Hdys, Unique? Or?

[ballman6711]

I don't think it's been mentioned yet, but some 45acp brass uses small primers so be sure to check for that. I have Blazer and Federal brass with small primer pockets, but their may be others as well.

When components become available again

If you get the chance, try Vihtavouri. I mostly use W231, but it can be a bit dirty when loaded light. The N320 I've used burns very clean even at lighter loads but doesn't meter as well as W231.

I found 3 unopened boxes of Hdy 200gr FMJ bullets, and 1 unopened box of Hdy 200gr XTP bullets.

I've loaded the Hdy 230gr FMJ's, XTP's, and HAP's as well as the 185gr XTP's and HAP's. All run well in my gun, but my most accurate load has been using a 185gr swc. I recently got some 200gr swc's but haven't loaded any yet.

chris

 

[Toprudder]

Any given powder has a pressure range where it likes to operate efficiently. In my experience, 45acp, being a very low pressure round (compared to 9mm, 40, etc) seems to operate best if the charges are kept in the upper half of the charge range. Rather than downloading a slow burning powder, it is best to switch to a faster burning powder and load towards the upper end of the charge range. For me, I have had great results with Clays for reduced recoil loads. With a fast burning powder near max charge, the peak pressure will better expand the brass for a good gas seal, where a slow powder at the bottom end will not seal as well and cause combustion byproducts to blow back into the action.

 

[dcarr]

Of those you have on hand Unique is the one that got my attention. I've never used it with 200 gr but 230 gr rn berry .45 acp worked well with unique in my 5 1/2 inch blackhawk.
I managed to load it light enough to blacken the shells but easily fixed. It weighed reasonably well for me.Like Steve C mentioned, should be lots of load data available.

 

[brutus51]

I find Unique and Universal a little slow burning for .45ACP. back in 2002 I tried 6.2gr. of Unique under a 200gr. Rainier FP..
According to my notes it was smokey and dirty. Went back to 231/HP-38 and never tried it again.
I think Titegroup is your best choice of the powders you have on hand even though it seems to burn really hot.
Hope this helps.

 

[Ironicaintit]

I love Unique in 45acp, but I’m using 230gr jacketed, and pushing them fairly hard @ 6.5(six point five) grains.
I’d be inclined to use a faster powder (IE Bullseye) if I were going to try a 200 gr.
But Unique should totally work fine.

 

[Charlie98]

I find Unique and Universal a little slow burning for .45ACP. back in 2002 I tried 6.2gr. of Unique under a 200gr. Rainier FP..
According to my notes it was smokey and dirty. .

That doesn’t surprise me... that’s a pretty light load with 200’s.

 

[brutus51]

^^ You make a good point, here in Brutusville the king has declared certain powders for certain calibers, for example:
Unique/Universal is for .357/44mag./.45Colt./.38special/.44special
HP-38/WW-231 is for .45ACP.
AA#7/Titegroup is for 10mm and .38 Super.
These are my choices for target loads. Don't know why just the way his majesty has decreed it.

 

[Charlie98]

^^ You make a good point, here in Brutusville the king has declared certain powders for certain calibers, for example:
Unique/Universal is for .357/44mag./.45Colt./.38special/.44special
HP-38/WW-231 is for .45ACP.
AA#7/Titegroup is for 10mm and .38 Super.
These are my choices for target loads. Don't know why just the way his majesty has decreed it.

All humor aside... it really depends on what you are trying to get out of the cartridge. There is nothing wrong with Unique in the .45ACP, you just have to fit the purpose to the powder. W231 is an excellent .38SPC powder... for lower velocity loads. Conversely, Unique is an excellent .45ACP powder... for higher pressure loads.

 

[joneb]

I've been happy with VV N340 for 200gr rn plated.

 

[brutus51]

There is nothing wrong with Unique in the .45ACP, you just have to fit the purpose to the powder. W231 is an excellent .38SPC powder... for lower velocity loads. Conversely, Unique is an excellent .45ACP powder... for higher pressure loads.

I agree whole heartedly it's just a matter of what we get used to and the quirks we develop as a result.
When I make a quart iced tea it requires 10 bags of Lipton tea, nothing else will do because if it ain't Lipton it ain't tea.