Which powder do you like for coated 200gr swc?

Status
Not open for further replies.
B

ballman6711

Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2019
Messages
1,689
Location
Southern WV
So I finally ordered some 200gr coated swc's for my 45acp. Never loaded these before and was wondering which powders every one uses/prefers.

Powders on hand are W231, VV-n320, Trailboss, and H-110 (which obviously isn't an option).

Gun is a Kimber Ultra, 3" aluminum frame. Will also shoot these in a 5" steel frame 1911.

What I'm looking for is an accurate target load, shooting anywhere from 5 yards out to 25 yards, preferably with mild to medium recoil. I do sometimes shoot in dimly lit indoor ranges, so muzzle flash may be a consideration.

So which powders do you all like, and which ones do you dislike, and why?

I'm willing to hunt down and try a new powder so don't limit your response to what I've listed.

Thanks!

chris
 
I like these over 4.5 grains of bullseye for a light target load. Of your powders I would probably try starting with 231, but don't be afraid to go below the starting charge listed in the manuals.
 
I'm not familiar with N320, but of the other two, W231 will serve you well in the 45 ACP. Look up recommended load data from the Hodgdon.
 
231, N320, and Trailboss will all work.

4.0 of TB with a 200 grain SWC was such a light load it had me checking to make sure the spent case ejected and a new round was loaded. Perfect load for a beginner.

W231 is a classic 45 ACP and will work for light target loads up to moderate loads.

The load data for N320 from Vihtavuori starts at 886 FPS which is about where the Hodgdon Max loads for TB and 231 leave off. You can work down from there if looking for a nice light target load.
 
ballman6711 said:
200gr coated swc's for my 45acp

What I'm looking for is an accurate target load, shooting anywhere from 5 yards out to 25 yards, preferably with mild to medium recoil. I do sometimes shoot in dimly lit indoor ranges, so muzzle flash may be a consideration.
Click to expand...
When moderator taliv requested information on low flash powder to use with night vision, I conducted low light/night time muzzle flash testing and here are my findings - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/need-low-flash-9mm-powder.809859/page-2#post-10357740

W231/HP-38 4.8 gr RMR 115 gr FMJ @ 1.130" - This load was used as reference and produced 4" long by 2" high orange colored muzzle flash from the side (Shooter's point of view - 1.5" round flash).

BE-86 5.2 gr RMR 124 gr HM RN @ 1.150" - 2" long by 3" high bright orange muzzle flash (Shooter's POV - 3" round flash). This was by far the brightest muzzle flash of four powders tested.

CFE-Pistol 5.2 gr RMR 124 gr HM RN @ 1.150" - 1" long by 2" high orange colored muzzle flash (Shooter's POV - 2" round flash)."

Promo 3.8-4.0 gr RMR 124 gr HM RN @ 1.150" - 1" long by 1" high faint orange colored muzzle flash (Shooter's POV - 0.5" round flash). In low light, muzzle flash was almost non-detectable.
​
For me, 200 gr SWC with 5.0 gr W231/HP-38 is like bread and butter. You can drop the powder charge to 4.8 gr for softer recoil but 200 gr SWC with 4.0 gr of Promo is my favorite "light recoil target load" that is accurate as well. Below are groups shot from railed Sig 1911 XO loaded with MBC 12 BHN 200 gr SWC (Bullseye #1) loaded to 1.240"-1.245" - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...omo-reloading-range-test.578444/#post-9415802

BTW, per Alliant I use Red Dot load data for Promo by weight and here's Speer load data for 200 gr LSWC - https://reloading-data.speer-ammo.c...n/45_caliber_451-454_dia/45_Auto_200_LSWC.pdf

index.php
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the replies!

I currently have about four pounds of 231 and load all of my 45acp with it, so figured it would be a good start.

I have only loaded and shot fifty rounds using the n320, so that may be a good option as well.

I'll be sure to keep an eye out for Unique and Bullseye, and if a pound turns up at a good price I'll give it a go as well.

chris
 
ballman6711 said:
I'll be sure to keep an eye out for Unique and Bullseye, and if a pound turns up at a good price I'll give it a go as well.
Click to expand...

Another vote for Unique, but I wouldn't consider it a low-flash powder with 200grn's at the upper end of load data... but it's still a good powder.

I've recently rediscovered Winchester WST for 200grn .45ACP loads. I used to use it for my 12ga AA-duplicate heavy trap loads, and a friend of mine turned me on to using it in the .45. I didn't like it so much with 230's, but I recently worked up some loads with 200grn bullets... and it was the accuracy winner among about 5 different powders. It's fast... faster, even, than W231, so I don't know how 'low flash' it would be... but certainly it can't be any worse than W231. It's also a relatively ignored powder... which means you might have a good chance to pick it up.
 
I would start with the 231. Probably will never need to change. In my revolvers I shoot a lot of Trail Boss too. But I think 231 is the choice for what you want. Put it another way. If I was starting from scratch and could use any powder I would get the 231.
 
Of the powders you have, N320 first! 231 will work, but N320 is very soft shooting. If you want to go beyond that, Clays would be a very soft, clean powder as well. WST, IMR Target and Titegroup would be choices after Clays. Finally, Sport Pistol does well too. Those are the faster powders for soft target loads. Good luck!
 
HP38=(W231) is my goto powder for anything less than Full power .45s with either 200s or 230s.
N320 also shoots really well for me, AA#2 as well.

You should find something that works out well with N320 or HP38.
All my .45s liked those powders with 200s.
4.7-5.0 of HP38(W231) make a nice practice load with a 200.
Looking for my notes but as I recall my N320 load was in the same charge range. Around 5gr.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

L
  • Locked
.45 200gr SWC and Clays
Replies
8
Views
1K
lordpaxman
L
B
  • Locked
.45 ACP 200gr SWC Jams
Replies
12
Views
1K
Bob F.
B
G
  • Locked
OAL for Berry's 200gr FP?
Replies
9
Views
763
gregj
G
B
  • Locked
Loading coated bullets for the first time
2 3
Replies
55
Views
3K
Ej3
Ej3
H
  • Locked
45 Colt: Powder recommendations?
2
Replies
32
Views
5K
GaryL
GaryL
Back
Top