Which powder to experiment with next in 45 ACP?

[Wilburt]

I have been using 1.250 oal, 5.0 grs WST, and a 200 gr LSWC form missouri bullet company. I like the load and have been using it for IDPA competitions. The only bad thing is I do get a good spread of velocity. I also just ran out of it.

So my goal is to get a load that will shoot just over 825 fps with the softest recoil. The powders I have to work with are:

AA #5
AA# 2
VV N310
VV N320
Clays

I have a pound of each. I ordered more WST but who knows when it will get here. I'm also second guessing it for IDPA as it does tend to have a bigger ES. What should I start with?

**Will be using a Wilson Combat and Kimber 1911 5"

 

[Galil5.56]

....

 

[loadedround]

Why not try the old standby, WW-231. It works for me.

 

[Wilburt]

Yeah, I've used 231 a time ago for light loads. Maybe I will again if I can find some. But right now, I'm wantting to try what I already have as I can't find any powder around here right now that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

 

[Walkalong]

With N310, N320, AA #2, AA #5, Clays & WST, you have already tried some of the best for .45 ACP. Zip & Competition are also worth a try.

 

[Wilburt]

I acually bought the AA #2, AA #5, N310, and N320 to use with a 200gr Berry HP and never got around to it. So I haven't tried them yet. I guess I'm looking for actual load data to try with those and the 200 gr LSWC. Data that gives about 825 fps.

 

[delta5]

Hodgdon Titegroup was designed for light recoil. Give it a try. I have had good luck with it so far..

 

[Walkalong]

I acually bought the AA #2, AA #5, N310, and N320 to use with a 200gr Berry HP and never got around to it

PM on the way Wilburt.

 

[rfwobbly]

The VV web page has an excelling reloading book you can download.

For a "soft push" you might try something slower like N330 or N340.

 

[Wilburt]

PM on the way Wilburt.

Thanks. Replyed. Also I have looked at the VV site. I was just hoping someone had some tried and true numbers. Reloading manuals never have FPS correct.

 

[Landric]

5.0 grains of Titegroup was giving me about 875 fps with a 200 grain RNFP from my M&P .45.

 

[sig2009]

700X. Lyman lists this load as most accurate and I agree.

 

[LubeckTech]

Don't forget Bullseye!! I think it is one of the original smokeless powders and it is definately a classic.

 

[evan price]

Red Dot and Titegroup work for me. Also Promo, which is generic Red Dot more or less.

 

[Shoney]

Looking at the various powder burn rate charts (all list faster to slower) :

Hodgdon
IMR, Co Trial Boss
Winchester Super Handicap
Hodgdon INTERNATIONAL
IMR, Co PB
VihtaVuori N320
Winchester WST
Accurate Arms No. 2
IMR, Co SR 7625
Hodgdon HP-38
Winchester 231
Alliant 20/28
Alliant Unique
Hodgdon UNIVERSAL

Reloading Bench
American Select (Alliant)
AA Plus (Winchester)
Clays (Hodgdon)
N320 (Vihtavuori)
Competition (Ramshot)
Royal D (Scot)
WST (Winchester)
HP38 (Hodgdon)
452AA (Winchester)
453 (Scot)
231 (Winchester)
Zip (Ramshot)
700X (IMR)
Green Dot (Alliant)

ADI
Universal
Unique
SR 7625
N330
Herco
WSF
A1 (Vectan)
800X
WAP
AA 7
N340

They are all different, but I use them to "guess" which powder may produce similar ressults.

 

[PO2Hammer]

Lately I've been using VV N310 under 200 grain plated SWC's with great results. 4.2 grains gets me 790 fps with the lowest velocity spread I've seen in .45acp (thanks for the help Walkalong).
Raw numbers from today, charges metered in a Redding 10X;
769
789
789
791
791

5.0 grains of Titegroup is another winner under the same Rainier bullet.

 

[Casefull]

I use unique with light and heavy loads and it works great.

 

[rklessdriver]

I started out loading .45ACP with Acurate #5 (under 185gr LSWC) and had really good results but I was loading a bit hotter than 825fps.

I had a problem finding it after I burned thru my first LB and switched to HP38. I now load with that or WW231. However IMO the AA#5 seemd to recoil less.
Will

 

[ChristopherG]

Your desired velocity is near the top of the range for Clays, and it's usually in that near-max range that you'll get the most consistent velocities. I'm looking to load a pile of major power factor .45 using the exact same bullet from Missouri bullet, and I plan to work up from 4.0 gr of Clays. I expect to end up right at the max recommended load of 4.3 gr. I've read a number of reports of success shooting this as a major load.

 

[JDGray]

Clays wont get you there, but it is very soft shooting at about 700fps. A load at your velocity stated, will be WWB feeling

 

[ranger351w]

Powder?

I use one powder for everything from shotgun to .380,38sp,9mm,45acp and 44mag.

Greendot. I know I know. Let it begin but it sure works good for me. And I only need to have one powder for handgun and shotgun. Realy simplifies things.

I do not use it in rifle though.

 

[jmorris]

I have used clays and titegroup but now use VV N310 along with 230's feels softer than 200's

 

[Bailey Boat]

Give 5.0 grains of HP 38 a try. It has produced my most accurate and soft shooting loads from all of my 45's......

 

[Wilburt]

Thanks. All really good stuff to consider

 

[Offfhand]

I think many, if not most, serious competition shooters would agree that 700X is one of the best choices for the .45. But having said that, never overlook the fact that Bullseye powder has probably won more tournaments and been loaded more and longer than other other pistol powders put together.