Winchester AutoComp

[HDMontana]

I wanted to get your opinions on this powder. For handguns, I currently reload .380, 9 mm, and .45 ACP. Will soon be reloading .38 SP and .357 Mag. I have been using Ramshot Zip and Win WSF. I just wanted an overall opinion of this powder. LGS has it on special for $18.99 a pound. Thank you.

 

[dredd]

I have used it for .45 ACP & .38 SPL.
I bought some a long time ago when it was all I could find sitting on the shelf.

It did okay on my first attempts, but looked like I wasn't getting a proper burn.
I switched to magnum primers and that helped a lot.

There are lots of other choices that some people would consider better.

AutoComp doesn't suck. I have a bunch of it and don't mind using it up.

I hope this was helpful.

 

[Rule3]

I bought a 8lb container of it a long time ago I use it in 45 ACP and 9mm. It is fine but see no reason to buy it again. Just another powder to me. Burns clean, on the slow burning side Good for your light 357Mag loads, I wouldn't use it for 380 auto.

 

[Walkalong]

It is good for the run and gun comped race guns. As was WAP (Winchester Action Pistol) which is now Silhouette. A bit slow (IMHO) for .45 ACP, although it will work. Should be good for full power 9MM. Somewhere close to the WSF (A bit slower) you have, which is very good stuff.

 

[docv]

I recently, well today, shot some 9mm 145 lipsticks loaded with Autocomp. Very good accuracy in my pistol at 4.2 and 4.4 (max wwpowder published load) grains using either the last of my S&B small primers or CCI primers. COL was as listed on wwpowder 1.150. Santa did not bring me a Labradar so I don't have chrono data. I would buy a few pounds at 18.99 per.

 

[HDMontana]

Thanks for the responses. I like the ramshot zip but can't find it locally any more. When I see a good sale on powder, I try to justify buying it.

 

[blue32]

I've used it for 9mm, 40sw, and 38 spl with success. Lots of data available.

 

[kcofohio]

I have only used a pound of Autocomp. Mostly in 9mm. Though I seem to remember loading some 357s with it. It did okay and I would by it for $18.99/lb.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

I bought one pound when it was first released. Looked for it again, but it was during the shortage and couldn't find any. Have tried it in 9mm, 38 spl. and 45 Colt with very good to excellent results. I didn't try 357 mag.

 

[1KPerDay]

People like it for race guns but it actually was one of the more accurate powders I tested in my Colt SAA 45 if you can imagine. I've been shooting that load for a few hundred rounds.

 

[Walkalong]

I like the ramshot zip but can't find it locally any more

W-231 is almost identical in performance. WST is a good replacement although it is faster. Sport Pistol would also be great replacement, and is closer in burn speed.

 

[dave333]

Just finished up my first pound of autocomp. Bought it when I was trying different powders for 9major for USPSA. It’s popular for that as the case isn’t overly full even at a few grains over max load data so it doesn’t sling out of 9mm cases much when loading on a progressive, and it produces a lot of gas to work the comp. It turned out to produce very accurate ammo for me as well.

I have used it for regular “hot” 9mm loads and while a tad snappy it works well for that too. I’m sure it would serve you well in all the calibers you mentioned, especially if you like a little hotter ammo. If you are more interested in bunny fart ammo there are better choices. I’ve never loaded minimum loads with it and it might work ok for those but most slower powders work better in the upper load range.

 

[HDMontana]

Finally got back to the LGS to pick up the autocomp. Only had 2 lbs left but they are not going to reorder it. Got them for $15.00 each. Also got another lb of WSF for $18.88. Thanks everyone for the input.

 

[Toprudder]

I tried it in 380, 9, 40, and 45. Did not care for it much in either 380 or 45acp. I really liked it in 9mm, but I found other powders I liked more or were more versatile, so I used up the pound that I had and have not bought any more.

If you shoot a lot of 9mm, and can get it for $15 a pound, I'd use it!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Thanks for the responses. I like the ramshot zip but can't find it locally any more. When I see a good sale on powder, I try to justify buying it.

If you can't find Zip you can always use W231/HP-38 which is extremely close in performance.If I didn't know better I would say all 3 are the same instead of only 2 of them.

 

[Dudedog]

For me Autocomp was ok in 9mm, but I like WSF better.
(WSF is my favorite for 9mm, and works decent in .380 to. Works in .45 but I prefer a faster burning powder for midrange .45 loads)
If you would like more vel than ZIP will give you in .38 or .357 BE86 is nice, also works well in 9mm and ok for full power .380 stuff.
A little slow for .45 but works there.
BE86 makes nice not quite full power .357 loads.

But for only $20 give it a try, you may love it.
I wouldn't buy an 8 lb jug at first but a 1 lb jar why not.
There is an adventure in every jar of a new to you powder.

 

[HDMontana]

Thanks again for the responses. Not sure how soon I will try the autocomp. Still have some zip and wsf to work through. I do most of my reloading in the winter while it's cold out here in Montana. We haven't had near the normal snowfall. Haven't had to plow the driveway yet this winter. Probably just jinxed myself by saying that.

 

[Toprudder]

BE86 makes nice not quite full power .357 loads.

But for only $20 give it a try, you may love it.

A while back, a local vendor was selling BE86 for $15 per pound. I already had some but bought a couple more pounds just because. One of my overall favorite powders.