Powders for 45 ACP

[22forever]

I've recently purchased a Dillon RL550B press to reload for 45 ACP and 9mm. The Dillon works great btw. Looking for advice on a clean burning powder for the 45., presently using Winchester W231. I'm loading 5.6 grains for a 230 grain bullet and have found it to be dirty burning. I'm open to suggestions. TIA

 

[mackles]

Titegroup is good if loaded middle to top end. Any lower and its just as dirty as anything else.

 

[ciPeterF]

Try some Ramshot ZIP.. I've had good success with it..

 

[Barry F]

I use both greendot and bluedot. No dirtier than anything else(including factory ammo...)

 

[saskcop]

Yep, W231 is dirty, but it works. 5.6 grains with a 230 grain slug is about standard. My load is a tad hotter, but works great in my 1911. If I were to change, it would be Power Pistol or one of the VV powders for .45. Problem is that they are too hard to come by around here.

 

[667]

I'm kickin' it old school with good old reliable "Bullseye"

Yep... Dirtier than bersmith's #### in a vegas whore house, but it works

 

[jmiddy]

Try Tightgroup! for higher velocity go Power Pistol!

 

[PeterPan]

Try Titegroup. I used 5.0gr for 230gr bullet, and OAL 1.220

Good Luck

 

[CeeZer]

WST is another good one

 

[jdman]

my fav for 45 is 700X.

 

[Shootshellz]

IMHO you can't beat Accurate Arms #5 for loading the 45 ACP. Similar burn rate to Unique in a 'ball' style powder that meters great through a powder measure.

 

[t-star]

if it BURNS anything like UNIQUE, no thank you- if you think 231 burns dirty, wait till you see the THUNDERHEADS OF SMOKE that come off unique- we're talking cumulo-nimbus here- i've seen fffg that burns cleaner than that stuff

 

[ffgats]

nothing beats VVN320. 5.3grs on 230grRn or JHP oal 1.250,dealears- Higginsons, Cedar Valley, Hirsch

 

[Skyhawk]

IMHO you can't beat Accurate Arms #5 for loading the 45 ACP. Similar burn rate to Unique in a 'ball' style powder that meters great through a powder measure.

Does it have the same volume as Unique for the burn rate? I've mostly used W231, but recently inherited a 4 pounder of Unique that I'm now working through. I find that the Unique (new cleaner formula) doesn't burn quite as dirty as what people say, but then again folks are saying the W231 is dirty too which is something I've not noticed in medium-load .45 ACP applications.

On thing I like about the Unique's volume is that it fills up half the .45 case at even minimum loads. A double load would be overflowing all over the darn place and thus nearly impossible to do. I think there's a few with even greater volumes that are cleaner burning as ball type powders with a burn rate similar to Unique. Those are the ones I'm interested in experimenting with next for .45 acp. If #5 is like that, I will just have to try it.

 

[t-star]

no the volume is not the same as 231- you'd best USE A SCALE

 

[Skyhawk]

no the volume is not the same as 231- you'd best USE A SCALE

Not sure if that was meant for me, since I'm familiar with 231 loads having used them for so long...

Anyway, I always use a scale (and all my reload manuals). The reason I asked about volume with #5 is because it makes it convenient to easily check powder level after the case leaves the expander-powder die without twisting myself into another position or removing the case from the shell holder. In other words, something that half-fills the case at starting loads like Unique is ideal for visual confirmation and avoidance of double loading. I just like the added comfort.

 

[t-star]

at the recommended loads i have, unique will fill the case just a little more than 231- the weights are about .2 grains higher- is that what you were looking for?

 

[easyrider604]

I like Universal Clays (Technology). 5.4 grains under 230 grain Lee TL Truncated Cone. Accurate enough in my Norkie 1911s and about as clean (dirty?) as my Win 231 maximum or close to maximum loads. I always load close to max or to maximum and do not notice smoke.

 

[Skyhawk]

at the recommended loads i have, unique will fill the case just a little more than 231- the weights are about .2 grains higher- is that what you were looking for?

Well not really, since I already load with 231 and Unique. Plus weight has nothing at all to do with volume when dealing with powder.

I'm just interested in other powders that give me similar burning profiles to Unique and also fill a .45 acp case at least 1/2 full. Weight will be according to the starting load my manuals specify and cannot be directly compared to other powders using volume as a measure.

 

[aridan]

I also just started experimenting with a .45 load for plinking. I settled on 3.9gr Clays (not Universal Clays) with a 230gr Canadian BDX FMJ. Seeing the cloud of smoke traveling downrange was impressive. But the recoil is soft, and I don't mind cleaning my guns.