I like the above powders for .45 in this order - Clays, Titegroup, Bullseye. I run every shot over a chronograph, and Clays is as consistent as any. I once doubled a titegroup charge of 4.3 and it had exactly twice the energy over the chrony. A little hard on the case primer pocket, but thousands of rounds later, the 345 is still a favourite.
.45acp-imr4227
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I use quite a bit of both powders. Both 231 and Titegroup meter pretty much the same way for me.
Hornady lists Titegroup as their first choice for a 230 grain LRN bullet. They also state that Titegroup produced the highest velocity with lighter bullets.
Titegroup is a faster burning powder than WIN231, but it takes almost 1 grain more of 231 to get to the same speed as Titegroup. Titegroup builds up pressure faster than 231.
So why is Titegroup not the "right powder"? I'd say it's better.
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"Roll crimp..."
Did I say that? Geez. Of course I meant taper crimp. I doubt any die set for 45 ACP includes a roll crimp.
"You have to be kidding. A double charge of 231 will blow your grips off, blow your mag out of your gun and if you are real lucky not take your gun apart. Don't ask how I know this! I was lucky.
Either you know nothing about hand loading or you are incredibly dumb for posting such a remark."
You misunderstand what he said. When he said "not noticed" he was referring to what the person doing the loading would notice - not what the gun would notice.
231 is fast and both one and 2 charges of powder are below the rim of the case so a double charge might not been noticed.... err.... seen.
Did I say that? Geez. Of course I meant taper crimp. I doubt any die set for 45 ACP includes a roll crimp.
"You have to be kidding. A double charge of 231 will blow your grips off, blow your mag out of your gun and if you are real lucky not take your gun apart. Don't ask how I know this! I was lucky.
Either you know nothing about hand loading or you are incredibly dumb for posting such a remark."
You misunderstand what he said. When he said "not noticed" he was referring to what the person doing the loading would notice - not what the gun would notice.
231 is fast and both one and 2 charges of powder are below the rim of the case so a double charge might not been noticed.... err.... seen.
Hey easy, what powder would you recommend behind a 230 gr TMJ? I have been using Bullseye but find it works better behind a 185gr TMJ. When shooting cast do you have to use gas checks? How do you use them? 
Sorry for all the questions..... You seem to know wtf your talking about! 
Sorry for all the questions..... You seem to know wtf your talking about! 
GANDERITE - point taken I apologise to the author if that is what he meant.
Easy - I found with Titegroup my cases were usually blackened on the outside after shooting so I left it as a powder for .45acp. I use it exlusively for .40cal. For me the powder performs better at higher pressures than those levels found in the .45acp and .45LC.
I much prefer 231 as the level of loads I use. It meters extremely well out of my Dillon powder measure. This leads to tighter velocity variations which allows me to load closer to IDPA/IPSC minimum power factors required for both of those sports. 231 also works well in my 9MM loadings so I am not faced with buying as many powders for my reloading needs.
I use a Chrono to develop my loads and once I find a powder/load combination that offers tight SD and is close to the velocities I want for the intended application I usually stick with that load. Most of my shooting involves action shooting (IPSC/IDPA) so I tend to chase the lower limits of velocities just to meet power factors required for both sports. I also buy my powder in 4 and 8 pound containers so changing over to a new powder is a rather slow process for me. When shooting the .45acp in IDPA I use 200 gr LSWC bullets.
mercer - I use gas checks when loading hotter loads for my .357Mag and for all my rifle shooting. For 9MM, .40cal, .45acp, .45LC and most applications in .38spl gas checks really aren't necessary IMHO.
Take Care
Bob
Easy - I found with Titegroup my cases were usually blackened on the outside after shooting so I left it as a powder for .45acp. I use it exlusively for .40cal. For me the powder performs better at higher pressures than those levels found in the .45acp and .45LC.
I much prefer 231 as the level of loads I use. It meters extremely well out of my Dillon powder measure. This leads to tighter velocity variations which allows me to load closer to IDPA/IPSC minimum power factors required for both of those sports. 231 also works well in my 9MM loadings so I am not faced with buying as many powders for my reloading needs.
I use a Chrono to develop my loads and once I find a powder/load combination that offers tight SD and is close to the velocities I want for the intended application I usually stick with that load. Most of my shooting involves action shooting (IPSC/IDPA) so I tend to chase the lower limits of velocities just to meet power factors required for both sports. I also buy my powder in 4 and 8 pound containers so changing over to a new powder is a rather slow process for me. When shooting the .45acp in IDPA I use 200 gr LSWC bullets.
mercer - I use gas checks when loading hotter loads for my .357Mag and for all my rifle shooting. For 9MM, .40cal, .45acp, .45LC and most applications in .38spl gas checks really aren't necessary IMHO.
Take Care
Bob
Thanks for the kind words mercer. There's some pretty solid advice from other members too.
Canuck44, I had a similar problem with some 9mm FMJ rounds in an AR. Funny I noticed the blackening was always on the opposite side of the extractor mark on the rim. I increased the presssure in the case, more powder, and the problem went away.
I mostly shoot lead, so I make my choices around that, but if I were to shoot TMJs, I'd expect higher velocities. You could probably get close to 1000fps with a 230g FMJ RN, but you'd need more of a slower burning powder to do that. A powder that does that well with the best accuracy is HS-6, but you need a lot of it and that cost more money.
Vihtavoury N-340, very accurate, but it's expensive and hard to find, and it takes a lot of it to make bullets go fast.
Then there's Unique. Not sure how clean burning it is these days, but it's a slightly faster powder than Universal, HS-6 and N-340. Unique is a great powder I think, very accurate with lead and FMJs.
I buy Titegroup because I handload to save money. It's cheaper than other brands and you need less of it for the same speed. Meters well, Works great. Ammunition costs too much denaro these days as it is.
Canuck44, I had a similar problem with some 9mm FMJ rounds in an AR. Funny I noticed the blackening was always on the opposite side of the extractor mark on the rim. I increased the presssure in the case, more powder, and the problem went away.
I mostly shoot lead, so I make my choices around that, but if I were to shoot TMJs, I'd expect higher velocities. You could probably get close to 1000fps with a 230g FMJ RN, but you'd need more of a slower burning powder to do that. A powder that does that well with the best accuracy is HS-6, but you need a lot of it and that cost more money.
Vihtavoury N-340, very accurate, but it's expensive and hard to find, and it takes a lot of it to make bullets go fast.
Then there's Unique. Not sure how clean burning it is these days, but it's a slightly faster powder than Universal, HS-6 and N-340. Unique is a great powder I think, very accurate with lead and FMJs.
I buy Titegroup because I handload to save money. It's cheaper than other brands and you need less of it for the same speed. Meters well, Works great. Ammunition costs too much denaro these days as it is.
Yes, I also read posts #11, #21, #22.....
Agreed, different opinions, however there seem's to be better powders then titegroup for the 45 ACP.
Well I just got back from P&D. Bought a lb of 231 and 1500 Hornaday 230 gr FMJ-FP. I wanted to try some HS-6 as my hornaday manual says it is one of the better powders for the heavier bullets but none in stock and one of the guys at the counter suggested 231. So here we go, I think I'll start with 5.3 gr.
Very limited range with that bullet and powder combination. You won't be able to make your bullets go any faster than 800fps with that powder. Kind of a waste of FMJs. SAAMI lists, (and I know it's very forgiving), 5 grain MIN for 700fps to 5.7 MAX for 800fps.
Sounds like your 5.3g are going to be moving less than 750fps. Out of a 1911? Are you sure the slide is going to cycle enough to chamber another round?
When you're done with your FMJ, get yourself some lead. You can make lead go 900fps with 231.
Very limited range with that bullet and powder combination. You won't be able to make your bullets go any faster than 800fps with that powder. Kind of a waste of FMJs. SAAMI lists, (and I know it's very forgiving), 5 grain MIN for 700fps to 5.7 MAX for 800fps.
Sounds like your 5.3g are going to be moving less than 750fps. Out of a 1911? Are you sure the slide is going to cycle enough to chamber another round?
When you're done with your FMJ, get yourself some lead. You can make lead go 900fps with 231.
Hornadays manual says for best accurracy to keep velocities around 800 fps. Is this not accurate? It also states with 5.3gr of 231 @832/fps.
I don't have a chrono yet.
Now you have me worried damn you!I just went to look at my Hornady handbook and it lists a 230g FMJ Flat Point with 5.4 grains of WIN 231 doing 750fps.
Ideally 800fps does make a good target load. With lead, I wouldn't want to go much higher. I go to 850fps with lead. I just like to be close to a factory load with FMJs.
You'll be fine with that powder/bullet combination. Just a bit of a waste for handloading FMJs. FMJs cost almost twice as much as lead.
I also sometimes like to raz those who can't drop a pepper popper with their puff rounds. See what works best for you, of course.
Ideally 800fps does make a good target load. With lead, I wouldn't want to go much higher. I go to 850fps with lead. I just like to be close to a factory load with FMJs.
You'll be fine with that powder/bullet combination. Just a bit of a waste for handloading FMJs. FMJs cost almost twice as much as lead.
I also sometimes like to raz those who can't drop a pepper popper with their puff rounds.
See what works best for you, of course.
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My mistake, I was looking at my Hodgson manual when I typed that info.
I guess I need 5.7 gr to make 800fps..... And thats listed max.What does a factory 230gr FMJ load get for fps?
Time to buy a chrono I guess. I'm not sure if I'm ready to load cast yet. Maybe I need to read up on it or try to find some decent video about it, as I don't know anyone who even reloads. I'm kinda taking baby steps.
A 230 grain FMJ factory round will have a muzzle velocity of 840fps. About 16000 CUP. That's a rather safe pressure compared to what for instance, a 1911 barrel can handle.
Not much difference in loading lead as opposed to FMJ. Just have to be aware of lead and wax build-up in your dies. Maybe bell the case mouth a bit more so you're not shaving the bullet going in and lead is hazardous to your health is all.
Not much difference in loading lead as opposed to FMJ. Just have to be aware of lead and wax build-up in your dies. Maybe bell the case mouth a bit more so you're not shaving the bullet going in and lead is hazardous to your health is all.
I am in the process of getting ready for the winter handgun season. I will be loading for semi-autos shooting lead bullets and a 38 Spl and 45LC revolver with cast bullets.
I found a box of Excel 40 S&W 180 gr SWC bullets that appear to be copper plated. Not jacketed, but they are 100% covered in copper. I loaded them as if they were just ordinary cast bullets. They are not lubed.
I have to buy more bullets. Only had the one box. Are these copper plated bullets a good idea? Should I buy more or go back to the lubed cast lead bullets?
It would be nice to use the same powder in 9mm, 40 S&W and 45 ACP. I note that 45AC is a lower pressure round, like 38 Spl, so I could live with one powder for high pressure and one pressure for low pressure.
I have 10 pounds of Unique that might work for high pressure. Have not tried it in the Dillon.
The semi-auto ammo has to work the action well. Does not have to be full power. Main goal is accuracy.
Powder reccomendations?
I found a box of Excel 40 S&W 180 gr SWC bullets that appear to be copper plated. Not jacketed, but they are 100% covered in copper. I loaded them as if they were just ordinary cast bullets. They are not lubed.
I have to buy more bullets. Only had the one box. Are these copper plated bullets a good idea? Should I buy more or go back to the lubed cast lead bullets?
It would be nice to use the same powder in 9mm, 40 S&W and 45 ACP. I note that 45AC is a lower pressure round, like 38 Spl, so I could live with one powder for high pressure and one pressure for low pressure.
I have 10 pounds of Unique that might work for high pressure. Have not tried it in the Dillon.
The semi-auto ammo has to work the action well. Does not have to be full power. Main goal is accuracy.
Powder reccomendations?
I buy 9mm copper plated bullets made by West Coast Bullets and like them. A bit more money than lead, but cleaner for sure.
The reason I buy these is for my AR. I don't want to waste my money on FMJs just for plinking and don't want to shoot lead through a long barrel. Too dirty. The coated bullets help keep the gun clean.
The reason I buy these is for my AR. I don't want to waste my money on FMJs just for plinking and don't want to shoot lead through a long barrel. Too dirty. The coated bullets help keep the gun clean.
"I have 10 pounds of Unique that might work for high pressure. Have not tried it in the Dillon."
Unique is certainly a good powder for the cartridges you quoted. I have used it in all three using cast lead bullets with excellent results. Unique will take you a bit of time to get your Dillon Powder measure dialed in but once there powder drops can be quite constant. Certainly within a tenth of a grain which for psitol purposes shouldn't effect accuracy to any significant degree.
I tend to use more of it in 9MM where it shines or in the .45LC when shoooting my cast 200gr LSWC & 255gr bullets.
When I do load my .40cal I use titegroup only because 2.8gr makes 125+PF for IDPA/IPSC under my 180 gr lead cast bullets.
PM me your email address and I can send you my spreadsheet of loads I have shot over my Chrono. Might be of interest to you.
Take Care
Bob
Unique is certainly a good powder for the cartridges you quoted. I have used it in all three using cast lead bullets with excellent results. Unique will take you a bit of time to get your Dillon Powder measure dialed in but once there powder drops can be quite constant. Certainly within a tenth of a grain which for psitol purposes shouldn't effect accuracy to any significant degree.
I tend to use more of it in 9MM where it shines or in the .45LC when shoooting my cast 200gr LSWC & 255gr bullets.
When I do load my .40cal I use titegroup only because 2.8gr makes 125+PF for IDPA/IPSC under my 180 gr lead cast bullets.
PM me your email address and I can send you my spreadsheet of loads I have shot over my Chrono. Might be of interest to you.
Take Care
Bob
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