Powder for both .40SW & .45ACP

Gasanwu

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Kingston
Hi all fellow reloaders,

I'm starting to reload, what's a good powder for both .40s&w and .45ACP?
Have a 1911 with 5" barrel and a CZ Tactical Sport with a 5.2" barrel. Does the longer barrel length play part in the muzzle velocity? If it does, how?
 
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I've been using Titegroup and love it in .40S&W, it meters well, uses low charges and out performs the other powders I have tried. It can be used in .45ACP as well, I haven't tried as I don't own a gun in that caliber, but I shoot a .45GAP and it performs just as great in that cartridge as well. Other powders that I like in .40 that have potential in .45ACP are HS-6, which is easy metering and clean burning (a close second choice powder for me) as well as Universal.

I have settled on Titegroup for the powder in my three handguns, I love the stuff!
 
Bullseye in all my pistol calibres.

32 ACP , 9MM , 38 SPL , 40 S+W, 45 ACP

I use light loads typically and accuracy no worse than store bought

It's a little dirty but it's easily available locally and it's the cheapest

around here.
 
If you are looking for just 1 powder for both caliber then Titegroup or W231 are good choices.

FWIW I use VVN320 for .40 and Clays for .45.
 
powder

I,ve been using WSF since I started shooting 180gr,with a 40 STI about 6 months ago,and am running out.I decided to try a few powders,and get some more experience shooting with diferernt powders.Now I ,ve got some Titegroupe and Longshot.Data is easy to find for Titegroupe,but all I can find on Longshot is:180gr
OAL 1.125
8.0gr.
1159 fps.
For those guys shooting Longshot ,what kind of data do you have would be appreciated.
__________________________
Daryl
 
Thanks for all the feedback. I have a CZ Tactical Sport with a 5.2" barrel, does the barrel length have an effect on the muzzle velocity? Faster or slower? I borrowed some titigroup from Gunnar and I loaded some ammo 160 gr cast lead bullets with 4.6gr of titegroup. Took it to the range during the weekend and it seems to shoot a bit hotter than the factory load with 180 FMJ bullet.
 
If I remember correctly, 4.6gr. of titegroup under a 180gr fmj was near max for a 4" S&W 4006 in one of my manuals. (not home at the moment)

I currently load 3.5gr. for a 180 cmj -cycles beautifully, and just under a full power load.
 
I,ve been using WSF since I started shooting 180gr,with a 40 STI about 6 months ago,and am running out.I decided to try a few powders,and get some more experience shooting with diferernt powders.Now I ,ve got some Titegroupe and Longshot.Data is easy to find for Titegroupe,but all I can find on Longshot is:180gr
OAL 1.125
8.0gr.
1159 fps.
For those guys shooting Longshot ,what kind of data do you have would be appreciated.
__________________________
Daryl

I'm not sure if this data will help as I'm shooting the 155gr hornady bullets and my pistol is kinda unique, please use caution with these loads - they are not for everyone.

preface: My .40 S&W is built on a custom double stack .45ACP frame and slide, the barrel is fully supported and the throat has been opened up to allow very long COL seating. The barrel is a tightly chambered and has been proof tested and magna'd. Heavy recoil spring and buffers in use. Mainspring weight and hammer drag have also been increased. I use a baked moly lube on all bearing surfaces, except the sear etc.

--------- warning ----------
IF YOU ARE UNSURE OR NEW TO RELOADING DO NOT USE THIS DATA.

Cases - New Starline .40 S&W, never 1FB unless you fired the first time

Primer - Winchester Small Rifle <----- non standard

Bullet - Hornady 155gr XTP

COL - 1.22" <------ non standard, very shallow seating, approx 1/2 cal seating, use maximum crimp that still allows headspacing

Powder - Longshot - max 13gr

From my 1:16" twist 5" bbl I get around 1500fps

--------- warning ----------
IF YOU ARE UNSURE OR NEW TO RELOADING DO NOT USE THIS DATA.

Oh ya this is well into the 10mm territory and kicks and blasts like a mule. I mainly created it because I wanted a 'very' flat shooting .40cal.

While I haven't worked out a proper trajectory for it, I'd say it is easily a 150m PBR pistol.
 
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Blue Dot and 155 Montana Gold fmj for the 40 S&W really rocks in my Glock 22, hot and accurate. Speer #12 manual also lists Blue Dot for the 230 gr fmj bullet in the 45acp, pretty good velocity for the top load. Blue Dot fills up the cases nicely, making it hard to double charge even if you make a mistake.

For my HK USP 45, HS6 is nice and accurate with the 230 Montana Gold fmj bullet and not too violent.
 
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