What .45 ACP powder to look for ???

[Emri]

I want to load up some .45's and used to use Unique. It has been unavailable. Seems these days one must use what is available, not what one wants. So...........

What should I look for that is available these days for a mild load with 230gr. cast lead bullets ??

I have been out of the re-loading business for years and am totally unfamiliar with the current powders.

Thanks,

Emri

[WarPig1976]

I like Bullseye or Titegroup, they both go BANG!

[joem]

I've been using REX2. It's seems slower than Bullseye, perhaps a little faster than Unique. W 231 if you can find any.

[Tuna]

What ever pistol powers you can find will work if you can find any. They are in short supply right now. Some rifle powders are starting to show up but pistol and shotgun powders are hard to find.

[Sunray]

Been using Bullseye for eons. 4.5 grains with a cast 230 RN or FP is a nice target load.

[Duane Hansen]

I like BullsEye too but if I can find Accurate #2, I scoop it up in a hurry. Like the others have said, just go with what you can find at this point.

[psteinmayer]

I've been using HS-6, and I've also used Herco. Both will send the bullet down the tube efficiently enough!

[mikld]

I'd open my reloading manual to the 45 ACP section, go to the bullet I want to use, and make a list of those recommended powders...

[Jim in Salt Lake]

I'd open my reloading manual to the 45 ACP section, go to the bullet I want to use, and make a list of those recommended powders...

That's what I've been doing, only way to keep shooting. Back in my pin shooting days, 5.0gr W231 behind a 200gr lead SWC. Now, when I go to the store, I grab a reloading book off the shelf or take one of my own and stand in front of the shelf of powder and see what I can load with what they're selling.

[KD5KPD]

I was lucky to pick up an 8lb jug of W231 from Powder Valley when it came back available after Obamas first election & still haven't had to open it yet, still have 2-3 lbs of last jug. 231 is a good all around powder for many calibers, I use it on 380, 9mm, 45acp, & 45 colt, shouldn't need any for pistol powder for a while.

[KeithNyst]

If you liked Unique, then in order I would look for: Unique, Universal, HP-38, Win 231, Accurate #2, WST, TightGroup, Bullseye, 700-X, Clays. This list works your way up from the medium speed powder like Unique and Universal up to the faster powders (the last 5).

[Former Cav]

go here
http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol
and you get this (unfortunately it lost it's "table format" so go to the web site, put in your pistol caliber, your wieght of bullet, your brand of powder and I selected "ALL" on step four.

ufacturer
Powder
Bullet Diam.
C.O.L.
Grs.
Vel. (ft/s)
Pressure
Grs.
Vel. (ft/s)
Pressure
Hodgdon
Longshot
.452"
1.200"
6.0
747
12,000 CUP
6.8
875
16,800 CUP
Hodgdon
HS-6
.452"
1.200''
7.0
751
12,900 CUP
8.0
859
16,600 CUP
Hodgdon
CFE Pistol
.452"
1.200"
5.4
816
14,600 PSI
6.2
942
20,100 PSI
Hodgdon
Universal
.452"
1.200"
4.5
703
11,400 CUP
5.4
857
16,800 CUP
Hodgdon
HP-38
.452"
1.200"
4.3
699
12,200 CUP
5.3
834
16,900 CUP
Hodgdon
Titegroup
.452"
1.200"
4.0
751
12,500 CUP
4.8
855
17,000 CUP
Hodgdon
Clays
.452"
1.200"
3.5
716
13,700 CUP
4.0
793
16,800 CUP
Hodgdon
Titewad
.452"
1.200"
2.8
684
14,700 PSI
3.3
767
19,400 PSI
Bullet Weight230 GR. HDY FMJ FP

[Former Cav]

go here
http://www.accuratepowder.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/burn_rates.pdf

it is a chart that will show you for example: YOu want to load 45 ACP and you USED TO USE UNIQUE
suitable powders for that MIGHT BE universal by Hodgdon, SR-7625 by IMR, it shows WIN 231 way up on the list but that is what I use.
good luck

[Former Cav]

I like this chart the BEST
http://www.lapua.com/upload/reloading/reloadingburningratechart2011.pdf

it has on it what I use, namely W-231 for 45 pistol and Varget for .223 and .308 (not to mention .243 as well)

[Rick the Librarian]

I was just going to post a question asking what the availability of powder is like in other parts of the country. I haven't been able to get my favorites, Unique, Red Dot or Bullseye for (literally) years. Fortunately, I have some stashed away. I've even checked at online sites like Wideners with no luck. I'm wondering with the election of a Republican senate if things might ease up.

[WarPig1976]

Everything was/is avaliable around here except for a few months in the beginning of the panic. I was always able to get IMR4895 but not the none regulars at the LGS. A local fun shop/ indoor range is selling CCI mini mag 5000rd cases @ $475 and he has a Pile of cases.

[joem]

Several years ago I bought a 25# box of REX 2 powder. I have plenty of loaded ammo but if i see powder at a good price I'll pick it up.

[Darreld Walton]

When I ran out of Unique, I started using Universal Clays. Same performance with similar charges, and a lot less powder residue.

[StockDoc]

I got a hold of Red Dot and trying that, seem to push the bullet nicely

[wstrayer]

Another vote for W231. I use it for all cast pistol loads. Works well with 38 spl, 357 mag, 41 mag, 44 mag, 45 acp and 45 LC.
Won't win any speed contests, but that is not why you are reloading cast bullets.

[da gimp]

if you're using Bullseye...... be very, very careful that you do not double or triple charge your cases...........you can reach the maximum load of Bullseye with very high pressures, using just the slightest amount of Bullseye.........you can easily double charge your cases & with some calibres, even triple charge a case & not have the powder overflow the cases.......we only loaded Bullseye when using a single stage press, & charged the cases with our old RCBS powder thrower.....then using the Mark 1 eyeball to insure every case in the RCBS plastic loading block had the same amount of powder in it.....I'd be too afraid to use Bullseye powder when we're using our Dillon 550 to reload.

[Former Cav]

that is also true when loading 45 ACP with Win 231 or Unique, or Tightgroup.
buy this light and then you can use your dillon 550
https://www.storesonline.com/site/696296/product/T1429
I've been using a piano light and I finally bought one of these. (haven't got it yet)
but I LOOK at each round in station 2 for powder level before I index.
you can NEVER be "too safe"

[da gimp]

with our loads of Unique. it is impossible to double or triple charge a .45ACP,.38spec, .357mag, 9mmpara.......... you can easily do so with bullseye....... I've never used/bought Tightgroup.........and still have yet to open a jug of Win 231.........might as well use up the opened Unique & other opened powders first. Like you. we depend on the Mark I Eyeball sensor to check every case's powder level at station III of our Dillon 550.........before the bullet gets put on the case...... We always use 2 people to reload on the 550.......... safety first........... & a third refills primer tubes...........one person putting in the case at station 1 & pulling the handle..... and indexing the plate, the 2nd eyeballs powder level & puts on the bullet.......... you can turn out a very large quantity of premium reloads in an hour doing it this way..............

[Rick the Librarian]

I admit, at the gunshop I've started to frequent, I did see IMR4895, which I haven't seen for some time.

[Former Cav]

Natchez had a bunch of IMR 4895 at a good rate last week.

[bdm]

I have always used 231 purchased a fair amount years ago still using it