45 auto powder

ARodPDT117

ARodPDT117

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Full Member
Minuteman
Jul 29, 2007
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Phoenix, AZ
#1
Quick question...just beginning to reload for 45 auto and wanted to know what a good clean powder is. Not looking for accuracy really it will be just for extra plinking rounds to give me as much practice as possible. Mostly will be run through a G30...thanks for the advice Take Care
 
#2
Re: 45 auto powder

Get ready for a whole bunch of "What I use is best" replies.

The neat thing about the .45ACP is almost any suitable powder usually gives great results. I've used at least a dozen different powders, some long obsolete, and have never gotten poor results.

For what it's worth, after using Clays for years, I recently bought three kegs of W-W AutoComp. Nothing wrong with Clays, but my best results ever were with W-W ball powders. Haven't tried it, yet, but everything I've read indicates it will be as good as Clays.
 
#11
Re: 45 auto powder

I've used Unique for years, dirty yes, but it works for me.

I tried Clays a while back, cleaner and seemed to shoot just as good.

I still use Unique because it's always cheaper and I don't mind cleaning my guns, when they need it.
 
#12
Re: 45 auto powder

VV310 works great. It's economical because it's a small load in the 45. I'll probabably standardize on it. I have an 8lb keg of the "new" Unique I am slowly working my way through. Unique has been my standby for years.
 
#23
Re: 45 auto powder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Victor N TN</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Vit N-350, 7.3 grains will put a 230 grain FMJ up to 935 fps out of my Glock 21. Very clean in my pistol. </div></div>

I want to jump into reloading for .45 ACP and 9mm Luger since ammo is now nonexistant. I plan on using VV 3N38 in 9mm and N350 for .45 ACP.

What kind of powder is N350, ball or flake? I wonder how it would meter through my XL650 powder measure. Looking at the VV manual 7.3gr is listed as max with 230gr bullets, I'm assuming this is not +p level, correct? I would like to roll my own plinking AND SD rounds in the future.
 
#29
Re: 45 auto powder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: chris112</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Had 3 pounds of Red Dot when I started reloading for 45 so I used that. Still do. It works fine.</div></div>

LMAO that's awesome! Unique is now listed as a shotgun powder on Alliant's website. I use Red Dot for my 12ga. w231 is another great, classic 45 powder. The 45 is gtg for me and that is why "I Just 1911 it"!
 
#31
Re: 45 auto powder

I use B/eye for a lot of stuff, 45 being one of them. IIRC someone told me that B/eye is one of the original powders the military used for 45 auto.

I've used Red Dot as well. Normally it's dirty stuff, but in a 44cal wildcat and super heavy bullets it was very clean. Probably due to the fact that a 460gr bullet in that case is pretty close to a 12ga load for projectile mass, case volume, etc. Go figure.
 
#32
Re: 45 auto powder

I use Bullseye but as many say it is a"dirty" powder. I have found it advantageous to clean the pistol every 600-750 rounds to make sure I have 100% reliability.

Greg L.
 
#33
Re: 45 auto powder

I have used Clays for years.

I recently switched to Solo 1000 because it is about the same burn rate, single base, and loads both my 147 grain 9mm and 230 grain .45.
 
#36
Re: 45 auto powder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: skinnj1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">45 ACP isn't a picky round but my favorite is:

452AA / WST </div></div>

Good luck finding 452AA. Hands down the best I ever used. Still have part of a keg.
 
#39
Re: 45 auto powder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Falar</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Victor N TN</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Vit N-350, 7.3 grains will put a 230 grain FMJ up to 935 fps out of my Glock 21. Very clean in my pistol. </div></div>

I want to jump into reloading for .45 ACP and 9mm Luger since ammo is now nonexistant. I plan on using VV 3N38 in 9mm and N350 for .45 ACP.

What kind of powder is N350, ball or flake? I wonder how it would meter through my XL650 powder measure. Looking at the VV manual 7.3gr is listed as max with 230gr bullets, I'm assuming this is not +p level, correct? I would like to roll my own plinking AND SD rounds in the future. </div></div>

While the above load will work. I mis read my notes. My favorite load is N-340, 6.0 grains w/ 230 FMJ. It chronos at 880 fps out of a standard length 1911.

The VV N-340 is a stick powder. But it's almost as long as it is wide. While it isn't a "ball" powder, it does meter VERY well. Almost like pouring salt.
 
#40
Re: 45 auto powder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Victor N TN</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Falar</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Victor N TN</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Vit N-350, 7.3 grains will put a 230 grain FMJ up to 935 fps out of my Glock 21. Very clean in my pistol. </div></div>

I want to jump into reloading for .45 ACP and 9mm Luger since ammo is now nonexistant. I plan on using VV 3N38 in 9mm and N350 for .45 ACP.

What kind of powder is N350, ball or flake? I wonder how it would meter through my XL650 powder measure. Looking at the VV manual 7.3gr is listed as max with 230gr bullets, I'm assuming this is not +p level, correct? I would like to roll my own plinking AND SD rounds in the future. </div></div>

While the above load will work. I mis read my notes. My favorite load is N-340, 6.0 grains w/ 230 FMJ. It chronos at 880 fps out of a standard length 1911.

The VV N-340 is a stick powder. But it's almost as long as it is wide. While it isn't a "ball" powder, it does meter VERY well. Almost like pouring salt. </div></div>

Thanks for the info. That N340 load looks nice too, right on spec for M1911 ball ammo, exactly the type of load I like to use for target practice. The VV 3xx series of pistol powders has a reputation for being extremely clean, do you find this to be the case?
 
#41
Re: 45 auto powder

Cleanest 45acp load I have shot in recent times. That's saying something.

I know I'm going to get some heat from the Bullseye, 231 and Unique shooters about price. But a time comes when I prefer to not have to clean for hours to get them clean and ready to go again.

Just try a few of that load and check your pistol afterward. If it doesn't suit you, move on. But I think you'll like it. My Dillon 650 loves it also.
 
#42
Re: 45 auto powder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Victor N TN</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Cleanest 45acp load I have shot in recent times. That's saying something.

I know I'm going to get some heat from the Bullseye, 231 and Unique shooters about price. But a time comes when I prefer to not have to clean for hours to get them clean and ready to go again.

Just try a few of that load and check your pistol afterward. If it doesn't suit you, move on. But I think you'll like it. My Dillon 650 loves it also. </div></div>

Thanks, you've been a great help. Looks like N340/N350 are in stock at a few places right now, another plus. The extra cost is no big deal to me because compared to rifle reloading the powder charges with pistols are so small the costs already seem negligible.
 
#43
Re: 45 auto powder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Victor N TN</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Cleanest 45acp load I have shot in recent times. That's saying something.

I know I'm going to get some heat from the Bullseye, 231 and Unique shooters about price. But a time comes when I prefer to not have to clean for hours to get them clean and ready to go again.

Just try a few of that load and check your pistol afterward. If it doesn't suit you, move on. But I think you'll like it. My Dillon 650 loves it also. </div></div>

To each their own, for me, the dirt doesn't bother me. I use a plastic brush with BrakeKleen (the stuff was made for busting up carbon, dirt and schmutz) and a tshirt patch to really clean up if it's super dirty. For revolvers the cordless drill with the same setup works nicely on low speed.

After 2-3 mins of that treatment I can use the Hoppes once or twice and it's done. Time to spray oil, wipe down and put them away.
 
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