Powder for 45ACP

A

alan98

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 11, 2008
560
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45
Pennsylvania
#1
Hello I'm planning on starting to reload for my springfield 1911 TRP. I will be using 230 grain FMJ.

After searching for some recommended powders, I see around 5 grains bullseye is a popular load. Is this a dirty powder like Unique?? I'm looking for a clean burning load. I've also read where Vit N-340 also recommended due to being one of the cleanest powders.

Just looking for some opinions.

Thanks,

Alan
 
#2
Re: Powder for 45ACP

I've used Vit N320 for the past 9 years. It's a great powder for my 1911's. Some folks use N310, but in my opinion, that powder is too fast.

Go with the N320, you'll like it.
 
#4
Re: Powder for 45ACP

I've used the N-340 with 230 FMJ for over 10 years now. It's by far the cleanest burning powder I have ever used. Unique and Bullseye are good economy powders. But you'll spend 3 times the actual shooting time doing the cleanup. Both are pretty dirty powders. But they sure do shoot cheaper. I have chosen to go with the cleaner burning powder route.
 
#5
Re: Powder for 45ACP

I've been using reloader 15 in my .45ACPs and 9mm for years. It is a little dirty on the cases but it pushes the 230gr FMJs out really well and the load for both calibers is 5gr so the math is easy.
 
#6
Re: Powder for 45ACP

With a heavy bullet like the 230 grain, I would recommend a faster burning powder to lessen the perceived felt recoil. I have used VV N320 which is very clean burning but costly. I also use regular Clays as it is about 1/2 the price of N-320, but a little dirtier.

Both make fine ammo.

Jerry
 
#11
Re: Powder for 45ACP

I guess I'm kinda oldschool.I stick with the things that I have proven,and I'm kinda slow to try new stuff.I am very interested in any newer powders that others have tried.Bullseye and unique have always worked well,but man are they dirty. Pete
 
#12
Re: Powder for 45ACP

I like Winchester 231. It meters great, shoots plenty accurate, and leaves only moderate residue. (Loading closer to the top of the chart usually results in a more complete burn and less fouling.)

If you want the cleanest burning propellents, look at Vihta Vuori or Ramshot powders, but the difference between these and 231 (or HP-38) is really fairly minimal.
 
#15
Re: Powder for 45ACP

I've been shooting the 45acp exclusively for over 20 years. Since then, I used all of the powders mentioned above with some success. I still go back to WST for 45, 38 super, and 38 special. The 231 was too temperature sensitive for my taste. Had to worry about high pressures when temps dropped. WST is cleaner and no temp issues I've seen. Really surprised WST has not been mentioned .

Paul
 
#16
Re: Powder for 45ACP

I've used Unique, Bullseye, W231, and Pistol Power over the years and while it's somewhat dirter than the others I swithched back to Unique. At least in my case I get the best performance with it and it doesn't take any longer to clean and doesn't foul the pistols I use any worse than any other. I don't get any unburned powder with my 45 ACP loads like I do with 2400 in my 44 Mag loads.
 
#18
Re: Powder for 45ACP

I like the Ramshot Silhouette. You can get high velocities using book load data if you wanted to however the starting load will put you in the mid 800's with the 230gr bullet. Lots of room for error too since you're not loading anywhere near max for typical reloads of 800 - 900 fps.
 
#19
Re: Powder for 45ACP

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Pete Theodore</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I like Win-231.It's about the same charge weights as Bullseye,only cleaner. Pete </div></div>

Can not go wrong here. In my Glock 21SF, I use the following recipe:

5.4 gns. WW231 / 230 gr. Ball / Mil-Spec Brass / Wolf Primers

This load has worked well in any .45 I have shot it in.
 
#20
Re: Powder for 45ACP

I have been using Titegroup for all bullet weights in my Springfield TRP.. Might not be the best choice all the way around, but it's cheap and burns pretty clean.. I was using 4.7 gr under a 230 gr LRN if my memory serves. Now I have switched to the 185's, and it is very accurate as well..
 
#23
Re: Powder for 45ACP

I loaded 45ACP for the first time last night, I uwas using 230g XTPs and tried 2 charges of TiteGroup, and didnt like either of them at all. I also had 2 recipes of Unique. The unique gave me 2-3" groups at 30ft and was overall much better, but damn Unique is dirty.
 
#24
Re: Powder for 45ACP

I finally was able to find some N340 powder for the 45. Dies should be here sometime next week and I ordered 1K of precision Delta 230 FJM's.

Interested in what loads anyone is using with the N340 and 230 FMJ out of Springfield TRP.

Thanks

Alan
 
#28
Re: Powder for 45ACP

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: groovebus</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've been using reloader 15 in my .45ACPs and 9mm for years. It is a little dirty on the cases but it pushes the 230gr FMJs out really well and the load for both calibers is 5gr so the math is easy. </div></div>

You mean you have been using reloader 15 in your 223s and 308s for years.
 
#29
Re: Powder for 45ACP

i have used unique and bullseye groups were better with unique for me now i am using power pistol behind 230 grain xtp shot 3 inch groups at 20 yards still gonna tinker with the load power pistol is much cleaner
 
#30
Re: Powder for 45ACP

I just bought a dillon 1050 from a guy and it was set up to throw 5.3 grains of WW231. So I figured i would try that first since I have never loaded for a 45.....that was 2 months and 9000 rounds ago......I have loaded 5.3 grains in 200 grain semi wadcutters and for 230 grain round nose......love it and will not adjust it....OH, I have fired this load in several full size 1911 and a kimber 3" 1911...never a problem
 
#31
Re: Powder for 45ACP

When I shot USPSA/IPSC I loaded 231, but be advised:

<span style="font-weight: bold">YOU CAN DOUBLE CHARGE A CASING</span>

And if you do you blow the mag out of the grip, split the slide and have to hammer the gun apart and end up with all kinds of brass chunks buried in your face...at least that's what happened when I dropped the hammer on about 10 or 11 grains of 231.

I still use it, very clean, good performance, but there is room for a lot of it in there.
 
#32
Re: Powder for 45ACP

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: XTR</div><div class="ubbcode-body">When I shot USPSA/IPSC I loaded 231, but be advised:

<span style="font-weight: bold">YOU CAN DOUBLE CHARGE A CASING</span>

And if you do you blow the mag out of the grip, split the slide and have to hammer the gun apart and end up with all kinds of brass chunks buried in your face...at least that's what happened when I dropped the hammer on about 10 or 11 grains of 231.

I still use it, very clean, good performance, but there is room for a lot of it in there. </div></div>

Also true for Titegroup. I've been using WST from Winchester as it fills the case better and shoots as well as W231.
 
#33
Re: Powder for 45ACP

700X 4.5gr works great in my XD.45ACP
smile.gif
 
#34
Re: Powder for 45ACP

Friend uses W231 and it seems cleaner than the Clays I use.

Guy I shoot with occasionally uses Titegroup, it appears to do well.

We use Kimber, Glock and XDs, all seem to do well with whichever. I guess 45acp is the 308 of the semi world
wink.gif
 
#35
Re: Powder for 45ACP

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Victor N TN</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've used the N-340 with 230 FMJ for over 10 years now. It's by far the cleanest burning powder I have ever used. Unique and Bullseye are good economy powders. But you'll spend 3 times the actual shooting time doing the cleanup. Both are pretty dirty powders. But they sure do shoot cheaper. I have chosen to go with the cleaner burning powder route. </div></div>

Victor. How much powder?
 
#36
Re: Powder for 45ACP

Yes, LOAD DATA Please! 230fmj's, 185hp's and anything else you all like to +p velocities! I figured that if someone asked about POWDER the load data would be inferred in the question but I guess I have to ask!
I need a couple good loads that push velocity to the 1,000fps range. If it's a little slower with a mil-spec 230fmj, thats cool. If it's a fast flying ashtray of a 185gr that is even better. A friend and I plan on loading up some stuff in the near future and need some tried and true loads for 45's in 'Glock' and 1911
 
#37
Re: Powder for 45ACP

i use titegroup have have loaded over 2k rounds with it, it seems ok so far, i was using clays and i enjoyed clays, it was dirty but i didnt mind that at all.

i was using 5.1 grain for 230,200 and 185 plated bullets seated to 1.27 for the 230's how ever i am going to load down a little to 4.5 same seating depth in 230's and also use 4.5 for the 200 and 185's

these rounds cycle well in my usp and usc, i like the 5.1 gr in the usc but it might be to much for the usp as far as wear goes, i like to stay away from +p and keep every thing in the norm of the pressure limits

just my .02
 
#38
Re: Powder for 45ACP

I've been shooting Alliant Green Dot for years with a lot of success and not a single incident.

5.1 grains of Alliant Green Dot
230 FMJ
Win Lg Pistol Primer
Seated to 1.250"

This combo should give you about 830 FPS out of a 5" barrel.

I worked all the way up to 5.7 grains of Green Dot for ~900fps w/230FMJs. The temp that day was 55F ... you might want to build up slowly to that load.

I've shot upwards of 1000rds before cleanings ... this load has been very good to me.

Good luck w/your load development ... there's pleny on this page to work with.
 
#39
Re: Powder for 45ACP

According to sierra's book . 8.7grs of HS-6 is pushing 230gr at 825fps. Today I loaded 8.9grs which is about 875 or 900fps . I havent shot this though my chorny yet, so im not 100% sure of that… And also , I was looking at my buddys old hogdon book . According to that , I dont remember if it was the 185gr or the 230gr but 9.3grs of HS-6 which is a +P load and Max. Which is pushing that at 1100fps ! I was like man , thats really fast for a 185 or 230gr . I'll ask him again my grain that was.
 
#41
Re: Powder for 45ACP

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Chiller</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Victor N TN</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've used the N-340 with 230 FMJ for over 10 years now. It's by far the cleanest burning powder I have ever used. Unique and Bullseye are good economy powders. But you'll spend 3 times the actual shooting time doing the cleanup. Both are pretty dirty powders. But they sure do shoot cheaper. I have chosen to go with the cleaner burning powder route. </div></div>

Victor. How much powder? </div></div>

PM sent...
 
#43
Re: Powder for 45ACP

The best powder I've found for clean burn, lot to lot consistancy(almost perfect), good vel and tight SDs, has been the Vihtavuori powders, however; as Victor N posted earlier, these are one the high$$ end of powders. Remember, you have 7000grains/pound, quit trying to save 1cent on powder! What ever powder gives you your best groups etc. go with it, your time is of value too.
 
#44
Re: Powder for 45ACP

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Falar</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would go with 340/350. If you go with the faster burning powder you won't be able to get as much velocity out of the 230s. </div></div>Agree, can't go wrong, high vel, very clean-even the cases stay much cleaner.
 
#45
Re: Powder for 45ACP

I've used a host of various powders over the past decade of loading tens of thousands of rounds of .45 ACP, and I'm currently using Federal large pistol primers and 4.9 grains of Unique under a 230-gr LRN from SNS Casting in Illinois.
 
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