Author Topic: .45 acp powder choice (Read 986 times)

84Jim · « **on:** January 22, 2012, 04:56:45 PM »

I just bought my first 1911 in 45 acp. I've been slowly accumulating components and am trying to decide on a powder. I'm torn between WW 231 (good solid all around performer but dirty?) and Solo 1000 (reportedly much cleaner burning). What's everyone's opinion and/or favorite powder. So far I have a bunch of 230 gr. fmj's but plan on getting some lighter cast to shoot indoors too. Thanks.

Jim

timothy · « **Reply #1 on:** January 22, 2012, 05:21:02 PM »

I've had good results with bullseye but its awfully dirty. Very economicall however.

hoghunting · « **Reply #2 on:** January 22, 2012, 07:20:53 PM »

Back when I was competing, shot thousands of .45 ACP using 200 gr cast SWC and 231. Never had a problem.

saddlebum · « **Reply #3 on:** January 22, 2012, 11:20:23 PM »

I'm a 231 guy too. It's also the powder I use most in my 41mag, 38spl, and 45 colt.

ButlerFord45 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 22, 2012, 11:25:12 PM »

Starting to get the idea that Win 231 is a pretty popular powder for the 45 acp?

Yep, me too.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #5 on:** January 23, 2012, 12:00:39 AM »

I have shot about 5# of Bullseye in Bullseye comp and do like it allot. but some years back I bought some W231 and do very much like it too.
I also tried AA#2 with good success...

If I was to pic one for target light loads it would be Bullseye, something for all around, W231 would be the choice... Never used solo, if you have all there give them a try and see what your gun likes!

CW

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #6 on:** January 23, 2012, 12:12:32 AM »

for target work its hard to beat bullseye. Its probably won more competitive shoots then all the others combined. For more serious velocitys i mostly use aa2 but i bought 10 jugs of it back when the surplus aa2 was cheap. Its clean and a bit slower then bullseye and will get you up to ball velocitys. Ive used others like 231, 452, titewad, tite group ect but none have showed me what bullseye and aa2 have.

Mikey · « **Reply #7 on:** January 23, 2012, 01:38:14 AM »

I use both Unique and Winchester 231. I do not load for target work but find that both powders give me target accuracy with the loads and bullets I use. Two of my preferred loadings are with the old Lyman 452423 bullet over either 6.7 of Unique or close to that with WW231 and the Mag-Tech 230 gn fmj-swc. Both clock between 875 and 900'/sec with those powders and both give me two slugs in the same hole at 25m. Cycling is failure free.

Dirty - a little but never enough to worry about it over a couple of hundred rounds. I find that both powders shoot a bit cleaner when they begin to move the bullets at near mil-spec velocities - if I load down for some possible target velocities they shoot dirtier.

hornady · « **Reply #8 on:** January 23, 2012, 02:59:44 AM »

Just a side bar but I also use a lot of HP-38 in 45ACP basically the same powder as W-231 but a little over a Dollar less a can than W-231 around hear.

zoner · « **Reply #9 on:** January 23, 2012, 11:32:11 AM »

i've tried a couple different powders in my 1911.....but always go back to 231...Mike

gypsyman · « **Reply #10 on:** January 23, 2012, 01:56:16 PM »

Predominatley, 231. Mainly because it doesn't take much adjustment when I switch over to .40 or 9mm on the Dillion. gypsyman

Cheesehead · « **Reply #11 on:** January 23, 2012, 02:57:44 PM »

Nothing but RedDot for my 45.

Cheese

tacklebury · « **Reply #12 on:** January 23, 2012, 03:30:27 PM »

Unique here.

mbopp · « **Reply #13 on:** January 23, 2012, 04:26:58 PM »

I've used Red Dot, 231, Unique, and Bullseye in my 45ACP. Once I use them up it'll be W231 only because it works well in both my 45 and for +P 38 loads in my 357. It's tough to beat Bullseye for a target load though but W231 is more versatile.
I'm surprised at Unique. 6.0gr under a 200gr cast SWC is relatively clean burning in my Springfield.

ratdog · « **Reply #14 on:** January 23, 2012, 09:03:26 PM »

231 is my go to powder used to use unique it was too dirty i also use it in my 45 lc's good stuff.

Tom W. · « **Reply #15 on:** January 24, 2012, 04:13:18 PM »

I've used all the colored "dot" powders, depending on the bullet, along with Unique and Bullseye... I always gravitate back to Bullseye, however.

KAYR1 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 25, 2012, 12:37:12 PM »

I also like Bullseye with 200 gr. LSWCs in my 1911s. Economical and accurate.

irold · « **Reply #17 on:** January 25, 2012, 12:45:42 PM »

Been using 200 gr XTP with 5.5 gr of Bullseye ( chronied @ 833 fps ).....my new Range Officer seems to like it. One big hole at 15yds opening up to 2 inches at 25 yds. Really think its me , rather than the load or gun. Just loaded up some Oregon Trail 2oo gr SWC over the same load of bullseye.....waiting to test it. The lead should fly a little faster.

regards irold

84Jim · « **Reply #18 on:** January 25, 2012, 01:36:12 PM »

Thanks guys! It looks like the consensus is either 231 or bullseye. I'm going shopping tomorrow night and just might get a # of each and try them both out.

Jim

sixshot · « **Reply #19 on:** January 25, 2012, 04:16:48 PM »

I've used lots of bullseye, unique & 231 but I'm shocked that no one has mentioned WST, its a wonderful powder in both the 40 & the 45. Give it a try, you'll be amazed. I've probably used 25 lbs of it over the last 10 years in my competition revolvers & its a winner. Very similar to 231 or 700X in burning rate.

Dick

Larry L · « **Reply #20 on:** January 25, 2012, 04:31:59 PM »

I use either HS-6 or AA5 in a 45ACP. AS you can see by the posters, 231 is a popular powder. I've found it to be nasty by comparison to AA5 or HS-6. Unique, the current formulation anyway, is also cleaner burning than 231. But if yer just after plinkers 231 is cheap and does the job.

1sourdough · « **Reply #21 on:** January 26, 2012, 01:12:11 AM »

I've used Titegroup & H Universal with the 45 acp. This has been with 200 grn plated bullets, worked fine. Win 231 gets high marks too as a 45 acp powder.

375supermag · « **Reply #22 on:** January 28, 2012, 06:55:05 AM »

I use Bullseye for target shooting in my SA M1911A1, Colt Combat Commander and S&W 1917 in .45ACP.

4.5gr with a 230 gr cast lead RN. Works great...I don't find it to be particularly dirty and it is accurate. Many thousands of rounds down range...no complaints.

I often contemplate trying some different powders to see if there is anything better out there, but why mess with what works?

Cheesehead · « **Reply #23 on:** January 28, 2012, 07:04:01 AM »

At one time I used only Bullseye for my 45 ACP, until I ran out one day. I had some Red Dot on hand and began using that. I have switched to Red Dot for other hand gun cartridges as other powders are used up.

Cheese