Author Topic: The best powder  (Read 1103 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline muslmutt

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 83
The best powder
« on: February 02, 2004, 11:50:42 PM »
There seem to be many good powders for the 1911 .45acp. I am looking for the cleanest , most accurate, with good power.

Offline mac266

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 27
The best powder
« Reply #1 on: February 03, 2004, 12:20:46 AM »
I don't load .45 ACP yet, but in my .38 special, .357 magnum, and .45 colt loads I use Clays powder by Hodgdon.  It burns very clean and is not position sensitive (some powders are position sensitive, especially with the lighter loads that we cowboy action shooters use).  It's also very consistent when you check your loads with a chrono.  I also use Clays in my shotgun loads.  Come to think of it, Clays is the only smokeless powder I'll use anymore.  I load a lot of black powder loads, but that's a whole other story.
MAC

NRA Member and Certified Instructor
SASS Member
Pikes Peak Firearms Coalition Member

"Courage is almost a contradiction in terms.  It means a strong desire to live, taking the form of readiness to die."  - G.K. Chesterson

Offline Questor

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7075
The best powder
« Reply #2 on: February 03, 2004, 02:21:33 AM »
Hodgdon Clays is your powder.
Safety first

Offline Mikey

  • GBO Supporter
  • Moderator
  • Trade Count: (2)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8734
powders for 45 acp
« Reply #3 on: February 03, 2004, 04:08:22 AM »
muslmutt:  lots of the fellas like WW231, lots like Unique, I like them both as well as the VihtaVouriOy powders, some like BlueDot, some Like Red Dot.  If I was doing it again I would buy a bunch of powders and a bunch of the boolets I prefered to shoot/carry and just see which one gave me the best load.  But, that's just me.  Mikey.

Offline muslmutt

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 83
The best powder
« Reply #4 on: February 03, 2004, 05:49:52 AM »
I was attempting to avoid experimenting with alot of different powders. $ add up quickly that way. I have been loading for rifles ,my .44mags,and contenders for a few years. I have found there seem to be classic combinations and popular favorites between powders and calibers. These usually get me pointed pretty close to what I am looking for. Examples are w296 and 2400 for the 44mag, or 4831 for a .270, h380 & 22-250 etc... There seems to be several good ones for the .45acp 1911, so I am having trouble choosing a starting point.

Offline KN

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1962
The best powder
« Reply #5 on: February 03, 2004, 12:00:30 PM »
There are probably alot of good powders for the 45ACP but in my oppinion there is none better than W-231. At 5 to 6 grains ,depending on your bullet you get alot of loading with a pound of powder. It's not the least bit finnicky either.   KN

Offline Original Ken

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 76
The best powder
« Reply #6 on: February 04, 2004, 04:11:12 AM »
I;m kind of like Mikey (now that is a scary thought!!).  I have used Bullseye, Red Dot, WW231, 700X for 45 loads.  Just depends what type of ballistics you are looking for and what type of bullets you are loading.  Lead SWC take different loads than 230 Grain FMC.  Lots of our the guys in our club hang their hats on Bullseye, Unique, and 2400.  They will all work but will do different things.  I ALWAYS use my Speers manual and always load a grain or two down from the maximum loads.  I do like to tinker with the different loads now that i have an adjustable powder measure on my Dillon press and a good scale to calibrate the powder measure.  Later folks.

 :D
This Be The Original Ken
NRA Certified Pistol Instructor

Shooters: We have lost an old friend, and I am saddened by his passing. Ken Stufft, who we knew as The Original Ken, passed away unexpectedly on March 22, 2004.

Offline Mikey

  • GBO Supporter
  • Moderator
  • Trade Count: (2)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8734
powders for 45 acp
« Reply #7 on: February 04, 2004, 04:22:14 AM »
Geez Ken....................................   :-D  Mikey.

Offline muslmutt

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 83
The best powder
« Reply #8 on: February 05, 2004, 01:58:47 PM »
This pistol may never see just lead. I have one .44mag that has never seen copper. If I can shoot this one as much as I want, (and can afford it) it will see a lot of hollow points in the 200-230g range. I want the fps up there, but not enough to shorten the life of the gun or sacrifice accuracy. Ah if only there were a 1911 in .44mag!

Offline BamBams

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1272
The best powder
« Reply #9 on: February 08, 2004, 08:30:29 AM »
A good "bang for the buck" is good ole' Bullseye powder.  I've been using it to reload 45ACP for the past 25 years.  I use 4.5g under a 200g LSWC.  You can reload 1555 rounds with a pound of Bullseye.  That's about 1 penny per round for the powder.  AND you get plenty of smoke! *laughing*
NRA Handgun Instructor

Offline Blackhawk44

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 981
The best powder
« Reply #10 on: April 28, 2004, 01:29:18 PM »
and don't forget 800X.  Everything from targets to hunting.

Offline litman252

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 98
The best powder
« Reply #11 on: April 28, 2004, 02:02:33 PM »
I started with unique.  It is DIRTY, but shoots well.  Moved up to Win 231, not looking back.
Tony