powder suggestions for 45 ACP

[foxcaller]

I just bought my first 45 ACP (Ruger P97DC) and will be shooting it the first time tomorrow. After I get a nice supply of brass I will be loading for it and am looking for load-powder suggestions. About the only powders I have on hand that are listed in my manuals are Unique and red & green dot.  Anyone use these or have any experience loading this cartridge? Thanks!

[Tc300mag1]

I used unique when i first started reloading for my 45 found it aweful dirty went to win 231 somewhat better and now hodgden titegroup and seems fairly clean.

[Blackhawk44]

This will get you loads with both powders.  Unique is now much cleaner and some friends used to use Green Dot in target loads.  Unique is a standard for medium to full power loads.  I would work with those two for a while before thinking of others. http://recipes.alliantpowder.com/rg.taf?_function=pistolrevolver&step=1

[KN]

Winchester 231, As far as I'm concerned there is no better powder out there for the 45acp or the 9mm.   KN

[Castaway]

Depends on what you want.  For plinking loads, I don't care what anyone says about being dirty, Bullseye is still king.  Dirty, smirty, I've never had a pistol fail to fire from Bullseye loads, 500 at a time.  For hotter loads, I like Unique.  Why? I try to keep the number of powders on my bench to a minimum.  Unique is, in my book, the most versital powder there is.  I load 380, 9, 38, 357, 40, 45 ACP and 45 Colt with it, along with shot shells and reduced 45-70 loads.   It excells with cast bullets in al calibers.

[New Hampshire]

I vote 231 also.  Started out using it and have never found a reason to change.  It does duty in all my pistol rounds (.45ACP, .38 and good target velocities in .357.)
Brian M.

[Tom W.]

Bullseye, Unique, Greendot and Bluedot  will work well. If you think they are too "dirty", just clean your handgun after each use.

[plateshooter]

I've been using Red Dot for years for 45acp.  5gr with a 230gr metal jacketed bullet.  I use it for 9mm and 38 spec also.

[Iowa Fox]

Castaway,
How many grains of unique and what weight bullet in your reduced 45-70 loads? Are you using dacron?
Thanks,
JD

[hubcap]

Almost every modern cartridge known (and many old ones) will take this load, either as full power or reduced load.

[Castaway]

Don't recall off the top of my head.  It is in the Lyman manual.   Will check when I get home this evening.

[Castaway]

Checked the book.  Unique can be loaded from 11.0 - 13.5 grains for a 420 grain cast bullet.  Each load listed had a Dacron filler.  13.5 is rated at 27,200 CUP and 1163 f/s.  I used a hotter load in my # 1, but can't remember what it was and didn't write it down.

[Jose Grande]

I use 3.8 gr. of Bullseye with a 200gr. SWC. This is a fine target load. Bullseye does leave a small bit of soot, but so what ?? It doesn't hurt the function of the gun & it cleans up easy.

[gretta]

I just bought my first 45 ACP (Ruger P97DC) and will be shooting it the first time tomorrow. After I get a nice supply of brass I will be loading for it and am looking for load-powder suggestions. About the only powders I have on hand that are listed in my manuals are Unique and red & green dot.  Anyone use these or have any experience loading this cartridge? Thanks!

[code
 Start with Red Dot. It will work just fine!  Signed;Gretta[/code]