45 acp powder selection

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  • bocefus78

    Master
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    Apr 9, 2014
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    Hamilton Co.
    About to load up my first 45 rounds. Here's what I have on hand. Which would you choose?

    This is for 230gr extreme plated RN.


    Unique
    231
    700x
    Tightgroup
    Universal
     

    VERT

    Grandmaster
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    Jan 4, 2009
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    Seymour
    Unique and 231 are classic powders. Those would be my choice.

    700x I have never worked with. I have heard it is a good powder for .45

    Tightgroup is a favorite of many. I am not a fan in .45 because it is hot, but I know people who load a lot of this powder in that application.

    Universal ??????? no experience.
     

    AmmoManAaron

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    Feb 20, 2015
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    I-get-around
    Of your five options, my order of personal preference would be:
    231
    700x
    Unique

    Unique will be a dirtier than the other two until you get up near maximum charges. 700x is soft shooting, but you may not like how it meters since it is a fairly fluffy flake powder. 231 is a classic choice and there is tons of data and experience with it in 45acp. You should find it meters a little better than 700x or Unique. 231 also has a wide band of charge weights, so it is very forgiving.

    I've never used Tightgroup because I just don't have a need for it when compared with the other classic powders that I already have good experience with and that are just as cost effective. Some cast bullet shooters say it has a tendency to lead the bore because of it's relatively higher flame temperature.

    Universal should work ok since it's right between Unique on the slow end and 231 and 700x on the fast end. It's not as common as the other powders and I have no experience with it in 45acp. I had a partial can that I used up a while back, I think loading 12ga shotgun shells.
     

    Fullmag

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    Have tried Unique in 45acp with 185gr not good as results as W231. Don't use those 185gr bullets anymore but prefer 200gr flat point RN or SWC lead from Missouri Bullet Company.
     

    King31

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    Nov 10, 2013
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    Southern Indiana
    No experience with any of the above since I use Clays, but if you do end up trying Universal, please post your results! I would like to try it since I have nearly 8 lbs of it. My .40 recipe with Universal is likely to not change anytime soon, and consolidating powders would be a plus. Good Luck!
     

    Buzz Saw

    Plinker
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    Dec 20, 2012
    40
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    Southeast IN
    Any of the above will work well, although I personally have no experience with Universal. I really like Unique myself, and shoot a lot of rounds under 230 grain lead round nose. 231 is a good choice also, but Unique is my go to for 45 ACP. Lately I have tried and been happy with Green Dot for this application as well.
     

    noylj

    Marksman
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    May 8, 2011
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    231
    700x
    Unique
    Universal
    Tightgroup
    I can't beat 231/HP38 in any of my .45s for accuracy at 25 and 50 yards. Next best powders would be Bullseye, Red Dot, and AA2.
     

    bocefus78

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    Apr 9, 2014
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    Hamilton Co.
    Awesome. Thanks for the responses. Made some ladder loads with 231 last night.

    As much as I hate metering 700x, I may try it one more time. I've heard it's good in 45auto. Im Thinking the larger charge weights may drop better than the smaller loads I was using in 40.
     

    Leo

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    Mar 3, 2011
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    Lafayette, IN
    231
    700x
    Unique
    Universal
    Tightgroup
    I can't beat 231/HP38 in any of my .45s for accuracy at 25 and 50 yards. Next best powders would be Bullseye, Red Dot, and AA2.

    Good list. AA#5 is great in a variety of .45acp loads also. I have used Hodgdon's Universal Clays. It meters well and works. Nothing special, but works acceptably. I'll 2nd bocefus on 700X, it is not even very consistent metering on a shotshell press where you are using 20 gr at a time. I am told the new formula is different from the old formula, so double check your data, weight and bushings,
     

    bgcatty

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    Sep 9, 2011
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    Carmel
    When the time comes don't forget tried and true Bullseye with 230 grain Xtreme copper plated bullets. Depending on your 1911, assuming you have one, 4.6-4.9 grains usually does the trick.
     

    Fullmag

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    Sep 4, 2011
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    Insignificant leading. My ability is the limit to accuracy rather than powder. Also meters well

    Just curious. Don't know much about autocomp. Dont think I ever seen it other than at a gun show some years back before the drought.
     

    Sling10mm

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    Mar 12, 2012
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    I use Universal for 9mm, 38 Special, 40 S&W, 44 Special, and 45 Auto. I had used Unique before, but it was pretty dirty at plinking to mid-range loads, and the Universal seems to be cleaner in that range.

    Sorry, but no experience with the other powders listed.
     
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