Closest to Factory Load Powder for 45 acp

[Mark 1911]

I have a whole bunch of saved brass and am getting ready to reload.

I have a few options in my cabinet. But would like to get feedback on what kind of powder comes the closest to a standard factory (typically 890 fps) load using 230 grain FMJ RN bullet? What powder and weight have you folks had best results with?

 

[BehindBlueI's]

I have a whole bunch of saved brass and am getting ready to reload.

I have a few options in my cabinet. But would like to get feedback on what kind of powder comes the closest to a standard factory (typically 890 fps) load using 230 grain FMJ RN bullet? What powder and weight have you folks had best results with?

I haven't chrono'd it yet but I'm at 4.7 grains of WST and 230 gr RN and recoil wise it feels real close to factory. I started at 4.4 and worked up because it felt light. Now that the weather is getting better I'll get some actual numbers.

 

[drop45]

4.8 gr Bullseye out of my Mk23 going 882 fps, but as you will soon read, manuals manuals manuals.

 

[Drail]

Oh yeah, 4.7 of WST is one of my favorite loads. Very accurate and easy to shoot. WST is the replacement for WW 452AA which was the absolute best .45 powder I've ever seen. Bullseye is a great .45 powder if you don't mind the powder residue.

 

[boatswainsmate]

5.4 grains of 231 with the Lyman 452374.

 

[AllenM]

I like the above loads and would add 6.8 grains of power pistol as another choice. What powder do you have? Your going to get 12 options from 10 people on load data.

 

[M67]

5.9 of unique has always shot well for me

 

[Mark 1911]

Thanks to everyone for your feedback, much appreciated.

Allen, as far as what I have in my cabinet right now, I currently have Blue Dot, Hercules 2400 (now Alliance - you can tell I haven't reloaded in a while!), Win 231, Win 296, Win 760. I can use the 231 and the Blue Dot for a couple of the various .45 loads. I also have a couple of IMR powders for rifle - can't remember the numbers right now.

I will take a trip over to Cabela's this afternoon and see what they have on their shelves. So I'll keep my eye out for WST, Bullseye, Unique, and Power Pistol.

To give you all an idea of how long its been since I reloaded, I purchased my current house in 1999. Yesterday, I unpacked my RCBS Rockchucker II and Auto 4x4 progressive presses from the moving boxes I packed them in back in 1999. I didn't loose a single piece. I cleaned them up with a little WD-40 and they're ready for production. I spent time yesterday organizing all of my reloading equipment, dies, and broke out my old Lyman 2200 turbo tumbler and its currently in the process of polishing up some brass.

 

[BehindBlueI's]

The folks out at Profire told me Titegroup is the same as WST. I haven't used any yet as I'm still working through my WST, but just as a heads up as its been tough to find lately.

 

[Mark 1911]

The folks out at Profire told me Titegroup is the same as WST. I haven't used any yet as I'm still working through my WST, but just as a heads up as its been tough to find lately.

After your last post I went on line and tried to find some. Everyplace I checked online is currently back ordered for WST, with the "possible" exception of Cabela's. When you check Cabela's site, although you can look up WST and it shows a picture of a jug of WST, there is some verbiage to the effect that the actual product may not match the picture. I don't know what the heck that is supposed to mean - but I hesitate to order any if there is any possibility that they might send a different powder, like WSF for example. So I'll just head down there and see what's on the shelf. I don't expect to find any WST, but maybe I'll get lucky.

 

[Grelber]

Most folks prefer to shoot lighter loads than 230 890 fps. For what it is worth.

 

[AllenM]

231 is a great choice for 45, I would go with that since it is what you have. I am not a fan of titegroup in 45 during summertime. Hot days and it will heat the gun up alot more then other powders

 

[Mark 1911]

Most folks prefer to shoot lighter loads than 230 890 fps. For what it is worth.

Understood. Asking because most reloading tables give data for loads under 800 fps. Yet data on factory ammo is typically 890. So Am curious as to the difference. I have no problem with shooting milder loads at the range and taking it easy on the hardware.

 

[Mark 1911]

Dupe

 

[Drail]

Of what you have - go with 231. Blue Dot is really not a suitable powder for .45 ACP unless you want to launch really light bullets really fast. Pressures with Blue Dot can get into the danger zone pretty rapidly and it is temp sensitive as well. You want a fast clean burning powder like 231, WST, Bullseye, Red Dot, Clays etc. Bullseye was the original powder used in the Ordnance Board tests in 1910. Browning wanted a 200 gr.@900 fps. The Ordnance Board chose a 230 gr. @ 850 fps. Either would make a good round for defense use IMO. I shot steel for a few years and used a 200 gr. SW over 5.0 gr. Bullseye and that load will lay steel down with gusto.

 

[partyboy6686]

I was using WST powder for 45acp and recently switched to W231. I run 5.0gr of W231 for 230gr RN bullet at 1.250 COL. My W231 load has way less muzzle flip then the WST load I used to use. My WST load was 4.3gr of WST with 230gr RN bullet at 1.250 COL or 4.8gr of WST with 200gr LSWC at 1.250 COL

 

[VERT]

230 grain at 890 FPS would be a hot load. 205 power factor.

Use up your Winchester 231 for reloading 45 acp. Hogdons website should have load data

 

[Grelber]

230 grain at 890 FPS would be a hot load. 205 power factor.

I saw a guy get 200+ at a match chrono stage from winchester white box in a 1911.
Watching him, it looked like he had a grip problem compared to the rest of the folks who were shooting 170 ish.

 

[straight-shooter]

5.4 grains of 231 with the Lyman 452374.

Love that bullet!

 

[VERT]

OP if this helps....I load 45 and am finishing up some Clays that was given to me. I have my Dillon sitting with Bullseye in the hopper. I just bought a bunch of Winchester 231. Any of those powders will work well with 230 grain ball loads. AllenM says Power Pistol so I would believe him as well.