Hello everyone. I have been reloading since 1974; however my main interests have been as a NRA high power service rifle shooter were in .223rem, .308 win and 30-06. In handguns I started with .357mg, and .38 spec. I have added 9mm, .44mag, and .45 colt but I have never had a .45acp until recently. In January, I finally succumbed to the siren song of a 1911 .45 acp and bought a Colt classic 01911 css in .45 acp, and I loved this pistol so much, that I traded for a used .45 acp 1996 Colt Gold cup in great condition. Since I now had 2 single action .45 acps, the natural inclination was to buy a DA/SA in .45acp, so I bought a Sig 227 in .45 acp. Now I face a dilemma. I have been doing my research and I have 4 powders that are popular in this caliber, WW231, unique, power pistol and titegroup. I want to shoot hard ball sierra 230 gr round nose FMJ, with federal large pistol primers (brass is starline with large primers). Mike Venturino says WW 231 at 5.5gr. Other sources say power pistol at 6.6-6.8gr, unique at 5.5 gr, and titegroup at 4.4gr (rather snappy recoil). Which one would you choose and why? Or do you have a favorite recipe that you dont mind sharing? I want to duplicate hard ball ballistics at about 830fps. Thanks for your help! Ray

I've been using that same titegroup load (4.4gr) for quite a while and find it to be a pretty accurate load. Recently I found that both my Sig P220 and my Shield45 also really like 6.1grs of Longshot. Of course I can't find longshot anywhere local right now but luckily I still have a couple pounds of titegroup.

Thank you, I appreciate your response
Ray

You didn't say what the objective is , but I assume punching holes in paper . For that the titegroup load will work just fine . If you have a bigger supply of 231 , then I would recommend that . The Unique load is an old favorite . My personal favorite load uses Winchester 572 , but you didn't list that one . Before that I shot lots of Bullseye and titegroup powders . My only complaints using titegroup is , can't hardly see the powder charge in the case as it is so small visually and ---- I always felt it burned hot . Barrel sure warmed up in a hurry . W 572 eliminated both of those concerns . Regards Paul

I started with 231 and have been using if for over 40 years and over 25,000 rounds. I load 5.0 grains for a lead 200gr swc.

IMHO .45 is the easiest of all calibers to reload for. If I could not get 231, I have a 4 pound keg of Unique in the wings.

I’ve used 231 in my 45acp and 9mm loads for yrs. it works quite well.

Others may have had different experiences with the 45acp but I have found it to react pretty casually to powder and bullet changes. Some calibers (like 357 mag) seem to move over by a foot if I change the powder charge or use a slightly lighter or heavier bullet. The 45acp seems to take those changes in stride. Very little deviation as compared to some others.

I used 5.4 to 5.6grs of W231 for both 200gr SWC (lead and plated) and for 230gr FMJ loads for 30+ years. It has always functioned well in every gun and is reasonably accurate.

In the Gold Cup with 4.7 of 231 with a 230 is an accurate load and not harsh. One of the best cheaper accurate loads with a 1911 is 4.5 of bullseye with a 200 lead swc flat base at .452. All 8 of my 1911s love this load. At today's prices I can load 100 for $7. I load and shoot every week end -depends on weather. If rain I load--sunny I shoot. I have all the powders you mentioned.

While I don't normally post load data, this is a common 45 ACP load; 230 gr. FMJ over 5.0 gr. of Bullseye. I have seen this load many time called "Military Spec. Load". It is indeed a classic load. I have a stash of ammo I call my "JIC" loads. It is a 230 gr FMJ over 5.0 Bullseye that feeds and shoots quite well in my 3, 45 ACP guns. I try to keep about 1,000 rounds on hand Just In Case. Reloading a semi-auto cartridge isn't drastically different than your revolver loads. Big difference is semi-auto rounds do not get crimped. This is my method and terminology. I load as any handgun cartridge up to a seated bullet. Then I use a taper crimp die to deflare, straighten out the case mouth so the cartridge passes the plunk test. I don't "crimp" in the normal terminology, as neck tension is sufficient to keep bullets in place (I have a HP carbine in 45 ACP that really slams the cartridges in place, but none of my loads have any "set back"). Some will trim their brass to all within .002" and crimp to a specific case mouth diameter and use case gauges to check their handloads. I do none of those. I for my 3 guns I inspect my brass, tumble clean (not bright shiny), load my ammo, check with my gun's barrel. I started reloading 9mm in '94 and 45 ACP in '96 and recently added 380 ACP and 32 ACP. All loaded with my methods and zero problems feeding, firing, ejecting, and have better than average accuracy...

Your load should assure proper recoil to operate the slide fully to the rear and cock the hammer. Being all the way back will assure (love that word) the slide picks up the next round out of the magazine. Fast Powders like Bullseye and 231 were always the norm. 815 to say 850 fps is all you need. The more velocity the more recoil and that takes longer to get back on target for the next shot. Easy recoil is good for everybody.

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US ARMY
Viet Nam 70-71

4.8/4.9 of Bullseye is a few soft shooter for me with 230gr whatever bullets. FMJ, plated, or coated ... same load. Haven’t tried TG yet since I have 8lbs of BE I need to use up.

You make mention of utilizing Sierra 230 FMJ (Ball). I've loaded 6.5 grains of Unique powder with that grain of jacketed bullet. One of my old Lyman manuals (No. 45), lists that combination as a "Factory Duplication Load" with a velocity of 877 f.p.s. I find this load quite controllable in my Springfield Pro and Sig P220. It functions flawlessly.

I have also used plated bullets with this load. I have not used lead bullets and so cannot comment. As has been stated, because this cartridge head spaces on the mouth of the case, I don't crimp per se, and only eliminate the slight flare that was necessary to permit the base of the bullet to enter the case mouth.

As an aside, we both began reloading cartridges the same year.

HTH.

JPJ.

I've used many powders over the years, and for paper punching I keep coming back to Universal.

I'm a stickler about load density and Universal also allows enough powder in the large case for me to visually spot an under or double charge.

I mostly use Accurate 5 for defense loads.

The 1911/45 combo is easy to load for.

I also use just enough crimp to remove the case mouth expansion.

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GOA
USA Shooting Supporter

I second 4barrel's recipe. I've been loading 230g hardball with 4.8g of Winchester W231 for years. A nice shooting very accurate load.

All my 45 acps, revolvers and auto get 5.5 grs of WW 231 behind my cast 230 bullet. Settled on this years ago......One load that works well for all.

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S&W Accumulator

Count me as another W231 fan....(5.3 gr)

Why? Because I loaded up 6 different powders with four different charge weights each and shot them off sandbags through three different guns until I came to a conclusion. That's the way it's supposed to be done. But it can be tedious. Just sayin'.....

Great info. I dont have any W572. Wish I did. I will try the favorite unique load and W231. Maybe titegroup. Thank you!
Ray

Thank you. I have 1 lb of 231 and 4 lbs of unique. I will use unique after I use up my 231. I appreciate your help!
Ray

Thank you
Ray

Thank You. Do you have a favorite powder?
Ray

Thank you. I appreciate your help!
Ray

Thank you! Good info
Ray

Thank You. Yes, I do the same. I apply a taper crimp to my 9mm and it does work well. I will do the same to the .45 acp that I will start loading. I appreciate your help very much'
Ray

Great info. With all the feedback I received, w231 is at the top of my list, followed by unique with titegroup a distant 3rd.
Thank You
Ray

I wish I could get some bullseye. Everyone seems to like it very much. Thank you for your input!
Ray

Great info. Thank You. I am planning to use unique and w231 to develop my loads. I appreciate your help very much. I am glad we started reloading the same year but I was 28 years young that year. Now I am 74 years OLD! Where did the years go..

Very good info. Thank You
Ray

Thank you for your input!
Ray

Thank you. I think that will be my go to load. I appreciate your help very much!
Ray