What's your favorite .45ACP powder?

G-Mac

G-Mac

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I've got a quantity of once-fired .45ACP brass that I plan on loading at some point in the not-to-distant future. Nothing fancy, just standard velocity loads. Will probably mostly be lead round nose, but some FMJ also. These will be for 1911 shooting, Commander and full-size 5" guns. What should I be looking for? Not sure on what's available locally. Thanks.
 
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Target loads: Universal. Meters well, good load density and excellent accuracy.

High performance loads: Accurate #5. Meters like water, good load density and great velocity.
 
arjay said:
I've always used Unique or Bullseye with my single stage set up.Bullseye will meter easier in most measures and you'll get more loads from a pound.The trade off is it's better for target velocities while Unique will give you full power loads.
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I was going to say the exact same thing but arjay beat me to it.:D
 
I like 231. When I was getting a bit low, before I found a few more #'s of it, I used Unique. It's a very easy cartridge to load and lots of powders work well in the 45ACP.
 
Clays or 231 in that order. Since I started using clays though, I load nothing else in my cast 45 ACP's. Economical, Soft recoiling, cleaner than most and delivers good accuracy.
 
I have been using aa#5 and 800x, why because it is all i could get. So recommendations are great but if you can't find any then any powder that you have a load in your guides should at least let you shoot. I have used Herco, 700x, 231 and Unique all with great results also.
 
Hands down my favorite 45 Auto and .38 Special powder is W231/HP-38. If I can't find W231 I do have a few alternates I feel are acceptable. You can safely use probably 40% or more of the handgun powders available today in the 45 Auto. Some will produce better results than others but a lot will work.

Like I said, W231/HP-38 is my favorite but you can also use, AutoComp, WST, Clays, Titegroup, Universal, 700X, PB, SR 7625, Red Dot, Green Dot, Promo, Unique, Bullseye, AA#2, AA#5 and Zip. You can even use HS-6, True Blue, Power Pistol and a few others in a pinch even though I think they are too slow for the 45 Auto. Of the 15 to 20 powders I listed above I'm sure you will be able to find a few you like. Of the above list Zip would be my first alternative to W231 and AA#5 after that. (AA#5 was developed around the 45 Auto)
 
Was using Unique (with acceptable results) because that is what I had. Last Fall my LGS only had 231 on the shelf. I bought a lb to test in the .45. I am now a convert. 231 meters better and gives good performance. Unique will still be used for the light mag and Spl .44's but my go to powder for the 45 Auto will be 231.
 
I have used titegroup with good results
 
I use Winchester Super Field ("WSF" in the manuals) for my .45 and 9mm.
 
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