Powder Problems

[halco46]

Hi All, I`ve been back to reloading for a coupla years after quitting back in the `70`s. I`m reloading .45ACP only and have been using IMR 800x flake powder as it`s readily available here. But it leaves behind a lot of unburned flakes which are causing a problem in my new Governor as it can cause the weapon to tie up when the cylinder does not close properly. Any ideas on a different powder solution??. My Thanks in advance for any help!!.

 

[amazingflapjack]

I like Unique in my .45acp's, with a winchester large pistol primer, which is designed for standard and magnum ammo, the only one like that. It makes for a little cleaner burn, and it is hot enough that you might want to allow for it in some rounds, but I haven't found that to be a big considderation in my .45 ACP's. I use Unique in all of my handgun loads-9mm-44mag, and Win LPP in all that take a large primer. Go safely. Flapjack.

 

[Rule3]

Many, many powders can be used for 45 ACP. Bullseye, HP38/W 231, Unique.

What is available around you at the stores?

 

[H Richard]

My preference is 231, as it is a much finer grain and measures much better than the bulkier Unique. It is clean burning and economical. I load 231 in .45 acp, .38 Spec., 9MM, .44 Spec., .38 S&W.

 

[Rule3]

My preference is 231, as it is a much finer grain and measures much better than the bulkier Unique. It is clean burning and economical. I load 231 in .45 acp, .38 Spec., 9MM, .44 Spec., .38 S&W.

Pretty much the same for me. If I only had one powder that would be it.

 

[Skip Sackett]

Pretty much the same for me. If I only had one powder that would be it.

Where did you get that information? Seems like it was recommended to you in the beginning of your reloading life!


Flap is right on too. I cheat a bit and use Wolf Magnum Large Pistol Primers in standard loads. Across the chronograph, both the Winchester and the Wolf Magnum show the exact same consistency with Unique or HP-38.

Hope this helps.

 

[PDL]

I've used Bullseye, Unique, W231, in my .45acp loads. They all work, some better than others depending on the bullet and the gun. But I still like to experiment, so last range trip saw some AA#5 and Clays test loads.
Nowhere near an expert, I just keep trying to build loads that work well in my guns
Lately I've used more W231 in a number of calibers, but I'm still experimenting.
And I'm not to proud to learn from anyone here. The more you listen, the more you hear, and the more you learn.

 

[fredj338]

I am not sure how you got onto 800X for the 45acp, poor choice at best, it's why you are getting unburned powder. It is on the slow side for such a low pressure round & personnaly, meters like corn flakes for me, so you have to weigh every charge to get anything close to consistancy. No, W231/HP38 or my fav WST is a better choice. Both meter far better & burn cleaner as they are just about right for the low pressure application. The slowest I would go would be WSF & that only for full power loads. You can make at least a dozen good pwoder choices for the 45acp starting w/ Bullseye & ending w/ WSF, just about anything inbetween will work better than 800X.

 

[halco46]

.45ACP Powder

I`ve been using IMR /DuPont powders for over 40yrs for rifle. I went by the Lee powder chart and picked 800x which was all my dealer had at the time anyway. Have switched to 700x which is burn rated #8 on the fast end,Win 231 is # 20 and 800x is #33,scale goes to 110. It`s from the new Lyman reloading book. I worked up a load of 700x at 4.5gr pushing a 230gr PRN , No flakes left and good accuracy. I did score a pound of Win 231 at a gun show today and will try that next. Thanks All!!!.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree with the above alternate choices of powders but you said you are using 800X because it's readily available there. If 800X is available would 700X also be available? I think 800X is too slow a powder for use in the 45 Auto but 700X would be a much better choice. Just a suggestion in line with what you said.

 

[halco46]

800x

At the time all that the shop had as far as IMR goes was 800x. I was a newbie at pistol loading and was told it was a workable powder. It works fine except for the unburned flakes. Don`t have them now. Thanks.

 

[longranger]

Another worthy powder for consideration is Auto Comp.I have used it in .41 Mag and .45 Colt,it is specifically designed for .45 ACP.It cures all of the unburned powder problems with standard primers,it has proven very accurate and clean.Meters like a dream.

 

[TSQUARED]

Hi All, I`ve been back to reloading for a coupla years after quitting back in the `70`s. I`m reloading .45ACP only and have been using IMR 800x flake powder as it`s readily available here. But it leaves behind a lot of unburned flakes which are causing a problem in my new Governor as it can cause the weapon to tie up when the cylinder does not close properly. Any ideas on a different powder solution??. My Thanks in advance for any help!!.

In my expereince HS-800X meters very poorly. The cleanest burning powders for 45 ACP that I have used are WST, Clays, American Select and VV N-310.

 

[Alk8944]

At the time all that the shop had as far as IMR goes was 800x. I was a newbie at pistol loading and was told it was a workable powder. It works fine except for the unburned flakes. Don`t have them now. Thanks.

halco46,

There are better choices than 800-X for .45 ACP. 700-X is one of them.

From your description you are getting un- or partially burned powder grains under the extractor?! Is that correct? This is usually how you are handling the gun, not the powder being used. I would bet you are extracting fired cases with muzzle pointed downward and picking the cases out of the cylinder, correct? Instead, hold the gun muzzle up when you extract and let the cases fall into your hand, on the bench, or on the ground. This way the un-burned powder grains stay in the cases and don't fall out and under the extractor. Try this, I'll bet your "powder problem" will be gone.

BTW, it makes no difference what powder you use, this will happen with any of them if you are holding the muzzle down to extract, just to different degrees.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

IMO the best powders for the .45 Auto is W231/HP-38. I do most of my .45 Auto loading with W231. Another choice is AA#5 which was developed for the .45 Auto. Actually, there are many many good powders for that caliber but for the most part 800X is not one of them.

A partial list of good .45 Auto powder choices:
W231/HP-38 (my choice)
Auto Comp
WST
Clays
Universal
Red Dot
Green Dot
Bullseye
Unique
AA#2
AA#5
Zip
700X (very low on the list because it's so dirty)

There are probably a few I missed because I didn't think of them right now but any and all of the above will produce much better ammo than with 800X. (I understand that's what was available to you but the shop keeper should have told you 800X was more suited for use in the .44 Magnum than the .45 Auto.)

 

[Rule3]

That's what I use also in 45 acp. HP 38/W 231.
Wasn't the original GI 45 AUTO load Bullseye??

 

[Alk8944]

That's what I use also in 45 acp. HP 38/W 231.
Wasn't the original GI 45 AUTO load Bullseye??

Yup.

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