XD Talk

coronaman · 01-22-2013, 08:54 AM

Long time reloader and I have been using Lymans 45 edition, with the new powders out can you recommend a good powder for loading 45's. I currently use Unique and 261. I have heard Hogdon clays is good.

Thanks,

Dave

Knightslugger · 01-22-2013, 09:03 AM

Unique is just fine. I wouldn't call it a new powder by any means, though. Thought about Winchester 231?

dglock · 01-22-2013, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coronaman

Long time reloader and I have been using Lymans 45 edition, with the new powders out can you recommend a good powder for loading 45's. I currently use Unique and 261. I have heard Hogdon clays is good.

Thanks,

Dave

Go here for some up to date info.

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

don

GT Jon · 01-22-2013, 11:37 AM

What weight and style of .45ACP bullet? Jacketed, plated or cast?

fredj338 · 01-22-2013, 02:03 PM

Clays is fine for light loads but build pressure rapidly as you get to the top end, so not gppd for full power loads. W231 is fine, my fav is WST. Cleaner buring & will not pressure spike as you get to the upper end/full power loads. Meter well, burns clean, almost always available. If yo like Unique but want better metering, WSF is almost a twin in sperical form.

YoopermikeXDM · 01-22-2013, 02:14 PM

I use 231 for my 45acp. . A buddy of mine uses bullseye for his 45, he seems to like it.

57K · 01-22-2013, 03:17 PM

I use W231 and WST to do different things, but I use Ramshot ZIP to do everything I want to do in .45 ACP. If you want a light shooting 200 gr. LSWC, just use a start charge. If you want to load a 230 gr. JHP to slightly over 900 FPS, it will do that too. It's more versatile than W231 and WST and is definitely cleaner burning than W231. Clays is pretty limited in performance and Unique won't do as well in light loads. ZIP is a newer powder but it's been around since about 2000. There is good data at Ramshot and if you can find it, Ramshot powders tend to cost a little less.

coronaman · 01-23-2013, 06:00 PM

Thanks to all for the great info.

Dave

train · 01-23-2013, 09:59 PM

231 and bullseye, not ever heavy! Leave that for store ammo. Few fancy rnds of defense ammo around.

JustSomeGuy · 01-24-2013, 02:32 AM

Unique is good for the medium and up loads, and the Clays is good for the light stuff, but don't try to get too far up the velocity ladder with it... it's just too fast for that. I like WST for most of my target and moderately higher loadings with .45, but I like Silhouette too for more energetic loads. I haven't tried Zip yet as per 57K's recommendation, but I like the looks of it in the tables for 45 purposes, and I like Ramshot powders in general. A lot of the medium burn speed powders will do well in the large, low pressure case of the 45ACP. Depending on the bullet weight, type, and particular use you are going to put the rounds to, you will find some better than others.

When I look for a new powder to try, I look for load range in a particular caliber, and then it's versatility in several calibers. That is one reason I use a lot of Silhouette. Silhouette is a flattened ball powder that meters well, burns clean, and has a large safe load range in a lot of pistol calibers. I like WST for the same reasons, except it is limited more to the lower end in some calibers, while Silhouette is better at medium and more robust loadings up to full power.