Reloading .45 ACP

Danger Mouse · February 23rd, 2008, 01:06 PM

I am using WIN231 powder with 200 grain RN lead cowboy action bullets. I want to get some 230 grain FMJ's. The WIN 231 powder seems to me to be very dirty. I ran out of it and will need to get some more. Any suggestions on powder to use for the 230 grain FMJ?
We will be shooting them through a G30 and a full size HK USP .45 if that makes any difference

usmcj · February 23rd, 2008, 02:18 PM

I have only been reloading for a relatively short time, but I use Hogdon Universal Clays with 230 gr FMJ bullets. I know nothing about W231, but the Clays is many times cleaner than Winchester White Box factory ammo.

ELCruisr · February 23rd, 2008, 02:34 PM

I use 231 myself. Word is if you want clean you might want to look at Vitavouri. The beauty of 231 is it's much cheaper. I've got such accuracy out of the load I've got worked up I guess I'm loath to change it!

Some of the crud you're seeing is also coming from the bullet lube on the lead rounds. Jacketed may shoot a little cleaner.

timothius · February 23rd, 2008, 02:37 PM

I shoot 5.4 grains of Win231 under 200 grain round nose copper coated (Rainier) bullets and it shoots very clean.

Tim

aus71383 · February 23rd, 2008, 04:17 PM

All I've ever used for .45 ACP is Blue Dot (for warmer loads) and Titegroup (targets). I've had good success with Titegroup - it works fine. Not too dirty - although I don't think 231 is supposed to be dirty either. If its a real low pressure you will likely see a less thorough burn...how much are you using? What velocities are you getting? What size are your LRN cowboy bullets? Do they have grooves or are they tumble lubed.

Austin

Colin · February 23rd, 2008, 04:50 PM

I am a fan of titegroup works well in 9, 40 & .45acp

frankmako · February 23rd, 2008, 07:42 PM

i made up a bunch of 45 acp with AA#5. good powder, but some what dirty. titegroup is also good.

Tubby45 · February 23rd, 2008, 09:07 PM

HS6 or WSF.

longo244 · February 26th, 2008, 12:03 AM

I recently started loading 45's to try and get my shooting costs down. I started at 4.0 grains of Bullseye with a 230 grain hardcast LRN. I achieved best accuracy and consistency with 3.6 grains of Bullseye. Bullseye seems dirtier than I had hoped it would be. I'm picked up a jug of Clays tonight. I'm not sure if the "gunk" I'm seeing is powder residue or bullet lube. I hope Clays cleans it up a bit. My chamber indicator on my XD45 is stuck half way up when unloaded because of gunky buildup under it......I don't have a punch small enough to remove it to clean under it.

ELCruisr · February 26th, 2008, 08:19 AM

If it's a waxy sort of solid gunk you can usually bet it's bullet lube. The price we pay for shooting hard cast and saving money it seems.

February 23rd, 2008, 01:06 PM	#1
Danger Mouse Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cumberland, VA Posts: 356	Reloading .45 ACP I am using WIN231 powder with 200 grain RN lead cowboy action bullets. I want to get some 230 grain FMJ's. The WIN 231 powder seems to me to be very dirty. I ran out of it and will need to get some more. Any suggestions on powder to use for the 230 grain FMJ? We will be shooting them through a G30 and a full size HK USP .45 if that makes any difference __________________ Think twice Buy once!

February 23rd, 2008, 02:18 PM	#2
usmcj Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 45	I have only been reloading for a relatively short time, but I use Hogdon Universal Clays with 230 gr FMJ bullets. I know nothing about W231, but the Clays is many times cleaner than Winchester White Box factory ammo. __________________ Freedom has a flavor the protected can never taste... USMC 8652, 2531, RVN Jun '66, - May 68 Some of my toys....

February 23rd, 2008, 02:34 PM	#3
ELCruisr Distinguished Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central FL Posts: 1,876	I use 231 myself. Word is if you want clean you might want to look at Vitavouri. The beauty of 231 is it's much cheaper. I've got such accuracy out of the load I've got worked up I guess I'm loath to change it! Some of the crud you're seeing is also coming from the bullet lube on the lead rounds. Jacketed may shoot a little cleaner. __________________ If you stand up and be counted, from time to time you may get yourself knocked down. But remember this: A man flattened by an opponent can get up again. A man flattened by conformity stays down for good. ~ Thomas J. Watson, Jr.

February 23rd, 2008, 07:42 PM	#7
frankmako Distinguished Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Parts Unknown Posts: 1,878	i made up a bunch of 45 acp with AA#5. good powder, but some what dirty. titegroup is also good. __________________ An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject.

February 23rd, 2008, 09:07 PM	#8
Tubby45 Distinguished Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: In the reloading room Posts: 1,892	HS6 or WSF. __________________ Freakshow Manufacturing LLC Licensed 07 FFL with Class II SOT pending California CFLC compliant

February 23rd, 2008, 02:37 PM	#4
timothius Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New Mexico Posts: 59	I shoot 5.4 grains of Win231 under 200 grain round nose copper coated (Rainier) bullets and it shoots very clean. Tim

February 23rd, 2008, 04:17 PM	#5
aus71383 Distinguished Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: United States Posts: 1,677	All I've ever used for .45 ACP is Blue Dot (for warmer loads) and Titegroup (targets). I've had good success with Titegroup - it works fine. Not too dirty - although I don't think 231 is supposed to be dirty either. If its a real low pressure you will likely see a less thorough burn...how much are you using? What velocities are you getting? What size are your LRN cowboy bullets? Do they have grooves or are they tumble lubed. Austin

February 23rd, 2008, 04:50 PM	#6
Colin Distinguished Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Vancouver Posts: 1,226	I am a fan of titegroup works well in 9, 40 & .45acp

February 26th, 2008, 12:03 AM	#9
longo244 Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 41	I recently started loading 45's to try and get my shooting costs down. I started at 4.0 grains of Bullseye with a 230 grain hardcast LRN. I achieved best accuracy and consistency with 3.6 grains of Bullseye. Bullseye seems dirtier than I had hoped it would be. I'm picked up a jug of Clays tonight. I'm not sure if the "gunk" I'm seeing is powder residue or bullet lube. I hope Clays cleans it up a bit. My chamber indicator on my XD45 is stuck half way up when unloaded because of gunky buildup under it......I don't have a punch small enough to remove it to clean under it.

February 26th, 2008, 08:19 AM	#10
ELCruisr Distinguished Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central FL Posts: 1,876	If it's a waxy sort of solid gunk you can usually bet it's bullet lube. The price we pay for shooting hard cast and saving money it seems. __________________ If you stand up and be counted, from time to time you may get yourself knocked down. But remember this: A man flattened by an opponent can get up again. A man flattened by conformity stays down for good. ~ Thomas J. Watson, Jr.

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