Clean .45 acp powder suggestion
 

Ive been using 6.5 grains of Unique on top of Ranier 200gr flats. They shoot great, I figure it's a reasonable approximation of a factory load but it is a tad dirtier than I'd like, any suggestions as a powder to try next? I should mention too that I load on a LNL AP so the finer powders tend to meter better.

I have always used Winchester 231 and have not had any problems at all with it.:)

I tried to get some 231 today but unfortunately the local Cabellas was out
Below is about half an hour of relax time after work the other day
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/e...z/62a19f44.jpg

I am by no means a expert loader, but I too stricty use W231. I was tought to use it and it works for me. I only reload practice loads and its not too bad.

I also use 231, it works well for me. Relatively clean burning.
HP-38 is the same powder as 231

Greg

I use HP-38( Like Volt said, it's the exact same powder as ww231), 5.2 grains behind a 230 at 1.265OAL is a good Military-equiv. load. 830fps.

I'll see if I can't get my hands on some of the HP-38, thanks for the assist
J.

Hodgdon Clays powder works great and is very very clean. You will use less as well ... under 5 grains for a good target load with 200 grain bullets!

I thought I had read about Clays somewhere, I had a # in my hand yesterday now I wish I had tried it. What shape is it and does it meter easily?

Another pleased W231 user here. Started reloading using Unique and although it is a very versitile powder, it does seem to be a bit on the dirty side.

Current target load------> 5.0 grains of W231, 200gr SWC projectile.

I used to use W231 because it's what everyone seems to suggest but it's really not all that clean in my experience. A friend that shoots bullseye turned me on to IMR 700x, it's really close to the burn rate of W231 but I find it's a lot cleaner. It's a flake powder rather than ball like W231 so some powder measures may not like it as much but it works ok in my Dillon. Loads are generally very close but the same weight of 700x seems to fill more volume of a case. It seems to work the compensator better on my 38 Super. My theory is that the extra volume produces more gas but I could be dreamin.

Dumb question alert!

If HP 38 is same thing as w321 is all load data interchangeable between the two? And who makes this HP 38?

I am currently using bullseye and like that I can load 45&38, with w321 or the hp38 can I load 45, 38 & 9mm?

Cal, HP-38 is made by Hodgdon powder,who also bought out the rights and now makes all of Winchesters' powders. While HP-38 is almost a flake like Unique, it is exactly the same make-up and formulation as WW231. Both the Burn-rate and the pressure-curve is identical. HP-38 will work in any cartridge you use 231 in with the exact same results.

Difference? Since it doesn't carry the Winchester Moniker, it sells for around $5.00 a lb. cheaper than WW231.

That does it, I'm going shopping!

Hodgdon Universal Clays. 5.6 - 5.7 grains under a 230gr Montana Gold JHP. Sweet.
All powders require that we clean our guns. Some a little more... some a little less... its just part of the sport.

Try Universal Clays, you'll like it.
Dafadda

VihtaVuori N340 is pretty clean, but must admit, haven't had much other , just AA#7 which i didn't like much

AA-7 is a little slow for the 45ACP, you'll have much better luck with AA-5.

well i didn't like it for the most part because of the tiny grains, makes a mess on my Dillon as the shell holder moves.
Always chucks a few grains out right after the powder charge.. no matter how tight i set the shell plate..

I tried an 11 grain charge of Accurate No.7 under a 200 gr Rainier FP and it seemed pretty hot, should have been well within book range though. Just loaded up some with 5 grains of HP-38 under the same and some under Barry's 200 grain SWC, we will see how those turn out.

Chef, what I meant was the Burn-rate of the powder, not velocity.AA-7 is close to 2400 on the chart, would you run 2400 in a 45?

I think you're gonna like the HP-38, although according to Hodgdon's load data, your load is .2 grains under minimum load or starting load
.

Here's a link to the load data. http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

I was just remarking to having tried the No. 7, I bought it a while back without any research on a suggestion and figured I'd try it for the .45. As far as the 5 grain load is concerned, I downloaded the data last night, I had always heard it best to use load data for lead cast of similar design when specific load data wasn't available for plated bullets. Should I have gone with the jacketed data? Either way, hopefully it cycles pulling bullets is annoying, certainly not the first time I have been a bit impetuous and had to do so.

4.9 grains of WST 200 grain lead SWC.

Dave

I've never thought 6 gr of Unique under a 200 gr SWC was all that dirty. Maybe I should try some of this 231 again. ( been saying that for 20 years). it took me longer than that to try a 1911 made outside of Hartford, CT.
Onward and upward!