Powder for .45, 230gr JHP

[MartyZ 692]

Edit: FMJ not JHP

 

Ok guys, this conversation started in a different thread but I figured the continuation should have it's own thread.  I just ordered my first reloading press and will get it this week, will start with .45 acp.

 

I am planning a trip to Oaks on 3/29 (can't go 3/28) to pick up powder and primers.  Here is the question, pistol powder will probably be very scarce and selection will be non existent.  I have done some research online and have found what others use for .45 ACP, 230gr FMJ bullets, I could not however find out which powder is better than others.  I want to put together a list of powders from best to worst, basically what I should look for first, if it's not there, then just go down the list.

 

If you guys can help me put this list together I would greatly appreciate it.

 

Here are the powders that I found other use:

Winchester 231

Winchester WSF

Winchester WST

 

Hodgdon HP38

Hodgdon CLAYS

Hodgdon HS6

Hodgdon TiteGroup

 

Alliant Blue Dot

Alliant Green Dot

Alliant Red Dot

Alliant Herco

Alliant Bullseye

Alliant Unique

 

Accurate N100

Accurate No. 2

Accurate No. 5

Accurate S1000

 

VihtaVuori N310

VihtaVuori N320

VihtaVuori N340

VihtaVuori N350

[Polak 3]

I'm also interested in the same thing. Getting my press in the mail today.

[Heavyopp 167]

add alliant promo to that list -- loads the same as Red dot -- I use it in .45acp with great results -- it might actually be a powder you can find

 

could try CAC associates in PA --  you will have to call because their stock changes daily --  I'm not sure if they'll ship UPS or not -- you'll have to find out -- I've always picked up

[T Bill 649]

It looks like we are approaching the bottom of the barrel with pistol powder availability.

 

Ball powders are easier to work with when using powder measures.  Most of what I see on your list is very hard to find.  I have not seen any AA powders locally for a long time. VV dried up too.  Winnie powders 231, WSF no go.  WST real lean.  Auto Comp was around have not seen it lately.  Alliant is mostly a flake powder. The colored Dot powders are sparse.

 

Your best bet right now might be a IMR or Hodgdon powder.  There are some that are still around.  700X, 800X, IMR-4756, IMR-7625, Longshot, Silhouette, HS-6, PB, Trail Boss, Titewad. Granted these are not the prime choices you would want, they are the only choices right now for 45s.  Hopefully things will get better, time will tell.

 

Good Luck, it is a real tough time right now to be getting into reloading. 

 

Primers and heads are looking better all the time.

[Polak 3]

add alliant promo to that list -- loads the same as Red dot -- I use it in .45acp with great results -- it might actually be a powder you can find

 

could try CAC associates in PA --  you will have to call because their stock changes daily --  I'm not sure if they'll ship UPS or not -- you'll have to find out -- I've always picked up

 

I emailed them. They have 1lb bottles of Blue dot. They also have 1lb and 8lb bottles of Green Dot.

 

I'm ordering 8lbs of Green dot. Found some load data for it with 230gr 45acp.

[MartyZ 692]

Are they usually at Oaks?

[Heavyopp 167]

I emailed them. They have 1lb bottles of Blue dot. They also have 1lb and 8lb bottles of Green Dot.

 

I'm ordering 8lbs of Green dot. Found some load data for it with 230gr 45acp.

 

Will they UPS powder?   I usually pick up from them --  I have family close to their place in central PA

 

 

 

Are they usually at Oaks?

 

I have no idea but I would doubt it  --  could send an email and ask...

[sof 0]

Dunkelbergers Brodheadsville, PA location has some IMR Hi Skor 700x. It may not be your favorite as it was developed as a Shotgun powder, but it is useable for a variety of handguns both revolver and semi, and there are loads available in the manuals and online for 45ACP. They said that they get it in on occasion.

[Polak 3]

Will they UPS powder? I usually pick up from them -- I have family close to their place in central PA

 

UPS Ground $17.75

HazMat Fee $28.50

 

They don't take credit cards. Check or money order.

[Heavyopp 167]

UPS Ground $17.75

HazMat Fee $28.50

 

They don't take credit cards. Check or money order.

 

Wow -- now I know why I go there and buy in bulk -- they used to only ship powder and primers on their own trucks -- they weren't allowed to cross the river into NJ 

 

my last load from them was 6 - 8 pound jugs -- 5 of promo and 1 bullseye

 

I was told I was out of my mind then... Not so much now -- I'm pretty sure the promo was under $80 per jug and could easily have been $69.99 

 

times have changed

[NJSigfan 218]

That's a nice list you have put together.

If your looking for someone to buy in bulk and split with, let me know. I'm down to my last 2 pounds of HP38

[MartyZ 692]

I would love to buy in bulk and split.  But at this point I am just learning to reload and don't want to buy too much.

[MartyZ 692]

I think I just found another place if I can't find anything at Oaks, Davis sports in sloutsberg NY apparently is an authorized Hodgdon resaler, they don't have a lot in stock but they do get regular shipments.  They are only 15 min from my work.

[NJSigfan 218]

 

Well if you find anything to reload 9 and 45 let me know. Maybe we can split the hazmat fees. I would in for 2-3 pounds of powder

[Sonnylee 20]

I've had good results with 700x for .40SW .45ACP and also 9mm.....

[MartyZ 692]

Ok guys, went to oaks and the only powder i could find was IMR 800X. Now, the lee manual says for 230gn to use min 6.3gn and max 7gn. Has anyone used 800X for 45? Should i start with 6.3 or a little more?

[T Bill 649]

Very old style and consistent large flake power that measures like cornflakes.  Requires a careful eye when measuring.  My data shows 6.2 to 7.3. YMMV. I typically start low and stop when I reach a PF of 165-168 with good grouping.  Anything higher than that is just wearing out your brass.  

[njJoniGuy 2,131]

To answer the OP's original question:

 

In my .45acp 230gr FMJ (that I generally only shoot in my XDM45 and Springfield GI-replica WWII 1911) I use 4.6gr Hodgdon Titegroup

 

At close to $.20 per bullet, I more often shoot Better Bullets 200gr (45LC) LRNFP over 4.5gr Titegroup in the rest of my .45acp pistols, and 5.2gr Titegroup with the same bullet in my Beretta Storm CX4 and HiPoint carbines.

 

That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!

YMMV

[bry@n 195]

Scored an 8# jug of win 231 yesterday. It was a great day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In my dreams. Lol. I figured I'd get you guys going on a crappy weather weekend.

[MartyZ 692]

Both Lee and IMR reloading data for 800x state for 230gn FMJ, min 6.3gn, max 7.0gn and an OAL length of 1.200".  I loaded my first batch of 15 rounds with 6.3gn and an OAL of 1.200" but they appear to be a lot shorter then factory ammo, I need to measure the OAL of the factory ammo.  But does 1.200" OAL sound right?  Anyway, I plan on loading another 15 rounds with 6.5gn and 15 with 6.7gn and try them out at the range, see which one works best.

I was also thinking of loading a few at 6.9gn but should I even try to load to the max?

[T Bill 649]

Seat them out a little longer if you want.  I have data showing 1.200 for 230 LRN to 1.250 for hardball. Will depend on what your pistol likes when feeding. How "hot "  you want them is up to you.  US Military hardball ammo is loaded to  885 FPS  +/- 25 FPS, 25.5 ft from muzzle at a length of 1.75 OAL.  The 230gr head is .68 long. That is a 203PF, way stronger than you need to be for USPSA or IDPA (165PF).   

[MartyZ 692]

Should I expect feeding issues with a 1.200" OAL?  These will be shot from a HK USP45 and SIG 1911.  Or should I increase the OAL and load closer to the max to balance out the pressure?

[carl_g 568]

Load a couple dummy rounds and see if they cycle.

[T Bill 649]

Should work fine.  Give them a try and see if you like it.  Shorter typically feeds better than long.  This is something you will have to work with till you find your pistol's "sweet spot" and your comfort zone.

[sof 0]

I have found that the OAL on factory ammo is more often than not longer than in the various load manuals for reloading. I went with a figure more like the manuals and they shot like a dream.