what is the best all around bullet powder combo for the 45 acp

The best I found is W231 and 230 grain bullets, either cup and core or hard cast lead. The loading manuals I looked at showed a max load of 5.8 grains and the high end seemed to work well for me. I think I was even loading .2 grains heavier.

Ted, I like the 230gr round nose jacketed.
WW 231.

I shoot either the 230 Gr. cast or jacketed.Either one with 4 Grs.of Clays.I also like the 185 SWC with 4.5 Grs. of Clays.

231, bullseye, unique, aa5, aa7 titegroup etc. 45 has many good powders for it

Ted,
I have had good luck with winchester powders and unique. For indoor target shooting...185 gr. roundnose. You can't go wrong with 230 gr. FMJ as that has been around forever and feeds well in most pistols. I have also had good luck with 230 gr. Hornady hp/xtp's for both accuracy and feeding.

In the past, I only relaoded .45ACP with Rottweil propelant, Norma R1 (discontiniued ) or Vitha N340. Mostly with 230grs Lead RN or FMJ´s.
After a short break of reloading this round, I startet now with 200grs copperplated SWC´s and N330. Not the best powder for this round, but with max. load of 7grs, my pistol shoots very well.
I tested also Titgroup with the same good results. It´s a little bit cheaper and would be my .45ACP powder for the future.
Jacketed bullets are here in germany too expensive. For the price of 500 FMJ bullets, I can get 1000 or more, lead or copper plated bullets. The cheapest I know, is the Magtech FMJ.

Martin

Those powders, 231, Bulls Eye, Unique, are very good. I'm partial to Unique. I've done extensive test, for myself, between Unique and Universal Clays. They are very close in burning rate and even though the Universal burns cleaner, I've never gotten the accuracy out of it as compared to Unique. I've tested it in revolvers, semi auto's, reduced cast rifle loads, and lever action rifles. The Unique shoots just a little better. I discussed this once with a Hodgdon ballistic tech and particularly in the 45 Colt loading. I was surprised being that he represented Hodgdon in saying that he agreed with me. He said Unique in some cartridges seemed to have an accuracy edge.

Most versatile in .45 ACP? W231 or HP 38. Will do everything that should be done in 45 ACP, cleanly and accurately.

Best bullet? 230 gr RN either FMJ or cast if you are a caster. No real need for a jacketed bullet in the 45 ACP.

This combination produces a reliable and accurate combination if loaded to a velocity of 800 to 850 fps.

Just my thoughts..........

Another vote for 230 RNs and Unique.

185 Montana Gold HP - 5.5 bullseye

Best all around or best for plinking, targets, defense, least expense? For ultimate reliability in almost all pistols the 230gr full jacket round nose. For defense a hollow point. I still prefer 230grs and am partial to Speer Gold dots and Remington Golden Sabres but there are other equally fine choices. For targets, well that depends on the target game - paper, practical pistol, etc. For least expense cast your own bullets. For powders there are several decent choices. I'm mostly using AA#5 but will also use Unique and have been known to use Bullseye. I like the way AA#5 meters but I really like the versatility of Unique as I can burn it in all my handguns for everything from light, barely clear the barrel to medium heavy magnum loads. To start try the 230 round nose and any of the recommended powders and load initially for 800 to 850fps. It'll work and you'll be happy and you can branch out from there as you gain experience.

Jerry Liles

Some shooters will not handle low powered 185 grain loads very well and if that is on the menu for you I would suggest increasing the velocity if you encounter problems with the 185's.

I want to run 230's and should have put that in the title

Unique. But it's like Brylcreem--a little dab will do you. Start out low--what you gotta do is well--- groan--Unique up on it.

quote:

Originally posted by carpetman1:
Unique. But it's like Brylcreem--a little dab will do you. Start out low--what you gotta do is well--- groan--Unique up on it.

Geez Ray, you remember that stuff? I sure do. What was the line on the ad.....and the girls love to run their fingers through you hair.

Unique powder couldn't have a better name in my opinion.

6.5 Unique. Classic hardball load

I always thought that UNIQUE was dirty compared to other powders, it's accurate though.

Alliant cleaned up some of their powders Unique being one. If one is shooting quite a few cartridges, say in the hundred's or more, it may make a difference. For the casual shooter and for use for personal defense it's a non problem. If you shoot cast the gun is always going to be more dirty then shooting jacketed.

There is no "best" powder, just as there is no "best" of anything. Everyone has their "best" favorite powder.

For me, my favorite pistol powder is Unique, but that doesn't make it best. Any of the powders recommended here that will fill cases >1/2 way will work.

As for bullets, the standard is some design weighing 225-230 grains. Some like truncated nose designs, some like semi-wadcutters, and some prefer round nose. I like whatever I can find cheapest, which for me are lead bullets costing $55 a thousand.

I tend to prefer 200 gr SWC's and accurate #5. Solo 1000 is also a good powder and burns very clean.