My friend has a dillon progressive and let me load some 45acp. He uses 5.1 grains of universal clays for a 230 grain fmj bullet. I find it dirty and see unburned powder in my chambers. Can anyone suggest a different powder and load for this combo? I have a lee one stage so I would like to try some others. Thanks, John

I burned the original clays, and liked it. I really liked VV 3N37 in 38/357, but never tried it in 45. In general, I like the V-V powders, but am of the opinion that one would hard pressed to beat Unique. It offers the best charge weight/pressure ratio for the 45, and is supposed to be cleaner than the Unique of 25 years ago.
The 45 needs a good taper crimp to be at its best as bullets can take a beating going over the feed ramp. A poor crimp can allow bullets to be forced down into the case increasing pressures.

I have also found Univ. Clays dirty @ less than max. loads. Run it up to 5.5gr see if it helps. If you still aren't happy, switch to Hp38 or WST. BTW Clays & UNiv.Clays ARE NOT THE SAME.

Try 5 gr. of Bullseye. This is the load to duplicate GI ball. Burns clean for me.

Thanks for the help. I will try your suggestions. John

I like Titegroup, but you use so little of it (4.5-4.8 gr with a 230 gr bullet) that you have to watch and be certain you do not double-charge a case! At the higher end of the scale, the powder burns very cleanly in my 3 .45s.

quote:

Unique offers the best charge weight/pressure ratio for the 45, and is supposed to be cleaner than the Unique of 25 years ago.

Unique works very well in the .45 but it burns about like corn cobs in mine. Maybe I got hold of an old batch. I found that Accurate #5 burns a bit cleaner for me.

Regards,
hm

I load a lot of IMR 700X for .45 plinkin loads. Seems to work fine in several kimbers, 2 colts, 2 S&W's and a few tauruses. I got started doing this because i had 2 kegs of 700x laying around that i used to load in 12 gauge shotgun shells but i slowed down on the skeet shooting and needed another way to burn the stuff up...works fine for me
Ruck

Hey John, I am using something that some might not consider for the .45 ACP. Ramshot True Blue. Loading 7.0 grains under a 200 gr. SWC from Oregon Trails, it has been extremely accurate. It is a high density ball powder, 950 grams per liter, so it meters excellently. It is also very low flash and burns very clean. I originally got it for higher pressure cartridges like the 9mm and .40 S&W. I will probably try it in the 10mm as well. It is like Unique in its ability to be loaded with success in just about any handgun load. But it is slower on the burn rate chart. It acts like a faster burner in the .45 ACP. This is a competition grade powder from Belgium. If you haven't heard about it, you will. Competition shooters that had been using Vihta Vouri powders are using it already.

They had data for the .45 ACP, so I thought why not. My first purchase was 4lbs and I just bought a new Ruger P-345 that I knew it would be a great candidate for loading +P 185 gr. Defense loads with. First loads were more accurate than the Remington factory +P load. I then tried it to see how it would work with Oregon Trails 200 gr. SWCs. The 7.0 grain load provides cloverleaf groups. Seems like it will make a great IDPA load. My shooting partner has a new S&W 1911 Sc and it just flat out loves this load.

Try 5.0grs of Win231 with a standard primer and a 185 to 200gr lead semi-wadcutter projectile. 231 seems to be made for the 45.

I have lots of 230 grain bullets so I want to stick with that weight. I have heard lots of good things about 231 so I will start with it. I will try as many others as I can afford. Once again thanks. John