Hey everyone starting to load .45 acp tonight anyone have a favorite recipe and power selection for this round preferably using hodgdons, thanks!

I use Unique for most all pistols except for heavy mag loads. Look in your book.

No favorite recipies, but be aware that the 45ACP brass comes in both small and large primer pocket flavors. Just be sure you have them sorted.

+ 1 on Unique.
I believe you can also use power pistol.

AA5 and Power Pistol are my powders

I have found Unique to be so dirty that I won't shoot it anymore. For the 45auto I shoot 5.8 grains of W231 behind 230 grain bullets. This is a clean burning propellant in every application I have used it. This is listed as max load and it is very accurate and shoots well in every pistol I have tried it in, P345 Ruger, CW45 Kahr, 4506 S&W.

Oh, yeah, old lots of Unique are about like black powder, which is why I like it for cowboy shooting. New lots are cleaner but not as clean as more modern powder. I have several pounds of it so I have to use it. W231 is definitely cleaner.

Thanks guys also I was not aware of the primer pocket sizing having two sizes thanks Larry sounds like unique is both liked and disliked as most things are I'll go with one of the others thankyou all again for the insight. As a side note the rounds will be for my springfield A1 1911 (mil-spec) any experience with this gun and reloaded cases?

My default load for the 45ACP is a 200gr target bullet and 5.5 to 6gr of W231. This seems to shoot well in any decent 45 pistol.

5.3 grs of W231 with an OAL of 1.25 to 1.26 works well for me.

By the way, Hodgdons HP-38 is the same powder as W231.

quote:

Originally posted by kaboom:
My default load for the 45ACP is a 200gr target bullet and 5.5 to 6gr of W231. This seems to shoot well in any decent 45 pistol.

When my supply of W231 runs out I have HP-38 to take its place. I'm loading 5.7 gr with a cast 200 SWC.

You can load a 45ACP with almost all of the faster burning pistol/shotgun powders and find one that meets your needs.

I've used Bullseye, Unique, Clays, etc. all seemed to work just fine.