Which powder for .45acp?

[RAM4171]

For those of you experienced handloaders, what is your favorite powder for .45acp? Meters well,burns clean, and so forth.
I apologize if all of the questions are getting annoying.

I'm just trying to learn all that I can before jumping in.

[PBratton]

I've used Bullseye from day one with .45 acp.

[RiverRider]

I like W231.

[mktacop]

I've been using Clays with very nice results. It was recommended to me by a co-worker who has been using it exclusively for .45 ACP for the past several years.

[ske1eter]

I've recently used HP38 and WW231 for my .45 (and 9mm). HP38 seems to be a bit cheaper in price.

[jocat54]

I've used Bullseye from day one with .45 acp.

I also have used just Bullseye for .45 (and 9mm and 38 special) it works well.

[longtooth]

Win 231 here too.

[Jumping Frog]

One of the properties I like about reloading .45 ACP is that it is a very forgiving cartridge with relatively low pressure levels, and here are a LOT of powders that will work.

I did an analysis in Jan 2010, where I looked at powder cost per hundred rounds for 200 gr LSWC bullets. Powder prices were as of that date at Powder Valley, Inc., and reflect the largest size cannister sold (4#, 5# or 8#).

Sorted from least expensive to most expensive. These cost calculations assume MAXIMUM published loads for powder charge/round (most expensive case scenario).

Cost/100 = $0.77 Alliant Red Dot ---> 4.5 grains; 831 fps.
Cost/100 = $0.79 Alliant Bullseye ---> 4.6 grains; 807 fps.
Cost/100 = $0.80 Ramshot Competition ---> 4.3 grains; 896 fps.
Cost/100 = $0.83 Hodgdon Clays ---> 4.3 grains; 888 fps.
Cost/100 = $0.93 Alliant Unique ---> 5.4 grains; 790 fps.
Cost/100 = $0.98 IMR 700-X ---> 5.3 grains; 921 fps.
Cost/100 = $0.99 Accurate S1000 ---> 5.3 grains; 952 fps.
Cost/100 = $1.00 Hodgdon Titegroup ---> 5.4 grains; 957 fps.
Cost/100 = $1.05 Winchester WST ---> 5.1 grains; 910 fps.
Cost/100 = $1.08 Hodgdon HP-38 ---> 5.6 grains; 914 fps.
Cost/100 = $1.09 Accurate No.2 ---> 5.8 grains; 939 fps.
Cost/100 = $1.16 Winchester 231 ---> 5.6 grains; 914 fps.
Cost/100 = $1.28 Hodgdon Universal ---> 6.3 grains; 962 fps.
Cost/100 = $1.29 Vihtavuori N310 ---> 4 grains; 892 fps.
Cost/100 = $1.31 Ramshot ZIP ---> 6.2 grains; 997 fps.
Cost/100 = $1.34 IMR Trail Boss ---> 5.5 grains; 816 fps.
Cost/100 = $1.38 Winchester WSF ---> 6.7 grains; 970 fps.
Cost/100 = $1.45 IMR PB ---> 5.7 grains; 915 fps.
Cost/100 = $1.46 IMR 800-X ---> 7.7 grains; 958 fps.
Cost/100 = $1.49 Winchester AutoComp ---> 7.2 grains; 914 fps.
Cost/100 = $1.64 Vihtavuori N320 ---> 5.1 grains; 958 fps.
Cost/100 = $1.65 Ramshot True Blue ---> 7.8 grains; 990 fps.
Cost/100 = $1.78 Ramshot Silhouette ---> 8.4 grains; 1071 fps.
Cost/100 = $1.78 IMR SR 7625 ---> 6.9 grains; 952 fps.
Cost/100 = $1.79 IMR SR 4756 ---> 8.2 grains; 966 fps.
Cost/100 = $1.80 Accurate No.5 ---> 8.7 grains; 1025 fps.
Cost/100 = $1.87 Hodgdon HS-6 ---> 8.4 grains; 907 fps.
Cost/100 = $2.12 Vihtavuori N340 ---> 6.6 grains; 1039 fps.
Cost/100 = $2.38 Accurate No.7 ---> 11.5 grains; 1022 fps.

I've used a lot of Clays, since it burns much cleaner than Bullseye, but it does not meter as well as Bullseye. I've got about 7 lbs. of Clays left right now.

I have had a really good experience with every Ramshot powder I have tried, so I'll probably try some Ramshot Competition in the future (I really like both True Blue and Zip). My least favorite powder was AA No. 7. Noticeably sharper recoil and more than twice as expensive.

[softwarejanitor]

I've used Alliant Bullseye, Unique and Red Dot for .45 ACP... that said, none of those meter all that well because they are large flake (disc) powders and care has to be taken with automated measures when you use that kind of powder. Bullseye is great for light target loads and Unique is good for more powerful loads, not that I ever push it very far with .45 ACP, I generally try to approximate commercial ammo. Red Dot and Bullseye are very economical, which is nice.

[CWOOD]

Winchester WST. Almost smoke and odor free. Very clean burning. Good range of loadings available.

[Gyrogearhead]

I've used AA #7 and Bullseye and I much prefer Bullseye. Much less felt recoil for the same chronographed speed using 200gn LSWC.

Just my 2c worth.

Gerry

[ghostrider]

currently I'm using green dot with 200gr bullets.

If it wasn't more expensive, I would use N340

[RAM4171]

If it makes a difference I will mostly be loading for a 4" .45. Clean burning and meters well are important. I'll be at the market hall show tomorrow probably asking a lot of questions of the handloading vendors.

[GrandmasterB]

Winchester WST. Almost smoke and odor free. Very clean burning. Good range of loadings available.

+1 If you are shooting lead, then WST is great!

[Texanaggie]

Started with WIN231 but went to Hodgdon Titegroup seemed to be more consistent on the chrono than 231