What powder would you recommend for 45 ACP?

I have blue dot, unique and 231 on hand and 230 fmj bullets.

231 & Unique would be fine, I don’t know about Blue Dot, haven’t used.

As is often suggested, test function before loading higher numbers. With a low-pressure, semi-auto round, I’m likely to start at the mid charge levels for reliable cycling.

Unique is good. HS-6 is a very good powder for 45 ACP. (also works quite well for 38 Special) It meters well & is easy to use. i.e. 8.0g = 800 fps & 8.5g should give you 850 fps & so on.
Blue Dot may be a little fast. Never used it so take that with a grain of salt.

When I was shooting in competition many years ago, I used WW231, 4.3 grains for practice and a higher amount for IPSC matches, don't remember the load, but I'm sure you can find it in any of the manuals.

If it matters, I only shot lead bullets, for reasons of cost and ease of loading.

I chose WW231 because it metered more accurately than Bullseye or Unique, so yielded tighter groups.

Having said that, I knew other shooters who used Unique or Red Dot, don't know if any of them used Blue Dot.

Hodgdon online manual is showing 4.2 to 5.3 for 231.

I have a ton of 231. I will probably go with that.

I don't know if today's 231 is the same as it was in the late 1970's through mid 1980's, but I'll try and find info on my old full-power loads. You haven't indicated if you intend to use reloads for self-defense (I did back then), but I'll share what info I have.

My practice load of 4.3gr was sufficient to reliably operate a Colt Mk4/Series 70 .45ACP with a Wolf 22-lb recoil spring and a recoil buffer. Practice bullet was a lead Hensley-Gibbs 68 SWC, 200gr IIRC, defense (and bowling pin) bullet was a 230gr Truncated Cone.

Edited to add, I looked for data on my old .45ACP loads but couldn't find any. Rather than guess, just go with what that the Hodgdon manual recommends.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: newtoSig765,

If you are looking for the best accuracy, then Bullseye can't be beat in 45ACP. Been used forever.

W231 for target loads, Power Pistol for warmer loads.

AA-5 meters well and at approx. 8 grains for a 230 JHP, fills case enough that an accidential double charge spills over.

My P220 liked this more than any W231 heavier load I tried.

I use WST. Can be a little Smokey but have not tried anything else.

I have used 231 on many thousands of 45 loads. Some were fmj, but the vast majority were lead.

My go to loads for 45acp were VV N320 but I also used VV N310 and Clays.

I find bullseye to be very dirty, blue dot is a slow powder more suited to magnum loads-great in 10mm... I use Unique in 45acp, very consistent performance and it works in 9s as well so that makes it easy to stock one powder for multiple things..

60

For 200gr SWC target rounds I use N310. Burns clean and meters well. I have also used Ramshot Competition SWC target rounds, low SD's have been the norm.

For plinking/reduced power 230gr FMJ rounds, Alliant Sport Pistol works great. I have also used Shooters World Clean Shot powder.

When I want to replicate 230gr JHP self defense rounds for training, Alliant BE-86 works perfectly.

Of the three powders you've listed, I've used all three for .45 ACP 230 grain ball. It's been a long time since I've used Blue Dot. Currently, Alliant lists no data for Blue Dot in the .45 ACP. Their ballistician there is fussy, so I reckon it's no longer listed because it doesn't work well. However, you can e-mail him and ask. He usually writes back fairly quickly.

I'd use Win 231. It will give you around the same velocities as Unique for less powder expended. I've not noticed a huge difference in accuracy, but you should get a little tighter groups with Win 231, I am guessing.

I have a lot of BE-86 on hand. It burns slower and has flash suppressant in it. That might be just the ticket. Ramshot Silouette is another great slower burning powder for .45 ACP and 9mm reloading.

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quote:

Originally posted by walker77:
What powder would you recommend for 45 ACP?

I have blue dot, unique and 231 on hand and 230 fmj bullets.

I have used a lot of 231 and Unique in .45 loads. They work. 231 will meter a little better.

My go to powder for years now has been WST behind most any bullet.