45 ACP Powder?

kam582

kam582

New member
I recently decided to start reloading 45 acp for my Springfield 1911. Thanks to some help from fellow Predator Master folks I found some brass and bullets at pretty reasonable prices, and went ahead and bought some. I had the primers and am getting the dies and thought I was going to be good to go, what a mistake that was. I cannot find pistol powder anywhere. I've checked with my local sources, who now have rifle powder fairly consistently, but no pistol powder. I've checked the internet, even though I detest paying haz mat fees, but nothing there either. I checked my manuals and was looking for Unique, or HS6. When I called my most reliable local source, the guy just laughed, and then sighed. He said he hasn't seen any pistol powder for ages. Anyone have any luck with any other powders? I have some data for VIHT N340, but that stuff is really expensive, and not available either.
Thanks
 
kam582: hodgdon basic reloading manual list several shot gun powders for 45 acp. some I have tried and some I haven't, with good luck.wsf, universal, pb, wst, 700x, clays. all listed. I understand hs-6 is identical to win 540. just start on the low side and give it a shot. good luck , jeff
 
You can find some online, here and there, but unless you are buying 20 lbs or so the shipping costs make it expensive for just buying a pound or 2. I'm using H 4227 and H Longshot .
 
I've done some further checking on powders for 45 acp and found that Winchester 231 and Autocomp are listed with loads in the Hodgdon site. My local source said they got a little 231 in last shipment and might get some more next time. Anyone ever used any of that?
 
About your best bet at the moment is look for Hodgdon Longshot. It is a good 45 ACP powder, especially for full power SD loads, but I am sure you can go with min. loads, and have decent target loads, too.

I load with Hodgdon Universal, and fortunately just before the supply dried up almost 2 years ago now, I got a fresh 8 lb jug. And last year, I was at my local trap club, and I saw an 8 lb jug of Alliant Promo. I knew it was similar to Red Dot, so I got it, even though I have never loaded with it. It loads decent 12 ga. target loads, and 380 Auto, 9mmx19, 40 S&W, and 45 Auto target loads. I think I won the lottery! But with that said, I don't think I can last another year if shotgun/pistol powders don't make a comeback. FWIW, I do load Longshot for 45 Auto, and 10mm Auto, SD loads. Good powder for stout handgun loading.

Hodgdon did have an explanation for the shortage on their website, something about a manufacturing plant fire, but estimated that powder would be showing up late last year. That never happened.

Squeeze
 
I've used 231 for "years" with good results. I shoot mostly lead 200 SWC and 230 RN (plated) in my Kimber and Wilson.
 
Used Unique for years but it was a bit dirty so switched to Accurate #5 (all before shortage). If you can find the #5 it works well in 45 ACP. Sure glad I bought the jug (5 or 8#?) back when............that'll fill a bunch of .45's.
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Regards,
hm
 
I use Win Superfield because I had some 2 years ago when I started loading 45. It works fine, if you were closer I'd sell you a lb. I'm in western NE.
 
I'm a big fan of hp-38/231, but have had terrible luck finding it lately. I switched to titegroup and have been happy with that. It seems as if it has been showing up lately along with longshot. One nice thing about the 45 acp is that you can use many different powders if you have to. I have used AA 5, 7, titegroup, hp-38/231, and unique. All have worked, I just like some more than others. Best of luck in your search.
 
Make if you make a trip over to eastern iowa. Fin And Feather has 700x and titegroup and 800x along with a couple others. They have more than what I have seen in the last year or so. Another place would be a short trip to Des Moines and check Sportsmans wharehouse. I did not check for any pistol or shotgun powder but they had some of my rifle powders yesterday. Kam you have a PM.
 
231, bullseye, red dot, green dot, promo, unique, AA2, & AA5 have all worked well for me. In my experience, the 45ACP is not very powder selective. Find the bullet you want to load, check your reloading manual for recommended powders, see what is available locally and buy a pound, work your loads up and you should be GTG.
 
Thought I might add a postscript to my original post . I was in town today and had a little time to kill between appointments, so I stopped by the Bass Pro Shop, with the intent to pick up one more Avian X hen decoy. I happened to walk by the powder shelves, which have been been mostly empty for months, and lo and behold there was a pound of Unique. I almost asked for an escort out to my truck.
 
My favorite multi use powder for .45acp (and for all my handguns) is Titegroup . I notice it's a very clean burning propellant . I really like accurate no. 5 too for the .45acp
Not too long ago I purchased 8 pounds of red dot powder at an auction for just $1.00 !!
I have cranked out thousands of rounds of 230gr 45acp on the Ol' Dillon and they shoot as well as anything.
 
I've been loading Solo 1000 in most of my handgun loads. If I remember correctly for .45 I'm putting 4 grns behind a 230grn lead RN. I bought three 8 lbs. jugs a few years ago, still on number one, but I won't have to buy any for a long time.
 


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