Reloading for a 45 ACP

[shark101au]

Decided to get a Sig P220 Carry with a 3.9 inch barrel. I'm wondering what loads everyone is using for their 45s. The components I have on hand are:

- 1000 Zero 185gr JHP
- 1000 pulled Federal 230gr HST
- Bullseye,Titegroup,Power Pistol,Unique,CFE pistol, maybe some 231

[rjacobs]

I believe Bullseye was/is the "original" 45 ACP powder dating back to 1910 or so.

231 is also widely used for 45.

I load TiteGroup simply because it works, its clean and I buy 8lbs at a time since I load 9mm with it.

I have 2 lbs of CFE pistol, but I havent played with it yet.

I dont have any experience with the other 2. I do know I tried some Clay's a few years ago and it didnt run worth a shit out of 3 different 45's.

[yellowfin]

Titegroup has served me well in loading all kinds of stuff in .40, 9mm, and .45. It's hard to get Titegroup these days so if you have it then good for you. TG, 231, and Unique are great for doing gentle loads with the 230 grain. I haven't loaded any 185's yet.

[HackerF15E]

I have loaded 45ACP using both Bullseye and Unique to great success pushing 235 gr cast lead round nose.

4.5 grains of Bullseye and 5.0 grains of Unique work great for the Colt Combat Commander I shoot the majority of my ACP from.

[SlimMan]

Those powders you list will work just fine. I mostly use 231, but have used Unique, BE and PP. If you shoot a lot indoors you might find PP pretty "flashy" but it is really good at pushing the 185 gr. bullet. With the shorter barrel you might get a more complete burn with the faster powders you list (BE, TG and 231).

[m4fun]

Ditto on 5.0gr Unique. Ensures you will clean after range time plus its the closest you can get to black powder in a 1911. :cool:

[jstone]

I use zero 230 fmj with 5.7 grains of win 231 with a win (the ones in the old white boxes, not the new blue box) large pistol primer. This load has ran very well in everything I have tried it in, and has been the most accurate 45acp load ever for me.

231 is one of the faster burning pistol powders so it should do well in your 220 carry. My glock 36 loves it.

You might give it a try with the 230 hst's.

[shark101au]

Thanks for all the input. Looking forward to working up some loads today.

[Uni-Vibe]

Five grains of Bullseye will essentially duplicate the standard 230-grain loading.

[markm]

Titegroup has served me well in loading all kinds of stuff

That's what I'm running. I'm not picky about 45 powder as it's really not critical for practice ammo. 231/HP38, WST, and Titegroup are what I've used.

[nate89]

I have heard many people say that Clays is the powder for .45 ACP. I tried it, and it does shoot very soft, but it was a fine line between what would function and what was not going over max loads (for me). I ended up using Titegroup due to it working so well for 9, and it was much easier to make work.

[Blue Thunder]

I have one load for Unique with a 185GR XTP bullet and several for AA2 with 185 and 230 GR bullets that run very well. The Unique/185 XTP is a +P loading that runs very well and is very accurate from both my G-21 and 1911. It is also a very clean powder that in the heavier loads burns fully with little to no residue.

[Stengun]

Howdy,

I've loaded 10 of thousands .45 ACP with about every pistol powder and bullet combo on the market and nowadays my standard load is Universal powder, LP primer and a hard cast 200gr LSWC w/ 1.275" OAL.

My Tauras PT 845 doesn't like the LSWC bullet so I use a 230gr LRN bullet for the loads for it.

I've loaded about a couple of 1,000 rounds of the Zero 185gr JHP using either, Green Dot, Blue Dot, Unique and 571 powder.

Paul