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5/9/2013 8:12:25 AM EDT
I've been using 231 for my 45 1911, the only thing I don't like about is it seems a little  dirty, any recommendations on some others powders
5/9/2013 8:23:21 AM EDT
[#1]
I use Titegroup for my 45 and 9mm
5/9/2013 8:32:23 AM EDT
[#2]
I like IMR700X
5/9/2013 8:42:18 AM EDT
[#3]
plain ole clays.
5/9/2013 10:02:13 AM EDT
[#4]



Quoted:


I like IMR700X
This, I just started using 700x because I couldn't find WW231.  I had been using 231 for 25 years in my 45 ACP loads, no more I think for plinking and target I like the 700x better and it is cheaper.





 
5/9/2013 10:44:39 AM EDT
[#5]
Quoted:
plain ole clays.


This.  Or, Solo 1000.  Much MUCH cleaner than 231.
5/9/2013 12:13:32 PM EDT
[#6]
I'm using Green Dot in .45 ACP and 9mm.

I find it very clean. It fills the 9mm 3/4 of the way so there is no way to double charge a 9mm without noticing.
5/9/2013 3:50:56 PM EDT
[#7]
Silhouette, True Blue, Titegroup in that order for me.
5/9/2013 3:57:24 PM EDT
[#8]
I've tried HP-38 (same as 231) and Titegroup

Of those two, I like the way HP-38 meters, better.  Less messy.

I want to try Silhouette and/or True Blue next, if I can find them ever.
5/9/2013 4:17:18 PM EDT
[#9]
Thanks for the input. What about bullseyes or unique?
5/9/2013 4:22:02 PM EDT
[#10]
Quoted:
Thanks for the input. What about bullseyes or unique?



Unique is also dirty.

I have been using WST- Winchester Super Target, for the last 10 or so years. It is a good powder for .45acp. It meters very well through a measure, burns much much cleaner than the Unique I used for decades, and is consistent giving me excellent accuracy.
I can feel a difference in recoil between WST and Unique. Unique gives what feels like a firm shove. WST has a little snappier recoil, but nothing like a 9mm or .40.
5/9/2013 4:41:08 PM EDT
[#11]
I use Unique and it's done fine for me.
5/9/2013 4:55:59 PM EDT
[#12]
I use Universal.

Meters well, accurate, and not all that dirty (not that it seems to me, anyway).
5/9/2013 5:02:08 PM EDT
[#13]
Quoted:
I've been using 231 for my 45 1911, the only thing I don't like about is it seems a little  dirty, any recommendations on some others powders


Personally, I don't think that 231 is *that* dirty.  But if you're after clean, go to VihtaVuori.
5/9/2013 5:28:15 PM EDT
[#14]
Quoted:

Quoted:
I like IMR700X
This, I just started using 700x because I couldn't find WW231.  I had been using 231 for 25 years in my 45 ACP loads, no more I think for plinking and target I like the 700x better and it is cheaper.

 


This is all I've used, but haven't had any complaints except even with LPPs there are always unburnt flakes flying back and hitting me. Sorry, I can't really compare it to other powders.
5/9/2013 6:39:56 PM EDT
[#15]
Quoted:
Thanks for the input. What about bullseyes or unique?


Of the two, I prefer Bullseye for .45 and Unique for 9mm... Especially if you're running light target loads when the Unique will run really dirty at low pressures.  Bullseye just seems much more flexible.

It's an old powder, and not super clean, but still pretty clean.
5/9/2013 6:47:21 PM EDT
[#16]
Quoted:
Quoted:

Quoted:
I like IMR700X
This, I just started using 700x because I couldn't find WW231.  I had been using 231 for 25 years in my 45 ACP loads, no more I think for plinking and target I like the 700x better and it is cheaper.

 


This is all I've used, but haven't had any complaints except even with LPPs there are always unburnt flakes flying back and hitting me. Sorry, I can't really compare it to other powders.


I have the unburnt flakes all the time with 231 or powder residue on my arm and shirt
5/9/2013 7:12:12 PM EDT
[#17]
strange, I originally started out using unique then went to w231 because it is so much cleaner and snappier than the unique.  When shooting the w231 in my 45 I dont seem to have that problem.  It does seem a bit dirty when I use it to shoot 38spcl from my 357 mag though.
5/9/2013 8:42:30 PM EDT
[#18]
Quoted:
strange, I originally started out using unique then went to w231 because it is so much cleaner and snappier than the unique.  When shooting the w231 in my 45 I dont seem to have that problem.  It does seem a bit dirty when I use it to shoot 38spcl from my 357 mag though.


what primers and barrel length?
5/9/2013 9:00:45 PM EDT
[#19]
How much 231 have you been using and which bullet?  It might burn cleaner for you with a higher charge, but I'm not sure where you're at.
5/9/2013 9:02:57 PM EDT
[#20]
Quoted:
How much 231 have you been using and which bullet?  It might burn cleaner for you with a higher charge, but I'm not sure where you're at.


All 200 grain Berry's, rainers  and Missouri bullets at 5.7 grains
5/9/2013 9:13:02 PM EDT
[#21]
You may be able to come up on the charge some according to how deep you are seating.  I'm at about 10% from max with 230gr bullets and don't get any unburnt powder with 231.
5/9/2013 9:32:43 PM EDT
[#22]
Quoted:
I use Unique and it's done fine for me.


This..I think its funny when people say one powder is dirtier than another, if it goes bang & sends the projectile down range acurately thats fine w/ me. Plus, Unique has been around for something like 75 years or a heck of a long time and it is a proven excellent quality powder that a lot of reloaders use.

5/10/2013 3:53:52 AM EDT
[#23]
Quoted:
Thanks for the input. What about bullseyes or unique?


I use 5.2 gr of Bullseye under a 200 gr RN plate bullet.  A simulated double charge is very noticeable when running a powder cop on a progressive press.
5/10/2013 5:13:35 AM EDT
[#24]
My order of preference is Clays, Bullseye and the Unique
5/10/2013 6:28:58 AM EDT
[#25]
I have been using 231 (light to moderate loads) in 45 for 20 years. I just recently started using Titegroup (using it exclusively in 9mm). It seems much cleaner than 231 in the same approx light to moderate loads of 45 ACP.
5/10/2013 6:33:23 AM EDT
[#26]
WST works very well for basic loads.  Dirty?  Ehhh I don't pay much attention to dirty but it doesn't seem overly dirty to me.
5/10/2013 6:59:36 AM EDT
[#27]
231 is used by more .45 acp shooters than any other powder.  Can't argue with success.

I have been using WST for the past year and like it a lot.  Very linear in the range it's designed to work in.  Meters well.  Very consistent.  Bulky enough to be safe in a well regulated reloading process.
5/10/2013 9:25:52 AM EDT
[#28]
Quoted:
WST works very well for basic loads.  Dirty?  Ehhh I don't pay much attention to dirty but it doesn't seem overly dirty to me.



For me dirty powders are only a problem shooting competition. I hated having to clean after every match when using Unique. 100 rounds would leave the pistol filthy and I would have powder on my arms after. With WST I can go 3 matches without needing to clean. I do clean after 2 or 3 matches because I can't stand the idea of running it dry, but 300-500 rounds isn't a problem- it's just in my head to clean and lube.
5/10/2013 9:42:06 AM EDT
[#29]
Quoted:
I use Unique and it's done fine for me.


Then you clearly have never tried anything else.  "Unique" - aka "antique" is technically cleaner than Black Powder - but not by much!  Compared to almost any other smokeless powder out there, Unique is more smokey, smelly, dirty, and tempsensitive.  

It is about the worst choice for 45 there is.  Even the similarly dirty Bullseye is better.
5/10/2013 10:36:31 AM EDT
[#30]
+1 for WST. I think it burns pretty clean. My spent brass looks like I could almost reload it as is, but I shoot a medium load in 45.
5/10/2013 2:04:04 PM EDT
[#31]
titegroup and AA5 are my favorites.
5/10/2013 2:27:52 PM EDT
[#32]
I use titegroup mainly and have been happy with it. Unique works but is dirty. Haven't worked up a Clays load yet.
5/10/2013 3:40:28 PM EDT
[#33]
Bullseye is the authentic .45acp powder, 100+ years authentic and has stayed true to original blend from 100 + years ago. If you're satisfied with 231 performance and wanting cleaner burn, Vihtavouri N320.

Better than half my .45 acp loads use 700x. But, I'm loading a 675fps load too. N310 & N320 are my .45acp powders to make IDPA power factor. Silhouette & Longshot are my self defense load powders.

There's no such thing as a one size fits all powder if loading a variety of bullets and playing a wide spread in velocities. If wanting a powder for just one load, then one powder works.

Tons more involved to a "what powder" question than just powder. Bullet weight, bullet shape & bullet velocity determine my powder choices.

dc.
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