Powder Recommendations

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durstelerw

New Member
So this is my first post here. I have searched far and wide across many forums. I am trying to find powder for .45 colt. My Dad just recently ordered some Winchester 231 and WST. The 231 for .45 colt, and the WST, for 10mm. This question is about the .45 colt powder (231). The 231 was one of the few powders in stock that can shoot below SAAMI while still having a decent velocity on a 250gr LRNFP. I'm hoping people here will have some knowledge as to what powders work well for SAAMI standards while still burning clean unlike Winchester? For reference, the revolver I shoot is a 1873 Gen II Single Action Revolver from Pietta, with a 4.75" barrel.
Thanks for any help,
Will.
 
RBHarter

RBHarter

West Central AR
I don't know about 231 . I do know Unique. I also am well versed in a couple of other powders for rifles .

If it's sooty or leaves unburned powder it's simply not up to its minimum clean up pressure. There are a few exceptions to this like BP , it will never burn clean . I have a bunch , like 11# , of Red Dot I want to use up but it doesn't clean up in 9mm so I'm not real excited about 38/357 and assorted 45s but maybe in a 40 .

We're in a run what you can get market at the moment . Solvent is still cheap and plentiful .
 
Winelover

Winelover

North Central Arkansas
Hodgdon's Reloading Data Center has data for W-231 powder. Your plug in what powder you want and the bullet your using.


I use Unique and 2400 for Ruger Only loads in my BH. I've never tried W-231 in 45 LC but I have used it in 44 Special to conserve my dwindling supply of Unique. It works well and relatively clean burning. Many reloaders consider it a replacement for Unique.
 
Snakeoil

Snakeoil

Well-Known Member
When I was shooting CAS, I used Clays and Universal in both the .45LC and my 12 ga loads. Shot mostly Clays towards the end as it shot very clean. You can find loading data for both on the Hodgdon website.
 
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richhodg66

Well-Known Member
When I first started getting into reloading on my own 35 years ago, I was told and it seems to hold true, that six and a half grains of Red Dot under any bullet is a good target load in the .45 Colt. Six grains of Bullseye seems to be the same, but that small a charge of a fine powder like that always seemed to me like it shouldn't work, so I stayed with the Red Dot.

The .45 Colt works great with 200 grain SWCs intended for the .45 ACP, I have sent a whole lot of 452488s down range through Ruger revolvers.
 
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Mainiac

Well-Known Member
richhodg66 said:
When I first started getting into reloading on my own 35 years ago, I was told and it seems to hold true, that six and a half grains of Red Dot under any bullet is a good target load in the .45 Colt. Six grains of Bullseye seems to be the same, but that small a charge of a fine powder like that always seemed to me like it shouldn't work, so I stayed with the Red Dot.

The .45 Colt works great with 200 grain SWCs intended for the .45 ACP, I have sent a whole lot of 452488s down range through Ruger revolvers.
Click to expand...
My bisley 45 colt thinks it is a custom tuned 1911,when i shoot the 452460,,with reddot.
 
RBHarter

RBHarter

West Central AR
Well maybe it's one of those tri-cyl models . ACP/S&W/Colts ......

I wonder if that short cylinder I have is short enough to accommodate the AR rim ....... Nah I'll just do it for correct S&W and let it HS on on the mouth.
 
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BudHyett

Active Member
Unique powder:
  • Colt SAA, Colt New Service, S&W Schofield: 6.5 grains, H&G 200 grain semi-wadcutter.
  • S&W 625, 25-5, 25-7: 8.3 grains Unique, either H&G 200 grain semi-wadcutter or SAECO 954 235 grain bullet.
  • Ruger Black Hawk, Colt Anaconda: 9.5 grains Unique with SAECO 954 235 grain bullet.
 
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RBHarter

RBHarter

West Central AR
5.5 Unique in a 45 ACP/AR/GAP case loaded ACP length or longer depending on the 250-265 gr bullet and for 250s in S&W , 6 for the 230 . 8-10 for the Colts but I only have 92's and a BH and really only feed them the 250s .
 
fiver

fiver

Well-Known Member
231 will work just fine in the 45 Colt with a 250-255gr bullet.
it was the only pistol powder my dad ever bought.
6.5grs is target speed. 750-ish.
7.3 matches the old black powder velocity the army asked for. 950-ish.
 
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