Hello
I am in search for a good powder and load for 185 gr 45 ACP loads. all information appreciated.
Old Timer

I ususally use heavier bullets, but In my limited experience with 185 grainers, 700-X and Red Dot are better than the slower powders like W231 and Unique. 4.0 grains of either are fine for light target loads. Check out the manufacturer's sites for full snort loads.

http://www.imrpowder.com/
http://recipes.alliantpowder.com/rg.taf?_function=pistolrevolver&step=1

Bye
Jack

I also like 700X. My biggest reason for initially using it was that I have lots of it around for reloading 12 guage loads.

Chris

Dear Old Timer:

I've tried numerous powders to replace good old W231 but I keep coming back to W231. At night W231 also produced the least amount of flash. On the chronograh W231 also proved to have the best velocity and shot to shot consistency. The loads I'm using are in some of the older versions of the Hornady reloading manuals. Of course I'm sure that other may have had different results with W231.

I'm in the process of trying out some Hodgdon powders for the 185 JHP 45 ACP as well.

Dear Old Timer:

I've tried numerous powders to replace good old W231 but I keep coming back to W231. At night W231 also produced the least amount of flash. On the chronograh W231 also proved to have the best velocity and shot to shot consistency. The loads I'm using are in some of the older versions of the Hornady reloading manuals. Of course I'm sure that other may have had different results with W231.

I'm in the process of trying out some Hodgdon powders for the 185 JHP 45 ACP as well.


Recon,
Let me know how you make out and I will do the same I am thing of buying AA 5,what you think??
\Old Timer

Old Timer:

I think you're doing the right thing by actually trying different recipes. The fifth edition of the Hornady Handbook shows AA No. 5 with a minimum of 8.7 grains to a maximum of 10.4 grains with their 185 grain bullets. Velocity was reported at 1050 fps which I consider to be fast for a 45 ACP. A friend of mine really likes AA No. 5 in several calibers.

I think you should use what works best in your gun. I think the fact that Hornady published data for AA No. 5 probably means that they had good results with it in the lab.

I've tried Hodgdon's Clays which I love in other applications but it won't develop the velocity that I would want with the 185 JHP. A load under review that shows promise is Hodgdon's Longshot at a published velocity of 1044 fps.

In my opinion the 185 really changed things for the 45 ACP. I've seen deer taken with the 185 at about 50 yards with one well placed shot and the deer just fell in a pile. The load was 7.2 grains of W231 with a 185 grain Hornady HP-XTP.

Recon,
Let me know how you make out and I will do the same I am thing of buying AA 5,what you think??
\Old Timer