First, yes I did search info on this topic, but I got a wide variety of powders people used and many of them are not available in my area. I have been shooting 230g lead and plated round nose with unique and was wondering if 231 would be a better choice. Being a ball powder it would meter more consistently than the flake.
231 vs Unique in 45acp
- Thread starter Buckeye Scott
- Start date
Re: 231 vs Unique in 45acp
I have switched to 231 for my 200 and 230 gr 45acp loads due to a VERY experienced 45 afficianado's advice, and having shot hundreds of his reloads(thank you J Markwell!) It is very clean burning and extremely accurate in both mild and full power loads!!
I have switched to 231 for my 200 and 230 gr 45acp loads due to a VERY experienced 45 afficianado's advice, and having shot hundreds of his reloads(thank you J Markwell!) It is very clean burning and extremely accurate in both mild and full power loads!!
Re: 231 vs Unique in 45acp
looks like it is worth a try, what charges are you guys using for 230gr plated and 230gr lead round nose out of a 5" barrel?
looks like it is worth a try, what charges are you guys using for 230gr plated and 230gr lead round nose out of a 5" barrel?
Re: 231 vs Unique in 45acp
I have used both 231 and Unique.
Unique seems to be readily available and i use it for other cartridges too.
So my vote is Unique.
I have used both 231 and Unique.
Unique seems to be readily available and i use it for other cartridges too.
So my vote is Unique.
Re: 231 vs Unique in 45acp
I have used unique for a long time and I guess I will be using it a lot longer seeing as I have 5lbs of the stuff on the shelf. I get good enough results with it but it is dirty and creates a significant amount of muzzle flash. Once I get don't burning through this batch I think I'm going to pickup some 231 or bullseye and give one of those a go.
I have used unique for a long time and I guess I will be using it a lot longer seeing as I have 5lbs of the stuff on the shelf. I get good enough results with it but it is dirty and creates a significant amount of muzzle flash. Once I get don't burning through this batch I think I'm going to pickup some 231 or bullseye and give one of those a go.
Re: 231 vs Unique in 45acp
Load depends on how hard you want to drive them. It has been a really long time since I loaded 45 but I seem to remember running about 5.5 to 6.0 gr behind 230s.
231 does not fill the casing, you can double charge, and if you load too light you can get flash overs. I don't think you can run much under 5.0
Load depends on how hard you want to drive them. It has been a really long time since I loaded 45 but I seem to remember running about 5.5 to 6.0 gr behind 230s.
231 does not fill the casing, you can double charge, and if you load too light you can get flash overs. I don't think you can run much under 5.0
Re: 231 vs Unique in 45acp
I have use both 231 and Unique. While Unique is not as clean burning as 231 it has never been much of a problem fouling my pistols or when cleaning them. I seem to get better accuracy with 6.5 grain of Unique behind a 230 gr cast bullet. So I stayed with Unique.
I have use both 231 and Unique. While Unique is not as clean burning as 231 it has never been much of a problem fouling my pistols or when cleaning them. I seem to get better accuracy with 6.5 grain of Unique behind a 230 gr cast bullet. So I stayed with Unique.
Re: 231 vs Unique in 45acp
If you're loading large quantities on a progressive press, 231 is one of the best choices for consistent metering. It's my go-to powder for bulk loading 380 ACP, 9mm Para, 40 S&W, and 45 ACP.
I run 5.0 grains (5.3 is Hodgdon's book max) under a 230 grain bullet, whether cast, plated, or jacketed. Velocity is about 790-810 fps from my Kimber Custom depending on bullet type, and accuracy is fine for mass produced knockaround stuff. Some powders give better groups with cast slugs- Hodgdon Clays being the best I've tried so far- but since that powder doesn't meter as well through my Dillon, I stick with 231 for bulk loading.
I've also noted that, at least with my pistols, the bullet makes a bigger difference in accuracy than the powder type in most cases (powder charges being consistent of course). My best groups have been with my hand-cast bullets followed closely by Hornady XTPs. The best cheap bullets I ran across were IMI 230 FMJs.
If you're loading large quantities on a progressive press, 231 is one of the best choices for consistent metering. It's my go-to powder for bulk loading 380 ACP, 9mm Para, 40 S&W, and 45 ACP.
I run 5.0 grains (5.3 is Hodgdon's book max) under a 230 grain bullet, whether cast, plated, or jacketed. Velocity is about 790-810 fps from my Kimber Custom depending on bullet type, and accuracy is fine for mass produced knockaround stuff. Some powders give better groups with cast slugs- Hodgdon Clays being the best I've tried so far- but since that powder doesn't meter as well through my Dillon, I stick with 231 for bulk loading.
I've also noted that, at least with my pistols, the bullet makes a bigger difference in accuracy than the powder type in most cases (powder charges being consistent of course). My best groups have been with my hand-cast bullets followed closely by Hornady XTPs. The best cheap bullets I ran across were IMI 230 FMJs.
