I need a good load for 230 FMJ/TMJ ball

[cantgrowup]

For years I always used Unique for my handgun reloads, especially for my 5" .45ACP pistols. But I'm wondering if there are better powders for the 1911. All I do is plink with my 1911's. Is there an optimum powder and load that the majority of the 1911 crowd can agree with that delivers good accuracy and consistancy with any 230 FMJ ball? I use Speer, Remington, and others.

[MSgt Dotson]

5.7 gr of Unique, or, 5.2 gr of 231/HP38....each has been perfect, with the latter saving a few fractions of a cent due to less powder being required.

[ChuckS1]

http://www.bullseyepistol.com/reloads.htm

These list some loads to duplicate GI ball ammo.

[Murphy's Law]

I've been using Tight Group powder and seem to like it a lot. Have stayed right around 4.5gr over 230gr bullet. Recoil moderate and accuracy is excellent in my Colt Govt.

[Rifter]

Originally Posted by cantgrowup

For years I always used Unique for my handgun reloads, especially for my 5" .45ACP pistols. But I'm wondering if there are better powders for the 1911. All I do is plink with my 1911's. Is there an optimum powder and load that the majority of the 1911 crowd can agree with that delivers good accuracy and consistancy with any 230 FMJ ball? I use Speer, Remington, and others.

There are a lot of good powders that will work. However, Unique is just as good as most of them. It is versatile enough that it will give excellent performance over the entire weight range of bullets for the .45. For 230 gr. FMJ or FMJ-FP, 6 gr. with pretty much duplicate standard military ball. 6.5 gr. will give you an extra 50 fps.

If you want to good +P load that has excellent accuracy, then 8.8 gr. Blue Dot with the Hornady FMJ-FP is a proven performer at about 950 fps.

[MAG-63]

My favorites for 230g FMJ in descending order:

1. 6.0g Unique
2. 6.5g WSF
3. 5.0g 700X

[FLSlim]

If you've been happy with Unique, just stay with it. Presently, I use 231 mostly (and some WSF), but there's nothing wrong with what you are using. Of course, part of the fun or challenge of reloading is to experiment with different components, so.....

[dillehayd]

Originally Posted by cantgrowup

For years I always used Unique for my handgun reloads, especially for my 5" .45ACP pistols. But I'm wondering if there are better powders for the 1911. All I do is plink with my 1911's. Is there an optimum powder and load that the majority of the 1911 crowd can agree with that delivers good accuracy and consistancy with any 230 FMJ ball? I use Speer, Remington, and others.

Perhaps a little more info might help answer your question. What about Unique do you find non-optimal? The forum might be able to suggest powders that are stronger in one trait than another but there isn't a single perfect powder (or brass, or primer, etc.) for everyone.

[glennm]

6.5 Grs Unique. Used for over 30 yrs. No reason to change now.

[Horoscope Fish]

Originally Posted by cantgrowup

... Is there an optimum powder and load that the majority of the 1911 crowd can agree with that delivers good accuracy and consistancy with any 230 FMJ ball?

AN optimal load... As in one? No, not really. There are several very good, very accurate and consistent loads out there for the 230 grain FMJ bullet but the reality is there is no single load "the majority of the 1911 crowd" agrees on.

What is it about Unique that you don't like?

I've had success using AA#5, WST, Herco, HS-6, Win 231 and True Blue.

[Capt. Methane]

If you are just plinking with a full sized .45 why not try a less expensive 200gr LSWC and about 3.7gr of Clays?

[mbopp]

Originally Posted by Capt. Methane

If you are just plinking with a full sized .45 why not try a less expensive 200gr LSWC and about 3.7gr of Clays?

Same bullet with 5.3 gr W231 / HP38
4.2gr of Bullseye
6.0gr of Unique

[BYJO4]

I use 5 gr. of Bullseye or 5.7 gr. of Unique with the 230 gr FMJ bullet. Both have proven very accurate in all my 1911s.

[Snapdragon]

6 grains of Unique is what I use for both FMJ and lead 230 grain bullets in 45 ACP. I also use the same charge for 115 grain FMJ bullets in 9mm Luger.

[medalguy]

I've loaded many thousands of rounds of .45 hardball using 6.0 gr of Unique. Never had a reason to switch. If it isn't broke, don't try to fix it.

[Tenringx2]

5.2 Bullseye 200 FP
4.6 Bullseye 230 FMJ

Both make major power factor for matches, for plinking I drop it down 4 to 6 tenths.

[Gahunter12]

Lots of god powders out there. My favorite loads are:
230gr RN: 5.3gr of W231/HP38, Wincester LPP, OAL= 1.260"
230gr RN: 4.4gr of WST, CCI LPP, OAL= 1.260"

I used W231 of a long time til I started using WST. W231 is a nice shooting powder, but a little dirty. WST is a lot cleaner and requires less powder.

[totaldla]

Originally Posted by cantgrowup

For years I always used Unique for my handgun reloads, especially for my 5" .45ACP pistols. But I'm wondering if there are better powders for the 1911. All I do is plink with my 1911's. Is there an optimum powder and load that the majority of the 1911 crowd can agree with that delivers good accuracy and consistancy with any 230 FMJ ball? I use Speer, Remington, and others.

Why don't you look it up in reloading manuals?

[cantgrowup]

Originally Posted by totaldla

Why don't you look it up in reloading manuals?

I've got several manuals (Speer, Hornady Lee, but what I was asking is what powders and loads work best with 230gr FMJ... i.e., what best replicates military ball ammo.

I'm going with 6.0gr of Unique.

[Rifter]

Originally Posted by cantgrowup

I've got several manuals (Speer, Hornady Lee, but what I was asking is what powders and loads work best with 230gr FMJ... i.e., what best replicates military ball ammo.

I'm going with 6.0gr of Unique.

That's as good as any, and better than most. That should give you about 800-830 fps. 6.5 gr. will give you a bit more, around 850-875 fps. Both are loads that have been around for decades and decades.