.45 Colt smokeless powder

[Froogal]

Just curious as to what smokeless powders some of you might be using in your .45 Colts. Currently I am using Unique. I am not out of it, but might be after loading enough rounds for the next season of shooting.

What else works good?

[Abilene]

For what purpose?  My favorite CAS load for .45 pistol is 4.6gr of Clays with a 200gr bullet.  That is Hodgdon's minimum.  Light recoil and empties fall out of the cylinder.  Clays is not available right now, but Clay-Dot is and should be about the same.

[Niederlander]

I use Red Dot for everything, because that's what I've had.  It works well.

[Sagebrush Burns]

W-231 has been a winner for me.

[Trailrider]

W-231, Unique, Hodgdon's Universal (when available).

[Coffinmaker]

Well Heck 

I'm no help atall.  I haven't loaded an actual .45 Colt case in a couple Lustrum.  Closest I have come is fire forming 44-40 to .45 and then loading with APP (I KNOW, not smokeless).  Only load I have is for Cowboy 45 Special cases.  No Help.

Keep Safe Out There

[Froogal]

W-231 has been a winner for me.

I have some HP38. Isn't that pretty much the same as W-231?

[Abilene]

I have some HP38. Isn't that pretty much the same as W-231?

Yes

[Dave T]

On those rare occasions when I need a smokeless 45 Colt round, like for my smokeless framed USFA revolvers, I use the Winchester recommended factory duplication load.  That's 7.1g 231 under a 250-255g lead bullet. Winchester claims 850 fps but do not specify what barrel length and it's been so long since I set up my chronograph I've never checked it.  Something I should do one of these days.

Dave

[45 Dragoon]

Tight group.

Mike

[Drydock]

In order of Power wanted.

CAS loads - Red Dot
Factory duplication - Unique
Black Powder Duplication - Blue Dot
Max power - Full case compressed 3f OE or Swiss.

[Froogal]

In order of Power wanted.

CAS loads - Red Dot
Factory duplication - Unique
Black Powder Duplication - Blue Dot
Max power - Full case compressed 3f OE or Swiss.

Very interesting. Thank you.

[LongWalker]

I swore off 45 Colts after an experiment resulted in bulge in the locking notches (to my mind, that metal is just too dang thin for full-power BP loads).  Before that I was a big fan.  Smokeless loads were 231 or Unique, with the occasional use of Red Dot or Blue Dot. 

[mtmarfield]

      Greetings!

   Although Alliant 'Unique' is my "go-to" powder for .45 Colt and the "Dash-Cartridges", I've discovered that Hodgdon TITEGroup also performs well.

                    M.T.M.

[wildman1]

WAIT-WHAT? They make smokiless powder for 45 Colt? I don't believe it.
 
wM1

[Coffinmaker]

   WILDMAN 

Wildman, do not panic, do not hide inna closet.  Not to worry.  They don't actually make the Heathen Smokeless Stuff for 45 Colt.  Thy just make smokeless stuff that can be USED in 45 Colt.

People Are Still Hazardous to Yer Health

PS: 'Most forgot . PLUS ONE for the Dragoon!!

[Abilene]

WAIT-WHAT? They make smokiless powder for 45 Colt? I don't believe it.
 
wM1

Heh heh, smokeless won't do this:

[Dave T]

Abilene, that's a thing of beauty.  (smiley face goes here)

Dave

[Froogal]

A whole lot of smoke and a whole lot of fire, and a whole lot of big BOOM, but then the bore gets fouled up and who knows where that bullet went?

[Drydock]

Armaments, chapter 1,  paragraph 7 : "And yeah, thou shalt use such water based lubricants upon thine projectiles such as the lord has provided, and verily in such quantities as to render such fouling than might occur soft, and pleasant to the touch.  And thus you may shoot the whole of the day, and suffer no degradation in thine accuracy.  In thy mercy."