Anybody Using Winchester Auto-Comp in 45acp?

[Foto Joe]

What with powders being hard to come by I picked up a pound of Winchester Auto-Comp to use in 45acp. To be quite honest in past I just didn't use enough 45acp to get picky in the first place so I used Universal or even Trailboss. The latter doesn't really like my bullet lube after 50-60 rounds and yes it is dirty stuff.

Anyway, I've retired my S&W 39-2 from carry and switched over to one of two 1911's and now I'm a little more anal about what I'm feeding it so to speak. If you've got any experience with Auto-Comp I'd love to hear about it. Currently my SD rounds are 6.5gr under a 230LRN.

 

[Hangingrock]

I've used Auto-Comp in the 9mm Luger to date and I am satisfied with that application. I usually use W231 or Unique in the 45ACP. I was impressed enough with Auto-Comp as previously mentioned with the 9mm Luger to acquire four 1lb containers of Auto-Comp.

I'm going to experiment with it in the 45ACP with 230Gr-FMJ I see 6.6grs as the maximum listed by Hodgdon Reloading Data Center. I see your load is a tenth of a grain below the listed maximum.

At this point I'm not that enthusiastic so I'll start at 6.2 and see. None the less its good to know that Auto-Comp is apparently satisfactory for your usage.

 

[Foto Joe]

The target loads I've got I ran with 6.3. I haven't had the chance to chronograph any of them yet. When I took my chrono out a few weeks ago to do so my Government model ran away full auto the first time I pulled the trigger. I got it back from the gunsmith with a new disconnector but I haven't shot it yet. When I chrono the loads I want to use the Government instead of my Compact just to see how close to spec I am.

 

[jwrowland77]

I've only used Autocomp in my 9mm, and I love it. I'm actually looking for somewhere to pick up a 8lb keg of it, as it is the most accurate load I have for my 9mm.

 

[TfflHndn]

I laddered AutoComp with 230 grain plated flat points, at 6.0, 6.3 and 6.6 grains, OAL 1.225". All functioned well, with manageable recoil and good accuracy. The load at 6.0 saw some case scorching, so it may be a bit too light to expand the case fully. I'll use it again and try it under a Montana Gold 200 grain jacketed bullet. I like Auto Comp enough with .45, .40 and 9mm that I will buy more if I ever find some.

 

[savanahsdad]

I use 6.8gr of AutoComp under 180 SWC (Tru-Cast) 45acp, in mt S&W 1911 and it shoot one ragged hole at 15 yards ,last time I was in the indoor range I think I was at 25' and put 32 rounds (4 mags) in a 3" group, AutoComp is now my go-to powder for my 1911 with cast SWC's

 

[RhinoDefense]

I don't care for it. It doesn't gain you anything that another powder can't already do and to be real useful you need to venture beyond the published loads to get anything decent out of it. Should have stayed an OEM powder instead of entering the canister powder realm.

 

[Foto Joe]

@RhinoDefense
I'm sure that there might be better powders out there but in today's world "beggars really can't be choosers" if ya know what I mean. As far as not being able to get anything out of it without going beyond the published data I'm not sure what you mean, according to the published data the stuff will push a heavy boolit respectively out of what was always meant to be a subsonic gun. Besides if I want a +P load I'll leave loading those up to the folks who have pressure measuring equipment and a lot more experience and not to mention, insurance than I.

@savanahsdad
I started casting Lee 160gr LRNFP's for my SAA's and just for grins ran some through my Government 1911, yikes those things are FUN!! They can make anybody a good shot but I don't think they'd be very useful in the real world. They will make a golf ball sail off over the horizon though when you smack it dead center.

 

[Hangingrock]

Deviating some what from the subject my thoughts are Auto-Comp is rather good propellant in the 9mm Luger. I have yet to try it in the 45ACP. Is it a good powder for employment in the 45ACP can't say but I'm not going to be dismissive with out giving it an extended testing review. I have a decent amount of W231 and Unique for use with the 9mm Luger and 45ACP. It would not hurt to have a third powder in the mix.

 

[savanahsdad]

I don't care for it. It doesn't gain you anything that another powder can't already do and to be real useful you need to venture beyond the published loads to get anything decent out of it. Should have stayed an OEM powder instead of entering the canister powder realm.

AutoComp started its life as a canister powder, Winchester AutoComp was developed for race guns in 2009 for 38 super, 9mm, 45acp and 40S&W it is a high gas powder with low flash and was never an OEM powder , you may want to check Winchester's web-page

 

[Foto Joe]

Would somebody like to take the time to educate me on what a "canister" powder is?

 

[savanahsdad]

Would somebody like to take the time to educate me on what a "canister" powder is?

canister powders are what we buy at the gun shops, most factory ammo is made with there own blend, that they mix for large lots of ammo, and if they are useing the same powder as we buy in canister form, they keep that info to themselfs , and they use it in bluk ,no need to work up load every 1 , 4, or 8lbs, I heard a long time back that factory ammo even uses primers that we can't get are hands on ,so if you know what powder there useing you still don't know what primer they used for it , Win AutoComp is a canister powder that has been out for about 5 years now ,you can do a web-search for it, there were a lot of write ups on it when it first came out

 

[sauer1911]

Been using IMR700x, now have WST and HOGDON Titegroup. Love em all, and I just got an email alert from Natchess and scored an 8# of AUTOCOMP! ! ! !

I have been waiting patiently for this. I think I got the last one. They still have 1# in stock.

good luck, be safe.

 

[Potatohead]

Third Generation has Auto Comp today. One pounders.

 

[Brad.]

I have been looking at some myself...but got 4 lbs of HP38 some tight group and working loads for hs6 for 40 and nine...not enough time to work another load but please let us know.