345 DeSoto
Member
One of the calibers I reload is .45 ACP. Is there a substitute powder that's more readily available?...:banghead: Thanks, guys...
Substitute For Unique?
- Thread starter 345 DeSoto
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Many other powders can be used for the 45 ACP One of it's claim to reloading fame
As to availability well you know the answer to that!
Look for HP38/W231, Universal, Bullseye, Some of the DOT powder (I do not use them so can not say which one)
As to availability well you know the answer to that!
Look for HP38/W231, Universal, Bullseye, Some of the DOT powder (I do not use them so can not say which one)
blarby
Member
Substitute ? None exists.
Comparable, W231- especially in 45ACP
Comparable, W231- especially in 45ACP
oneounceload
member
MOST of the Dots will easily work along with the others mentioned. Good luck frinding Universal - scarcest powder currently
Per the Australian Powder chart there are "equivalents" perhaps not a direct substitution or replacements but pretty darn close.
http://www.adi-powders.com.au/handloaders/equivalents.asp
http://www.adi-powders.com.au/handloaders/equivalents.asp
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Hodgdon Universal was developed to mimic Unique so it's the closest performer.
The 45 Auto isn't all that hard to load well. In a similar burn rate and on the faster you can use W231/HP-38 (which is just as hard to find) AA#2, AA#5, Clays, Red Dot, Bullseye (also very hard to find) Green Dot, Zip, PB, AutoComp, 700X and a few more I can't think of right now.
The 45 Auto isn't all that hard to load well. In a similar burn rate and on the faster you can use W231/HP-38 (which is just as hard to find) AA#2, AA#5, Clays, Red Dot, Bullseye (also very hard to find) Green Dot, Zip, PB, AutoComp, 700X and a few more I can't think of right now.
Mad Chemist
Member
There are many different powders that can be used for .45 ACP. In fact, Unique is not an ideal powder for the cartridge but it still works well.
Some powders that immediately come to mind:
HP38
Titegroup
Clays
N310, N320, N330
Red Dot, Green Dot, Blue Dot (Blue Dot is a little to slow but will still work)
Bullseye
American Select
Promo
E3
Herco
Power Pistol
Nitro 100
Solo 1000
AA2,AA5, AA7 will work but is a little slow
7625
4756
700x
800x
Competition
Zip
231
Autocomp
True Blue
There are many more that I didn't list. Just about any fast-mid burn rate pistol/shotgun powder will work. Ideal powders will be relatively faster burning and not too too position sensitive if they offer minimal case fill.
Some powders that immediately come to mind:
HP38
Titegroup
Clays
N310, N320, N330
Red Dot, Green Dot, Blue Dot (Blue Dot is a little to slow but will still work)
Bullseye
American Select
Promo
E3
Herco
Power Pistol
Nitro 100
Solo 1000
AA2,AA5, AA7 will work but is a little slow
7625
4756
700x
800x
Competition
Zip
231
Autocomp
True Blue
There are many more that I didn't list. Just about any fast-mid burn rate pistol/shotgun powder will work. Ideal powders will be relatively faster burning and not too too position sensitive if they offer minimal case fill.
OP,
The list Mad Chemist has posted, though there are others, is a great list. Most all powders he has shown are fairly versatile and can be used in other handgun applications as well.
Pick anyone of those, use the recipes shown at the appropriate factory page and you'll do well!
The list Mad Chemist has posted, though there are others, is a great list. Most all powders he has shown are fairly versatile and can be used in other handgun applications as well.
Pick anyone of those, use the recipes shown at the appropriate factory page and you'll do well!
TfflHndn
Member
Winchester Super Target (WST) also works very well. I have also worked up loads with WSH, another shotgun powder that is often on the shelves because it has no published load data for pistol. I won't give details here for obvious reasons. Just know that many shotgun powders work well in .45 auto and some reloaders overlook them because they are not labeled for pistol.
Potatohead
Member
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Ive seen AutoComp pop up here and there lately, since they're holding back jug upon jug of w231 in order to promote it .
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Blue68f100
Member
WST, WSF, 231 BE all work in the 45acp. I use it in that order.
dickttx
Member
I bought a pound of the new Hodgdon CFE Pistol last week, though at a ridiculous price. Tried it with my usual MBC 200gn RNFP. It seemed to work well. The biggest problem I would have with it is that the minimum load is 7.4gn, as opposed to my normal HP38 minimum load of 5.0gn. That means you would use 50% more powder. According to the Hodgdon reloading tables though, it would give you about 150 fps more velocity than HP38 at minimum load.
It does seem to be available though.
It does seem to be available though.
Sauer Grapes
Member
The best substitute for Unigue, is whatever powder you can find. :what
If your shooting target loads, I lean towards the faster burn powders. Heck I've even used Claydot for 45 target loads.
If your shooting target loads, I lean towards the faster burn powders. Heck I've even used Claydot for 45 target loads.
420Stainless
Member
I've had good experience with Clays, Titegroup, and Bullseye. I like Unique as well in the .45ACP. Titegroup seems to give the best accuracy load for my Colt, but I'm not much of a target shooter.
i run 3.5-3.6gr of red dot under a 200gr swc
except for Promo (which would be the same load)
its the cheapest I can come up with
even though something like 700x or clays would be a lighter charge
they cost more per grain
i use unique in .357 and 44mag and i dont load many of those so i dont use much
except for Promo (which would be the same load)
its the cheapest I can come up with
even though something like 700x or clays would be a lighter charge
they cost more per grain
i use unique in .357 and 44mag and i dont load many of those so i dont use much
35 Whelen
Member
Look no further than AL20/28. I did a direct comparison between it and Unique complete with chronograph results and posted here and on the Cast Boolit site. In all I've used it in the .38, .44 Special, 45CAP and 45 Colt. It's so close that the data I developed is interchangeable.
35W
35W
caz223
Member
When I run out of Unique, I stop loading, and look for powder.
If I had to use a substitute, I would prolly use Power pistol, WSF, or bullseye.
If I had to use a substitute, I would prolly use Power pistol, WSF, or bullseye.
A Pause for the Coz
Member
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- 339
Once I broke past the last 1/2 pound of my Bullseye. I started getting nervous.
I gave in and ordered 10 pounds of CSB-1 from Hi-Tech ammo.
I think this is a Spanish powder that RIO uses for shot shells.
Initially it was reported to use Universal loading data. I found that to be pretty close. Although CSB-1 takes more space in the case. So it is not the same powder.
It is now advertised to include loading data. ( none came with mine)
http://iidbs.com/hitech.zkb?root&method&object-menu0
I have tried it in my 38 special loads and some 9mm loads. I worked them up from Universal start loads. Works good but it is surly not Universal.
If you dont know how to deal with canister grade powders. Might not be a good choice for you.
if you do... Good way to keep powder on hand.
Here is Universal:
here is CSB-1:
I gave in and ordered 10 pounds of CSB-1 from Hi-Tech ammo.
I think this is a Spanish powder that RIO uses for shot shells.
Initially it was reported to use Universal loading data. I found that to be pretty close. Although CSB-1 takes more space in the case. So it is not the same powder.
It is now advertised to include loading data. ( none came with mine)
http://iidbs.com/hitech.zkb?root&method&object-menu0
I have tried it in my 38 special loads and some 9mm loads. I worked them up from Universal start loads. Works good but it is surly not Universal.
If you dont know how to deal with canister grade powders. Might not be a good choice for you.
if you do... Good way to keep powder on hand.
Here is Universal:
here is CSB-1:
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FROGO207
Member
A long time ago I purchased a LOT of 700-X and use this as well as Promo (Red Dot data) for my 45 ACP loads I load mostly 230 grain lead or jacketed.
Elkins45
Member
Promo is a good choice because I think some of it is actually coming to market at the moment.
As others have said, one of the many laudable qualities of the 45 ACP is that is can be successfully loaded with a huge variety of powders.
As others have said, one of the many laudable qualities of the 45 ACP is that is can be successfully loaded with a huge variety of powders.
I just received 2 5-lb jugs of CSB-1 from Hi-Tech. The label says "flake powder for pistol & shotgun." A data sheet is included with a few loads for 9mm, .357, 40 S&W, .45 ACP and .44 Mag. The data is identical to the Lee 2nd edition loadbook for Universal.
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