Powders for .38 Super and .45

[TackDriver284]

I have been away from pistol reloading for 20 years roughly. If can remember, I used Blue Dot for my .38 Super and some Unique for the .45
What powders are you guys using for your .38 Super and .45 with light and heavy bullets?

 

[JD338]

In 45 ACP, I use W231 with 230 gr loads.

JD338

 

[TackDriver284]

I came across Guy Miner's YT video on Ultimate Reloader, he spoke about the WW AutoComp, it may be on my list since I can use it for both pistols.
Gosh its been ages and so many powders to choose from. I want to narrow it down to powders with 60-70% fill so you won't get a double charge, burns clean and accurate. I had remembered my .45 Kimber with the 185's had some debris splashing my face each time I shot it, don't remember what powder it was, but did not do that with other powders. I can pull one bullet off a loaded .45 I have, hopefully someone can identify it for me.

 

[TackDriver284]

I pulled the bullets on the .45 and .38 Super. I checked one of the old ammo boxes, it had the load written there which was 6 grains WW231 and 185 grain Remington Sabers. This load was great, but the burn sparks and debris blows back in my face which makes me stop using it, i have about 150 rounds in those ammo boxes of this load. Does anyone recognize the dull powder for the .38 Super? I'm not exactly sure what it is, but I do remember Blue Dot was my powder of choice for the .38 Super.
2nd picture is the ww231 in .45 ACP ( 6 grains with 185 grain Remington Saber)
Last picture is unknown powder that I need identifying in the 38 Super. Does it look like Blue Dot? It has some of those bluish / grey flakes in the powder as well.
I have about 130 rounds of the Super loads using the semi flat nose 145 grain as shown.
I'm unsure what bullet brand it is.

 

[RL338]

Last picture is unknown powder that I need identifying in the 38 Super. Does it look like Blue Dot? It has some of those bluish / grey flakes in the powder as well.

Sure looks like Blue Dot to me.

 

[Guy Miner]

TackDriver - thanks for linking my video. Much appreciated. I don't load for 38 Super, though that may change...

Have been loading for the 45 ACP since the mid 1980's. Back then I used three powders for all my handgun loading: Bullseye, Unique and 2400. Classic handgun powders, but all of which are difficult to obtain anymore.

For the 45 though - I've also been impressed with Titegroup, W 231/HP-38, and if you really want to hot-rod it try Ramshot Silhouette. A steady diet of those powerful Silhouette loads for either 185 or 230 gr bullets could lead to premature wear on the ol' 45 1911 though - but there are inexpensive ways to beef it up a bit.

Regards, Guy

 

[TackDriver284]

TackDriver - thanks for linking my video. Much appreciated. I don't load for 38 Super, though that may change...

Have been loading for the 45 ACP since the mid 1980's. Back then I used three powders for all my handgun loading: Bullseye, Unique and 2400. Classic handgun powders, but all of which are difficult to obtain anymore.

For the 45 though - I've also been impressed with Titegroup, W 231/HP-38, and if you really want to hot-rod it try Ramshot Silhouette. A steady diet of those powerful Silhouette loads for either 185 or 230 gr bullets could lead to premature wear on the ol' 45 1911 though - but there are inexpensive ways to beef it up a bit.

Regards, Guy

Thanks Guy, soon I'll run up to the gun shop which is about an hour away that has some powder on their shelves, hopefully grab some pistol powders and primers there. For the time being, I'll give the old loads a run at the range and get some of that fired brass in the tumbler for a nice cleaning before I'll start up the Dillon.

 

[wvbuckbuster]

Glad you're getting back into reloading. Another powder option for your 45acp is CFE Pistol. Have used it some with good results. It will get more use someday after my others run out. Let us know how these all work out for you.