I use a "classic" load of Bullseye under a 230 FMJ in my "Just in Case" 45 ACP ammo. There are many powders suitable for 45 ACP, but the "slowest" I've tried is Universal, with lots of Bullseye, W231 and Unique. Your W231 and Bullseye should do fine with 200-230 gr. bullets. I would wait until you get more experience reloading the 45 ACP before you try extra heavy bullets. I'm sure many have loaded heavy for caliber bullets, but I'd suggest you wait. Find a load in your manual before you buy any components. Many fewer headaches looking for data that way...

Large primers are "standard" for 45 ACP, but in recent years small primers have been sneaking in. Not much if any difference in performance, but classic primers are large pistol...

K.I.S.S. Go slow, double check everything and most important, have fun...

 

Bullseye is my go to for 45acp. Depending on bullet weight it’s anywhere between 4.8 and 5.0 gr.

Personally I like the SPP cases ... allows me to stock a single size of primers that supports all the rounds I load for.

 

Most .45 reloaders loathe small-primer brass. You could probably get a price break on that brass.

You need to view any just-purchased used brass with suspicion. There's a lot of Berdan-primed stuff out there; you need to perform a visual inspection of every case before setting them aside for depriming.

After depriming, for a few years 20-odd years ago, a couple of US manufacturers used some odd-diameter "lead-free" primers. You can buy a double-ended primer pocket gauge for $10-ish. An oversize primer hole is no big deal with a single stage press, but it can be a hassle if you're using a progressive press.

 

Bullseye followed by hp-38/231

 

WST works just fine in the 45.. I use a lot more of it today than BE or 231.. It's a very popular powder in the Bullseye competition area.. not as snappy as BE

 

4.0g of bullseye and a 200g LSWC has been very accurate (not to mention cheap) in every 45 I’ve loaded for. Very soft shooting. I didn’t have much luck with the other powders you listed that are appropriate for caliber.

 

all the powders you listed are fine except the 2400. I think the .45 Super is a different animal than the .45 acp. Double check I think the .45 Super is a longer cartridge than the .45 acp.
The 255 g. bullets may be .454 instead of .452.Older .45 Colts were .454. The 200 SWC and 230 g. RN are much more common in the .45 acp.
.45 acp does come in both large and small primer. Large primer is much more common.

 

45 super is same case as 45ACP, just strengthened web and better metallurgy. I believe the 460 rowland is the longer case.

And thanks for the advice everyone. I might just sell these primers I have left and set up for large pistol only.

 

2400 powder

For handgun reloading, 2400 powder is a good choice for magnum pistol loads like the .357 magnum, .41 magnum, and the .44 magnum.....

I once owned a S&W Model 19 .357 mag with a 6" barrel, and it was extremely accurate using 14 gr. of 2400 with a 158 gr. JHP bullet..... This was a stout load only used for self defense.....otherwise I would shoot .38 special rounds at the range for target practice....

 

You can buy tons of once fired small primed 45 online. If that’s the way the industry (stupid) is going, you may as well jump on board. Powders are all good with the exception of 2400 as mentioned. Are you abandoning the 38 completely? That would be sad.....some of my fondest memories go back to that round. Also, some of my best shooting. “Upgrade” may not be the best word.
Also, don’t get caught up in the 45 Super brass thing. Your mind may wander and you end up loading Super rounds for a standard chamber. There is plenty of regular brass out there. Good luck!

 

Powders on hand are Clays, Bullseye, WST, Win-231, 2400. I'm thinking the middle three are good, clays maybe for cast bullets, 2400 just too slow for anything?

And also lot of small pistol primers left. I heard 45ACP comes in both large and small. I wanted to try Starline 45 Super brass eventually and wondered what primer size that is?

I have some polycoated 255grain hardcast SWC for 45 colt as well, and wondered if these can run okay in 45 acp for fun?
Thanks for any thoughts.

Most of those powders (definitely not 2400) are ok for the .45. Getting a current reloading manual will confirm that.

I believe the .45 Super is large primer.

.255gr is a bit large for the .45acp. 230gr is normally the max bullet.

And once again, getting one or more current reloading manuals will confirm all this. I suggest Lyman #50 as a starter.

 

Many hate the small primer 45 because their equipment is set up for large primer. Not a big deal just sort them first. There are some good deals on it or some retailers sell it mixed. Last batch I bought had 86 out of 1k.

I use the small primer stuff for times when I may not get it back at indoor ranges or outside in the snow. I don't cry if I can't find it all

For powder I use hp38/w231 5.3gr under a 230 gr lead or plated bullet. Not a power house but an all day plinking round.

Been getting my bullets direct from missouri bullets. I use their 230gr soft ball and the 158gr action both have been outstanding. Will be trying the coated on my next order.

 

I have some polycoated 255grain hardcast SWC for 45 colt as well, and wondered if these can run okay in 45 acp for fun?
Thanks for any thoughts.


Most the rest I can work out and will enjoy doing so.

255gr LSWC’s are fine in 45acp. They are a common bullet for pin shooters. I’ve loaded & shot hundreds thru my 1911’s & 625.

 

IMO, the only "problem" with small primed 45 ACP brass is for those that don't inspect their brass. It only takes a second to look at the case head and with a bit of practice, a small primer pocket can be easily spotted and dropped into a different pile. It's no big deal as I inspect every case before it's reloaded, been doing this for over 30 years...

 

I've used your first four powders.
For lighter loads, Clays is great because it's very inexpensive per-shot.
4.1 for 200s, 3.9 for 230s.

I used 4.8 of WST with 200s for the same velocities as the Clays load.

WST and 231 allow for higher peak velocities than Clays, so are more flexible.

For .45 Super, I've had good results with AA #7.
Starline Super brass uses large primers.
The absent-minded may want to use, say, nickel-plated primers for Super (only) so you can tell at a glance that it's the more powerful round.

 

I've used your first four powders.
For lighter loads, Clays is great because it's very inexpensive per-shot.

I agree- Clays is one of my favorites for target/range ammo. It's clean burning, accurate, inexpensive and easy to find. It really shines with 200gr. and 185gr bullets.

I've never loaded over 230gr so I can't help on the 255's.

 

All good advice here. For target and plinking, I use 231 with poly coated 200 grain RN.

 

Thanks fellas, I use online sources for reloading mostly. I see there are loads for some of the powders I mention, but its always good to gauge popularity amongst users. I will be offloading my 38special completely, I dont accumulate guns, only keep a few on hand. I'll be using 45acp for small game as well.

 

:biglaugh: Squirrels??
Anyway, as far as popularity goes, Bullseye and 231 lead that field. Can’t go wrong with either.

 

I ran the “ John Taffin” load last year with outstanding results in three very different 1911s.
5.0gr of WW231, large pistol primer, 200gr round nose, plated bullet.
Very accurate, doesn’t beat the gun up, powerful enough that it’s good practice for full house self defense loads.
I use them exclusively in my 3 1/2” Officer’s model for practice.

 

Sell or trade your small primers off. I would stay with 230 gr and below bullets. Not sure about 2400, but your other powders should work well. Bullseye & 231 are highly regarded. Haven't used WST, but I still have WSL that I like.

 

As others have indicated, 2400 is primarily a magnum powder. If you try it in .45 acp, you'll likely end up with quite a fair amount of unburned powder.

 

My personal recipe is 200gr LSWC backed up by 5.2gr Bullseye and a WLP Large Pistol Primer. Been using that for decades. Soft shooting, for a .45, and relatively economical.

I have friends who have run comped 1911s with Win231. Higher powder loads make for better compensator function, but not so necessary with a standard barrel.

 

I have some polycoated 255grain hardcast SWC for 45 colt as well, and wondered if these can run okay in 45 acp for fun?
Thanks for any thoughts.

.

===========
The heavy bullets designed for 45 LC can be used with a light powder charge.
The problem might be feeding and chambering.
How you load it will depend on the shape/profile of the bullet.
Many times the exposed bearing surface will hit the leade and prevent full chambering. Seating depth is critical and the amount of taper crimp is also critical.

A few weeks ago I loaded some 250 gr RNFP in 45acp. This was for a club stake break fun shoot. They worked fine in my gun but would not chamber at all in a gun that my friend was shooting. you can see the bullets here...
https://forums.1911forum.com/showpost.php?p=12961342&postcount=3590

 

Nice for pins!
Wouldn’t mind it a bit for SD in the nightstand either. Dang bulldozer!

 

Come on...large pistol primer CCI300, nothing else. 5.0 gr W231 w 200 gr SWC blue bullets...thousands fired and more accurate than anything. Consult a manual before attempting this.