Cleanest burning powder for .45 ACP and for .308?

**Cava3r4** · August 02, 2012, 21:49

I've been reloading since about 1980 or so.
In all that time, I've probably used less then 10 different powders for all my stuff.
I started out really liking Unique for the 45ACP but it burned real dirty. The new stuff is better but not much. I've found that I like Winchester 231 about the best in terms of it leaving behind a bunch of residue.
Questions are:
1. What is your favorite powder for the .45?
2. Have you used Winchester 231, or Unique and how does what you are using now (presuming it's different) compare?

3. What is your favorite powder for the .308?
4. Have you used Winchester 748 or Varget and how does what you are using now (presuming it's different) compare?

TIA
Bob

puffrbelly · August 02, 2012, 23:46

Greetings,

I've used 231 powder for .40 cal with very good results. I use a 165gr. JHP over 4.8grs. of 231 with a CCI SP Primer, (NOT Magnum). Launched out of a 5" Springfield XD40 with a factory Ported Barrel. I do not have a Chrono so I can't help there. I can tell you that it is a very accurate round and comfortable to shoot. The ported barrel plays a big part in the recoil department. Hope this helps.

Bob
Over and Out

Tim Dreas · August 03, 2012, 00:03

Some of the newer ball powders are cleaner than the older powders. Winchester WSF works well in 9mm, 40 and 45. I'm not sure if it is much cleaner than W231 but it hasn't been a problem. The "cleanest" rifle ball powder is likely Ramshot TAC. It works well in 223 and 308 with 168 grain and lighter bullets. Best with 155 grain and lighter bullets and I don't think I'd use it with heavier than 168 grain bullets. It would just leave too much space in the case. I really like IMR-4064 in 308 but it is the worst powder to measure being a long cut extruded powder. W748 is dirtier than TAC but works well. I haven't tried the new IMR-8208 XBR powder which is extruded but should be shorter and easier to measure than IMR-4064 and made in Australia like H4895 and Varget.

Accurate A2520 may be a cleaner ball powder than H335, W748 and BLC(2) but I haven't used it much. I don't remember how clean or dirty it is was. I think it is imported from Belgium.

**Cava3r4** · August 03, 2012, 14:01

Quote:

Greetings,

I've used 231 powder for .40 cal with very good results. I use a 165gr. JHP over 4.8grs. of 231 with a CCI SP Primer, (NOT Magnum). Launched out of a 5" Springfield XD40 with a factory Ported Barrel. I do not have a Chrono so I can't help there. I can tell you that it is a very accurate round and comfortable to shoot. The ported barrel plays a big part in the recoil department. Hope this helps.

Bob
Over and Out

My question was about HOW clean is the powder in terms of leaving a bunch of residue on your weapon. It was not about recoil or bullet speed.

**MAINER** · August 03, 2012, 15:08

I've switched from Unique to W231 in most semi-auto pistol loads, 9MM, 40S&W, 45ACP. I'm using Longshot in the .40S&W for full power loads.
Unique leaves a sooty residue and unburned powder flakes vs a dry carbon fouling for the W231 and Longshot.

Unique changed formulations around 1998 and I'm told the newer stuff burns cleaner. Haven't used the new stuff yet.
I like Unique and still use it for mid to heavy loads in .357 Mag, .41 Mag, .44 Mag. and .45 Colt. Universal Clays burns cleaner in these calibers, but not with the same accuracy in my experience.

In .308 Win., I use Varget and RL 15 mostly and load for best accuracy with clean burning charastics being several clicks down on the priority list. I don't think either of these two powders is dirty enough to be a problem.

puffrbelly · August 03, 2012, 19:40

I have found 231 to be relatively clean.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cava3r4

My question was about HOW clean is the powder in terms of leaving a bunch of residue on your weapon. It was not about recoil or bullet speed.

**tdb59** · August 03, 2012, 20:39

Still use Unique for .45, .38 special, and reduced loads in .30-30, .308, .30-06.
I never considered Unique dirty. The type of bullet lube, and proper load density has more effect than the type of powder, I have found.

My favorite powders for .308, and .30-06 are, in order ; IMR 4064- IMR 4895 - W 748- Hodgdon Bl-c 2.

TerryN · August 04, 2012, 21:52

Unique burns fairly dirty until you get up into heavier charges, in my experience. You won't get there shooting it in .45 ACP. W231 burns pretty clean, as I recall. It's been a while since I used any of it, but then that's true of any powder right at the moment...

**John Crusher** · August 12, 2012, 09:37

Herco for .45 AND 9mm. Old school powder that is friggin' awesome.
Ramshot TAC for .308 and .223

CTW · August 12, 2012, 20:15

For .45 lead target loads I use clays. I use TAC for alot of .308 and its pretty clean.

August 02, 2012, 21:49	#1
Cava3r4 Curio & Relic Silver Contributor FALaholic #: 6560 Join Date: May 2002 Location: AZ...originally from St. Paul, MN Posts: 4,300	Cleanest burning powder for .45 ACP and for .308? I've been reloading since about 1980 or so. In all that time, I've probably used less then 10 different powders for all my stuff. I started out really liking Unique for the 45ACP but it burned real dirty. The new stuff is better but not much. I've found that I like Winchester 231 about the best in terms of it leaving behind a bunch of residue. Questions are: 1. What is your favorite powder for the .45? 2. Have you used Winchester 231, or Unique and how does what you are using now (presuming it's different) compare? 3. What is your favorite powder for the .308? 4. Have you used Winchester 748 or Varget and how does what you are using now (presuming it's different) compare? TIA Bob

August 03, 2012, 00:03	#3
Tim Dreas Registered FALaholic #: 17255 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: York,PA Posts: 842	Some of the newer ball powders are cleaner than the older powders. Winchester WSF works well in 9mm, 40 and 45. I'm not sure if it is much cleaner than W231 but it hasn't been a problem. The "cleanest" rifle ball powder is likely Ramshot TAC. It works well in 223 and 308 with 168 grain and lighter bullets. Best with 155 grain and lighter bullets and I don't think I'd use it with heavier than 168 grain bullets. It would just leave too much space in the case. I really like IMR-4064 in 308 but it is the worst powder to measure being a long cut extruded powder. W748 is dirtier than TAC but works well. I haven't tried the new IMR-8208 XBR powder which is extruded but should be shorter and easier to measure than IMR-4064 and made in Australia like H4895 and Varget. Accurate A2520 may be a cleaner ball powder than H335, W748 and BLC(2) but I haven't used it much. I don't remember how clean or dirty it is was. I think it is imported from Belgium. __________________ http://www.mpri.com/ Last edited by Tim Dreas; August 03, 2012 at 13:41.

August 03, 2012, 15:08	#5
MAINER Old Fart Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 18465 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Maine Posts: 6,293	I've switched from Unique to W231 in most semi-auto pistol loads, 9MM, 40S&W, 45ACP. I'm using Longshot in the .40S&W for full power loads. Unique leaves a sooty residue and unburned powder flakes vs a dry carbon fouling for the W231 and Longshot. Unique changed formulations around 1998 and I'm told the newer stuff burns cleaner. Haven't used the new stuff yet. I like Unique and still use it for mid to heavy loads in .357 Mag, .41 Mag, .44 Mag. and .45 Colt. Universal Clays burns cleaner in these calibers, but not with the same accuracy in my experience. In .308 Win., I use Varget and RL 15 mostly and load for best accuracy with clean burning charastics being several clicks down on the priority list. I don't think either of these two powders is dirty enough to be a problem. __________________ Joe Biden for President.

August 03, 2012, 20:39	#7
tdb59 Curio & Relic Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 63177 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: I am here Posts: 2,275	Still use Unique for .45, .38 special, and reduced loads in .30-30, .308, .30-06. I never considered Unique dirty. The type of bullet lube, and proper load density has more effect than the type of powder, I have found. My favorite powders for .308, and .30-06 are, in order ; IMR 4064- IMR 4895 - W 748- Hodgdon Bl-c 2. __________________ Did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage?

August 04, 2012, 21:52	#8
TerryN Registered FALaholic #: 55 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Yuma, AZ Posts: 1,564	Unique burns fairly dirty until you get up into heavier charges, in my experience. You won't get there shooting it in .45 ACP. W231 burns pretty clean, as I recall. It's been a while since I used any of it, but then that's true of any powder right at the moment... __________________ Sic Semper Tyrannis! Molon Labe!

August 02, 2012, 23:46	#2
puffrbelly Registered FALaholic #: 64245 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Parma, Ohio Posts: 167	Greetings, I've used 231 powder for .40 cal with very good results. I use a 165gr. JHP over 4.8grs. of 231 with a CCI SP Primer, (NOT Magnum). Launched out of a 5" Springfield XD40 with a factory Ported Barrel. I do not have a Chrono so I can't help there. I can tell you that it is a very accurate round and comfortable to shoot. The ported barrel plays a big part in the recoil department. Hope this helps. Bob Over and Out

August 12, 2012, 09:37	#9
John Crusher Senior Member Gold Contributor FALaholic #: 18663 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Missouri Posts: 935	Herco for .45 AND 9mm. Old school powder that is friggin' awesome. Ramshot TAC for .308 and .223

August 12, 2012, 20:15	#10
CTW Registered Contributor FALaholic #: 41894 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 1,566	For .45 lead target loads I use clays. I use TAC for alot of .308 and its pretty clean. __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

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