idleclamp Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 (edited) Disclaimer: I realize I’m probably overthinking the hell out of this and trying to fiddle too much. I used to shoot IDPA pretty heavily and got out of it for a few years. I’ve recently gotten back into it, and hope to start hitting major matches again next year (hopefully Nationals too). I also bought my first IDPA revolver, a S&W 625JM 4”. That’s what I plan on competing with for the next year. I’m trying to develop a load for it. I ordered 2k plated 230gr bullets from Xtreme (mix of RN and JHP). I’ve read forums on what powders other use, and I can’t seem to get a consensus (surprise, surprise). I’ve read a ton on manufacturer’s websites and am having trouble narrowing it down. Instead of asking, “What should I use and why?”, I’m going to approach it from a different angle. I’m going to list the powders I’ve identified as potential, and I want to know “Why NOT?” In other words, why not use ____ powder? The parameters are that this will be almost exclusively shot out of a 625JM, almost exclusively with plated 230gr projectiles (at least for now), and almost exclusively for IDPA competition/practice, so a power factor of 155. Which means I need at least 674fps out of it, but not much more. Thank you in advance! Winchester 231 244 IMR Target Red Hodgdon CFE Pistol TiteGroup Clays Universal HP-38 700-X VitahVuori N310 N320 N340 Accurate #2 #5 Edited November 30, 2017 by idleclamp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njl Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 I’ll suggest you nix Universal from the list. It does poorly at low pressure (incomplete combustion) and really only works well in .45acp if you want full power loads, which I’m guessing you don’t. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idleclamp Posted November 30, 2017 Author Share Posted November 30, 2017 9 minutes ago, njl said: I’ll suggest you nix Universal from the list. It does poorly at low pressure (incomplete combustion) and really only works well in .45acp if you want full power loads, which I’m guessing you don’t. Done, thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EEH Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 Use clays tight group dirty hot in my experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10X Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 (edited) I've only used a couple of powders on your list, but 231 has served me well for .45 loads. HP-38 is either the same stuff as 231 or indistinguishable from it, depending on the source you believe. I find Titegroup to be a little fast; I don't like the snappier recoil it gives. Edited December 1, 2017 by 10X Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
synchronicity Posted December 1, 2017 Share Posted December 1, 2017 Not what you asked for, but in my .45ACP 625 with 200 and 230gn coated bullets I run either Bullseye or Unique. I have no need to try anything else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idleclamp Posted December 1, 2017 Author Share Posted December 1, 2017 Not what you asked for, but in my .45ACP 625 with 200 and 230gn coated bullets I run either Bullseye or Unique. I have no need to try anything else.How many grains and what’s the difference in the two powders?Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
synchronicity Posted December 1, 2017 Share Posted December 1, 2017 My new favorite is 200gn CLRN with 4.8gn Unique for a 160 power factor. My previous load was 230gn CLRN with 4.5gn Bullseye giving 178 power factor. Bullseye is faster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeBurgess Posted December 1, 2017 Share Posted December 1, 2017 45 = Clays the endSent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe4d Posted December 1, 2017 Share Posted December 1, 2017 Get a burn rate chart and a volume chart. The burn rate chart will eliminate the slower powders on your list, 340, CFE, Probably some of the IMR's I am not familiar with. After that look at the volume chart. Light loads, big case, You want a higher volume powder, that knocks out tightgroup. 231 is a higher volume powder and Clays is even more so, Probably why they seem to be pretty popular in .45 Personally Id go with a lighter bullet and more velocity and I have an extremely low opinion of Xtreme. Been a long time but I found sizing all over the place to the point you couldnt get crimp correct. I like WST under Lead 200 gr bullets for 45. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bummy425 Posted December 1, 2017 Share Posted December 1, 2017 WW231.....8LB JUGS READILY AVAILABLE....Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idleclamp Posted December 2, 2017 Author Share Posted December 2, 2017 Nobody uses or doesn’t like Vihtavuori? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USSR Posted December 5, 2017 Share Posted December 5, 2017 Why not use WST powder, all the Bullseye shooters do? Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DWFAN Posted December 5, 2017 Share Posted December 5, 2017 I used Clays for 200gr lead loads, but had to go above book to get to a safe cushion on the IDPA power factor in the 4 inch 625. My next choice would be N310, or WST because of how clean they are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Watson Posted December 5, 2017 Share Posted December 5, 2017 I am loading .45 Rev E and .45 Minor with Bullseye. A lot of the other powders I tried gave erratic velocity in light loads and left unburnt granules to get under the extractor. If I were going to get tough with it, I would try N310. Good enough for the USMC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcc7x7 Posted January 2, 2018 Share Posted January 2, 2018 Clays, Clays oh yeah Clays or WST but you've got Clays! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stick Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 IMR 700x or Titegroup. I've used both for 45acp. the 700x load was the softest I've ever shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wide45 Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 Don't use 231 or HP38 for .45ACP in a revolver. You will occasionally get unburned flakes under the extractor after a reload. Causes a horrific trigger pull. Does not affect a semiauto. I use WST for lead, Clays for plated and jacketed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idleclamp Posted January 4, 2018 Author Share Posted January 4, 2018 14 minutes ago, 57K said: I think I'd look at a couple of new ones: Alliant Sport Pistol and Winchester 244, Maybe IMR Target. Just review the data. Is 244 out yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butterpuc Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 I tried a few of your powders listed and every time WST was softer shooting and just as accurate in both my 625 and 1911 have fun with your testing. Because I also found that a 200gr coated bullet was softer than the 230 Xtreme, you will have fun testing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idleclamp Posted January 4, 2018 Author Share Posted January 4, 2018 Guess it’s coming this month.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pskys2 Posted January 14, 2018 Share Posted January 14, 2018 Titegroup at those pressures gets very dirty with granules left, seems to stabilize about 730 f/s or more #2 #5 don't feed well from my Dillon measures 231 same as titegroup if I remember right, been 20 years since I used it though Clays will have larger than normal velocity spreads but burns clean Most will have larger velocity spreads at the lower pressure curves, might just try all of them and let us know what you find. I like the 185 coated rn at 860 f/s. As for the 230's 700 f/s gives you about 160+pf, a bit of insurance for the chrono gods. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idleclamp Posted February 2, 2018 Author Share Posted February 2, 2018 So far, I’ve tried Clays, HP-38, N310, and Titegroup. HP-38 is dirty as hell. Clays: meh. Probably need to try it more before making an opinion.N310 and TG seemed to do pretty well. I may end up getting some WST to try.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve RA Posted February 2, 2018 Share Posted February 2, 2018 You might try E3 and see how it works for you. Similar burn rate to Clays (Australian), I haven't used the new Canadian Clays so can't comment on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
open17 Posted February 2, 2018 Share Posted February 2, 2018 Another "not what you asked for" My load for a 5" 625 USPSA Major 5.7 gr Red Dot 185 gr Berry's HBRN plated. Clean, accurate, soft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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