Solo 1000 in .45 ACP...

[D. Manley]

Stopped by a local gun shop a couple of days ago to pick up a couple of odds & ends and in talking to the owner (knowledgeable guy & competitive shooter), the conversation turned to powder(s). He mentioned that he another local, competitive shooter used S-1000 in a variety of calibers with good success and entertained me with a glowing report of its attributes. Bottom line, I got the rest of my goodies along with, a jug of Solo.

I went to a local indoor range today and before leaving home, rolled up a few .45 ACP rounds with 5.0 Gr. S-1000 under 230 Gr Hornady H.A.P.'s. The indoor range did not have the vents running and was dimly lit -and- smoky. Nevertheless, I was pleasantly surprised how the Solo performed. Mild report & recoil, virtually no smoke or flash and as clean or cleaner than anything I've ever seen (including, Clays & the excellent VV powders). More importantly, dead-nutz accurate to P.O.A. in my gun equaling some of my previous better grouping loads @ 25 yards despite the smoke & lighting.

This powder is a "keeper" for me & I'm having trouble wrapping my head around why it seems to have such a small following. Its clean, accurate & cheap...what's not to like? The shop owner has a "thank you" coming when I go back this week for the tip, I found everything he said to be "spot on"....a bit of a rarity, nowadays.

[Viggen]

Yep, S1000 ia great powder - it's clean, and shoots soft.

As to popularity, I would think it has to do with marketing and "what the super-squad shooters use".

[LPatterson]

For me the decision not to use it was burn rate. In a couple of burn rate charts it is listed next to Bullseye. Years ago I tried TiteGroup and found the gun got hot fast and brass seemed to stay hot forever. In practice this was a very bad thing after 5-6 mags.

[Carlos]

For me the decision not to use it was burn rate. In a couple of burn rate charts it is listed next to Bullseye. Years ago I tried TiteGroup and found the gun got hot fast and brass seemed to stay hot forever. In practice this was a very bad thing after 5-6 mags.

I understand your concern over burn rate.

BUT, there is a guy named Bill Wilson who builds custom .45s that all come with a test-target and the load listed on that target uses the super-fast powder V V N-310. That fast powder is not cheap, but its obviously the best powder Bill could find to show off his $1500+ .45s. And, that fast powder is the darling of the 50-yard Bullseye crowd.

Now you noticed Titegroup (TG) heating up your gun and I agree with you; heat is a bad thing. But did you know that TG has the HIGHEST content of Nitro of any of the double based powders? (37%). Don't take my word for it; the Blue Press profiled this fact in an article by our own Duane.

So, how much Nitro is in V V N-310 or in Solo 1000?

Answer: NONE! Zip, zero, nada.

That is why they are called "single base" powders. The ONLY active ingrediant is guncotton.

In a perfect world where I was rich, I'd use the expensive N310. But I find Solo 1000 every bit as useful for loading .45 ACP, .40 Major, and 9mm 147 minor.

Regards,

Douglas

[L9X25]

I received a few cans of Solo as a match prize many years ago. It was clean burning (cotton versus cellulose based) and work wonderful with lead projectiles. For whatever reason, the Solo 1500 allowed me to make major (175 at the time) with 135 & 140 gr projectiles with almost no leading. The bullet manufacturer said it burned cooler than cellulose powders.

Over the years I have used Solo 1000 and 1500 and have always been satisfied with the performance.

[TheShooter]

I received a few cans of Solo as a match prize many years ago. It was clean burning (cotton versus cellulose based) and work wonderful with lead projectiles. For whatever reason, the Solo 1500 allowed me to make major (175 at the time) with 135 & 140 gr projectiles with almost no leading. The bullet manufacturer said it burned cooler than cellulose powders.

Over the years I have used Solo 1000 and 1500 and have always been satisfied with the performance.

Does anybody have Solo 1000 load data for Berry's plated bullets to make major ? I have 185 gr HBRN, 200 gr FP, and 230 gr RN. I shoot only indoor and don't have chrono. I will use your data as a reference ( have no plan to shoot IDPA soon, not ready yet). Thanks.

[D. Manley]

Does anybody have Solo 1000 load data for Berry's plated bullets to make major ? I have 185 gr HBRN, 200 gr FP, and 230 gr RN. I shoot only indoor and don't have chrono. I will use your data as a reference ( have no plan to shoot IDPA soon, not ready yet). Thanks.

I can't answer directly but the following is from Accurate's on-line database:

S1000 170 MCB SWC(L) 5.3 931 5.9 1,059 17,800 1.130

S1000 200 LC SWC(L) 4.8 838 5.3 952 18,300 1.190

S1000 230 LC RN(L) 4.6 790 5.1 898 18,300 1.230

S1000 185 SIE JHC 5.5 862 6.1 980 19,400 1.210

S1000 200 HDY XTP 5.2 804 5.8 914 18,800 1.225

S1000 230 NOS FMJ 4.9 746 5.5 848 18,900 1.250

[TheShooter]

Does anybody have Solo 1000 load data for Berry's plated bullets to make major ? I have 185 gr HBRN, 200 gr FP, and 230 gr RN. I shoot only indoor and don't have chrono. I will use your data as a reference ( have no plan to shoot IDPA soon, not ready yet). Thanks.

I can't answer directly but the following is from Accurate's on-line database:

S1000 170 MCB SWC(L) 5.3 931 5.9 1,059 17,800 1.130

S1000 200 LC SWC(L) 4.8 838 5.3 952 18,300 1.190

S1000 230 LC RN(L) 4.6 790 5.1 898 18,300 1.230

S1000 185 SIE JHC 5.5 862 6.1 980 19,400 1.210

S1000 200 HDY XTP 5.2 804 5.8 914 18,800 1.225

S1000 230 NOS FMJ 4.9 746 5.5 848 18,900 1.250

Thanks Manley. I heard people say that plated bullets should use lead data.