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ugh, got some pistol powder...

2K views 10 replies 6 participants last post by  DeputyDog25 
#1 ·
Winchester Autocomp - LGS had it in stock, $29 a pound. Less than if I found it online and ordered it + shipping + hazmat, but pricey nonetheless. I guess I'm happy to get some more powder as I'm down to 2 pounds of power pistol. Also happy to find it locally and hoping that store continues to get more in stock.

Going to try to work up a 45 ACP load w/some 200gr cast lead flat nose I just got (I believe these are soft lead). The only place I found w/load data for autocomp is the hodgon site (http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol). They show a starting load of 6.5gr and a max of 7.2gr for a 200gr cast LSWC - from my research (which is just googling and reading online forums), that load data looks like it should work for the lead flat nose bullets I have.

I wish I started into this hobby 30 years ago - at least then I could talk about the good old days!
 
#2 ·
Wow! That hurts... I've got 6 reloading books handy, and none mention Autocomp. I'd be very cautious with that stuff until you get some experience with it. Then publish your results, of course.:D
 
#5 · (Edited)
Lee 2nd edition p572 has autocomp for 200gr jacketed, and lead.
jacketed:
start 6.4 max 7.0 min oal 1.155
lead:
start 6.5 max 7.2 min oal 1.225
Lee has some other 45acp bullet grains supported, but not all.
Lee is said to obtain their data from other sources. It appears the same data as Hodgdon's so who knows if that was their source. May be One Book/One caliber might have some other source data since they copy as well. I don't have that book.
 
#6 ·
Autocomp is a fairly new powder. I suspect we'll see more of it in the other manuals in upcoming editions. Being that it's one of Hodgdon's powders and I've trusted their data for many years I think that's a good source to start with.

Looking at the burn rate charts, Autocomp is right next to CFE Pistol. Since I'm still not sold on the whole moly-lubed powder thing yet (I don't care for moly bullets either) it might be one that I try in the future. I haven't seen it on the shelves in my local stores yet though.
 
#7 ·
Thanks guys - I did manage to load up 10ea 45ACP 200gr lead bullets starting 6.6/6.8/7.0. Hoping to sneak out to the range tomorrow and give 'em a go.

The autocomp metered really well in my L'n'L press. Was very pleased with the consistent metering once I got it dialed in.
 
#8 ·
If it helps with some ballpark info, I took a shot of the 45 ACP table within the 2014 "Basic Reloading Manual" which is published by Hodgdon and features tables for all Hodgdon, IMR and Winchester powders. Sorry but it doesn't list lead, neither does my Hornady manual.

Having nothing to compare to (the good ole days) I can't complain finding pistol powder from $21 to $32 a pound, at least I'm finding it now, a month ago I was really depressed!

Now for some news to brighten your day........ One day we'll look back to today and reminisce about how we once found powder as cheap as $22 a lb rather than $20 an ounce!
 

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#9 ·
One day we'll look back to today and reminisce about how we once found powder as cheap as $22 a lb rather than $20 an ounce!
It's not that hard to make nitrocellulose and nitroglycerine at home, you know. I made my first at age 10, and I'll do it again before I'll pay $20 an ounce for powder.
 
#10 ·
Went to the range today. Shot the 45ACP 200gr FN lead bullets on top of 6.6/6.8/7.0 gr of Autocomp through my XDS. Had an OAL of 1.220. I had tried 1.225, but when I plunked 'em I could tell they were just hitting the lands.

Anyway, the 6.6 and 6.8 shot nice, and the gun worked well. When I hit the 7.0 load, wow did the group tighten up. I was about 12 yards and shot 10 out of 10 into a 1.5" group just under the bullseye. Gun ran well, no problems with any of the loads whatsoever.

Upon cleaning, noticed a very tiny amount of what I think was leading in the grooves of the rifling and some powder granules as well. Scrubbed right out with hoppes solvent and a brass brush.
 
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