Reloading with WSF powder

[muzzlebrake]

Lately I have been loading pistol ammo with Winchester Super Field also known as Hodgdon WSF.
For 10mm this is the softest shooting powder I have ever used and still getting velocities near maximum. I also use it for 45acp and find the same soft recoil in the 1911's. Load data for this powder is pretty scarce except for certain bullet weights and types. People with Quickload program should check this stuff out. Another thing about this powder is how clean it burns and leaves a lot less residue inside the breechs. Check it out for 9mm, 40sw, 10mm and 45acp.
Another plus is that it's been easy to find on the shelf about everywhere.

[SabreKiller]

I've been looking for a cleaner powder for my 1911 in .45 ACP. What is your load recipe and what grain bullet are you loading? I load a 200 grain lead SWC and mainly use it for IDPA.

[muzzlebrake]

I've been looking for a cleaner powder for my 1911 in .45 ACP. What is your load recipe and what grain bullet are you loading? I load a 200 grain lead SWC and mainly use it for IDPA.

Range ammo and personal defense.
9mm 125gr Zero jhp bullets 5.0gr
10mm 180gr Zero jhp bullets 6.0gr
10mm 165gr zero jhp bullets 7.2gr
45 acp 180 zero, Berry's or Xtreme hp 7.0 gr
45 acp 230 Zero " " ball or hp 6.0 gr

None of these are full power or +P loads but velocities still are good.
I use Starline brass only and mostly winchester primers with a few CCI here and there.

When I am loading full power and +P stuff for hunting I use W231, AA#7 and AA#9 is 45 acp and 10mm

Depending on your gun mfg you might want to add or take away a tenth at a time to dial em in.

[SabreKiller]

Interesting. I've been using WW231 for the 45. What velocities are you getting with the 180?

[muzzlebrake]

Interesting. I've been using WW231 for the 45. What velocities are you getting with the 180?

I can get them up around 1200 from 5" barrel. Pretty snappy up there. Like shooting 10mm composite frame. I usually settle for 1125-1150 and call it good.
W231 is hard to beat for loading 45. You can load soft or hot and get great accuracy. One thing about 231 is the hotter you load the cleaner it seems to burn.

[muzzlebrake]

I've heard of people pushing 180's to 1400fps out of a 45 but that's like super +++ loads and can't be pleasant to shoot. Probably not good for the gun either.

[SabreKiller]

I've heard of people pushing 180's to 1400fps out of a 45 but that's like super +++ loads and can't be pleasant to shoot. Probably not good for the gun either.

Wow, that's a pretty hot load. Thanks for the information. I've got plenty of 231 right now, but when I start getting low, I'll pick up some WSF. I've seen plenty on the shelves.

[muzzlebrake]

Wow, that's a pretty hot load. Thanks for the information. I've got plenty of 231 right now, but when I start getting low, I'll pick up some WSF. I've seen plenty on the shelves.

Pretty sure the guy was using a 460 Rowland spec gun and 45 Super brass that will handle pressure over 30,000psi to get to 1400fps. DoubleTap ammo has some nasty loads you can buy in the 185-230 grain weights that go 1200+ in 5" barrels. To get these crazy velocities you need a 6" long slide and compensator barrel. Low flash fast burn powder actually slows down in longer barrels so you have to use slower burning like Herco 2400 or Ramshot Enforcer and extreme precision in charge weight. At these levels a tenth of a grain is the difference between a round down range and a hand amputation.

[SabreKiller]

Pretty sure the guy was using a 460 Rowland spec gun and 45 Super brass that will handle pressure over 30,000psi to get to 1400fps. DoubleTap ammo has some nasty loads you can buy in the 185-230 grain weights that go 1200+ in 5" barrels. To get these crazy velocities you need a 6" long slide and compensator barrel. Low flash fast burn powder actually slows down in longer barrels so you have to use slower burning like Herco 2400 or Ramshot Enforcer and extreme precision in charge weight. At these levels a tenth of a grain is the difference between a round down range and a hand amputation.

Yeah, I'm not into pushing the limits of my weapon. I have an STI Trojan in .45 that I bought specifically for IDPA stuff. I loaded it down significantly to keep muzzle flip low while ensuring the gun would function correctly.

[muzzlebrake]

You should meet the required power factor with WSF and keep it reasonably soft at the same time. I know it works great in 10mm with 180's.

[muzzlebrake]

With the 45 and 180gr plated Berry's or Extreme's bullets my favorite W231 load is 5.4gr. Very accurate and not too snappy.