I used to shoot a lot of .45 ACP. I recommend Vihtavuori N320 and Precision polymer-coated bullets. I probably tried 8-9 powders, including Win 231, Clays, Bullseye, Titegroup, AA#5. Nothing was more accurate than N320 and it was much cleaner than the other powders mentioned.
After trying numerous powders, I found VV N320 delivered the best combination of accuracy, easy metering, consistency, clean burning qualities, and low muzzle flash. My gun has proven exceptionally accurate using N320 with bullets from 180 grains to 230 grains -- it will shoot as accurately as some expensive customs I’ve tried. At right is 5-round group I shot offhand at 10 yards with my 5″ S&W 1911.
NOTE: The bullet hole edges are sharp because I was using semi-wad-cutters, and the target paper is thick. Rounds were loaded with Vihtavuori N320 and 200-grain SWCs from
Precision Bullets in Texas. I shoot Precision's coated bullets in many pistol calibers. These projectiles are accurate and they seem to reduce fouling in my pistol barrels. You can learn about them in this video:
The polymer-coated bullets are much cheaper than jacketed bullets, are very accurate, but foul way, way less than ordinary lead bullets. See:
Precision Bullets Website
From Bulletin Article:
https://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2020/04/loading-for-the-45-acp-vv-n320-and-other-good-powders/
Pros and Cons of Different Powders for the .45 ACP
This Editor has personally tried out eight or more different powders for the .45 ACP. Bullseye works but it is very dirty (both smoke out the barrel and sooty powder fouling on case). Though it otherwise burns clean, Titegroup leaves a singular (and nasty) high-temp flame streak on your brass that is hard to remove. AA #5 is a good choice for progressive press newbies as you use more powder so a double charge will (usually) be obvious. I like AA #5 but N320 was more accurate. Clays burns clean but some powder measures struggle with flake powders like this. WW 231 offered excellent accuracy and metered well, but it kicked out sparks with little pieces of debris that would hit me in the face. Who wants that?
I personally tried all the powders listed above with lead, plated, and jacketed bullets. After testing for accuracy, consistency, and ease of metering, I selected VV N320 as the best overall performer.
