Winchester 231 hard to find So Cal

What calibers would help.

However; Unique, 700-800x, vectan A1, Red-Dot, and many others can be used for many loads.

Caliber would help. A lot.

Availability seems to be improving, look around. I bought an 8 lb keg of HP38 (Same as W231) last week.

Your loading manual will list most of the reasonably suitable powders for each caliber.
Make a list and compare it with what you can find to buy.

Just off the top of my head, for 9mm and 45, Titegroup, BE-86, CFE Pistol, are ones that I have tried in both that work well. I've also tried AA#5 in 45 and liked it, and it is supposed to work well in 9mm also. Those all meter fairly well.

I have not seen AA#5 in almost 2 years. The only way I was able to try some was I borrowed a jug from a friend. OTOH, I've seen Titegroup and BE-86 frequently in the last few months, mainly at gun shows. I saw Titegroup at the local gun show this past weekend for $22.

Check your specific loads here for a list of suitable powders.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/default.aspx?page=/reloaders/RecipeList.aspx&gtypeid=1

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol

http://www.accuratepowder.com/load-data/

I don't load 9mm but for .45 ACP, I've had good luck with Bullseye, Red Dot and Clays. Lots of published load data.

Direct replacement for Win 231 is HP-38 (same powder). Also, Ramshot Zip is extremely similar, if you can find it. Bullseye is another good one (it's also a fast powder), as can be Titegroup, BE-86, CFE Pistol, Red Dot, Clays and many others.

I finally found 8lb of HP-38 at a gun show. I had given up on finding any for awhile.

Of course, now I have to shoot through 6lbs of Red Dot, 2lbs of Unique and 2lbs of Bullseye first.

I will say the shortage opened my eyes to some new powders. I had always skipped Red Dot because "I heard on the Internet" that is was picky, smelly, and dirty. After shooting a couple thousand rounds of 9mm and 45, I kind of like it and probably didn't even need the 231...

As others posted, HP-38 is the same exact powder as W231 as verified by Hodgdon customer service. I have used HP-38 for quite a few years alongside W231 and I can't tell the difference.

Alliant BE-86 has been good with 9mm and 45ACP loads. I consider it the "new" Unique that meters like Bullseye/PowerPistol.

My designated plinking load powders for 9mm & 45ACP are Red Dot/Promo. Since they are large flake powders, won't meter as well as W231/HP-38 but produces accurate enough practice loads. Maxxhavoc, if you like Red Dot, consider trying Promo. It is same burn rate as Red Dot but larger flake size and Alliant recommend we use Red Dot load data by weight (not volume). It only comes in 8 lb containers but cheaper than Red Dot.

Here are my Promo test threads:

9mm/40S&W - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=518185

45ACP - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=7138297

Ya know, I have tried Red Dot in 45 but not in 9mm. I did like the results in 45. I'm going to have to try that out in 9mm now. The list keeps getting longer.

OP, are you on calguns?

There is always someone selling it in the market place.

I know you're in Lake Elsinore, but if you frequent Angeles shooting range, they normally have a good supply in stock. You can even call to check what they have and pay over the phone.

There's a store in Orange country that's called ocreload. Nice shop, call Brian if you need anything. He's a nice guy.

If you keep your eye out for the bass pro website, you can buy it and have it delivered to the store with no Hazmat charge. It's only about 35 min away from you.

I like Red Dot, but seems to have dried lately. 2400 has gone the way of the dodo bird. HP38 is easy to get. Nitro 100 and AA5 are good for 45 acp. And the list goes on.
Tx, Cat pop

My goto load in 9mm with 124grn plated is 5.5grn AA#5.