Goodbye W231/HP38?

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FWIW, I just got off the phone from a guy named Dave. In his words, HP-38 and W231 are not going away any time soon. There will be less of it, because, as mention in other post, older methods of making it. But he said it is too popular to discontinue. :)
Good to know. I've always used HP-38 for all of my handgun loads (mostly .38SP & .45ACP), and I just like it. As long as I can find it, I'll keep using it. No reason to fix what isn't broken. However, I'll definitely be trying some other options just in case.
 
Our LGS has not had 231 in a long time
They have been getting CFE Pistol at a very low price. It works for all my handguns. I bet that price will not last long.
 
I went into Graf's Reloading in St. Charles, MO at lunch today. They have HP-38 in stock, and told me they'd just recently received a shipment, and have never had any problems getting it. They did only have the 1lb cans, though, no 8s.

I bought two (don't want to be too greedy). :D
 
The MFG. will be slowing down the production output total not just totally
eliminating the production of W231 (HP 38) all at once.
If you use and like the powder, you need to stock up when you find it before it becomes extinct.
 
I went into Graf's Reloading in St. Charles, MO at lunch today. They have HP-38 in stock, and told me they'd just recently received a shipment, and have never had any problems getting it. They did only have the 1lb cans, though, no 8s.



I bought two (don't want to be too greedy). :D


You didn't happen to notice if they had AA#2 did you?
 
I've been very slowly using my less than half pound of 231 for over three years now. Whats left has become so coveted that sometimes I just don't use it. It has become my specific-purpose-perfect powder for several loads. I'm very unhappy.
 
I found an 8 lb HP38 earlier this year. It will serve me in 9mm and .38 for a good while now that I am loading .45 with Bullseye.

Hodgdon and especially Accurate Arms have sourced the same spec powders from everybody in the world. I see no obstacle to St Marks or if necessary, somebody else making a functional equivalent by a newer, cleaner (cheaper) process.
 
WHen they get rid of it, they need something with a similar burn rate to replace it. The closest Hodgdon powders in burning rate to HP-38 are INTERNATIONAL (faster) and UNIVERSAL (slower).

Competing powders that are very close in burning rate are:
VihtaVuori N320
AA #2
Ramshot Zip
IMR 7625 (which I think is already discontinued)
Alliant 20/28
Alliant Unique
 
This was my answer when asked if it was a rumor or fact.

"It is a rumor and no one has told me that these are being discontinued.

The manufacture of those two powders would rather make other powder that cost less to make and they can make more of.

Mike Van Dyke
Customer Service Representative
Hodgdon Powder Company
6430 Vista Drive
Shawnee, KS 66218
913-362-9455 Ext. 109 "

So maybe not a done deal yet.
 
kcofohio,

Read post #21, if the plant that makes the stuff does not want to make it along with creating more hazardous waste than replacement powders.

It's days will be numbered. New powders add more to the bottom line as production costs are less also.
 
kcofohio,

Read post #21, if the plant that makes the stuff does not want to make it along with creating more hazardous waste than replacement powders.

It's days will be numbered. New powders add more to the bottom line as production costs are less also.

moonman, I had read the post prior to posting. And only posted what I had been told by Hodgdon CS.

It is the internet! ;)
 
Bummer, i have been using 231 for 9, .40 and light .44 loads... Even if they are just slowing down production, that probably means I'm not going to be seeing a lot of it around here. I just want something fairly universal that meters well and can be used in lighter loads in most pistols. I guess I should give #2 a try or finally break out that lb of CFE pistol I've been sitting on.
 
Not much difference between discontinued and chronically unavailable as far as I'm concerned.
 
Unique is quite a bit slower. Bullseye is much closer to HP38 in burn rate.

Not according to my burning rate chart. Bullseye is quite a bit above HP-38 and a bit below 700X and Red Dot. Unique is right next to HP-38/Win-231, just one notch slower.

I have noticed that these charts do change a lot over time. I have 4 different ones I can reference, and the above is from my latest one.

Here's the latest chart on the Hodgdon site: http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/Burn Rates - 2014-2015.pdf

Looks like UNIVERSAL would be the best replacement if it is one of the "new" type powders.
 
I never cared for it anyway
LOL! Im with you..I can think of 5 powders I like much better without using either of my brain cells. Still hard to beat it for an all purpose type. I think its beauty lies there mostly.
 
Just ordered 8 lbs. of HP_38 from Powder Valley. That is the only offering they have at this time.
 
And only posted what I had been told by Hodgdon CS.

Well, after losing a LOT of business due to the fire in Australia, do you think they would want to push you even more rapidly to their competitors who are providing powder?
 
I have been using HP38/Win 231 for .38, 9mm and .45acp for a long time. I have not had a hard time finding it if I search the 7 or 8 internet powder suppiers I normally use.

Is it the best powder for everything, no but it does a good job on the calibers I load and lets me just buy one big jug of the same powder.
 
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