9x18 Load Data Source(s) with Win 231

[Paladin7]

Friends, I just picked up a Lee Die Set in 9x18 Makarov and some Meister HC 93gr LRN bullets and Starline Cases.

I have some Win 231 and Unique on hand, but would like to focus on Win 231 due to its metering advantages over Unique.

Now the question I should have asked prior to picking up the tools and bullets...what is the best source for load data???

I have the Lyman Pistol and Revolver Manual on order, and my Sierra Manual only provides data on jacketed bullets.

Thanks in advance for your help with this...

 

[LiveLife]

How about Hodgdon? - http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

I use W231/HP38 load data interchangeably. For lead bullets, I would use 10% below Start charge and work up from there.

90 gr SPR FP Hodgdon HP-38 0.970" OAL Start 3.6 gr (948 fps) - Max 4.0 gr (1031 fps)
95 gr HDY XTP Hodgdon HP-38 0.965" OAL Start 3.4 gr (900 fps) - Max 3.8 gr (990 fps)

 

[UnderDawgAl]

For my home-cast 95-grain lead bullets, I used 3.4-3.6 grains of Win231/HP-38 successfully. It was a mild load and fairly accurate.

 

[Paladin7]

Thanks for the quick responses on this.

I've looked at the Hodgdon's manual on line and noticed that there were no loads for Win 231. I will have to do some more research on the interchangeability between HP38 and Win 231.

Do any of you favor a particular load manual for the Makarov? I have been told that the Lyman manual was the one to get.

 

[rcmodel]

For several years now, HP38 and WW231 have been the same thing.
It is made by St Marks in Florida and called SMP #231 by them. Hodgon simply buys it in bulk and packages it in both Winchester & Hodgdon containers.
HP38 and W231 are the exact same powder.

The same applies to H110 & WW296 powder.

Look at any caliber on the Hodgdon website listing both HP38 and WW231, or H110 & WW296, and the start & Max loads, as well as pressure & velocity, will be identical.

rc

 

[Paladin7]

Awesome, rcmodel...thanks for the input, much appreciated. I will look into that.

 

[Paladin7]

Just called Hodgdon's and they confirmed what you have been telling me, HP38 and Win 231 are the same powder and load data for them can be used interchangeably.

Not that I didn't believe you, but better safe than sorry.

Thanks again.

 

[joneb]

I have loaded those bullets with W-231 for a E.G. Makarov with a 19# recoil spring, using Federal, Fiocchi 9x18 brass all with CCI 500 primers. I have had very good results using 3.6-3.8gr of W-231 with a COL of .970-.972" which cycled best in this gun without bullet dings or bullet setback.

Have gun.......

 

[JDGray]

I have been loading my Brothers Makarov ammo at 4.0gr W231, for 95gr XTPs. The load data from Speer #12 is 3.9gr start- 4.4gr max, by todays standards thats way over max. W231 has for some reason, been neutered down in recent load books. My steel can of W231 is pretty old, and don't know if the powder has changed over the years, but 4.0gr shoots very good in the little Mak. When I get a new bottle of 231, I will load it down to 3.8gr.