flexible semi-auto pistol powder: Win 231

[ForneyRider]

Will this work with .380ACP, 9mm, .357Sig, .40S&W, and 10mm?

I have been researching this site for powder for .45ACP.

I plan on using Win 231 powder.

I imagine the .357Sig, 40S&W and 10MM might require something else. Initially, I will be doing .380ACP and .45ACP.

Powder has to meter easy in Lee Pro 1000 disk setup.

These are target/practice rounds. with typical bullet weights.

90gr .380ACP
124gr 9mm
124gr .357Sig
180gr .40S&W (???)
180gr 10mm
230gr .45ACP

If I can use the W231 for all these, I will get 4lb or 8lb.

I am open to powders as long at they will meter easy.

Do I need the micro-disk for the 9mm and 380ACP ?

 

[jfh]

I've used 231 with all of those save for .357 Sig. It was certainly acceptable in them all--and, for lighter-to-medium loads, works just fine. When I have loaded max charges in various calibers, my cases have tended to bulge--but since I rarely load MAX charges (except for 38 Special), that's not an issue.

IMO, there are better powders for 9mm and 40S&W, and I have never shot a lot of .45ACP 230-gr bullets--I went with 200-gr LSWCs. And, interestingly enough, a 4.9-gr. charge under a 200gr LSWC turned out to be the preferred "lightest" load to make Major in three of my semiautos in .45ACP and 10mm.

I wouldn't hesitate to get a 4 lb. container--maybe even 8 lbs, if I knew for certain I wouldn't want to try the latest tip in powders. In fact, I own about 5 lbs of 231 right now--and I am hardly shooting it.

I've quit loading for 9mm, and I doubt I'll do .380ACP again--but you might want the micro disk(s) on hand for those. I've found variable weighing below about 3.0 gr. with a micro-disk and with the adjustable charge bar, so the trick here, if you end up with a load in 380/9mm you just have to do would be to get another disk and either dremel (to enlarge) or epoxy (make smaller) a cavity to get it to what will meter reliably--and then use that cavity for only those loads.

On a scale of 1 to 10, I give 231 about an 8. It's an accurate and economical powder, and quite flexible.

Jim H.

 

[1911NM]

I happen to be loading with W231 for .45acp right now, and it meters well, and seems to run fairly clean for me. However, I thought that was part of the fun of reloading was trying out different powders. Looking forward to the next 20 dollar bill my wife will part with to immediately run down for some Clays. Yes, I'm whipped, but she ignores reloading and USPSA matches as just some male hormonal abberation akin to beating the ground with sticks, and delight over bodily functions.

 

[Sistema1927]

W231 and HP38 (they are the same powder in different packaging) meter well and burn clean. They might not be the best powders for all of the calibers that you list, but they are good powders.

 

[Deavis]

231 is great for the calibers you list except for Sig. I don't feel it does as well as other powders like AA #9. I make light loads in 9mm and 40 with 231 that are easy and fun to plink with. I've used in in 10mm, but it isn't as exciting as loading up cases with BlueDot or Power Pistol. It shoots but it is kinda, "eh... that isn't a 10mm!"

Keep in mind that WW231 is also sold by Western Powders (make it for Win in the same factory). Picked up a few 5lb jugs from my source, almost identical results to Win231.

 

[Jim Watson]

W231 is also sold by Western Powders (make it for Win in the same factory). Picked up a few 5lb jugs from my source, almost identical results to Win231

Under what name? It is well known that HP38 comes off the same production line at St Marks Powder as W231 but what does Western call it? Is it what they label as Zip?

 

[FieroCDSP]

I just loaded some 380 with Bullseye. I know it was created for the 45ACP, seems to work well in 40 and 9mm, and I haven't tested in 380 yet, but it should be good. I ended up using my Perfect Powder Measure for a 2.0gr load in the 380. Nearly had to bottom the cavity out.

It's not extremely clean, but it's no Unique, either.

From the load data, Win231 will likely work just fine for you. You might have to do a few work-ups for any odd weight bullets you use. HP38 seems like a winner also. AA#2 or #5 would work too, I see, but I'm not sure how big of a can you can get of that.

Oh, and the 40S&W and the 10mm use the exact same bullets in a .400" or .401".

 

[Deavis]

It is labeled as 231, literally. Both my 5#ers are labeled that way.

 

[ForneyRider]

I looked on the Hodgdon website.
HP-38 and Win 231 had same loads for all the loads I was looking at.

231 looks pretty flexible. I am open still.

Unique, Herco, Green Dot, etc.

I may end up buying Blue Dot, or Lil'Gun eventually for the .41 Mag. Blue Dot will allow me to make hot loads for .45ACP.

.357Sig is definitely the odd ball of the list with tapered neck and higher pressure. Boils down to if I get a P226 or P220.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

There is a powder on the market that's better than W231 for loading the .380 Auto, 9mm, .357 Sig, .40 S&W and 10mm and it's Powder Pistol. W231 is one of my favorite powders but for loading the .38 Special and .45 Auto. You can even use W231 for loading 9mm rounds and it will do a good job but it's too fast a powder for loading .40 S&W, .357 Sig. and 10mm rounds. Don't get me wrong, you can use W231 but Powder Pistol will do a much better job and do that job for all the calibers you listed.

Your "all around powder" question is easier than most times people ask because they usually ask about the .38 Special, .40 S&W, .45 Auto and the .357 Magnum. It's very hard to use the same powder for both the .38 Special and .357 Magnum and get those rounds to perform as intended. All the rounds you are asking about are similar.

 

[hawkeye1]

Here is one more vote for the w231. It is very usable for most middle of the road velocity pistol rounds. I use it in the 32acp, 9mm mak, 9mm, 40s&w, 38spl, 45acp, and 45 colt. It just works.
good shooting

 

[Deavis]

Powder Pistol

Do you mean, Power Pistol from Alliant? If so, no doubt that it is a great powder but I don't think it compares to WW231 for mildness and flash. Great powder, have some, love it but not for light loads. I found, like blue-dot, that it didn't feel as good at light loadings. Plus you can get 231 in 8# jugs, which I like

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Deavis,
W231 is one of my favorite powders if not the favorite BUT, for loading the .40 S&W, .357 Sig and 10mm W231 is just too fast a powder to create rounds that shoot as the round was intended to shoot. Like I said before, yes W231 will work but not like it should in those rounds.

The 5 rounds he listed are all semi-auto rounds and all act similarly. If there were revolver rounds thrown in there it would be a different story but there aren't.

For loading .380 Auto, 9mm, .357 Sig, .40 S&W and 10mm rounds Powder Pistol IMO is the best powder. If the mix were .38 Special, 9mm and .45 Auto then W231 would be the hands down best choice, again, IMO.