OP
OP
Smaug
Member
https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/winchester/winchester-wst
I think it’s short for Winchester Super Trap.
Good all-around handgun powder?
- Thread starter Smaug
- Start date
I think it’s short for Winchester Super Trap.
LiveLife
Member
It's Winchester Super Target, popular powder with match shooters when I shot USPSA in the 90s.
BTW, Hodgdon doesn't publish load data for 9mm but it has been a reference powder for accuracy for me and did a thread on WST for 9mm referencing older published load data - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...er-target-published-load-data-for-9mm.870180/
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LiveLife
Member
Auto Comp was meant for barrels using compensators that require a lot of gas to keep the muzzle flat for fast follow up shots, not ideal for reduced/mid-range/lighter target loads that many reloaders use.
CQB45ACP
Member
That’s completely different than can’t find it. I want a Tesla S Plaid, but won’t pay more than $50K.
Charlie98
Member
Super Trap is, well, Super Trap, or WST. I'm thinking you mean WSF, or Super Field. WST is very fast, faster even than W231, and I don't think it would be a good choice trying to cover your entire list... it's simply too fast. WSF is slower, and likely a better choice for what you want.
What is really funny. to me anyway, is there is a little "hole in the wall gun shop" U'pt. North that has all sorts of powder, all mfrs. They got almost everything even some primers except for shotgun powder (I could use some Unique or Universal.) Why can't the big boys get their hands on the stuff? I going there later this month, maybe they'll have what I'm looking for. 1 lb-ders were selling at $50 and primers were $12/hundred. Owner said primer prices are the only way he can have some around when people buy powder.
OP
OP
Smaug
Member
A few posts up from yours, LiveLife said it is Winchster Super Target. (not Trap) It would be nice if they would translate that acronym somewhere on the bottle!
Before I bought it, I went and looked up load data, and Hodgdon's site had the pull-down for either pistol or shotgun. When I chose pistol, they had load data for my two favorite handgun cartridges that I reaload for: 38 Spl and 45 ACP.
https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/winchester/winchester-wst
Examples:
- 2.5 - 2.8 gr. for a 148 gr. lead hollow based wadcutter in 38 Spl
- 4.4 - 5.1 gr. for a 200 gr. LSWC for 45 ACP
WST isn't in my Lyman manual at all; I need to find some more data sources.
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I just got my first box of wadcutters for 38. They have some kind of hard coating; looks like it's a powdercoat or something. Would I used jacketed data for that or lead?
Also, do I need a special seating plug for my bullet seating die? It's a Lee Deluxe 4-die carbide set.
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Charlie98
Member
He’s right… Super Target. And I should know… I have 3 #’s of it for .45 ACP! I used to use it when I loaded 12GA, but found it was a really good powder for 200grn .45’s.
I think they discourage very fast powders with very light bullets for fear you will stick a bullet in the bore, if memory serves… so be careful. Granted, there is not a lot of data for WST in pistol cartridges.
I think they discourage very fast powders with very light bullets for fear you will stick a bullet in the bore, if memory serves… so be careful. Granted, there is not a lot of data for WST in pistol cartridges.
Average Joe
Member
Red Dot will work in most pistol loads, as well as shot shells
IWAC
Member
Unique, but I am going to try BE 86. They seem to be able to do most of what is needed.
Unique, Universal, 800-X, HP-38 would all be good candidates.
You're asking for a powder that will do an awful lot. Try splitting that selection between two different powders and I think you will find many more satisfactory loads than trying to shoe-horn them into a single powder.
You're asking for a powder that will do an awful lot. Try splitting that selection between two different powders and I think you will find many more satisfactory loads than trying to shoe-horn them into a single powder.
Skeptic13
Member
Have used Universal for years. When I started not being able to find it I started using CFE Pistol. They both seem to work great for all of my pistol. Nice thing about Universal is I can also use it in my 12 gauge loads.
Late to the party. For loading handguns I just do not see the need nor utility of loading everything with the same powder. Gee..you buy it in 1 lb or less containers. Pick out the 3 - 4 that give good results for the loads you want to shoot and proceed. If you want low recoil target or plinking loads and reasonably heavy loads you are not going to do it with 1 powder even in just 1 caliber. And yes there are many good all around powders if you just must do it that way. But you will be giving up some performance at both ends of the power spectrum.
deadeye dick
Member
Gteen dot for .45 ACP, Titegroup for 9MM, 38 SP or 231/ HP28 for all.
LiveLife
Member
If you are looking to load "lighter loads", faster burning powders than Unique are better suited to produce consistent enough chamber pressures at lower target velocities to produce accuracy - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-and-discussions.778197/page-11#post-12415502
Faster burning pistol powders:
Red Dot/Promo - IMR Red - Clays - 700X - Bullseye - Vectan Ba 10 - IMR Target - TiteGroup - Vectan AS - Am. Select - Solo 1000 - WST - International - Trail Boss - N320 - Sport Pistol - Vectan Ba 9.5 - No. 2 - Clean Shot/Lovex D032.03
W231/HP-38 - Zip - Green Dot - IMR Green - W244
Slower burning pistol powders:
Unique - Universal - IMR Unequal - Vectan Ba 9 - BE-86 - Power Pistol - N330 - Vectan A1 - Herco - Vectan A0 - WSF - N340 - 800X
No. 5 - Auto Pistol/Lovex D036-03 - True Blue - HS6 - AutoComp - Ultimate Pistol/Lovex D036-07 - CFE Pistol - Silhouette - 3N37
Red Dot/Promo - IMR Red - Clays - 700X - Bullseye - Vectan Ba 10 - IMR Target - TiteGroup - Vectan AS - Am. Select - Solo 1000 - WST - International - Trail Boss - N320 - Sport Pistol - Vectan Ba 9.5 - No. 2 - Clean Shot/Lovex D032.03
W231/HP-38 - Zip - Green Dot - IMR Green - W244
Slower burning pistol powders:
Unique - Universal - IMR Unequal - Vectan Ba 9 - BE-86 - Power Pistol - N330 - Vectan A1 - Herco - Vectan A0 - WSF - N340 - 800X
No. 5 - Auto Pistol/Lovex D036-03 - True Blue - HS6 - AutoComp - Ultimate Pistol/Lovex D036-07 - CFE Pistol - Silhouette - 3N37
These are powders used by bullseye match shooters - Bullseye/N310/N320/700-X/Clays/Titegroup/WST/W231(HP-38)
And these are powders used by USPSA match shooters in the Production division shooting minor power factor 9mm - Titegroup 35%, N320 23%, Sport Pistol 16%
W231 is well suited to produce lighter target loads in various calibers and if you are looking for similar substitute powder, hard to beat HP-38 as it is the same exact powder at lower price.
If you can't find W231 or HP-38, Zip/Sport Pistol/N320/Titegroup/Vectan Ba 9.5 are closest powders in burn rate with No. 2/Clean Shot being slightly faster and Green Dot/W244 being slightly slower.
Bullseye/700-X/WST are even faster burning powders and I like Bullseye/WST for 9mm and Red Dot/Promo for .45ACP.
If you are looking for powders that produce greater accuracy than W231/HP-38, Bullseye/WST/Titegroup/Sport Pistol/BE-86 have produced smaller 9mm groups for me.
If you are looking for economy, I used Red Dot/Promo for .38Spl/9mm/.45ACP/.45Colt to produce lighter target loads and newer reblended Promo which now meters well, has become my general purpose range blasting pistol powder, especially for PCC.
For decades, I used WSF to load duplicate factory JHP rounds for practice using same Gold Dot/Golden Saber bullets and in recent years switched to BE-86 for higher velocities and greater accuracy (BTW, buzz is BE-86 is OEM powder used for premium JHP ammunition like Gold Dot/HST for decades).
GeoDudeFlorida
Member
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Nitro 100 NF and Competition really should be in the faster powders list.
runner3264
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N320 and BE-86
fxvr5
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LiveLife, you need to update your information.
No longer made.
Not any more. Price is the same. Checked 4 websites. Hodgdon, Midway, Powder Valley, Grafs.
No longer made.
Not any more. Price is the same. Checked 4 websites. Hodgdon, Midway, Powder Valley, Grafs.
LiveLife
Member
I know ... I left them for reference.
Yes, it was matter of time before HP-38 caught up with W231 price.
kmw1954
Member
I have 3 basic powders I am using in everything from 380 to 45acp with everything from cast lead, to plated to jacketed bullets and those powders are AA# 2, HP-38 and Ramshot Silhouette.
