Help with load data, please!

[LightningMan]

Hello all, I just got a good deal on some powder, an 8 lb keg of Winchester 231, and now I need some help with some load data. I know this is a versatile pistol powder, which is why I bought it in the first place, besides the price was right. Although, it's not in my powder bin, as I usually use Bullseye, Unique, AA#2 & AA#5 most often in my target loads for 9mm, .380 acp .40 S&W and .45 acp. So what are some of everyone's favorite loads for these calibers using Win 231? Also to be a little more exact, I use 180 gr. plated Rainier or Berries bullets for my .40 S&W, and SNS 180 gr. cast lead bullets these are what I use the most. For 9mm it would be SNS 125 gr. cast RN, and 115/124 gr. Berries or Rainier bullets. So you get the idea that I use either lead bullets or plated for target/competition shooting. Thanks in advance, LM.

 

[LiveLife]

These are my favorite W231/HP-38 target loads for my pistols/barrels (as always, verify all posted loads with published load data and conduct your own powder workup from start charge):

For 9mm it would be SNS 125 gr. cast RN

I just checked the SNS website to compare 9mm bullet nose and it looks comparable to Missouri 125 gr RN that has more rounder/shorter nose with longer bearing surface. Still, using a dummy round (no powder/primer) conduct a barrel drop test to determine the Max OAL and manually feed/chamber the dummy round from the magazine to determine the OAL that will reliably feed from the magazine.

9mm:
115 gr Winchester FMJ, 1.135" OAL - 4.8 gr

124 gr Berry's/Rainier RN, 1.135" OAL - 4.3 gr

124 gr Montana Gold FMJ, 1.135" OAL - 4.3-4.5 gr
124 gr Berry's HBRN-TP - 1.135" OAL - 4.3-4.5 gr

125 gr Missouri RN, 1.080"-1.100" OAL - 3.8-4.0 gr
125 gr Missouri SWC, 1.045" OAL - 3.8-4.0 gr


45ACP:
200 gr Missouri SWC, 1.245" OAL - 5.0 gr
200 gr Missouri RNFP, 1.195" OAL - 5.0 gr (you may need to increase powder charge up to 5.5 gr depending on the pistol/spring rate)

185 gr Berry's HBRN, 1.250" OAL - 5.6 gr
230 gr Various FMJ/Plated RN, 1.250" OAL - 5.0 gr


40S&W:
165 gr Montana Gold JHP/RNFP, 1.125" OAL - 4.8-5.0 gr

180 gr Berry's/Rainier TCFP, 1.125" OAL - 4.2 gr

180 gr Missouri TCFP, 1.120" OAL - 4.0-4.2 gr
170 gr Missouri SWC, 1.120" OAL - 4.0-4.2 gr

 

[ImjinScout]

I just loaded up some Berry's 115gr 9mm, and what I found that shoots good is as follows. Powder I use is HP-38 which is the same as W231

COL is 1.125
Load 4.7/4.8
Crimp Dia. .376 - .378

 

[1SOW]

bds +1 for the Berry's 124 HBRN/HBFN for comp loads

 

[LightningMan]

Thanks for the help, as I just don't have any info except for JHP & FMJ type bullets for most of these calibers in my loading manuals, using 231. LM

 

[LiveLife]

I just don't have any info except for JHP & FMJ type bullets for most of these calibers in my loading manuals

My loads were developed using current Hodgdon load data, 1999 Winchester load data and Lyman #49.

9mm:
115 GR. LRN W231/HP-38 .356" OAL 1.100" Start 4.3 gr (1079 fps) 28,400 CUP - Max 4.8 gr (1135 fps) 32,000 CUP
115 GR. Speer GDHP W231/HP-38 .355" OAL 1.125" Start 4.7 gr (1075 fps) 25,300 CUP - Max 5.1 gr (1167 fps) 28,100 CUP
125 GR. LCN W231/HP-38 .356" OAL 1.125" Start 3.9 gr (1009 fps) 25,700 CUP - Max 4.4 gr (1086 fps) 31,200 CUP
125 GR. Sierra FMJ W231/HP-38 .355" OAL 1.090" Start 4.4 gr (1009 fps) 24,600 CUP - Max 4.8 gr (1088 fps) 28,800 CUP

40S&W:
165 GR. Sierra JHP W231/HP-38 .400" OAL 1.125" Start 4.8 gr (946 fps) 28,100 PSI - Max 5.3 gr (1001 fps) 32,500 PSI
180 GR. Hornady XTP W231/HP-38 .400" OAL 1.125" Start 4.1 gr (797 fps) 23,800 PSI - Max 5.0 gr (947 fps) 32,900 PSI

45ACP:
180 GR. LFP W231/HP-38 .452" OAL 1.140" Start 5.0 gr (778 fps) 11,300 CUP - Max 6.0 gr (950 fps) 16,800 CUP
185 GR. Hornady JSWC W231/HP-38 .451" OAL 1.135" Start 5.0 gr (762 fps) 12,000 CUP - Max 5.9 gr (906 fps) 15,800 CUP
200 GR. CAST LSWC W231/HP-38 .451" OAL 1.225" Start 4.4 gr (771 fps) 11,000 CUP - Max 5.6 gr (914 fps) 16,900 CUP
200 GR. Speer JHP W231/HP-38 .451" OAL 1.155" Start 5.2 gr (794 fps) 12,700 CUP - Max 5.9 gr (906 fps) 16,700 CUP
230 GR. Hornady FMJ FP W231/HP-38 .451" OAL 1.200" Start 4.2 gr (751 fps) 13,800 CUP - Max 5.3 gr (832 fps) 16,800 CUP
230 GR. LRN W231/HP-38 .452" OAL 1.200" Start 4.3 gr (699 fps) 12,200 CUP - Max 5.3 gr (834 fps) 16,900 CUP

 

[Legion489]

Well bds covered it. Win 231 and Hodgdon HP-38 are the EXACT same powder. All Hodgdon ball powders are Win powders, as there is only ONE ball powder maker in the US, St. Marks, built and formerly owned by Olin (Winchester). Win 231 is my "go to" powder for all handgun use except for mag loads. Lots of free info on the net from the powder/bullet companies, just look up either the powder maker or the bullet maker for info.