How to use up 231 powder

[dalepres]

About 15 years ago I was going to get into reloading and I bought a full setup from Dillon along with an 8 lb. can of Winchester 231 powder. I had loaded about 50 rounds of .45ACP when the shop was broken into and all the tools stolen. I still have the powder.

So now I am ready to start reloading again and I obviously want all my loads to be 231 compatible. I figure that can of powder is good for about 10000 rounds. At the rate I shoot, maybe 500 rounds a year, that's a lot of years' worth of bullets.

I intend to load/reload in .357, .38 special, .45 ACP, and 9mm parabellum. I have plenty of FMJ practice ammo in all those calibers that I intend to shoot off to get brass, which should keep my reload price way low.

Now I just need bullets and primers. I've been searching for cast lead bullets but they are surprisingly hard to find. I found a couple places that were even higher than Midway or other places where I keep reading from people on here that they wait months to get bullets, if they ever get them.

For reliability in the autos and for safety and reliability in my .357 Henry lever gun, it seems like round nose flat points would be a good compromise all around.

So what I really want to know is where's the best place to get lead bullets cheap for reloading in all those sizes? Preferably in RNFP.

(Guess I could have left out all the rest of this long post, huh?)

(EDIT) I forgot part of the question I had. When I look at cast bullets, for .357 I see .357 and .358 sizes. For .45, I see .451 and .452 sizes. How do I decide which to get?

Thanks,

Dale

 

[rcmodel]

Generally, choose a cast bullet .001" larger then bore size, or comparable jacketed bullet.

For revolvers, select the one closest to the cylinder-throat size.

IE: .357 bore, + .359" cylinder throats. The .358" bullets will give better accuracy, but .359" would be even better.

rcmodel

 

[Walkalong]

That W-231 will work just great in all but the .357. Even there it is useful for light loads. Sounds like you are on your way.

 

[NuJudge]

Ummmm, casting them yourself is one way, but there are some makers that are known for cheap, good quality bullets. Most of such cater only to local clientele. One that does ship everywhere is Kead bullets:
http://www.keadbullets.com/

 

[RustyFN]

I would be careful with Kead bullets. I have been reading a few post lately where people aren't getting their bullets and they are having trouble getting a hold of Kead. Hopefully just a minor issue, I heard they have good bullets. I'm with NuJudge, I cast my own.
Rusty

 

[raxafarian]

bullets

I've used over 6 thousand of these in .45, .45 colt, and .38 in the past two years and I have another 5 thousand put aside:

http://betterbullets.com/products.htm

 

[nambu1]

231 is a good pistol powder. The Lee manual gives loads for use in the 357.

 

[floydster]

Rax, you are paying way to much!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

dalepres,
Like said above, you will get good results using W231 with all the calibers you mentioned except for the .357 Magnum. You might want to get some W296 for that application.

As for cast bullets, Roger's Better Bullets are very good but just a little overpriced. I'm now shooting Hard Cast bullets from Mastercast Bullets. I would suggest you call Mike and talk to him personally because as he's told me, his email box has over 1000 emails and he can't really find the orders from the junk. Also, the prices on his site aren't accurate but he will give you a accurate quote including the shipping. I recently ordered 2000 148gr DEWC .358" bullets from him at a total cost of $112 including S&H&Insurance.

If you would rather buy "name brand" cast bullets Midsouth Reloading has Hornady and Speer lead bullets at a fair price.