HP 38, W231 may be available soon.

[poboy6]

Not to get anyone's hopes up about the shortage ending soon but this is what I heard from a Hodgdon rep:

"HP38 and W231 is still being made but we have not seen any since September, I heard that there is supposed to be some coming in sometime in February. This powder is manufactured in Canada then it ships to our plant in Herrington Ks and from there it ships to the distributors."

Not really news, but at least a rumor about availability is better than nothing.

 

[Rule3]

I bought a whole bunch of it a few months ago. It has been around,

Guess they need to change their labels as it says made in USA and as I understand it it is made at St Marks Florida part of General Dynamics.

 

[ssyoumans]

I bought 6 lbs of HP-38 last week. Hadn't seen it in 2 years. Overpaid, at $25/lb but I am set now.

 

[splattergun]

I won't hold my breath.

 

[dragon813gt]

When did they start making it in Canada? Wondering because it's been made in Florida for a long time. I bought some last month. And people have been reporting buying it since last summer. As usual availability is regional.

 

[JimKirk]

Unless the place of manufacture has changed since Hodgdon published the MSD(March 2015) for HP 38/W231 ... it is made by St. Marks Powder Company Crawfordville, FL ... a GD Company ...

IMR single based powders are produced in Canada by GD

 

[thomas15]

I bought 2 pounds HP-38 locally within the last 2 weeks. And yes Hodgdon's ball powders come from St. Marks. Hodgdon Clays is coming from Canada now.

 

[Bush Pilot]

We've had 231 and HP38 on the shelves in eastern Washington/north Idaho for months (all sizes) Must be a regional thing.

 

[poboy6]

That info was from their main office in Kansas. I haven't seen any in the Kansas city area for awhile.

 

[snakeye]

I just bought 6 lbs HP-38 also in the last 2 weeks...

 

[jradisch]

Had my hands on a 8 pound bottle of 231 at a LGS last night. When they told me all powder was $30/pound i left it there.

 

[oldreloader]

I saw a bottle in my LGS Sunday. $29. It was still there when I left. I do have plenty. Caught Recob's with some a few months back. Ordered enough HP 38 and IMR 4350 to overcome the hazmat.

 

[Reefinmike]

Ive seen a lot going up online recently as well as a few kegs of each at the most recent gun show. At 180 a keg, i passed it up. Keep your eyes on the component sticky up top and you will find some in short order.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I can't remember the last time I saw any W231/HP-38 anywhere! I'm a little worried too since I only have 10lbs. left. It would be nice to see some on the shelf. I used about 6lbs since the start of the shortage.

 

[au_prospector]

Hp 38

I believe I saw a container of HP 38 in my local Cabela's both this past Sunday and yesterday for $23.99/pound. Could I be mistaken? It had various pistol load data printed right on the label.

 

[ZWCoffindaffer]

I havent been reloading pistol rounds long.. Is the HP-38 a good powder? My local Bass Pro had a fairly good bit of it the other day. All 1lb containers, but they had it.

 

[AV8TOR]

HP38 and 231 have been available local in the Dallas Fort Worth area for a couple of months. I paid $25/lb for 231 in the 4 lb size

 

[rondog]

Saw 6 lbs. of HP38 at Cabela's recently, bought one. But I haven't seen ANY W231 in years.

ZWCoffindaffer
I havent been reloading pistol rounds long.. Is the HP-38 a good powder? My local Bass Pro had a fairly good bit of it the other day. All 1lb containers, but they had it.

Yessir, good stuff, very popular for most pistol ammo except magnums. It and Winchester 231 are reportedly the exact same powder, only packaged differently. HP38 is usually a little bit cheaper though, seems the "Winchester" name adds a premium. Both are very versatile and popular.

 

[SARuger]

I'm using Unique right now for .38spcl and I'm not happy with the way it meters through the auto disc so I'm weighing by hand.

Does the HP 38 flow better? I think I saw some on the shelf yesterday but I don't have any load data on it, looked in all 3 of my books(yes I need more books).

I'm loading Sierra 158g JSP

 

[AV8TOR]

HP38/231 flows real nice unlike the large flaked Unique. It's large enough not to leak and small enough to meter easy.

Scroll down in this post to see the size difference

 

[SARuger]

HP38/231 flows real nice unlike the large flaked Unique. It's large enough not to leak and small enough to meter easy.

Scroll down in this post to see the size difference

That puts things in perspective!

My auto-disc leaks badly too (brand new) which is not helping my erratic measures. My load calls for 4.7gn of Unique (min load) and my auto-disc with the 5.3 cavity is only dropping 4.2 so I went one size up(5.7) and I'm only getting 4.6, if I go to the next size, I get too much, 5.3gn which exceeds max load. If I stay with the 5.7 cavity I get anywhere from 4.4-4.8gn drop.

I tried the charge bar, it was worse, sometimes only giving me 3.0gn and I didn't trust it.

I ordered an auto-drum....... Frustrated

 

[Tcruse]

Same here in Ft Worth TX
Also, SW Supply has it in stock as of last week gun show

 

[Gadawg88]

SARuger - I use HP-38 for 38sp, 45acp and 9mm exclusively. It meters very well through my Lee Auto disk. I use both the disks and the adjustable charge bar. I get very consistent throws as long as you operate the press in a consistent rythem. I have not had a real problem with leakage. Maybe a flake or two here and there, but nothing that has been an issue. I would suggest trying the HP-38 and see how that does for you. If you still have problems with leaking powder or inconsistent charge weights, then there is an issue you need to address. I like the auto disk and used it for several years without complaint, but I have switched over to the new Lee Auto Drum pm. It is definitely better and allows you to easily dial in just the right charge.

 

[Hangingrock]

I just purchased a 8lb container of HP38 @ $20.50 per pound plus tax. I now have 13lbs of W231/HP38 on hand. Which gives me the potential of loading 16 to 18 thousand rounds of ammunition.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I havent been reloading pistol rounds long.. Is the HP-38 a good powder? My local Bass Pro had a fairly good bit of it the other day. All 1lb containers, but they had it.

W231/HP-38 is probably my favorite handgun powder. It meters like water, is stable and very versatile. I load for the 32 ACP, 380 ACP, 38/357, 9mm, 45 ACP, 45 Colt and maybe more and I use W231 in all of them. I try other powders but always seem to come back to W231.

The original powder trinity is Bullseye, Unique and 2400.
My powder trinity is W231(HP-38), W540(HS-6) and W296(H110).
I have many others but those never fail me and if need be I need no others.