In Praise of WW231

[schmeky]

I have been trying different target grade powders lately. As all reloaders know, no one powder can do it all. But there are a few that come close. For me, 231 is hard to beat.

I have super accurate loads for my .45 and have found one for my 9mm using 231. Last caliber to dial in is my .40 caliber CZ.

231 meters well, runs clean, is available (most of the time) and there's lots of load data floating around. I really like this stuff. The only other powder that I've found that works about as well is Ramshot's ZIP.

 

[indiandave]

I like 231 too. I shoot mostly .38.

 

[Historian]

I use 5.2g of 231 behind a 180g. bullet for .40 S&W. Works for me.

Historian

 

[loadedround]

I agree with both of you!

 

[ReloaderFred]

I've been using Winchester 231 ever since it was introduced. It's an excellent powder and has many, many applications.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[solvability]

Excellent powder - fixes all the problems we had with HP38.

 

[GP100man]

gotta say it-----hp38 & ww231 is the same powder, has been for a few yrs. now.
also ww296& h110

 

[Mags]

Yup, HP-38 is my go to powder for 9mm in 115, 124, and 147 grain. And 45 ACP in 200 and 230 grain, great stuff.

 

[Steve C]

hp38 & ww231 is the same powder, has been for a few yrs. now.

w231 has always had higher charges listed by a couple 10ths' in manuals right next to HP38 so there's something different enough to produce disparate data from several independent sources.

When Hodgdon took over marketing Winchester powders they simply lowered all the W231 charges to HP38, dropped all the standard pressure and +P lead bullet data Winchester used to list. Not a real service to handloaders IMO. If all Hodgdon does now is slap different labels and prices on the same canister of powder then it is the same. I've never purchased any HP38 to do a direct comparison on appearance. If someone has both I'd like to see a close up pic to see if they "look" identical.

 

[solvability]

Excellent powder - fixes all the problems we had with HP38.

Humor.

 

[Jim Watson]

I once saw a commercial loader open a new sealed 30 lb keg of powder labeled HP38.
A packing slip inside, sticking up out of the powder, was printed 231.

I think that before Hodgdon got the distributorship for Winchester powders, there was some difference. My last little bit of 231 is about .2 grain slower than my present jug of HP38. They are now listed EXACTLY the same. Obviously Hodgdon is just running one set of loads. It seems unlikely to me that they are still grading the powders a little different. But I don't care enough to buy a fresh can of each to compare. I just chronograph and tweak as necessary.

 

[GP100man]

231 had .2 higher loading & `bout 100 fps faster speed listed for it also ,so everybody always went with 231.

i have both & use both interchangeablely (is that a word?) in 38spc. & lite to mid 357 when i run out of clays.

wish i knew how to put a pic up be cause to my eye with magnification they look exactly the same.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I use nothing but W231 for my .38 Special, 9mm and .45 Auto ammo. IMO there's nothing better.

Many reloaders consider Bullseye, Unique and 2400 their "holy trinity" of powders. I have my own "trinity" of powders, W231(HP-38), W540(HS-6) and W296(H110).

 

[UnderDawgAl]

Excellent powder - fixes all the problems we had with HP38.

solvability, I got the humor and enjoyed it.

schmeky, I agree with you. In my brief 2 years of reloading experience, I've found W231/HP-38 to be a great powder for my paper-punching. I'm using it for 357/38, 9mm, and 9x18. My loads range from powder puff to fairly warm. In fact, I just bought an 8-lb jug of HP-38, which ought to last a good long while.

 

[oldgold]

[QUOTEI have my own "trinity" of powders, W231(HP-38), W540(HS-6) and W296(H110).
][/QUOTE]


I have my own "trinity" of powders, W231(HP-38), W540(HS-6) and Li'l Gun

Just because Li'l Gun loads can be reduced while W296 is not so accommodating.

 

[solvability]

I have my own trinity

Solo 1000, Clays, Titegroup, W231, HP6 and H110 - oops double Trinity.

 

[paralaska]

I've been playing around with developing target loads for my 45 ACP. I've used: Unique, Bullseye, True Blue, Power pistol, and W231. So far . . . the best accuracy has been with 5.4gr of W231 pushing a 230gr plated RN. 17 yds . . . 1"group . . . rested. Shot 6 rounds . . . 5 went in nickle size hole . . . 1 flyer caused the group to be 1". I love W231 . . . !

 

[jaholder1971]

If 231 and HP38 are the same powder the Hodgdon's way too conservative on their load data.

My .38 special load is 4.0 grains 231, per the pre-Hodgdon WW load data this was .4 grains below the max 4.4 grains for standard loads and .7 grains below +P. Today's max load is 3.7 grains 231/HP 38 with the same bullet.

4.0 grains still feels mild, like factory 158 lead loads. No flattened primers and cases eject easily. I've shot 3.7 grains and it felt like I was shooting a .22 and really worried about squibs the whole time.

 

[schmeky]

Here is a pet handload out of my accurized CZ-97. I haven't been able to find another powder/bullet combo that can do this.

 

[MattTheHat]

I've been playing around with developing target loads for my 45 ACP. I've used: Unique, Bullseye, True Blue, Power pistol, and W231. So far . . . the best accuracy has been with 5.4gr of W231 pushing a 230gr plated RN. 17 yds . . . 1"group . . . rested. Shot 6 rounds . . . 5 went in nickle size hole . . . 1 flyer caused the group to be 1". I love W231 . . . !

I personally find TiteGroup to be more accurate for .45ACP using 230 grain RN plated bullets. I like 231, don't get me wrong, but I do seem to get, well tighter groups, with TiteGroup. This is off hand, and primarily in a full length Gubment model. I don't shoot the Commander well enough to see a difference.

-Matt

 

[Dreaded]

I feel the same as most do in this thread about titegroup instead of ww231. Works from the tiny .380 all the way up to 44 mag or 45 colt. Burns clean to boot.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have my own "trinity" of powders, W231(HP-38), W540(HS-6) and Li'l Gun

Just because Li'l Gun loads can be reduced while W296 is not so accommodating.

oldgold,
I have to admit I use more powders than just W231, HS-6 and W296. I also use 2400 and Lil'Gun for my .357 Magnum ammo depending upon what I'm shooting and how heave the bullet is. I use 2400 more than not for use in my DA revolvers, (because it's down-loadable) W296 in my SA revolvers and Carbine and nothing but Lil'Gun when loading 180gr bullets in the .357 Magnum. With the heavy bullets Lil'Gun will deliver higher velocities than other powders while developing less pressure. What's not to like?

 

[something vague]

Lil'Gun with the 180grainers huh? I'll have to get me a pound of that stuff to try that combo out. How's the accuracy with those loads? Also, what kind of recoil?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Lil'Gun with the 180grainers huh? I'll have to get me a pound of that stuff to try that combo out. How's the accuracy with those loads? Also, what kind of recoil?

I don't know how Hodgdon did it but they somehow generate more velocity with less pressure with a 180gr bullet than with any other powder including W296/H110. The felt recoil to me feels less with Lil'Gun and a 180gr bullet than with W296 and a 158gr bullet. I'm guessing it's the lower pressure that does it. As for accuracy, it's good, very good. Some reloaders are using only Lil'Gun now for their .357 Magnum loads, even with lighter bullets. Even though there is no real velocity benefit they like the accuracy and the feel of the recoil. I'm still loading W296 and 2400 with lighter bullets but mostly because I have 8 lbs of each. When I use it all up I guess I'll have to make a decision too but for now using all 3 works for me.

I'm sure you will like the Max charge of 15.0gr Lil'Gun under a 180gr Hornady XTP or Cast Performance 180gr hard cast gas checked bullet.

 

[something vague]

Well, I guess I'll have to get my hands on some of that stuff to try out. I use W296 and 2400 and rarely do you see me shooting too many of the W296 loads. Just isn't that much fun compared to my 2400 loads. But I am getting low on 2400 so I might as well buy a pound of Lil'Gun to try out before I get another 8# jug of 2400. Thanks.