Lack of data for W244...

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Seems like maybe the only source available for reloading data using Winchester 244 "Winclean" is Hodgdon's online site. They list data for bullets the bullets manufacturers don't - in fact, I haven't found any data other than Hodgdon at all. I bought a pound of 244 for .45ACP 200gr. swaged SWC and 9mm 125gr. swaged RN lead loads. It's supposed to be real clean and about the same as Unique for pressure and burn rates so it ought to work really well in both semi-autos. If so, I've got some 100gr. .355" for .380 I'll try it with. The data Hodgdon has seems reasonable for the soft lead bullets. It's not all that new a powder so I'm kind of wondering why there's no data for it from Speer, Sierra or Hornady.

 

[BBarn]

In general, the bullet reloading manuals are somewhat slow to adopt new powders. I would expect to see W244 loads beginning to appear in those manuals as they are updated or revised.

W244 has worked well for me under 200gr. plated bullets in the 45 auto.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

In general, the bullet reloading manuals are somewhat slow to adopt new powders. I would expect to see W244 loads beginning to appear in those manuals as they are updated or revised.

W244 has worked well for me under 200gr. plated bullets in the 45 auto.

Thanks!

I'll be using them under Speer, Albert's and Hunter Supply lead, and possibly X-Treme 200gr. RN for the indoor range. Speer and Alberts are soft swaged lead, Hunter's are hard cast, lubed. I was thinking about replacing my HS6 load under the 185gr. Nosler JHP Competition with W244. An interesting note: Nosler's online data for the 185gr. Competition includes W231 and HP38 - which Hodgdon acknowledges are the same powder - with different data.

 

[BBarn]

Small differences between HP-38 and W231 data are not unusual. Probably due to differences in component lots and other test variables. Note that the differences are very small.

The plated 200gr. load I'm using falls in the middle of Hodgdon's Speer JHP data.

 

[Charlie98]

I set out to find a 'new' powder that would work well with both 200grn .45ACP and 124grn 9mm loads, but for my short-barreled pistols... 4" 1911, and 3.6" Kahr 9mm, respectively. Unique, my old standby, works well enough, but produced a pretty good fireball (indoors...) and can be a little tricky to drop accurately in small charges (9mm,) at least with my old Hornady drop. I thought one of the newer powders, with everything they incorporated into them, might be worth a try, and a faster one than Unique made sense. W244 was on the list, even with the lack of data.

I like it. It can be a little tricky... I was getting lower than expected velocity and crazy SD's, particularly in the .45ACP, but found adjusting the bullet seating depth changed how it burned pretty dramatically, much like WST, another favorite I use in 200grn .45ACP.

200grn RMR PRN @ 1.23" with 6.0grn W244 gave me 810fps out of my 4" Kimbers. I originally started at 1.245", but it gave wild accuracy and velocity, knocking the bullet back to 1.23" settled it down. My guess is the powder likes less air space. 6.0grn W244 is over book, but I have seen other data that suggested it, and I worked into it. I have gone as high as 6.2grn, and have also used both the RMR PSWC bullet, and the Berrys PSWC, with the same basic results.

 

[vaalpens]

Hodgdon has plenty load data for W244, and you should be able to work up loads for Speer, Sierra or Hornady bullets without any problems. I like W244. Seems to work well in most of my cartridges.

357sig, 124gr, #8 in accuracy, .630" @15 yards
40s&w, 180gr, #1 in accuracy, .260" @ 15 yards
45acp, 200gr, #15 in accuracy, .770" @15 yards
9mm, 115gr, #4 in accuracy, .49" @10 yards

 

[lordpaxman]

I used the Hodgdon data for W244 as I was looking for a W231 replacement. From all the load work ups, I’m impressed with their newer powder. I suspect you’ll see it in other places in the near future. Good luck.

 

[GHinNH]

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