The HP-38/W231 Syndrome?

[brutus51]

Don't really mind old powders being phased out but what I do mind is the lack of reloading data for the new stuff. Would love to find some 2400 and haven't a clue as to what it's replacements name is.

 

[gonoles_1980]

I have forgotten why HP38/W231 were my favorite powders. Bass Pro shop has plenty of Unique, Bullseye, titegroup, wst, and other powders. About the same price I can get when I order on line and add the hazmat and shipping fee. I have BE86, Powder Pistol, Titegroup, Titewad, AA#5, Unique and Bullseye. All seem to make what I need. I don't think I'm good enough to really tell the difference.

 

[thomas15]

Like a couple of others have said I also have about 14 or 15 pounds of HP-38/W231. I think that handloaders should get into the habit of buying some consumable item every time we are in the store. Doesn't have to be powder, it could be primers or bullets. Just always be adding something that you use to the collection, not when your out. Because when your out then this is when you have to stop shooting if the supply at the store is gone.

When I see 8 pound kegs of pistol powder at a reasonable price I'm going to buy it, my plan is to get (2) 8 pound kegs this year of HP-38. That and 8 pound kegs of Titegroup, Clays, maybe some WST and (2) of 4895 and a 4 pound keg of VV N320.

But no hurries and I have plenty for now. Just want to say ahead of any supply problems.

 

[LiveLife]

I have forgotten why HP38/W231 were my favorite powders.

W231/HP-38 are moderately fast burning powder that meter well and a good compromise between slower burning than Unique powders which often require high+ load data for accuracy and faster burning powders to produce less snappy recoil loads.

 

[PCFlorida]

I am currently using two powders for all my reloading. Power Pistol for my 10mm and CSB-1 for 9mm and .45 (though I am using AA #5 as I have a couple pounds of it left).

If power pistol was unavailable I would likely switch over to BE-86, though I do have about 10 lbs currently. And if CSB-1 was unavailable I would look for Unique or Universal. I'm not so hung up on a single powder that there aren't substitutes available.

 

[Chuck R.]

I wonder why they don't port over 231/HP38 specs to the new and improved process.
Everybody else changes processes or even contract manufacturers as suits them, why doesn't St Marks?

Didn't get into those details, but I imagine it's got something to do with the chemical mixture. A while back I read (from here) that another poster had contacted Hodgons as was told that the process to manufacture HP38/231 produced more waste that also had to be dealt with.

I dunno.

I am glad I can still find it though.

Chuck

 

[buck460XVR]

Many here remember the thread about Hodgdon's remarks about the St. Marks, Fla. powder plant. And how they would like to phase out HP-38/W231 due to waste and slow production of the product.

I really doubt that Hodgdon will discontinue a product that is in as much demand as W231/HP38. As long as folks are standing in line to buy it, it will be available. Until the cost of production drives the retail price up so high folks move on to something else, Hodgdon will continue to distribute it. When that time comes they will most certainly have a equivalent substitute for it. I was starting to see both W231 and HP38 on my LGS shelves regularly until this internet rumor came out and folks started to panic buy it again. I stocked up on it while I could and now have several years worth. My LGS claims he has W231/HP38 on order continuously. When he gets it in, he gets in a large supply, but the timing is random and not regular. The minute it hits the shelves, folks buy it and buy it in large quantities. Then those folks tell other folks there is some there and before you know it, it is gone until the next shipment.