W231 for 45ACP

[ExMachina]

I thought the same till I ran out and a good friend sold me a pound of AA-2. 5.3 grains and 230 grain Precision Delta= 830 FPS and a SD of 5! (FIVE)

Good to know! I'll keep an eye out for that as well. Really becoming a fan of spherical powders for lower weight charges.

 

[Kosh75287]

MY experience with W231 has been pretty favourable. In my younger days, I left a powder measure half-full of it for a couple weeks, an it reacted with the plastic interior. I loaded up the powder anyway, and though it shot smokey, it shot where I pointed it. Beyond the "interior stippling job" it did on the hopper of the powder measure, I've never had any adverse efx from it.

I think I DID quit using it in favor of Unique, or AA#5, because W231 was too fast-burning for applications in .44 Spl +P, .357 Mag., and .45 Colt + P.

 

[ljnowell]

i discovered w231 right before the powder drought. too bad--it metered very well and was clean and accurate out of my 1911s. i think w231 could easily be "the one" powder for this caliber.

It CANT be the one! I know because I found out that AA#2 is THE one. Before that I found out that Bullseye was THE one, before that I found out 700x was THE one………

Lol.

 

[anothernewb]

you're both wrong. Trail Boss is the one! Or VV 330,

Actually - in this environment lately - anything I can find on the shelf - is the one! lol.

 

[Osageid]

you're both wrong. Trail Boss is the one! Or VV 330,

Actually - in this environment lately - anything I can find on the shelf - is the one! lol.

This ^^^^^^^^^
Funny how we all had our go to powders. I used to have only titegroup and 231 as my pistol powders then it grew and grew like 8 different types now. I can say it's been interesting! Then I get the new Reloader who asks the mother of all questions "what powder should I start with or what is your favorite powder??" Doh!!!!

 

[acamk37]

I Second ArchAngelCD. 5.5gr under any 230gr. bullet is my go-to load for 45. When I first started reloading, the first powder I worked with was HP-38/Win231. Have tried others since, but I always come back to that...whenever I can find it around here.

 

[The Bushmaster]

W-231. One of the most versitile powders for handgun. Works well in .380, 9mmX19, .38 Special, some .357 magnums (short barrels), .45 ACP and several others.

 

[340PD]

Dec. 24th a buddy called and had got in a small supply of HP38. His first since May 2014. He let me have 2lbs. at $21/lb.
I am now good for awhile. My other go to is Unique which will cover me for 9mm, 38, and .45 if needed.

 

[Catpop]

Gave my son the RIA Officers model I picked up at the gun show about a month ago. We carried it out today and fired some of my leftover reloads from year or so ago.
One puzzling event was 4.0 RD under 230lrn functioned perfectly, whereas 4.5 RD with same boolit failed to close action completely?
Second event was 3.5 Win 231 under 200 lswc functioned perfectly and dropped cases right at his feet! I was like poetry in motion seeing those big ole cases plop out of the 1911 and fall right at his feet. He said he loved the way it shot- like a big 22. Win 231 is like that- one great powder to work with. Wish I had some!
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night! Catpop

 

[brutus51]

I think your flirting with disaster, better pack that stuff up and ship to me immediately for proper disposal. Only annaconna I haven't seen a can in two years.

 

[Jim Watson]

Back to post #13, you have gotten oldpapps scared of his standard load of W231 with all the willy wimper stuff.
Nothing to worry about, there have been several barge loads of 200 gr .45 ACP SWCs loaded for old timey (pre .38 Super) IPSC with 5.6 - 5.8 grains of W231.

I have been loading .45 ACP midrange, Minor, and powderpuff ammo with Bullseye lately because it is more consistent in light loads than W231. I still like the Ball powder for Major and hardball, also 9mm and .38 Special.

 

[Hangingrock]

Some among us may wet themselves but for decades I've employed 5.8grs of W231 with the 45ACP-230Gr-FMJ. The current Lyman 49th list the charge weight as maximum.

That said even thou W231 is my preference I also employ Unique which is also satisfactory.