W231 in a .44Mag?

[Waffen]

I was wondering if I could safely load W231 in a 44mag behind a 180gr Hornady XTP. I have looked all over for load data and have come to the conclusion that it would be possible, though there is no data that I can find from any manufacture including winchester for a 180gr bullet.

I have a large supply of W231 and a bunch of large pistol primers and wanted to see if I could load some good plinking loads. I was thinking 11.5-12.5 sounded about right for min and max loads. It looks to be extremly close to HP-38 across the bullet weight spectrum and though you generally shouldn't I was thinking I could use HP-38 data for W231 in 44mag. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[mattcat]

those should be workable loades
11.5 should give you about 1325fps and about 28000psi (asuming a 6in barrol)
12.5 should give 1395fps and about 32600psi
14 is max for pressure at 1497fps and 40371psi (but aproach with caution because seat depth and other things can effect pressures)

 

[YodaVader]

Myself , I would stick to published data , especially regarding the 231 you have mentioned. When trying to "invent" your own loads bad things can happen.

My 4th Edition Hornady manual does not list any 231 loads for the 180XTP for use in the 44 Magnum. Just a 44 Special load at 6.2 - 6.8 grains. The fastest powder they have listed in the 4th Edition for the 180XTP in 44 Mag is Unique at 11.4 - 13.5 with velocity between 1300-1500 fps with a 7 1/2" Super Blackhawk.

With the 231 loads you mention you would be using a similar charge to Unuique but with a much faster burning powder - in the same manual 231 was the 5th fastest (that is burn rate) powder listed compared to Unique at 19th.

Like I mentioned ,I would stick to published data. Hornady has come out with newer manuals - am not sure if 231 would be listed for 44 mag and the jacketed bullets.

 

[The Bushmaster]

I have a listing in my Lyman 48th edition for W-231 and a 180 gr Sierra JHC...Starting at 10.2 (1077fps) and maximum at 13.0 (1267fps)[36,300 C.U.P.]

My Sierra manual list none for W-231. Personally I would go with W-296 instead...

Hope this helps...

 

[Mal H]

I was thinking I could use HP-38 data for W231 in 44mag.

In reality, yes you can. They are essentially the same powder manufactured by St. Marks and delivered to both Win and Hodgdon. However, as always you should use the minimum starting load and work up from there whenever you change any component. Changing the powder supplier is certainly changing a component.

14 is max for pressure at 1497fps and 40371psi

I would consider that a bad bit of info for the general reloader. The industry max is 36,000 psi.

I like The Bushmaster's min/max for W231 and a 180 gr jacketed bullet much better. The min is in line with Speer's min for a jacketed 200 (which will be close to the 180) and the max is not dangerously over pressure. 11.5 grains of W231 is more of a mid-range load.

 

[.45man]

Waffen,

11.0gr of W231 with a 180gr Horn XTP is good stuff......I have used it in the past with great results....

You can see some of my load data on this and other .44 loads HERE:

It is an Excel file, just click on the .44 Mag Tab at the bottom.....

Enjoy

 

[Waffen]

Thanks a lot .45 Man.

You're load excel chart looks almost exactly like mine

I have them loaded at 11.5 and plan to shoot today. I think it's going to be allrihgt. I have checked many places and it seems HP-38 is the EXACT same thing as W231 which is what I was thinking.

I'll let you know if I come back from the range with a bloody stump or a nice grouping. Thanks guys!

 

[YodaVader]

Waffen - I think you will have a higher likelihood of a good grouping over the bloody stump! As long you are sticking to loads that were developed by actual bullet/powder manufacturers you should be good to go.

I would also like to hear a follow up on how the 231 worked for you. With the 180XTP I have only used Unique so far. With Remington 180 JHPs I have used Unique , 296 and H110 all with good results.

 

[Waffen]

Well I just got back from the range. Fortuanatly I can type with both hands and there are no bloody stumps to be had. I did get good results with the 231 and the 44mag, however I think i'm going to be sticking with the 110/296/2400 in the future when I use up my 231.

I ended up charging them with 11.5gr of 231 and it worked great. I was only shooting at 7 yards off hand but was able to get a nice 2 1/2 inch group when I settled down. I'm a novice at pistol shooting but that was good for me. I would call it an accurate load just a shooter with the occasional case of range parkinsons.

 

[Paul "Fitz" Jones]

11gr WW231 from Winchester firat printing.

When WW231 was weakened from WW230, Winchester printed their recommendations for the 44 mag and the only bullet listed was the 240gr Lead bullet and stated was it is a full power load at 1285fps. That was a long time ago and how powders and bullets have evolved.

I still use WW231 for all my pistol calibers and my family 1892 Winchesters in .357 mag.

 

[9thhour]

I use 6.5gr. of WW231 over a 240gr. LSWC BB for a nice target range plinking load. I shoot a S&W Model 629 DX Classic with a 6.5" barrel

I can shoot several hundred of these in one range visit with no soreness in the web of my hand.

They are very accurate at 25 yards or less. I do not have access to a chrono but I guestimate velocity to be somewhere around 950fps at the barrel.