W231 Powder Questions

[Shudawg46]

I've been loading for 30 years only to just now start using faster powders in my 44 magnums. I love to shoot targets and find the 'thumper' loads too hot for me now at my age. Upon opening my first pound of 231 I noticed it was a very light gray color, seemingly more flake than ball (which it is supposed to be) and my Hornady pistol measure bushing throws 8.5 grains rather than the 8.9 which it should when weighed. What gives? Do I have a powder mixup? I appreciate the help of some of you experts.

Thanks!

 

[Jim Watson]

Win 231 is made by the Ball powder PROCESS. The balls coming out of the production line are rolled flat to control the burn rate. They still slide through a meter very well. I like the light color, it makes it easy to see the powder in a case as I put a bullet in place to be seated on my Dillon progressive.

Fixed bushing powder measure charts are fantasy literature. Tolerances in both the powder density and the measure volume make it a rare thing for one to deliver what it is marked for.
The tendency of the measure makers is to apply a + zero, - whatever manufacturing tolerance to avoid any risk of overload.

I doubt 8.4 grains will shoot any worse than 8.9. If you just must have the exact amount, you can sand the bushing out to deliver it.

 

[Walkalong]

Yep.. Jims got it, as usual.

 

[LiveLife]

And when you use up that pound of W231, you can buy HP38. Same exact powder but cheaper and just in Hodgdon container.

 

[Slamfire]

Powders are blended to be consistant between lots on a weight basis not a volume basis.

Color is unimportant.

Heck I have one powder that is green. It shoots well.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Yep, W231 is a "flattened ball powder" so that's why it looks like it does. I've found it measures a little light too.

 

[noylj]

However, 231 is not my first choice for light .44 Mag loads.
The only thing you can control is how consistent you can cycle your powder measure to ensure consistent powder drop weights.
What I do is keep notes on what weight of powder is thrown with each bushing for future reference. If bushings have any sort of volume, you can take (actual weight) and divide by (listed volume) for your own VMD number for use with the other bushings.