W231 vs Unique in 38spl

[Lovesbeer99]

I've been using Unique with good results but I'm thinking of trying something new. Comparing Unique with W231, which one is better with metering and which one is cleaner? I'll be loading .38spl and 357's at various power levels from light wad cutters to hot hollowpoints.

Thanks
Lovesbeer99

 

[DMZ]

.357 Mediums

I have used both Unique and 231 with 148 gr LHBWC and LBBWC. My notes seem to indicate that 231 is cleaner, but some of my most accurate loads were built with Unique. These were developed with .357 Mag cartridges. But,

Looking down my the rows in my spreadsheet I see that the best (most accurate) powder for lead wadcutters seems to be Universal Clays.

For lead bullets - Universal and Unique

For jacketed bullets - 2400 and 231

 

[RON in PA]

In my experience 231 meters better than Unique. I use 231 for 38 special, 45 ACP, 45 Auto Rim and .40 S&W.

 

[Walkalong]

W-231, AA #2, 700X, N310, Red Dot, American Select will all work well in .38 Special.

W-231, AA #2, & N310 will meter the best.

Red Dot and American Select are bulky so they fill the case well like Unique, but will burn cleaner.


For your "hot hollow points" I would not expect any of these powders to out do Unique, but should come close.

 

[Steve C]

I use W231 for 158gr Lead bullets in the .38 spl. When I want to push lighter jacketed 125gr and 110gr bullets past 1,000 fps from a 4" barrel, I use Unique.

 

[earplug]

I recently tried some WW231 instead of Bullseye for my target 148 grain HBWC load. It worked better in my M-14.
I haven't used Unique in several years. Its a good powder for midrange to factory type loads.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I use W231 and Clays for all my .38 Special rounds. They produce very clean and very accurate rounds. I now think Clays is even better than W231. (regular Clays, not Universal Clays)