Win 231 favorite loads

[Buzznrose]

I’m looking for a few good middle of the road load for W231. Primarily 124gr Xtreme plated bullets and RMR 124 and 147 grain FMJ’s.

For the Xtreme bullets, I have both FMJ and HP’s.

I was told 4.0-4.5 grains for the 124’s If that checks out, was probably gonna try 4.2-4.3 and see how it shoots.

Am I on track?

Also open to any favorite .40 SW loads with Win 231, either 165 or 180 grain bullets as I’ve not really settled on that round yet.

Thanks!

 

[marchboom]

Use reloading manuals to find the loads you want. Who is to say that the posters on this site (including me) have the correct (and safe) answers?

I always check at least 3 different manuals to find a starting load as well as a max load.

 

[IALoder]

I'm definitely watching this thread. Whenever I get to buying some 9mm dies I'll be giving Win231/HP38 a go with 124gr Berry's plated. Sorry I have nothing to add!

 

[film495]

hit the hodgdon's website Hodgdon Landing | Hodgdon (hodgdonreloading.com) quick easy reference, if you haven't already found it

 

[9mmepiphany]

I was told 4.0-4.5 grains for the 124’s If that checks out, was probably gonna try 4.2-4.3 and see how it shoots.

Am I on track?

You're not off-track.

When I started loading with W231/HP-38, it was recommended that I could load 9mm, .38Spl and .45ACP with 124gr, 158gr, and 230gr bullets respectively over 4.5grs of powder. For my use, I came down a bit in 9mm and up a bit in .45ACP

 

[Buzznrose]

Use reloading manuals to find the loads you want. Who is to say that the posters on this site (including me) have the correct (and safe) answers?

I always check at least 3 different manuals to find a starting load as well as a max load.

Sure. Thanks.

I’ve been here a few minutes and honestly was looking for some numbers from the folks who have a ton of experience. They are pretty obvious when you hang out a while.

 

[Buzznrose]

You're not off-track.

When I started loading with W231/HP-38, it was recommended that I could load 9mm, .38Spl and .45ACP with 124gr, 158gr, and 230gr bullets respectively over 4.5grs of powder. For my use, I came down a bit in 9mm and up a bit in .45ACP

Thanks. I’ve been doing the research and understand the powder ranges. Just looking for folks “pet loads” that they like and try that first.

Appreciate your input.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I’m looking for a few good middle of the road load for W231. Primarily 124gr Xtreme plated bullets and RMR 124 and 147 grain FMJ’s.

For the Xtreme bullets, I have both FMJ and HP’s.

I was told 4.0-4.5 grains for the 124’s If that checks out, was probably gonna try 4.2-4.3 and see how it shoots.

Am I on track?

Also open to any favorite .40 SW loads with Win 231, either 165 or 180 grain bullets as I’ve not really settled on that round yet.

Thanks!

A nice light load for the range is 4.0gr W231 for the 124gr plated bullet. I use that load with lead bullets and plated bullets are similar. I have also used 4.2gr W231 but I saw no reason to use the extra powder because the accuracy was the same.

 

[LiveLife]

good middle of the road load for W231 ... 124gr Xtreme plated bullets and RMR 124 and 147 grain FMJ

I have had good results with using lead load data for regular plated bullets. With 124 gr Berry's/X-Treme plated RN and RMR FMJ loaded to 1.130"-1.135", I use 4.1 to 4.3 gr of W231.

Here's Speer lead load data - https://reloadingdata.speer.com/downloads/speer/reloading-pdfs/handgun/9mm_Luger_125.pdf

• 9mm 125 gr Lead RN W231 COL 1.130" Start 3.8 gr (911 fps) - Max 4.1 gr (982 fps)

And here's Hodgdon lead load data - https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-data-center

• 9mm 125 gr Lead CN W231 COL 1.125" Start 3.9 gr (1,009 fps) - Max 4.4 gr (1,086 fps)

Here's Speer TMJ load data (Which is thick plated bullet that can be driven to jacketed velocities) - https://reloadingdata.speer.com/downloads/speer/reloading-pdfs/handgun/9mm_Luger__124_rev1.pdf

• 9mm 124 gr TMJ RN W231 COL 1.135" Start 4.0 gr (887 fps) - Max 4.5 gr (998 fps)

And Hodgdon thick plated/jacketed load data - https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-data-center

• 9mm 124 gr Berry's HBRN-TP W231 COL 1.150" Start 3.9 gr (920 fps) - Max 4.4 gr (1,037 fps)
• 9mm 125 gr Sierra FMJ W231 COL 1.090" Start 4.4 gr (1,009 fps) - Max 4.8 gr (1,088 fps)

While jacketed load data for Sierra FMJ is listed at 4.8 gr, as ArchAngelCD posted, even for RMR 124 gr FMJ, 4.3 gr of W231 loaded to 1.130"-1.135" will give you over 1000 fps for 125+ power factor with decent accuracy.

As to RMR 147 gr FMJ, I use 3.5 gr of W231 for OAL of 1.145"-1.150" but for barrels with shorter leade, I need to load shorter down to 1.100" and use 3.4 gr (Depending on the OAL, powder charge down to 3.2 gr may reliably cycle the slide) - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...col-for-reference.848462/page-2#post-11465109

• 9mm 147 gr Hornady XTP W231 COL 1.100" Start 3.0 gr (755 fps) - Max 3.4 gr (845 fps)

40 SW loads with Win 231, either 165 or 180 grain

I use 5.0 gr of W231 with 165 gr TCFP bullet loaded to 1.135" but 4.4 gr with 180 gr bullet will produce "softer" felt recoil if that's a consideration. (If you are having accuracy issue with plated TCFP bullets, try longer OAL of 1.140"-1.142" to see if accuracy improves. And if your barrel/magazine will allow, many match shooters use even longer 1.180"-1.200").

180 gr plated bullet and 4.0 gr of W231 will produce 9mm-like felt recoil and if you are looking for even lighter recoil loads, check out this Guns & Ammo article which went down to 3.5 gr of W231 for 180 gr Lead TCFP bullet at 1.130" - https://www.handgunsmag.com/editorial/ammunition_40lite_091806/138689

Here's Hodgdon load data - https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-data-center

• 40S&W 165 gr Berry's FP W231 COL 1.125" Start 4.7 gr (933 fps) - Max 5.4 gr (1,049 fps)

• 40S&W 180 gr Berry's FP W231 COL 1.125" Start 4.4 gr (872 fps) - Max 5.1 gr (984 fps)

 

[WeekendReloader]

For every powder I've tried, I have ended up somewhere in the middle of Hodgdon's data for my preferred load. Funny how that works.

Win231 is no exception. My loads are about the middle of the range.

 

[Lennyjoe]

Always best to use reloading manual data along with powder manufacturing recommendations. The forum suggestions should be used for a reference point only as part of your research.

For your reference here’s Hodgdon’s 231 listings.

 

[LiveLife]

Always best to use reloading manual data ... The forum suggestions should be used for a reference point only as part of your research.

Totally agree.

While I "copy/paste" published load data with link to sources to make load data comparison easier, human error can happen and one should always verify with published load data for actual powder work up.

 

[Buzznrose]

I agree. I have reviewed the reloading manuals. Just looking for opinions beyond the data from seasoned loaders. I also know I will be "testing" out a few different iterations.

For clarification (for 9MM), as of right now, I have always bought decent quality range ammo in 115 to 147 grain based on available deals and budget. I have a couple SD ammo's I use pretty consistently, but range ammo is a wide variety. GECO, Speer, CCI, Federal, MAGTEC, S&B, MEN, Remington, Winchester, etc...I use it all and it all serves my purposes.

My reloading is at its infancy stages, largely due to lack of primers, But a friend traded me some primers and he loaded 1500 rounds of 124 grain using a medium load of Green Dot (from an old reloading manual). He had 12 lbs of it. We were going to load together, but when he came down with COVID, he spent his quarantine time loading ammo. Rounds shot fine, and very consistent. He has since moved out of state and I'm down to the last of the reloads.

I have been buying 124 grain Xtreme bullets and some 124 grain Hoosier coated bullets. I've got another friend who will help me reload using his Dillon 550. I've bought 2K primers and have plenty of W231 powder and cleaned/deprimed cases ready to go. I was planning to load 4.2 grains of powder bu may reduce it to 4.1. I'll load a hundred rounds and if all goes well, will stick with that.

I appreciate all the inputs. I have another question on presses but will do some research and start a new thread if needed.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I’m looking for a few good middle of the road load for W231. Primarily 124gr Xtreme plated bullets and RMR 124 and 147 grain FMJ’s.

For the Xtreme bullets, I have both FMJ and HP’s.

I was told 4.0-4.5 grains for the 124’s If that checks out, was probably gonna try 4.2-4.3 and see how it shoots.

Am I on track?

Also open to any favorite .40 SW loads with Win 231, either 165 or 180 grain bullets as I’ve not really settled on that round yet.

Thanks!

I'll need to check my load book again but I'm pretty sure I haven't tried W231 with the XTreme 124gr 9mm. I do have those bullets and have loaded them but I reserve my W231 to swaged lead 9mm, LSWC .45ACP and LSWC/HBWC in .38Spl. - because that's where it really shines, IMO. If I did try it with the XTreme plated, it was just to get a baseline because it isn't my regular powder for 9mm (Accurate No.5, Unique and Red Dot are my goto's). I tried a really fast powder - Ramshot Competition - because it worked well in my .40S&W (highly recommended, BTW) but it didn't work out too well in 9mm or .45ACP. It didn't generate a long enough recoil energy to cycle the slide on my FEG Hi-Power or any of my full sized 1911-action pistols reliably, even at high pressure. That quick impulse is nice for shorter actions/barrels but my service-size autos like a little longer push to get going. Accurate No.5, Bullseye and Red Dot work really well with those 124's so I don't see why W231 wouldn't also.

Can't help with the Berry's bullets, Sorry.

 

[LiveLife]

124 grain Xtreme bullets and some 124 grain Hoosier coated bullets ... W231 ... I was planning to load 4.2 grains of powder bu may reduce it to 4.1. I'll load a hundred rounds and if all goes well, will stick with that.

While I suggest a full powder work up to identify most accurate powder charge and verify reliable slide function/spent case ejection but due to component shortage, you may consider using shorter OAL which can cut down on .1 gr of powder.

So you could try 5 rounds of each to test:

• 4.2 gr at 1.135"
• 4.1 gr at 1.130"
• 4.1 gr at 1.125"

And see which load produces smallest group.

And because X-Treme is sized .355", you may need slightly more powder than .356" sized coated bullet, especially if your barrel's groove-to-groove diameter is on the larger side.

 

[Buzznrose]

While I suggest a full powder work up to identify most accurate powder charge and verify reliable slide function/spent case ejection but due to component shortage, you may consider using shorter OAL which can cut down on .1 gr of powder.

So you could try 5 rounds of each to test:

• 4.2 gr at 1.135"
• 4.1 gr at 1.130"
• 4.1 gr at 1.125"

And see which load produces smallest group.

And because X-Treme is sized .355", you may need slightly more powder than .356" sized coated bullet, especially if your barrel's groove-to-groove diameter is on the larger side.

Thanks much!

 

[Lennyjoe]

Don’t forget to plunk test depending on which 9MM pistol your shooting from. CZ comes to mind when you need to check OAL.

If your loading for multiple pistol use, best to find the longest OAL that plunks in all and document accordingly