Win 231 or Bullseye for 45acp

[MoreIsLess]

I am just about out of powder on my Dillon 650. I have been using HP-38/Win 231. I used to use Bullseye. At the time I was using Bullseye, I was loading lead bullets. I hear reloaders say all the time that Bullseye is a dirty powder. However, I am using plated bullets, now, instead of lead, so I am thinking of going back to Bullseye powder.

Any thoughts on Bullseye vs Win231/HP-38 for plated bullets?

 

[ATLDave]

Which one is easier to see in the case while it's at the bullet-seating station of the 650?

 

[hdbiker]

I've used both and can't tell on from the other. I settled on 231/HP38 because it seems to meter better in my Uni Flo. hdbiker

 

[Walkalong]

Both work well, can't go wrong here.

 

[reddog81]

Bullseye is going to leave more flecks of unburnt powder or powder residue, but it works real well in all other regards so I keep using it. I'm going to wipe down the gun once I get home to remove finger prints/oils and do a light cleaning even if I don't field strip the gun for a cleaning so in the end it makes no difference to me how dirty a powder is.

Either choice will work well for most 45 ACP loads. In the Lyman #48 manual I have saved electronically it shows Bullseye or W231/HP-38 as the accuracy load for 6 out of 8 loads. Bullseye is the top load for 3 recipes and W231 is the top load for 3 recipes and Unique and 700X each have 1 accuracy load.

Traditionally lubed lead bullets will leave more grime to clean up irregardless what powder is used. You might as well try some Bullseye if you still have it.

 

[MoreIsLess]

You might as well try some Bullseye if you still have it

I don't have any more of either, except what is in the hopper of the powder dispensing station (HP-38). The LGS has both powders in stock

 

[Doublehelix]

I have tried both, and as mentioned, both work well. *MY GUN* seemed to prefer the Bullseye loads over the W231 loads, but that is my gun.

I'm sort of old school, so in .45, it was always Bullseye.

 

[Jeff H]

As everyone else has stated, either will be fine. Personally, I standardized with Win231 a number of years ago for all of my non magnum calibers. It works well in 380, 9mm, 40S&W and 45ACP.

 

[Jack B.]

Have used Bullseye for years and recently have been using WST with great success. I like WST a lot as it is light gray and easy to see in the case. Don't know about HP-38 W231 but I know lots of people swear by them. I'm also using plated bullets. They seem to keep the barrel cleaner for extended range times. All powders are dirty to some extent. IMO soft lead is what fouls up the barrel.

 

[RandyP]

HP-38/WIN 231 is all I've ever used for all my handgun calibers. Meters well, fills the case sufficient to check powder level when seating each bullet on my LCT. Can't think of a reason to change as long as it remains available. Settled on only one powder - H335 - for my 5.56/223 as well. I like to keep things simple and relatively worry free.

 

[cheygriz]

Both work well.

If you're currently using HP-38 and happy, I'd stick with it, since your loads are already worked up.

 

[marchboom]

If both are working well for you, I would chose the powder that meters the best thru your powder measure.

 

[irishlad]

As everyone else has stated, either will be fine. Personally, I standardized with Win231 a number of years ago for all of my non magnum calibers. It works well in 380, 9mm, 40S&W and 45ACP.

+1 except I don't shoot 40 s&w.

 

[243winxb]

Use the powder that loads the most rounds out of a pound of powder. Or Cost per unit.

231- $21.40 lb.

BULLSEYE- $18.95 lb

https://ammoseek.com

 

[Blue68f100]

I've used both and give the nod to BE for soft BE loads. But I replaced BE with WST as soon as I ran out. WST burns cleaner, and easier to see, meters very good since a ball powder like W231.

 

[gwpercle]

As far as straight up accuracy I have found no better powder than Bullseye .
If you load on a progressive , well you know Bullseye is a flake powder and may not measure as well as HP-38 in progressive set ups.
Let me toss out another that you might consider , Accurate Arms #2...fine measuring and seems to be as accurate, but no better than Bullseye. I've only been working with AA#2 for about 2 years and I'm getting impressed with it.
Gary

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Use the powder that loads the most rounds out of a pound of powder. Or Cost per unit.

231- $21.40 lb.

BULLSEYE- $18.95 lb

https://ammoseek.com

While I am as frugal or more so than many I do not choose a powder by the number of rounds it will produce per pound, especially when the count is around 1,300/lb.

OP, I would use the powder that delivers the most accurate ammo in your handguns. I prefer W231 but Bullseye was the original 45 ACP powder. Like already said, either will serve you well.

 

[bobinoregon]

231 has been my go to for .45 for years, meters well and I buy large quantities since I use it for several calibers.

 

[243winxb]

either will serve you well.

Exactly. Why pay more per round then needed.

 

[Charlie98]

I found, in my 4" 1911's at least, that the faster powders didn't do so well with the 230grn bullet, so I stuck with Unique. I got an alloy 4" 1911, and I went to a 200grn bullet to reduce the recoil impulse in the lighter pistol... and I'm back with the faster powders, again. W231 was in the running, but it gave more muzzle flash than both WST and BE-86, and those two were more accurate at the end of the day. I also tried TiteGroup and RedDot, simply to have a bigger comparison lot; again, neither of those two powders beat WST or BE-86 in the accuracy department. BE-86 is a slower powder, so it should work well with the 230grn bullets, too. WST is probably the cleanest burning powder I have ever used. I'll be running my loads across a chrono at Christmas time to gather further data. All of this is subjective, of course, YMMV in your firearms, but I was trying to think outside the box... errrr... outside the Unique can.

 

[Dudedog]

Current go to is HP38.
AA#2 works well and it meters better than anything else I have used.
I have some Sport Pistol and W244 I need to try and reports on both seem to indicate good things.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm also trying to find the time to test W244 and W572 in the .38, 45 Auto and 45 Colt. I can't find the time.

 

[thomas15]

Use the powder that loads the most rounds out of a pound of powder. Or Cost per unit.

231- $21.40 lb.

BULLSEYE- $18.95 lb

Exactly. Why pay more per round then needed.

Here is a helpful tip:

Winchester 231 and Hodgdon HP-38 are the exact same powder. The prospective purchaser is going to pay a royalty for the Winchester label.

Current prices at Mid-South Shooting supply shows HP-38 at a lower price point than Bullseye.

Actually, a better comparison to Alliant Bullseye is Hodgdon Titegroup. Those two have a similar burn.

When analyzing powder costs for run of the mill standard velocity pistol charges the actual amount of money the handloader spends for powder might be approx 1 cent per round if powder costs $20.00/pound. If the powder costs $40.00/pound then the cost per round would then be 2 cents.

 

[Jeff H]

Use the powder that loads the most rounds out of a pound of powder. Or Cost per unit.

231- $21.40 lb.

BULLSEYE- $18.95 lb

https://ammoseek.com

I'm as frugal as the next guy but at 1500-2000 rounds/pound, this just doesn't matter. Anyway, as mentioned before, HP-38 is cheaper. That is what I have on hand most of the time.

 

[Catpop]

I use all three- BE, HP-38, and RD. Right now I’m on RD.