Winchester 231 just ain't doing it for me in 45 ACP..

[uneasy_rider]

I have been working up some 45 ACP loads in Winchester 231 using Winchester 230grain full metal jacket bullets. I am not getting the kind of velocity I want (I would be happy with 800-825 fps), even when I am at or near the maximum range of W231.

I have loaded some with W231 5.2g with 230g FMJs, and am ony getting around 700 fps. Some of the books list that as a max load, but some go up to 5.6g.

What kind of velocities do you get with 231, and are there better choices if I want to end up at about 800 fps?

 

[Art Eatman]

I found that 231 works great with 200-grain lead SWCs, for IPSC Major power factor. I think a slightly slower-burning powder would be better for a jacketed 230-grain bullet.

FWIW,

Art

 

[uneasy_rider]

What do you suggest for powder?

 

[BeJaRa]

well, .4 grains can make a good bit of difference with W231. is this from a 5" barrel?

 

[jfh]

that's an unusually low result for 5+ grains with that bullet.

I assume you are shooting from a standard (5") barrel? Is it undersized?

I checked the Hodgdon site (current owner of 231) and see they now stop at 5.3 gr--but that's a standard pressure round at 16,800. I don't see how you would exceed +P pressures running it up to 5.6 gr.

FWIW, I typically shoot a 200-gr. LSWC with about 5.0 gr. of 231, and that clocks solidly over 820 in typical summer weather.

For more velocity, try AA#5. Their 3.2 manual shows a load range of 7.8 to 8.7, a velocity range of 816 to 927, with pressure ending at 19,800 under a Nosler 230 FMJ.

Jim H.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I have to tell you about WW 231.

Years ago, I went out on my lunch hour and bought a cannister of 231. In those days, it came in a tin cannister with a screw top. There was a paste-on label with "Ball Powder" printed on it, and the number was hand-stamped in much smaller characters.

I came back to work and realized my problem -- the temperature was in the high 90s. Can't leave it in my car. Don't want to take it up to the office and put it in my desk. Aha! I'll put it in my locker in the gym.

As I was opening the combination lock, a guy came out of the shower, saw the cannister on the bench, picked it up and said, "Ball powder?" <SCRATCH, SCRATCH> "Does this stuff work?"

I resisted the temptation to tell him to try some -- but don't smoke while you're using it.

 

[The Bushmaster]

I've been using W-231 for many years now...Only I use a 185 grain JHP (Remington). Loading them pretty hot I can get near 1,000 fps...I have not seen the need to load 230 grain bullets. My average loading nets me in the mid 850 fps.

 

[uneasy_rider]

Yes this is from a 5" barrel.. Actually, its two different 1911s and one HK... they all get about the same velocity.

 

[JA]

Trying to repoduce a mil spec load with WW-231 is just not going to happen as it is a mild target load powder. It really shines and produces top velocities in cartridges smaller than 9x19mm (25acp,32acp,380acp,9x18).
Loading 45acp I use Accurate Arms #5 powder as it was designed for loading 45acp,it is a ball powder so every charge out of the powder measure is dead on in weight,and costs several dollars less per pound than other brands of powder.

 

[Walkalong]

In those days, it came in a tin cannister with a screw top.

I still have one of those. Almost out though. Well, two, ones full of Argentine .308 powder.
AA #5, WSF, Universal Clays, True Blue, & N320 will all work quite well in the .45 in the range you are looking for.

I am suprised you can't get there with W-231. It's a very good all around .45 powder. Just through together a load with it and it will usually shoot well.

 

[JDGray]

It really shines and produces top velocities in cartridges smaller than 9x19mm (25acp,32acp,380acp,9x18).

You aint lying! I loaded some 9X18, for my Brother with 231, and shot a nice cloverleaf group offhand at 25' I also like it in my 32acp loads.

I loaded some 230gr HPs, with 5.6gr 231, and they averaged 800fps. My Speer #12 gives 5.6-6.2gr of 231 for a 230gr fmj. I dont know whats changed, but the new max for the same bullet is 5.1gr, as printed in Lees Modern Reloading#2.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I like W231 for reloading the .45 ACP but if you want more velocity give Titegroup a try with Lead bullets or Longshot with Jacketed bullets. If you want to use just one powder for both Lead and Jacketed bullets you might like the results you get with HS-6.

 

[joneb]

I really like W-231 for 185gr bullets, for 230gr I use AA#5 or Unique and Blue Dot for hot loads, which I will soon replace with Power Pistol.

 

[Black_Talon]

I've been using 231 with WW230FMJ for over 30 years now. My standard "range load" is 5.6gr with a Fed or CCI LP primer. This gives me around 800-830 fps out of all my 5" 1911s, with absolutely no pressure signs, or even very heavy recoil. I shoot this load weekly, out of any and all of my 1911s. It's clean and accurate, and certainly isn't "hot".

As several other posters have noted, more recent load data has been watered down (or lawyered down) compared to years past. The powder is still the same, as is the pressure, it's the lawyers that have been entered into the equation that are the problem.

 

[Steve C]

I got 797 fps with a Remington 230gr FMJ and 5.5grs of W231 lit off with a Winchester primer fired from my Combat Commander.

Unique with a load of 6.0 to 6.2grs will get you 850 fps with a 230gr bullet.

 

[bugs100]

5.0 gr Red Dot 910 fps with 230fmj

 

[xsquidgator]

I use up to 5.4 W231 with 230LRNs (I believe my Speer #13 or Lee#2 said 5.6 was the max W231 with 230 lead bullets) so I'm pretty sure that with 230FMJs you could go at least .4 or more grains higher with your W231. Like I said though I'd check the guides first but that's what I expect they'll say...

 

[Crimp]

5.5gr of WIN-213 gives me 816 fps with 230gr Berry's RNs @ 1.260" OAL in my 5" XD. 5.7gr gives me ~830 fps. 5.5 of 231 seems to be an accurate load, with an SD of 10 and is my favorite load.

My latest mail delivery was 1,000 230gr WIN FMJs. I expect very similar performance from them. Speer #13 takes 231 up to 6.2 max with FMJs.

 

[ADKWOODSMAN]

+1 for AA#5

 

[pinkymingeo]

AA5 is good, but staying within published max loads you won't beat AA7. Don't be surprised if you beat the book and break 1000fps.

 

[ShunZu]

Personal preference is 6.0 gr Unique behind a 200SWC that gets about 840 out my Gold Cup Nat Match.

 

[Noxx]

I prefer the Titegroup under 230s for my .45 loads, sometimes I go with UNQ for the 185's, but I'm just very satisfied with the way TG meters so consistently for me.

I'm only a 2/10 of a grain under max at 4.6, but have been plenty pleased with the results.

 

[Walkalong]

Don't be surprised if you beat the book and break 1000fps.

My advise is not to try to break 1000 FPS with 230 Gr bullets in the .45.

 

[CZ57]

AA#5 and True Blue would be very good choices. Then there's another powder that will load .45 ACP with similar chargeweights to 231: Ramshot ZIP is cleaner and it will produce higher velocity at equal pressure compared to 231. It is capable of match grade accuracy, as well.

 

[Crimp]

AA#5 and True Blue would be very good choices. ~CZ57

I shot a bunch of 230 FMJs over 7gr of True Blue today. Very pleasant load and nice groups on the paper. I was indoors under flourescents, so wasn't able to chrony them, but I'm assuming they were just over 800 fps in my 5" XD. On the way home, I picked up two more pounds of True Blue as I already prefer it in the 357 and 9 - now the 45