Back in my IPSC/USPSA competition days I used a lot of HP-38/W-231 to drive a 200 grain cast LSWC at 900 fps. Minimal leading in the barrel and HP-38/W-231 might not be the cleanest burning powder in the world, but it was cleaner burning than the old formula Unique. Accuracy was excellent.
.45ACP, 200 grain plated, SWC’s, Win 231
- Thread starter Kevin G
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The 200 lrnfp combined with hp-38 feeds/accurate in all my 1911s, which am attributing to the slightly smaller dia in front of the crimp groove. Also use it for 45 LC and 45 AR crimped. While am a little slow, have noticed one company making a coated version without the lube groove, which may provide some more bearing surface. One of the more accurate loads treid was with a 255 gn lrnfp, pistol/col dependent. A 255 lrnfp from a Lee mold has larger meplat, and can be driven from a 1911 close to the old 45 LC velocities.
cmj8591
Member
5.0g of 231 with a 200 grain SWC is my go to accuracy load in 45acp. I use lead and plated bullets interchangeably and I can't say that I see any real drop off in accuracy from one to the next. They work great in my 1911's and I load it into AR cases for my 625's. I also have a Bullseye load with the same bullet that shoots just as well. I tend to go with the 231 mostly because it seems to shoot a bit cleaner than the Bull but the difference in accuracy is negligible. I know we tend to stick with things once we decide that they work out but it's good to have options. Especially in this day and age when you don't know what will be available.
Seems 5.0 gr 231 is the go to load for my 1911’s, currently trying to lighten it some and playing with recoil springs. For revolver I use 4.0 gr 231, love the softer recoil. The arthritis in my right hand doesn’t care for the 5.0 gr load especially in revolvers. The Cajunized CZ 97 works good with 4.5 gr 231, excellent and accurate gun.
Use 231 in my .32 long, .32 mag, 9mm .38 special and.45 acp. The 32 & 38 I use HBWC’s only with light charges, nothing else. The 32 long gets 1.8 gr and the 38 spec gets 3.0 gr., revolver only. Still have about 12 pounds of 231 left, Larry
Use 231 in my .32 long, .32 mag, 9mm .38 special and.45 acp. The 32 & 38 I use HBWC’s only with light charges, nothing else. The 32 long gets 1.8 gr and the 38 spec gets 3.0 gr., revolver only. Still have about 12 pounds of 231 left, Larry
I started out my reloading with W231 in .45 ACP. Would use 5gr. with 200gr LSWC and got very good results. Switched to 4.4gr. of Bullseye after not too long, just to try it, and have stuck with that load. I get great accuracy with that load.
I still load my 9mm, 38spcl, and .380 with W231, it’s a very good light target powder, and I’ve got a lot of it…
rockquarry
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I mentioned early in this thread that I've seen slightly better overall accuracy with Bullseye than 231 in the .45 ACP, but I'm surprised at the number of 231 users. I certainly won't criticize the loads that work well for them. Maybe I didn't do enough load development when I tried 231; perhaps a good reason to try it again.
As for the .380 you mention... I got rid of all .380s some years ago, but used to work with cast bullets in several .380s. I tried five powders. 231 was easily the best for that cartridge in terms of accuracy (and maybe velocity).
Am using HP-38 for target rounds in several rounds and calibers. Most commonly in 38 sp, 44 sp, 45 acp and 45 LC. One thing that appears consistent when working up the loads is it's sensitivity to powder charge for best accuracy.
.2 gns can make noticeable difference. At least when the loads were worked up long ago when my eye sight and shooting skills were much better.
.2 gns can make noticeable difference. At least when the loads were worked up long ago when my eye sight and shooting skills were much better.
I used to buy a can (#1) every now and then (ww231/hp38) and always had stellar results with accuracy in the 38spl/44spl/45acp.
Never ran starting loads, always toward the top end of those calibers. That powder really shined with the standard velocity/standard pressure loads.
Never ran starting loads, always toward the top end of those calibers. That powder really shined with the standard velocity/standard pressure loads.
OP
Again, thanks for all the helpful responses.
I had a chance to load a few .45 ACP’s using 200 grain Berry’s SWC with 5.0 grains of Winchester 231.
Stopped by the outdoor range this morning, light, snow, below freezing, and a bit of a breeze. I was very pleased with the results, nice tight group offhand at 10 yards.
I also loaded a few 155 grain frangible bullets using 5 grains Winchester 231. Accuracy was good but of the 10 rounds I experienced 2 stovepipes which leads me to believe a bit more powder is in order.
I was using a Kimber Custom Target II 1911.
Kevin G
I had a chance to load a few .45 ACP’s using 200 grain Berry’s SWC with 5.0 grains of Winchester 231.
Stopped by the outdoor range this morning, light, snow, below freezing, and a bit of a breeze. I was very pleased with the results, nice tight group offhand at 10 yards.
I also loaded a few 155 grain frangible bullets using 5 grains Winchester 231. Accuracy was good but of the 10 rounds I experienced 2 stovepipes which leads me to believe a bit more powder is in order.
I was using a Kimber Custom Target II 1911.
Kevin G
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