45acp andHP38

[BennyS]

Anyone have a suggested recipe for HP38 with a Hornady FMJRN 230gr. Bullet. I have five data manuals and the best I come up with is
Lee with a start load of 4.2gr.
Lyman with a start load of 5.2gr.

Also I have heard that Win 231 Is the same powder as HP38 does anyone know that as fact and can I use that load data?

 

[smokindog]

W231 == HP38, Long thread on this I personally called the mfg to confirm, others emailed!

http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/122828-hp-38-win-231-what-they-good-they-not-same.html


The Hornady 9th edition has the 230 FMJFP and FMJRN in the same table with differing BC/COL (0.168/1.200 vs 0.184/1.210). You could probably start with the Hodgdon data on their website. The Hornady charges for W231 are different than below. Suggest you get the Hornady manual


From Hodgdon website.
230 GR. HDY FMJ FP Hodgdon HP-38 .451" 1.200" 4.2 751 13,800 CUP 5.3 832 16,800 CUP

230 GR. HDY FMJ FP Winchester 231 .451" 1.200" 4.2 751 13,800 CUP 5.3 832 16,800 CUP

Anyone have a suggested recipe for HP38 with a Hornady FMJRN 230gr. Bullet. I have five data manuals and the best I come up with is
Lee with a start load of 4.2gr.
Lyman with a start load of 5.2gr.

Also I have heard that Win 231 Is the same powder as HP38 does anyone know that as fact and can I use that load data?

 

[sk330lc]

W231 and HP-38 HP-38 are the same. I made a phone call several years back as well. 5 to 5.4 grains has worked well for me using large or small pistol primer. A C.O.A.L. of 1.250" was used with the 230gr fmj.

 

[M29since14]

I have used 5.0 grs for indoor target shooting for years and switch back and forth between HP38 and 231 without much concern. If you are a stickler about cracking 800 FPS, you will probably have to bump the charge a bit. I use 5.0 because it works well in all my guns and is safe for any .45 bullet I normally have on hand.

 

[blujax01]

Save this link, it is the Hodgdon factory web site and contains Hodgdon/IMR/Winchester common loads:

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

 

[SMSgt]

Any posted load with W231/HP-38 will do, depending on what you're trying to accomplish. -38 is all I use in my handgun loads in 3 calibers. It burns slightly cleaner in the upper end of the load ranges but functions well throughout the loads.

 

[hotrod150]

I loaded a lot of 45acp back in the day. Never any 230 gr ball but some 225 gr hardcast lead round nose and several thousand hardcast 200 gr SWC, both over 5.6 gr W231. Worked great.

 

[S&WIowegan]

I loaded a lot of 45acp back in the day. Never any 230 gr ball but some 225 gr hardcast lead round nose and several thousand hardcast 200 gr SWC, both over 5.6 gr W231. Worked great.

That right there is my idea of the classic 200gr LSWC!!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

My favorite 45 Auto load is any 230gr bullet under a charge of 5.5gr W231/HP-38. That load shoots well in every handgun I've ever tried it in.

 

[PeterK]

I just shot some test loads of Berrys 230 grain round nose with 5.6 grains of hp-38 1.25" long and they performed great. Will be loading some more of these.

Peter

 

[kci-mia]

Last time I checked I've loaded 80,000+ rounds of 200gr SWC over 5.6gr of HP-38 or Winchester 231 for use in my various 45ACP pistols and revolvers.

 

[Harrison]

Check Hodgen's online load data. Hodgen lists the exact same load data for 231 as it does for HP38. The only difference is the label they stick on the bottle and they charge a dollar a pound or so more for 231.

 

[Granddad]

The load from Lee looks really light and my not reliably cycle the slide on your pistol. As already said, check Hodgdon's web. FWIW I've used loads in the low to mid 5 gr range with 230 gr. jacketed bullets at an OAL of 1.25 and been happy with the results.

 

[pokute]

I have my own pet load for the 200 LSWC too, but the poster asked specifically about the Hornady FMJRN 230gr ;^)

 

[BennyS]

Reply I got from hodgdon was 231 is same as H38.

They gave me a starting load of 4.2 gr with a 1.200 coal and a max of 5.3 gr. with the same coal.

 

[fredj338]

I doubt 4.2gr will be 100% reliable with a 230gr RNFMJ. Hornady is pretty conservative & gives 5.0gr as starting. Lyman says 5.2gr, Speer 5.6gr. Just food for thought. With 5.1gr under a 230grRNL, about 800fps.

 

[BennyS]

I doubt 4.2gr will be 100% reliable with a 230gr RNFMJ. Hornady is pretty conservative & gives 5.0gr as starting. Lyman says 5.2gr, Speer 5.6gr. Just food for thought. With 5.1gr under a 230grRNL, about 800fps.

I figured 4.2 seem light. since they are hornady bullets I'll go with their data. Maybe go just a bit above minimium.

 

[kci-mia]

For 230gr FMJ ball bullet, I've used 5.5gr of Winchester 231 or HP-38 with OAL of 1.255 to get about 850 fps. It's basically your standard factory 45 ACP ball load.

 

[shield]

Any suggestions for xtreme 200gr plated SWC with HP38? Hodgdon has 4.4gr as starting load for 200gr LSWC. Will use in a Remington R1 Enhanced 1911.

 

[bigedp51]

Quickload data using Hornady 230 round nose fmj, OAL 1.210(as per hornady manual)

4.2 grains of HP38, 752 fps, 14682 psi, 82% of powder burnt
5.0 grains of HP38, 860 fps, 20533 psi, 100% of powder burnt.

Same data but using Hornady 230 grain HP XTP OAL 1,210
5.2 grains HP38, 871 fps, 20345 psi (this bullet is not seated as deeply because of the flat point and therefore the case has increased capacity and lower chamber pressure.

NOTE: Seating depth controls chamber pressure, if the seating depth is taken to the max of 1.275 chamber pressure is less. See Quickload estimate below.

Quickload data using Hornady 230 round nose fmj, OAL 1.275
5.7 grains of HP38, 899 fps, 20488 psi, 100% of powder burnt, OAL 1.275

When reading the different load data in manuals "LOOK" at the Over All Length (OAL) of the data and compare to other manuals. The OAL has the greatest effect on chamber pressure and seating "long" reduces pressure.