Longcarbine
Member
Anyone use HP-38 in there handguns, I've never used it before but I just got 8#'s for $100. Couldn't pass it up.
HP-38
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Scharfschuetzer
Member
Yes, I use quite a bit of it in the 38 Special and mid range 357 loads using 158 grain cast bullets. It is broadly similar to Winchester 231 and you should also get good performance in mid range 41, 44 loads. I also use it in the 45 ACP with good results.
There is a lot of load data for the powder so you should have no problems finding a recipe for your cartridge. 8 pounds will last you a long time.
There is a lot of load data for the powder so you should have no problems finding a recipe for your cartridge. 8 pounds will last you a long time.
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Suburbanite
Member
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HP-38 and W231 aren't just similar. They are identical.
SuperMan
Member
...I hope you kissed the person who "gave" it to you...one would be lucky to get a 8# jug for $400 these days...
231/HP38 can be used in most any handgun round from .25 ACP to the big Magnums. Any good loading manual will have loads for almost every caliber...
Bob
kbm6893
Member
It's all I use for handgun ammo. Never a possibility of mixing powders.
HP-38 (AKA W231) is my primary powder for .38 Special, 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP. Yeah, I kind of like it.
Oh and consider me envious that you got 8# for $100.00. Congratulations!
Oh and consider me envious that you got 8# for $100.00. Congratulations!
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Use it in my 9mm and I love it !
Fishslayer
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
You got a GREAT deal!
I never could get it to work as well as Bullseye or Green Dot but I have several pounds & I'm not getting tid of it!
Lots of people swear by it. I'm surprised you could even FIND such a popular powder.
There are a lot of people that would love to find that powder but
it seems to be hiding form a lot of us.
You got one heck of a deal on that eight pounds of powder.
Be glad that you have one of the great powders of all time, to work with.
Enjoy
it seems to be hiding form a lot of us.
You got one heck of a deal on that eight pounds of powder.
Be glad that you have one of the great powders of all time, to work with.
Enjoy
It is an excellent and very versatile powder. YOu got a heck of a deal on it/.
Sounds like 1985 prices?
DeplorabusUnum
Member
Niiiiiiiiiice
You hit the jackpot with that buy. I found an 8# jug online around 3 months ago, and it was up around $180. I felt lucky then. It's a great pick up. I use it a lot, and the more I use it, the more I like it for multiple calibers.
You hit the jackpot with that buy. I found an 8# jug online around 3 months ago, and it was up around $180. I felt lucky then. It's a great pick up. I use it a lot, and the more I use it, the more I like it for multiple calibers.
OP
Longcarbine
Member
I was hoping to use it for .327 federal magnum as I have ran out of 800-X but I'm not finding any loading data. But have plenty of other calibers it will work for, as you guys have pointed out it seems to be a very versatile powder.
scattershot
Member
Use 231 data. It's the same powder.
Moe Mentum
Member
I use it for 9mm, .380 and .38 spl. and 32-20 . Great powder!
Green Frog
Member
I have seen proven loads listed for 231/HP38 in 32 H&R with 100 gr bullets. I haven't personally done it yet, but I am very hopeful that I will be able to use slightly increased charges of it for my own 327s. Please keep us informed and I'll do the same, or if you wish we can exchange PMs.
Meanwhile, anyone wants to load 9mm, 38 Spl, or 45 ACP, you are golden with a supply of this powder!
Froggie
gwpercle
Member
$12.50 a pound ... that's one of those " Too Good To Pass Up " deals .
HP38 and W231 , two peas in a pod ...
I load several different handgun calibers , 32 acp to 41 mag/spcl all with lots of cast lead bullets . Lots of loading data available , during a previous powder shortage HP38 filled in for Bullseye , Red Dot and Unique , which disappeared for a while . Did a great job and I now keep a good supply on hand ... I Like It !!!
At $12.50 a pound I would Love It ! Good score .
Gary
HP38 and W231 , two peas in a pod ...
I load several different handgun calibers , 32 acp to 41 mag/spcl all with lots of cast lead bullets . Lots of loading data available , during a previous powder shortage HP38 filled in for Bullseye , Red Dot and Unique , which disappeared for a while . Did a great job and I now keep a good supply on hand ... I Like It !!!
At $12.50 a pound I would Love It ! Good score .
Gary
Greenjoytj
Member
Must have got that 8# jug from an Estate sale, as the price you paid is pre panic buying and pre pandemic buying by many years.
nbedford
Member
Not exactly. I was thinking the same thing until today. This is more a note to myself, so that hopefully I will remember it - When you get to 38 Special or above, yup, they are pert near indistinguishable, but in smaller calibers like 32 S&W Long at least in the Hornaday 2003 manual, what would be a normal load for one might be a ways above max for the other. I reckon it is that you are dealing with so many tenths of a grain, and that makes a difference. Example with a 90 lead SWC - 1.9 grains of HP-38 is at max, but 2.5 grains of Win 231 is at max. In other words 2.5 grains of HP-38 would be way, way, way above a maximum load.
Always learning something new in reloading. And, always double check your manuals - assume nothing.
Green Frog
Member
nbedford, did you get those two charge suggestions for 32s from the same loading manual? I find there are some manuals that are way more conservative and others more "enthusiastic" with their listings. There is an awful lot of evidence out there that HP 38 and W 231 are literally the same powder from the same lots, sold in two different packages.
Froggie
Froggie
I use HP 38 in 9mm loads. Works great for me.
