W231 Accuracy Loads

[ChiefStealth]

Finally found some W231. I'll start loading 9mm and .45ACP this weekend. I have good loading data, so I know the range of charges that will work for my loads. The question I have... does W231 tend to be more accurate toward one end of the load range, or is it consistent across the whole load range? I ask, because I have noticed that certain other powders seem to be happier at the top end of the charge range (HS-6), and others do better near the bottom of the range (TG), and some do well across the whole load range (BE). So, does anyone have an opinion about 231? Thanks.

 

[Bkreutz]

Finally found some W231. I'll start loading 9mm and .45ACP this weekend. I have good loading data, so I know the range of charges that will work for my loads. The question I have... does W231 tend to be more accurate toward one end of the load range, or is it consistent across the whole load range? I ask, because I have noticed that certain other powders seem to be happier at the top end of the charge range (HS-6), and others do better near the bottom of the range (TG), and some do well across the whole load range (BE). So, does anyone have an opinion about 231? Thanks.

231 is one of the powders that I haven't found to like a certain part of the load range. I've had good results from anywhere so I just loaded to whatever power factor I was looking for. So for Minor PF, I would load it right at the bottom of the load range and had no problem with accuracy or cycling. Of course the real problem is that I haven't used any in about 2 years and I've gotten used to CFE Pistol and AutoComp. I like them better than I did 231 so I probably won't go back once it becomes available.

 

[SLT223]

In a .44 Mag case I found it works much better toward the warm end. Hodgdon's load data has a max charge of around 7gr, which results in unburned powder and very poor accuracy. Ten grains cleaned up the load and straightened out the accuracy...like night and day. This was under a 200rg plated slug.

 

[SMSgt]

It will burn cleaner at the upper end of load range.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

On 45 ACP I load 5.5 & 5.7 under a 200 LFN the 5.7 is cleaner but no more accurate. So depending on how you look at it, the lighter load allows about 48 more loads per pound of powder verses how many times (extra) you clean your hand gun in 1200 rounds. I prefer the 5.7 load, it shoots to the fixed sights on the 1917 and the 1911. Ivan

 

[Snapping Twig]

In .45acp I load 5.3g under a 230g cast TC.

It's the gold standard charge with a cast bullet of that weight.

 

[Nevada Ed]

In my 3" 9mm w231 will get close to the maximum fps of the slower powders
but it does do a good job with the light target loads also.

I have shot both the 115 and 124 plated RN with 231 and
am happy with the results for light to standard target loads.

In the 9mm I also noticed that Green Dot is a kissing cousin in powder
amounts and fps, if you run out of w231.

Good shooting.

 

[STCM(SW)]

W231, 6 gr in my .44 special WC all shot poor.
5 gr of BE was/is much better.

 

[chief38]

I rarely if ever load the .45 ACP to maximum, and mostly to minimum for Target Shooting from my Gold Cup. 4.5 grains of W231 is a incredibly accurate load for me and at 50 feet produced one hole, 7 shot groups form my Gold Cup and Gov't Models. I have not chronographed this particular load but would believe it to do about 740 - 760 fps from a 1911.

 

[Pocketfisherman]

In 45ACP, 5.1 grns W231 under a Lasercast 200gr LSWC is very accurate. The only thing I have found better in my wadgun is the Vihtavouri marine load.

 

[ironhead7544]

I have found that 231 works best with the Winchester published loads. They should be around standard pressure for the cartridge.

 

[ChiefStealth]

Thanks for all the tips. Now I gotta go drop some charges from the Lee Pro Auto-Disk to see what I get from each disk.

 

[Nick B]

I rarely if ever load the .45 ACP to maximum, and mostly to minimum for Target Shooting from my Gold Cup. 4.5 grains of W231 is a incredibly accurate load for me and at 50 feet produced one hole, 7 shot groups form my Gold Cup and Gov't Models. I have not chronographed this particular load but would believe it to do about 740 - 760 fps from a 1911.

What bullet were you using ?

 

[MikeyB]

W231/HP-38 is my go to powder for .45ACP. 5.2grs for 230gr RN cast, plated and coated bullets works very well in my 1911's.

 

[phonejack]

In my 3" 9mm w231 will get close to the maximum fps of the slower powders
but it does do a good job with the light target loads also.

I have shot both the 115 and 124 plated RN with 231 and
am happy with the results for light to standard target loads.

In the 9mm I also noticed that Green Dot is a kissing cousin in powder
amounts and fps, if you run out of w231.

Good shooting.

Whoa! I have an unopened bottle of green dot.
Good to know !!!!!

 

[WaMike]

Whoa! I have an unopened bottle of green dot.
Good to know !!!!!

Not so fast, my friend.....and I mean that literally. Green Dot is slightly slower than 231/HP38. You'll find the recipes are slightly different as well.

But you'll be happy with both. I've loaded many 9mm with both and even more 38 Special.

 

[chief38]

The target here (7 shots) was shot by me two days ago using my friend's Gold Cup series 70. I used my ammo which is the 4.5 grains of W231 and 230 grain RNL hard cast Dardas bullets. I believe they are Federal large pistol primers. Distance was 15 yards and I am very use to his Gold Cup because I have the identical gun but was shooting some of my other guns that day until he asked me if I wanted to try his. I did.

 

[H Richard]

My accuracy load with 231 in a 45 acp is 4.3 gr with a 200 gr. cast H&G 68 bullet. I've tested it out of a ransom rest and it does an honest 1.5" at 25 yards from my Gold Cup. It is a "target" load and only runs about 700 fps. You need 5.7 gr. with the same bullet for a "major" load. This should give you the indication it is a pretty versatile powder over a good range.

 

[boatbum101]

45acp try 5.4 to 5.7grs with a 230FMJ & 4.6 to 5.0grs with Lead 200gr SWC . I really like it in 38 special 148 HBWC loads 3.1grs . W 231 is to handguns what 4895 is to rifles . Regardless of caliber you can darn near find a load with it . May not be the best but you'll find one that'll work with it .

 

[MKT]

4.5 or 4.6 231/HP38 pushing a 115 gr 9mm should give you a 2" group at 50.