Win 231 & .38 SPL

[336A]

I've been thinking about branching out and trying a new powder for my .38 SPL. I have been wanting something that will meter well in my RCBS Uniflow powder measure, and be useful for a braod spectrum of loads (target & +P). I cross referenced my manuals a lot. I noticed that 231 seems to do very well for target loads and +P loads as well. My only problem is that W231 is a low load density powder unlike Unique, but that is just a personal dislike.
So I've made up my mind and decided to give 231 a chance anyway. For those that use this powder what are some of your favorite loads. Oh before I forget I will be using 158gr TVB SWC for target and +P loads as well as the Lyman #358665 RNFP, and #358429 168gr SWC. The last two bullets will be for standard loads.

 

[336A]

I've been thinking about branching out and trying a new powder for my .38 SPL. I have been wanting something that will meter well in my RCBS Uniflow powder measure, and be useful for a braod spectrum of loads (target & +P). I cross referenced my manuals a lot. I noticed that 231 seems to do very well for target loads and +P loads as well. My only problem is that W231 is a low load density powder unlike Unique, but that is just a personal dislike.
So I've made up my mind and decided to give 231 a chance anyway. For those that use this powder what are some of your favorite loads. Oh before I forget I will be using 158gr TVB SWC for target and +P loads as well as the Lyman #358665 RNFP, and #358429 168gr SWC. The last two bullets will be for standard loads.

 

[max]

I have used 231 in 38sp for years and am very happy with it.

 

[Sgt Preston]

Sgt Preston here. I use Win 231 for all my 9mm, 38 Sp & 45 ACP rounds. It meters extremely well & IMO is a perfect powder for target grade ammo. I think you'll be happy with how well it meters. However I only load target loads. So I can't provide info on +P loads. Hope this helps. Preston

 

[Skip Sackett]

336,
I use a ton of W231 only by the other name, HP-38.

I find it meters well in all of my Dillons and my Lee AutoDisk Pro too.

As for loads, mine all center around a 158gr LSWC at regular target velocities from published data. Not much help there I know, but I am trying!

I will be one that wants to hear your report on what you find though. Especially with the #358429. Always liked the looks of that bullet.

What firearm are you going to be shooting them out of?

Will it be that one from the picture I threatened to steal from you on that other forum?

Do you still have that picture? What a hoot!

 

[John R]

I've found 231 to meter well, but in any loads that I've tried with it, it was filthy.
In fact it's the dirtiest powder I have ever used.

 

[336A]

Hello smith crazy, I'll be shooting the ammo from my M10-14 & M60 no dash. I hope that the 358429 shoots well with this powder too. I have yet to get any decent results with it using Unique which shocked me. I'm hoping 231 does better with this bullet if not I guess my particular gun just don't like this bullet

. If that is the case I'm not to worried as the 358665 I have weighs in at about 165gr.
John I'm not to worried about how clean the powder burns as I clean my gun after every outing anyway.

 

[Steve C]

My favorite load in the .38 spl is 4.5grs of W231 behind a 158gr Speer swagged bullets or soft cast for standard pressure and 4.7grs behind the Speer LSWCHP for +P. With Winchester cases and primers it duplicates factory ballistics from my pistols.

 

[336A]

Thanks Steve that bit of info helps a lot. Anyone else have some pet loads to share for 231?

 

[sjmjax]

I was slow to warm up to 231 but now it is my most frequently used propellant with the rounds I shoot the most... .32SWL, .38SPCL, & .45ACP.

In .38 special, I use 3.0/3.1 with 148grain HBWC. Find it to be very accurate and a pleasant, smooth shooting round in my 52-2, K38 and Colt OMM.

With the 158 grain RNL or LSWC, I also started with 4.5 grains. Found it to also be very accurate and to point of aim in all fixed sight revolvers both Colt and SW. I've since backed off slightly to 4.2 grains and still get a nice standard mid-range load that is pleasant to shoot, accurate and to point of aim at 7 & 15 yards.

As others have noted, I like how consistantly it meters compared to powders like Unique. Not quite as economical as Bullseye. But in my opinion, gives a softer, smoother recoil than similar performance loads using Bullseye.

 

[John R]

Originally posted by 336A:
John I'm not to worried about how clean the powder burns as I clean my gun after every outing anyway.

I know, I clean my guns after shooting them, but 231 even makes my hands black when shooting a revolver.

 

[Jim Watson]

My standard powder for .38 Special.

4.6 grains and a 158 grain SWC or RN. That is either at the top of standard pressure or just into +P depending on whose data you go by.

3.2 grains and a 148 grain HBWC.

 

[David Sinko]

I have come to the conclusion that 231 is a very dirty powder but it's definitely at its worst when light charges are used. I gave up on it with the .38 Special just because it's so filthy. And it's especially nasty with cast bullets. Its new purpose in life for me will be with 255 gr. cast bullets in .45 ACP brass for the 625.

Dave Sinko

 

[Skip Sackett]

This has nothing to do with W231 in the 38spl but that won't stop me from posting anyway!

I had a shooting mentor, he kicked my rumpus almost every time we shot. He used W231 and always shot a M625 in 45ACP and always with lead bullets.

I don't ever remember him having a clean firearm when he came to shoot, never. Not that he never cleaned them, I just never saw one of his in that state. Must have worked for him!

 

[m657]

I recently loaded a bunch of 231 moderate loads for a 625 ACP. Very pleasant. A little soot, not much.

Made the mistake of using a "middle range" load of 231 in 9mm 115 FMJ....not quite enough for reliable cycling of a G34 slide. Which of course, is reason enough to find a 9mm revolver, yes???

 

[epj]

Good powder, but very dirty, especially with light to medium loads. Not so bad on upper end loads.

 

[retired2006]

Originally posted by Jim Watson:
My standard powder for .38 Special.

4.6 grains and a 158 grain SWC or RN. That is either at the top of standard pressure or just into +P depending on whose data you go by.

3.2 grains and a 148 grain HBWC.

I use the same data as this, only I use a 150 SWC instead of the 148 HBWC for a target load.
Been my standard loads for years.

 

[mtgrs737]

I quit worrying about the cleaness of powders when I started carrying a rag in my back pocket to quickly wipe the powder residue and bullet lube mix off the outside of the gun. I am going to clean it later anyway. I have a large stash of the Dot powders including Unique and you know how dirty they can be.

 

[H Richard]

4.9 Gr. 231 behind 158 Gr. cast RNFP is listed as the potentially most accurate load in the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook, at 906 fps. In my 6" 686 it will shoot 1.5" at 25 yds. a full .38, but not a +P.

For a mild .45 ACP target load, I just Ransom Rested a batch, and 4.3 Gr 231 behind 200 Gr Cast SWC (H&G) shot one hole clusters at 25 yards. I use Fed 150 primers (when I can get them anymore), and a 12 lb. spring in the 1911.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

One of my favorite target loads is a 158gr LSWC over 4.0gr W231.