Win 231 to be discontinued in the future (not sure when)...

[Moe Mentum]

Maybe they are discontinuing the W231 because they already make the same powder labeled as HP38. No need for two of the exact same powders in different containers. Packaging must cost them a fortune.

 

[zeke]

Especially if the 231 usually is more expensive than the hp-38?

Hp-38 is my most frequently used pistol powder for 38 special lead target loads, 9mm fmj loads, 44 special target loads, 45 acp target loads and 44 mag/45 LC light weight jacketed loads.

 

[rwsmith]

Wouldn't that be nice.....

Alliant will probably only make BE 86 as the one powder that does everything!

Wouldn't that be nice? If one powder could do bunny poot to magnum loads burning cleanly and consistently? Be as stable and durable as present powders? In any caliber? Pistol, rifle and shotgun? I'm not sure that would be as much fun.

 

[Moe Mentum]

I would love to try BE86, if I could find any , its just a scarce as W231 around these parts....

 

[MichiganScott]

I've been looking for BE-86 since I checked out Alliant's newest reloading data on-line back in January. I've decided it works so well for everything is because one of the ingredients is Unicorn horn.

I did buy one of the two pounds of WW231 that my LGS had today.

 

[SLT223]

I've been looking for BE-86 since I checked out Alliant's newest reloading data on-line back in January. I've decided it works so well for everything is because one of the ingredients is Unicorn horn.

I did buy one of the two pounds of WW231 that my LGS had today.

Go check Cabelas right now. You're welcome

 

[MichiganScott]

Go check Cabelas right now. You're welcome

Hit the one in GR after hitting the LGS. I've got more powder than they did.

 

[BE Mike]

I have posted this before as well as written it in my column many times and it remains true - if you shop where everyone else shops, you won't find much on the shelves. And where does everyone else think of first when they want to buy something? The "big box stores" of the shooting industry - Bass Pro Shop, Cabela's, Gander Mountain and the larger gun shops and distributors. The entire time I've been reading on Internet forums and hearing at gun clubs that there are no primers, powder or ammo to buy, I was having no problem finding all that "unavailable" stuff at my small local gun shops.

But, you ask, how can that be? Well, let's look at the situation from the other end. You're a manufacturer and are holding orders for goods from many distributors. Some of them pay you on delivery while you extend credit terms to others, some as long as six months. But money's tight, costs are rising and keeping cash flowing is important to you in this economy so who do you ship to first? The guy who pays first, of course.

Now you're a distributor holding orders from gun shops large and small, some of whom pay right away and some who you allow to pay later. Whose orders are you going to fill first? Smaller shops tend to pay right away while larger ones often take advantage of credit terms, so it shouldn't be a surprise that small shops have inventory while larger ones may not.

Then there's the contractual arrangements into which many big stores are locked. They buy their Hodgdon Powders, for example, only from ABC distributor so if ABC is out, the big store is too. But small shops have established relationships with numerous distributors and if one doesn't have what the shop's customers want, the shop has other sources to use. One local one-man shop that is open just two hours each day buys from 17 different distributors. He's been at the same location for 46 years so his prices must be attractive. And if he doesn't have what you want, he more often than not can get it for you. On top of all that, he knows your name when you walk in the door.

You aren't going to find a lot of those shops on the Internet or in the Yellow Pages. Do some research at the gun clubs to which you belong (you DO belong to at least one, right?) and you'll learn where they are. The goods are out there; you just have to shop where the masses don't. One shooter complained on an Internet forum that he was on a waiting list for something with 1,200 other people at Shyda's Gun Shop, a large retail/wholesale store in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. Nothing against Shyda's but I asked him why he would shop where 1,200 other people shop for the same thing.

Absolutely the only thing I would have to hunt for right now is CCI MiniMag 22LR ammo but that would only be a problem if I needed any. Everything else I either have plenty of or know where I can get more.

Ed

That might work for some folks, but I've shopped in the small shops in my area and popular gunpowders are not available. I've been on a waiting list with a small shop that I've done business with for years for my reloading supplies. I've been waiting for over a year. When companies like Powder Valley aren't able to stock reloading components, then I'd say that there are shortages. I refuse to pay double the going price or more for gunpowder. I do believe that we shooters are the ones who created the shortages, especially the tin hat crowd, i.e. preppers, militia and conspiracy theorists.

 

[BE Mike]

per post #62;

e3 is a different animal........

In 12 Ga. trap loads, 14grs with a 7/8 oz. load will get 1165fps.
It takes 16.5grs of Red Dot to get the 7/8 oz. load to 1160fps.

e3's energy is way over what Red Dot puts out, do to makeup.

I tried it in my 38 special and no way is it in the same ball park with w231.
One reason it is not listed as a pistol powder.......
the burn rate and the "White" smoke does not make it a good powder for this use.

You might look at Clays...............

Safe shooting.

I definitely agree about e3. As I remember, the window of use in .45 ACP was very small compared to other powders, like Bullseye. I don't think it would be good for standard loads, i.e. duplicating factory hardball .45 ACP loads, but for light target use it is economical (little charges cost less) accurate and extremely clean burning. The loads I worked up have been used for years by club members, unfortunately e3 hasn't been available for about a year in these parts.

 

[MyDads38]

So, I called the LGS where I bought my 2-8 lb. jugs of W231 powder; they still have 1 lb. containers @ $22.50/lb. On the fence about buying any more powder, as I could use more bullets & primers. Called another shop which has TiteGroup; also same price @ $22.50/lb. I'd really like to find some Bullseye and/or Red Dot, but it's been dry for 2 years for any kind of Alliant powders :-(

 

[SLT223]

Cabelas has W231 in stock right now.