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Old January 3, 2013, 11:17 AM   #1
Wyoredman
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subing WSF for 231 in .45 ACP?

Help! Seems like someone bought every jug of 231 in town last night. I am in the midst of a large .45 ACP session and ran out of the good ole' 231.

Stopped by the local shop and the only pistol powder they had was WSF! Looking in my manual (Lymans 49th) and it looks like WSF is pretty close to 231 with 230 gr LRN bullets.

I bought the stuff, but has anyone else used it in their .45 ACP?

I am thinking of 6.0 gr WSF in place of my 5.5 gr 231 load. Should be close, don't you think?
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Old January 3, 2013, 12:03 PM   #2
grubbylabs
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Don't remember what I loaded it at but it seemed to work just fine for me when I used it. I use Unique now, only because its cheaper.
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Old January 3, 2013, 11:54 PM   #3
drail
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It is a slighter slower powder. It works fine in .45 ACP but it will take a different charge than 231. There is data for it out there, find it. The best powder I have ever found for .45 ACP (200 or 230 gr) is WST, which replaced the old Winchester 452AA, wgich was probably the finest powder ever made for loading .45 ACP. I must have burned through 50 lbs. of 452AA.
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Old January 4, 2013, 12:56 AM   #4
NWPilgrim
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From the Hodgdon website:

Quote:
230 GR. LRN .452" 1.200"
Winchester WSF
5.8 832 14,500 CUP
6.3 892 16,800 CUP
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Old January 4, 2013, 07:47 AM   #5
10 Spot Terminator
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Did they have any HP38 on hand ? Same powder as 231 ,,,
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Old January 4, 2013, 09:41 AM   #6
Mikie
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I have used WSF

Many times with both FMJs and JHPs of 230 gr. I use 6.3 gr of WSF which is right in the middle of the power range. This is pretty much my standard load.
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Old January 4, 2013, 01:01 PM   #7
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Does WSF meter well ?
Is WSF ball or flake ?
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Old January 4, 2013, 02:02 PM   #8
Ralph Allen
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Wyoredman, Looking at my little free give away Winchester reloading components manual. Winchester says 5.5 to 6.2 of WSF with a 230 LRN. FPS of 820 to 910 with pressures of 15,200 to 19,600. I have loaded MANY 1000's of rounds with some old WSL that I have. I am certain that you should be able to duplicate your 231 loads with WSF.
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Old January 4, 2013, 02:05 PM   #9
Wyoredman
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Drail: Yeah, I have several manuals. Wish I would have bought WST instead of WSF! Thanks.

Terminator: Nope, No HP38 either. Thanks, though.

Mikie: I loaded 50 with 6.0gr WSF and 230gr LRN last night. We'll see how they work.

Jibjab: WSF looks just like 231 as far as appearance. Fine grained flattened ball powder. Meterered perfect for me last night.

Ralph Allen: Thanks for the confidance booster. Have some (50) loaded with 6.0gr. and LRN. Just a bit worried about leading. 5.5gr of 231 worked really well with these same bullets, no barrel lead at all! We will see.

Thanks all.
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Old January 4, 2013, 02:38 PM   #10
grubbylabs
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WELL keep us posted and let us know how the target turned out.
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Old January 6, 2013, 06:36 PM   #11
Wyoredman
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Shot a few mags of the WSF ammo today. I didn't get too excited as the outside temp was only 4* at the time.

They (all 14) grouped into 2.0" at 10 yards shot through my SA Range Officer.

That's about as good as I can shoot any load.

They did seem a bit stouter than the 5.5 gr 231 load I usually use. The spent brass went a few feet further than normal on ejection, also!

No signs of pressure on the empties I was able to locate in the snow. I haven't cleaned the pistol yet, so I am not sure if any lead was left in the barrel.

WSF seems like it may be a good sub for the 231. I may need to back off on the charge a bit to equal the easy 231 loads. I need to shoot them over the chronograph and see.

Hope for some warmer weather!
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Old January 6, 2013, 07:42 PM   #12
Misssissippi Dave
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For lighter recoil a faster powder like WST will work better. WSF is a slower powder than W231 is. You will feel more recoil with it in its ideal range. Bullets probably will be moving faster as well. I prefer using WST in .45 acp. I have a good load worked up with a 185 grain JHP bullet.

4.4 to a max of 4.9 grains of WST should give you a nice soft shooting load with a 230 FMJ round nose bullet. Less than 4.4 grains probably won't cycle your pistol. You probably will like a 4.5 to 4.6 grain load. WST does make an accurate, soft shooting and clean load in my opinion. I also use it for .38 special at times and with 9 mm loads. It also fills the case better than some other powders do. The 9 mm loads are nearly a compressed load. WST is great for punching holes in targets. I have not found too many people, that have tried it, not like it. If you feel you need the felt recoil to enjoy shooting .45 acp then WSF is a better choice.
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