Newbie with 231

ah141nj · November 16, 2008, 10:34 PM

Hey Guys,
Just geting started in Reloading as you might have read.
Was looking to start out with Winchester WSF. They didnt have any in stock today. Got Winchester 231 instead.
What do you veterans think about someone starting out with 231 for 9mm (Glock) & 45 ACP (XD)?

funnelcake · November 17, 2008, 12:16 AM

I use HP-38 (same as W231) for hard-cast loads in 9mm, .38 Spec, .45ACP & will soon add .32 S&W long to the list. Had good results with all of them.

Funnel

kraigwy · November 17, 2008, 01:02 AM

I use tons of 231, it will work great in the loads you are talking about. Meters fairly good too.

I use it in both my bulleye guns, 70 Series Godl Cup for the 45 stage and my Model 52 38 Center fire pistol. Been using it for 25 years and hasnt let me down.

Gun 4 Fun · November 17, 2008, 04:55 AM

I use a lot of the stuff, in everything from .38's to .475 linebaugh. Works great, nice groups, cleans up easily.

Crimp · November 17, 2008, 01:32 PM

You couldn't pick a better powder for .45 ACP.
It'll do OK in 9mm Luger too, although I prefer a slower powder.

Ranger325 · November 17, 2008, 03:09 PM

Agree with all of the above. I've been reloading for just a couple of years and use 231 in .45 ACP and .38 reloads - my brother threw some in when he gave me my press and I've never switched brands!

Regards,

Sevens · November 18, 2008, 08:10 AM

What do we think about picking 231 as your first powder when attempting .45 and 9mm? You likely picked one of the top three all-time most popular powders for small handgun rounds, so I'd say you did okay!

Note-- Hodgdon now markets all Winchester powders, so punch them up in your browser for a quick access to some decent load data at: www.hodgdon.com

ah141nj · November 18, 2008, 09:27 PM

Thanks for all the confidence in your replies.
Cant wait to get started

tbtrout · November 18, 2008, 09:59 PM

Good choice, depending where you are in NJ I may be able to point you in a good direction for the best prices around on reloading supplies.

Darkstar7 · November 18, 2008, 10:08 PM

W231 is a good choice for 9mm. I use 4.2 grains of W231 topped with a Montana Gold 124 grain FMJ/RN @ 1.155 for my standard range rounds - very comfortable to shoot and reliable.

NWPilgrim · November 18, 2008, 10:32 PM

W231 is a good choice, especially for pistol cartridges. I used it for most of twenty years. Lately I have switched to Universal or Unique (whichever is in stockat the local shop).

But for mild target loads W231 is a good choice. It seems that about 5.0 gr of W231 works in almost everything from 9mm to .45ACP!

Smokey Joe · November 19, 2008, 01:35 PM

Ah 141 NJ--As a new reloader you want to be careful of over-charging a case. Well, any reloader wants to be thus careful, that's how you get to be an old reloader.

My point is that with W 231, as with any small-charge powder, it is easily possible to double-charge a case, or even triple-charge it, and not have any powder spill. So you need to CHECK THE CHARGE LEVEL in each and every case. With a fast-burning powder like W 231, a double charge could be a disaster, a KA-BOOM waiting to happen.

It's nothing to be terrified by, you just keep it in mind while you are working and it helps you to be careful and methodical in your reloading.

I've been using W 231 in .357 Magnum cases and .45 ACP cases for years, for light target loads, with excellent results. But I make certain that each case cannot have an overcharge.

If the use of a dense, small-charge powder like W 231 causes you concern, then look into the use of a "fluffier" powder, perhaps Trail Boss, where a single charge would pretty much fill the case.

WESHOOT2 · November 20, 2008, 09:28 AM

I think 5.6g W231 under a 200g bullet, and 5.0g W231 under a 230g bullet, is fine.

I don't use it in any 9x19 load.

November 16, 2008, 10:34 PM	#1
ah141nj Member Join Date: November 6, 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 76	Newbie with 231 Hey Guys, Just geting started in Reloading as you might have read. Was looking to start out with Winchester WSF. They didnt have any in stock today. Got Winchester 231 instead. What do you veterans think about someone starting out with 231 for 9mm (Glock) & 45 ACP (XD)? __________________ There's no such thing as a good gun. There's no such thing as a bad gun. A gun in the hands of a bad man is a very dangerous thing. A gun in the hands of a good person is no danger to anyone except the bad guys." -- Charlton Heston, 15 Sep 1997

November 17, 2008, 01:02 AM	#3
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	I use tons of 231, it will work great in the loads you are talking about. Meters fairly good too. I use it in both my bulleye guns, 70 Series Godl Cup for the 45 stage and my Model 52 38 Center fire pistol. Been using it for 25 years and hasnt let me down. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

November 17, 2008, 01:32 PM	#5
Crimp Senior Member Join Date: November 1, 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 276	You couldn't pick a better powder for .45 ACP. It'll do OK in 9mm Luger too, although I prefer a slower powder. __________________ -Montani Semper Liberi- West Virginians: Consider joining the West Virginia Citizens Defense League.

November 17, 2008, 03:09 PM	#6
Ranger325 Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2005 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 428	Agree with all of the above. I've been reloading for just a couple of years and use 231 in .45 ACP and .38 reloads - my brother threw some in when he gave me my press and I've never switched brands! Regards, __________________ Ranger325 "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf. " George Orwell

November 18, 2008, 08:10 AM	#7
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	What do we think about picking 231 as your first powder when attempting .45 and 9mm? You likely picked one of the top three all-time most popular powders for small handgun rounds, so I'd say you did okay! Note-- Hodgdon now markets all Winchester powders, so punch them up in your browser for a quick access to some decent load data at: www.hodgdon.com __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

November 17, 2008, 12:16 AM	#2
funnelcake Member Join Date: October 15, 2008 Posts: 29	I use HP-38 (same as W231) for hard-cast loads in 9mm, .38 Spec, .45ACP & will soon add .32 S&W long to the list. Had good results with all of them. Funnel

November 17, 2008, 04:55 AM	#4
Gun 4 Fun Senior Member Join Date: November 3, 2008 Posts: 956	I use a lot of the stuff, in everything from .38's to .475 linebaugh. Works great, nice groups, cleans up easily.

November 18, 2008, 09:27 PM	#8
ah141nj Member Join Date: November 6, 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 76	Thanks for all the confidence in your replies. Cant wait to get started __________________ There's no such thing as a good gun. There's no such thing as a bad gun. A gun in the hands of a bad man is a very dangerous thing. A gun in the hands of a good person is no danger to anyone except the bad guys." -- Charlton Heston, 15 Sep 1997

November 18, 2008, 09:59 PM	#9
tbtrout Senior Member Join Date: April 27, 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 234	Good choice, depending where you are in NJ I may be able to point you in a good direction for the best prices around on reloading supplies.

November 18, 2008, 10:08 PM	#10
Darkstar7 Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Western Washington Posts: 48	W231 is a good choice for 9mm. I use 4.2 grains of W231 topped with a Montana Gold 124 grain FMJ/RN @ 1.155 for my standard range rounds - very comfortable to shoot and reliable.

November 18, 2008, 10:32 PM	#11
NWPilgrim Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,346	W231 is a good choice, especially for pistol cartridges. I used it for most of twenty years. Lately I have switched to Universal or Unique (whichever is in stockat the local shop). But for mild target loads W231 is a good choice. It seems that about 5.0 gr of W231 works in almost everything from 9mm to .45ACP!

November 19, 2008, 01:35 PM	#12
Smokey Joe Senior Member Join Date: July 14, 2001 Location: State of Confusion Posts: 2,106	A word of caution... Ah 141 NJ--As a new reloader you want to be careful of over-charging a case. Well, any reloader wants to be thus careful, that's how you get to be an old reloader. My point is that with W 231, as with any small-charge powder, it is easily possible to double-charge a case, or even triple-charge it, and not have any powder spill. So you need to CHECK THE CHARGE LEVEL in each and every case. With a fast-burning powder like W 231, a double charge could be a disaster, a KA-BOOM waiting to happen. It's nothing to be terrified by, you just keep it in mind while you are working and it helps you to be careful and methodical in your reloading. I've been using W 231 in .357 Magnum cases and .45 ACP cases for years, for light target loads, with excellent results. But I make certain that each case cannot have an overcharge. If the use of a dense, small-charge powder like W 231 causes you concern, then look into the use of a "fluffier" powder, perhaps Trail Boss, where a single charge would pretty much fill the case. __________________ God Bless America --Smokey Joe Last edited by Smokey Joe; November 19, 2008 at 01:37 PM. Reason: The usual--had another thought.

November 20, 2008, 09:28 AM	#13
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	a 'bit' I think 5.6g W231 under a 200g bullet, and 5.0g W231 under a 230g bullet, is fine. I don't use it in any 9x19 load. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"