Looking for W231 load data w/ Rainier 230

Araxis33 · August 11, 2008, 12:00 AM

I know Winchester recommends between 4.3 and 5.3 gr but I was wondering what some of your experiences have been using this powder and at what OAL?

These will be fired from a P-220.

_________________________________________________________________
Military power serves the cause of peace by holding up a shield behind which the patient constructive work of peace can go on.
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Winchester Defender, Marlin 330C 30-30, 1895 45-70, Ruger 10-22, 2 mini-14, SKS, Sig P-229, P-220, Glock 37, S&W 6904 and, an assortment of rods & reels

Scorch · August 11, 2008, 12:19 AM

Rainier Ballistics recommends you use cast bullet load data for their bullets. With that in mind, Hornady recommends 4.9-6.2 gr of 231 for a 230 gr LRN.

Sarge · August 11, 2008, 12:21 AM

I load a lot of W231 in .45 ACP and it is an excellent powder, for 'zero to sixty' loads in it and many other handgun cartridges. I use five grains with 200 grain LSWC's loaded to 1.250 OAL and get 826-830 fps, with little recoil and good accuracy in my 1911..

I've also spent some quality time with the P220 and while it is a superb pistol, it runs best with full loads. In your shoes I would start about 4.6 and stop wherever I got no pressure signs and good function. I have no experience with Rainier bullets so I won't hazard a guess on just where the sweet spot might be.

RNG · August 11, 2008, 03:41 AM

+1 what Scorch said about using Load data for Lead.

I'm loading 5.1-5.3 w231 w/230 gr Rainers and OAL 1.260. Good target loads and doesn't beat up my Kimber 1911.

Regards,
Richard

Loader9 · August 11, 2008, 11:09 AM

Out of the Rainier Loading Manual (you didn't know there was one, did ya) for the 230 gr RN 45 ACP using 231 powder the bottom is 4.5 grs, velocity is 643'ps, max load is 6.3 grs, velocity is 884'ps and pressure is 19,900 PSI. They are showing OAL at max- 1.275. If you need to seat the bullet deeper, I'd back up on the powder as this seems to be an optimistic load. All data with a 5" barrel, universal receiver, using Remington 2 1/2 primers. As with any data, printed or website, always start low and work up.
I've never gotten the accuracy out of 231 that I expect from my shooters. Better choices have been AA5 and HS-6 but it requires more powder as they are slower burning. Unless you're running at near max loads, I've found it to be dirty too. Too bad, I've got a bunch of it and don't like it.

D. Manley · August 11, 2008, 01:35 PM

I don't shoot 231 much but FWIW, 5.3 under a 230 Rainier @ 1.26 or a 230 Grain Hornady HAP @ 1.23 does well in my G-21...decent groups and pleasant to shoot.

WESHOOT2 · August 12, 2008, 12:32 PM

For 'factory' velocity suggest 5.5g W231, sized case, CCI300, OAL 1.255".

For lesser recoil suggest 5.0g.

Can vary OAL without charge change by +/-.010", based on your specific example.

Araxis33 · August 12, 2008, 07:49 PM

It just so happens my first batch I loaded were 5.2 gr with an OAL of 1.262 but I just loaded a batch at 5.0gr and an OAL 1.255

Have to get to the range and see how they perform

_________________________________________________________________
Military power serves the cause of peace by holding up a shield behind which the patient constructive work of peace can go on.
________________________________________________________________
Winchester Defender, Marlin 330C 30-30, 1895 45-70, Ruger 10-22, 2 mini-14’s, SKS, Sig P-229, P-220, Glock 37, S&W 6904 and an assortment of rods & reels

WESHOOT2 · August 14, 2008, 08:31 AM

Well?

August 11, 2008, 12:00 AM	#1
Araxis33 Junior Member Join Date: August 9, 2008 Location: so.cal. Posts: 5	Looking for W231 load data w/ Rainier 230 I know Winchester recommends between 4.3 and 5.3 gr but I was wondering what some of your experiences have been using this powder and at what OAL? These will be fired from a P-220. _________________________________________________________________ Military power serves the cause of peace by holding up a shield behind which the patient constructive work of peace can go on. ........................................................................................................ Winchester Defender, Marlin 330C 30-30, 1895 45-70, Ruger 10-22, 2 mini-14, SKS, Sig P-229, P-220, Glock 37, S&W 6904 and, an assortment of rods & reels

August 11, 2008, 12:19 AM	#2
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Rainier Ballistics recommends you use cast bullet load data for their bullets. With that in mind, Hornady recommends 4.9-6.2 gr of 231 for a 230 gr LRN. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

August 11, 2008, 12:21 AM	#3
Sarge Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2002 Location: MO Posts: 5,457	I load a lot of W231 in .45 ACP and it is an excellent powder, for 'zero to sixty' loads in it and many other handgun cartridges. I use five grains with 200 grain LSWC's loaded to 1.250 OAL and get 826-830 fps, with little recoil and good accuracy in my 1911.. I've also spent some quality time with the P220 and while it is a superb pistol, it runs best with full loads. In your shoes I would start about 4.6 and stop wherever I got no pressure signs and good function. I have no experience with Rainier bullets so I won't hazard a guess on just where the sweet spot might be. __________________ People were smarter before the Internet, or imbeciles were harder to notice.

August 11, 2008, 03:41 AM	#4
RNG Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2007 Location: South Carolina Posts: 120	+1 what Scorch said about using Load data for Lead. I'm loading 5.1-5.3 w231 w/230 gr Rainers and OAL 1.260. Good target loads and doesn't beat up my Kimber 1911. Regards, Richard __________________ __________________________________________________________ Kimbers are what you show your friends. Glocks are what you show your enemies.

August 11, 2008, 01:35 PM	#6
D. Manley Senior Member Join Date: July 13, 2008 Posts: 299	I don't shoot 231 much but FWIW, 5.3 under a 230 Rainier @ 1.26 or a 230 Grain Hornady HAP @ 1.23 does well in my G-21...decent groups and pleasant to shoot. __________________ *"Old School" ain't all bad...*

August 11, 2008, 11:09 AM	#5
Loader9 Senior Member Join Date: July 29, 2008 Posts: 949	Out of the Rainier Loading Manual (you didn't know there was one, did ya) for the 230 gr RN 45 ACP using 231 powder the bottom is 4.5 grs, velocity is 643'ps, max load is 6.3 grs, velocity is 884'ps and pressure is 19,900 PSI. They are showing OAL at max- 1.275. If you need to seat the bullet deeper, I'd back up on the powder as this seems to be an optimistic load. All data with a 5" barrel, universal receiver, using Remington 2 1/2 primers. As with any data, printed or website, always start low and work up. I've never gotten the accuracy out of 231 that I expect from my shooters. Better choices have been AA5 and HS-6 but it requires more powder as they are slower burning. Unless you're running at near max loads, I've found it to be dirty too. Too bad, I've got a bunch of it and don't like it.

August 12, 2008, 12:32 PM	#7
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	(actually) been there done that For 'factory' velocity suggest 5.5g W231, sized case, CCI300, OAL 1.255". For lesser recoil suggest 5.0g. Can vary OAL without charge change by +/-.010", based on your specific example. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

August 12, 2008, 07:49 PM	#8
Araxis33 Junior Member Join Date: August 9, 2008 Location: so.cal. Posts: 5	It just so happens my first batch I loaded were 5.2 gr with an OAL of 1.262 but I just loaded a batch at 5.0gr and an OAL 1.255 Have to get to the range and see how they perform _________________________________________________________________ Military power serves the cause of peace by holding up a shield behind which the patient constructive work of peace can go on. ________________________________________________________________ Winchester Defender, Marlin 330C 30-30, 1895 45-70, Ruger 10-22, 2 mini-14’s, SKS, Sig P-229, P-220, Glock 37, S&W 6904 and an assortment of rods & reels

August 14, 2008, 08:31 AM	#9
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	nosy Well? __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"