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**Unclenick** · November 24, 2006, 04:13 PM

Winchester 231 is the same thing as HP-38 under the Hodgdon name brand, in case your dealer has one and not the other. It has been popular for a long time with target shooters who switched from Bullseye for metering reasons. It is slower than Clays, so you will be able to get warmer loads out of it, though not a hot as Power Pistol. It should give you hardball equivalent pressure at a max load of 5.3 grains with 230 grain FMJ RN. Unless your lead is bevel base and seats deeper than this powder, it should work with lead. Deeper seating raises pressure. Back it off the usual 10% to start.

Power Pistol will match hardball pressure at about 7.3 grains. It will go about 50 fps faster, but only burn about 77% in a 5" barrel, compared with 99.8% for the 231/HP-38 load. That means more fouling and a lot more muzzle flash and will have more powder cost per load.

Nick

November 24, 2006, 04:13 PM	#4
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	Winchester 231 is the same thing as HP-38 under the Hodgdon name brand, in case your dealer has one and not the other. It has been popular for a long time with target shooters who switched from Bullseye for metering reasons. It is slower than Clays, so you will be able to get warmer loads out of it, though not a hot as Power Pistol. It should give you hardball equivalent pressure at a max load of 5.3 grains with 230 grain FMJ RN. Unless your lead is bevel base and seats deeper than this powder, it should work with lead. Deeper seating raises pressure. Back it off the usual 10% to start. Power Pistol will match hardball pressure at about 7.3 grains. It will go about 50 fps faster, but only burn about 77% in a 5" barrel, compared with 99.8% for the 231/HP-38 load. That means more fouling and a lot more muzzle flash and will have more powder cost per load. Nick __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle