Winchester 231 Powder Question

MikeG193 · August 17, 2011, 05:19 AM

New member, first post, new to reloading. I started reloading .223 last month. I just picked up a new S&W 686 and was about to start loading some .38 target rounds. Opened a new bottle of 231 powder and I see it looks like flakes. I was under the impression it was a ball powder like the Winchester 748 I used for the .223! Have they changed the formula? Should I be concerned?

Twinsig · August 17, 2011, 05:30 AM

I dont know anything about W748, but 231 or (HP38) works very well for my 38 spls..

flintshooter · August 17, 2011, 06:44 AM

win 231 has always been flakes as long as I have used it, 20+ years. It's a good powder.

**Mike Irwin** · August 17, 2011, 06:54 AM

WW 231 IS a ball powder.

Ball powder describes the manufacturing process, not the powder itself.

During manufacturing, ball powders are often shape altered to varying degrees to control the burning characteristics.

In the case of 231, the shape altering produces what appear to be flakes, but which are simply flattened balls.

MikeG193 · August 17, 2011, 02:08 PM

Thanks for the responses. I wasn't sure what it was supposed to look like and figured I better find out before continuing to load. I learn something new every time I read this forum. Back to the loading bench!

10Ringmagic · August 17, 2011, 04:15 PM

3.3gr of W-231 under a 148gr HBWC is one of my favorite target loads for .38 Spl.

Pbearperry · August 17, 2011, 04:31 PM

231 is probably my all time favorite powder.It does almost everything I need for handgun rounds.

Jeff H · August 17, 2011, 08:30 PM

Win 231 or its clone HP-38 for all my pistol rounds except the magnums. I have 2400 for those

Jim243 · August 17, 2011, 10:10 PM

Use the 231 it is ball powder flattened to burn faster accross the whole surface of the grain. I use it for all calibers except mags then I use 2400 a slower powder that produces higher pressures.

Jim

August 17, 2011, 05:19 AM	#1
MikeG193 Junior Member Join Date: August 17, 2011 Posts: 2	Winchester 231 Powder Question New member, first post, new to reloading. I started reloading .223 last month. I just picked up a new S&W 686 and was about to start loading some .38 target rounds. Opened a new bottle of 231 powder and I see it looks like flakes. I was under the impression it was a ball powder like the Winchester 748 I used for the .223! Have they changed the formula? Should I be concerned?

August 17, 2011, 05:30 AM	#2
Twinsig Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2009 Location: East Alabama Posts: 235	I dont know anything about W748, but 231 or (HP38) works very well for my 38 spls.. __________________ I also have Fire Extinguishers, hope I never need those either.

August 17, 2011, 06:54 AM	#4
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,379	WW 231 IS a ball powder. Ball powder describes the manufacturing process, not the powder itself. During manufacturing, ball powders are often shape altered to varying degrees to control the burning characteristics. In the case of 231, the shape altering produces what appear to be flakes, but which are simply flattened balls. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

August 17, 2011, 10:10 PM	#9
Jim243 Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Location: Just off Route 66 Posts: 5,067	Use the 231 it is ball powder flattened to burn faster accross the whole surface of the grain. I use it for all calibers except mags then I use 2400 a slower powder that produces higher pressures. Jim __________________ Si vis pacem, para bellum

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August 17, 2011, 06:44 AM	#3
flintshooter Member Join Date: April 1, 2011 Location: Central Pennsylvania Posts: 46	win 231 has always been flakes as long as I have used it, 20+ years. It's a good powder.

August 17, 2011, 02:08 PM	#5
MikeG193 Junior Member Join Date: August 17, 2011 Posts: 2	Thanks for the responses. I wasn't sure what it was supposed to look like and figured I better find out before continuing to load. I learn something new every time I read this forum. Back to the loading bench!

August 17, 2011, 04:15 PM	#6
10Ringmagic Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2010 Location: MI Posts: 315	3.3gr of W-231 under a 148gr HBWC is one of my favorite target loads for .38 Spl.

August 17, 2011, 04:31 PM	#7
Pbearperry Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 2008 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 283	231 is probably my all time favorite powder.It does almost everything I need for handgun rounds.

August 17, 2011, 08:30 PM	#8
Jeff H Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 2009 Posts: 176	Win 231 or its clone HP-38 for all my pistol rounds except the magnums. I have 2400 for those