Winchester 231Ball

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PED1945

Active Member
Win 231 and HP-38 are the same powder. Loading data is interchangeable. In my experience these powders have worked well in 32 ACP, 380 ACP, 32 S&W Long, 9mm Luger, 38 Special, 44 Special and 45 ACP. They are easier to meter than Bullseye through my old Redding powder measure.

A favorite load for the 45 ACP with 230 FMJ is 5.3 grains of either Win 231 or HP-38.
 
P

PED1945

Active Member
Mitty38 said:
After I get some #68 lee clones cast and coated.
Click to expand...

Back in 1975 I bought a single cavity Lee 452-190 which has worked very well in 45 ACP when loaded with 5.6 grains of Win 231 or HP-38. Since that shape is no longer available, today I would get their 452-200RF which will also work in 45 Colt.
 
Mitty38

Mitty38

Well-Known Member
PED1945 said:
Win 231 and HP-38 are the same powder. Loading data is interchangeable. In my experience these powders have worked well in 32 ACP, 380 ACP, 32 S&W Long, 9mm Luger, 38 Special, 44 Special and 45 ACP. They are easier to meter than Bullseye through my old Redding powder measure.

A favorite load for the 45 ACP with 230 FMJ is 5.3 grains of either Win 231 or HP-38.
Click to expand...
I have the Lee 90310 6 cavity. Casts a 452/200. Version of the #68 Lyman.
Can not wait for the weather to warm so I can cast with it on the porch.
If it works out since the 45 1911 is my Son'sin 4 years.
It will be the only pistol caliber 45 load I run.
 
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Mitty38

Mitty38

Well-Known Member
Well after going round about. Looks like we are going with 5 grain 231 over 200 grain swc powder coated. 1.235 OAL. For the 1911.
Pretty much what all the old timers told me. Printed load data from several sources had me at 4.5 grain all the way to 6.5 grain with OAL's all over the block .
But now that I ran the ladder. I can shoot that load in that gun with confidence.
Just doing a +- .1 grain variance test tomorrow. To see if I can use my Lee Disk drop on the turret without losing too much accuracy.
If not we will just have to go with a funnel, and my Lyman balance scale.
Then it's time to get an ammo box filled up.
 
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quicksylver

quicksylver

Well-Known Member
fiver said:
they just make huge lots of powder, dump it on the market and expect it to last till the next time they make it.

231 works well in everything.
9mm 45 acp 38 special 44 mag 45 colt.
it's the only handgun powder my dad ever bought.
Click to expand...
^^^^^+1
 
Mitty38

Mitty38

Well-Known Member
Well, set up the ACP on the 4 hole Turret. Wallard out a hole in a disk a bit bigger then stock, for the Lee auto disk powder measure. Then mounted it on top a powder thru die.
It's dropping 4.9 to 5.1. Pretty much 5.0 with an occasional variation, if a tap on it everytime and hold my tongue right. So We are rolling with 5.0ish.
Might be 5.1 once it gets a good bit of gunpowder dust on it.
 
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RicinYakima

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
Mitty38 said:
Well, set up the ACP on the 4 hole Turret. Wallard out a hole in a disk a bit bigger then stock, for the Lee auto disk powder measure. Then mounted it on top a powder thru die.
It's dropping 4.9 to 5.1. Pretty much 5.0 with an occasional variation, if a tap on it everytime and hold my tongue right. So We are rolling with 5.0ish.
Might be 5.1 once it gets a good bit of gunpowder dust on it.
Click to expand...
You will never see a difference on the target!
 
Q

Qc Pistolero

New Member
The difference between HP38 and 231 is the label on the can.The difference between lot to lot of powder being aprox 4% is the only difference in burning rate you'll see between them two.Interchanging them is safe(same as H110 and W296).On the other hand,it is a bad idea to use Unique Data(or any other data) and transpose it for 231(or HP38) Unique being slower burning.Might not wreck your gun but will certainly bring some rattling out much sooner than gun was built for.
 
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