W-231 is back!!!!

[Delkal]

Went to the Oaks show today and W-231 is back. At least 6 dealers had multiple one pound cans at $25.

One dealer said she picked it up right before coming to the show and another said it was the first time he could get it in 2 years. Finally a new batch is out, the date on the cans is 02/18/16.

Even saw a few cans of HP38 for $23 and an 8 pound can of Unique........Thought I was seeing Unicorns.

[daschnoz]

This is why I have a couple of different powders that I like to use. HP38/W231, Unique, HS6, Red Dot, and Blue Dot cover all of the pistol calibers that I load.

FYI - for those who live under a rock ...

W231 = HP38 -- it's the exact same powder with different labels. It all comes out of the same drum. They pack it in the same 1# container, slap the lot number sticker on the bottom, then put W231 labels on some and HP38 labels on others. I don't know why there is a price difference between them; maybe for the same reason that dogs lick themselves - because they can....

It's actually funny that there are people who will ONLY buy W231 (at $2-$3 more per pound) because the label on the can says W231, and "it's what I've used for years..."

[davem]

funny I bought 4 lbs of hp38 in the last month from my local lgs when I can find it. 1 can had a '14 date, 2 had '15 date and the last a '16 date stamp and he just got a "shipment" more like him rationing his inventory.

[Delkal]

Hmmmm.....A pound of HP-38 still in inventory from 2014! That kind of pisses me off.

[Mike3888]

I've never had a problem buying hp38 / 231 in central pa. The shop I go to always has it.

[KingShootersSupply]

This is why I have a couple of different powders that I like to use. HP38/W231, Unique, HS6, Red Dot, and Blue Dot cover all of the pistol calibers that I load.

FYI - for those who live under a rock ...

W231 = HP38 -- it's the exact same powder with different labels. It all comes out of the same drum. They pack it in the same 1# container, slap the lot number sticker on the bottom, then put W231 labels on some and HP38 labels on others. I don't know why there is a price difference between them; maybe for the same reason that dogs lick themselves - because they can....

It's actually funny that there are people who will ONLY buy W231 (at $2-$3 more per pound) because the label on the can says W231, and "it's what I've used for years..."

231 is more expensive because of the licensing of Winchester's name.

[daschnoz]

231 is more expensive because of the licensing of Winchester's name.

That's what I figured. There are quite a few powders that are pretty much identical* between the 2 brands (Hodgdon/Winchester). How long until they merge them, then drop the Winchester line entirely?

*

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthr...dgdon_Powder_C

[Brick]

W231 is good because it has such a wide application. Just don't expect super speeds out of it!

I tried running some chrono tests last week and only succeeded in getting angry! I'd loaded up 50 rounds of .45 ACP 185 gr Nosler Jacketed HP with 231 started at 5.2 up to 6.0 grs but was only able to get results because of sun condition on 5.4 grs. avg. vel. 663.9, 5.6 grs. 671.6, and 5.8 grs. 733.5 with standard deviations all north of 25!

When I was shooting NRA Bullseye 4.8 grs of 231 and a 200 gr. Cast lead SWC was my go to load. Chrono testing I did in 2011 showed results averaging only 685 fps for 5.0 grs. of 231. And that is fired out of a Colt Series 80 Gov't Model.

[GeneCC]

W231 is good because it has such a wide application. Just don't expect super speeds out of it!

It's not a very progressive powder. Fires fast. Don't know how its energy content is....

[bigdawgbeav]

i only want to know when I can get Clays again. Then I can sell my 7+ lbs. of WST