Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 231/HP-38 Discontinued

Sorry is this has been posted before, looked and did not find.

Good info, thanks.

I like 231, but guess I could live without it, using the newer powders.

DF

Whats a good 231 sub?

Zip.

http://www.ramshot.com/products/handgun/?view=9&product=Zip

Available now (for a short time I'm sure)

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/00079ZIP/Ramshot-Zip-Smokeless-Handgun-Powder-(1-Lb)

Never used Zip.

Back in my cowboy action days, I tested a number of pistol powders for residue. I loaded .38 Spec. cases with 150 gr. bullets at around 600 fps., pretty typical CAS load.

Solo 1000 was the cleanest of the lot, and that included around a dozen powders. Titegroup was clean, as was American Select.

I think any of those would work including 700X and Red Dot.

Clays was my powder of choice with CAS, although it's slightly faster than 231. Although not as clean as Solo 1000, Titegroup or American Select, it was very consistent and I had a big jug of it...

DF

I actually found a pound of HP38 the other day - hadn't seen any for a long time.

Pistol powders are a MOFO to get right now. I ain't loaded pistol much in a long time.

Luckily I can load about 3500 rounds of ammo with 1 pound of 231.

I have 5 pounds of H110 and 4 pounds of Unique, so that should cover me for the 38/357 for awhile.

I don't reload auto cartridges.

If you ever see Universal, grab it; but since you probably won't see any, try Power Pistol.

That looks like a Facebook post. I'm holding judgement until I can see some serious confirmation. Too many internet/Facebook rumors that have proven to be false. W2w31/HP38 are very popular powders. Even if it did take longer to make, which I doubt, all they would have to do is raise the price to cover their inconvenience.

Paul B.

Power pistol and Universal are a good bit slower than 231/HP-38, closer to Unique.

DF

I have seen this bandied around Facebook for the last couple of weeks...Im hesitant to believe it, but count myself lucky I have 32lbs squirreled away.

231/HP38 and 296/H110 are the only pistol powders I care anything for. I have tried all sorts of other stuff, and keep coming back to these two.

There are newer, cleaner burning powders than those two, but they do work and have worked for many years.

DF

If I were to be looking for a 231/HP38 replacement for most of the cartridges they were listed in, TiteGroup is what the mfg seems to be replacing it with.

231 was known for years as a low volume pistol powder with a certain amount of position insensitivity....

CFE pistol, now in the fray, is also a decent alternative albeit more like Unique/Universal in burn rate.

Titegroup is also good regarding positional sensitivity.

DF

Fer sure fer sure! "Economics" and profit! right?


I haven't tried 296/H110 yet, but almost all my favorite propellants are from Hodgdon.

Handgunners like other shooters are appropriately stubborn about what they like!

HP38/231 I've seen recently goes for nearly $30/lb. But as long as buyers demand it!!??

I use Accurate #2. I believe the burn rate is similar to 231.
It's a relatively fast powder and burns very clean.

I use it for 200 grain 45 ACP loads and 38 Special wadcutters. I have a lifetime supply of the powder for the amount of shooting I do.

Dan

Good deal, I just used the Cabela's gift card my SIL sent me for my B-day and order 5 pounds of Universal.

Thanks

Universal Clays( not Universal)and Unique are very very close to W231

Tomato, potato

From Hodgdon's websit


UNIVERSAL®

UNIVERSAL gunpowder handles the broadest spectrum of cartridges for both pistol and shotgun. This is the Clays gunpowder technology designed for 28 gauge shooters. From the 25 ACP to the 44 magnum and 28 gauge to 12 gauge, UNIVERSAL CLAYS gunpowder provides outstanding performance. As with all the "CLAYS" gunpowder series powders, clean burning and uniformity are part of its attributes.



Load data, Hodgdon.

45acp 230FMJ
Hodgdon
Universal
.451"
1.200"
5.1
716
11,800 CUP

I've seen 231 and titegroup for sale, I have NOT seen any AA number powders in years.

Clays is faster than titegroup and TG is closer to bullseye.

here's a few faster and slower than 231, YMMV

AA No 2
Ramshot Zip
SR 7625
Hod HP-38
WW 231
Alliant 20/28
Alliant Unique
RIO CSB-1
Hod UNIVERSAL