124 9mm WIN231

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KYregular

KYregular

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Anyone use WIN231 with 124 9mm? I usually use CFE but have a lot of 231 and want to work a load up. CFE P can sometimes be hard to find. My preferred range load is Berrys 124 RN over 5.2 grains CFE P.
 
I load a lot of Berry's and Xtreme 124gr plated bullets using Hodgdon HP-38 which is the same powder. Starting load is listed as 3.9gr but I had to bump it to 4.0gr as the starting load wouldn't completely cycle my PT92. I mostly load with a Lee Auto Disk measure and using cavity # .40 it drops a consistent load of between 4.1 and 4.15gr. which is about the middle load. It has been clean, low flash and very accurate in both my PT92C and my wife's XD Mod2 4.0.. I did load a box at 4.3gr and couldn't tell a bit of difference between that and the 4.15gr load. I've tried the Lee disk # .43 and it was about .1gr over listed max. but am guessing still well within the +P range.
 
I used to use Win231/HP38 but switched to BE86. I like the later better. The former seems much snappier where the later seems much more mild shooting. I haven’t noticed any accuracy difference so the softer shooting load is just more pleasant to shoot.
 
kmw1954 said:
I load a lot of Berry's and Xtreme 124gr plated bullets using Hodgdon HP-38 which is the same powder. Starting load is listed as 3.9gr but I had to bump it to 4.0gr as the starting load wouldn't completely cycle my PT92. I mostly load with a Lee Auto Disk measure and using cavity # .40 it drops a consistent load of between 4.1 and 4.15gr. which is about the middle load. It has been clean, low flash and very accurate in both my PT92C and my wife's XD Mod2 4.0.. I did load a box at 4.3gr and couldn't tell a bit of difference between that and the 4.15gr load. I've tried the Lee disk # .43 and it was about .1gr over listed max. but am guessing still well within the +P range.
Click to expand...
Same exact load for me lately. 4.1.
 
I use w231 with RMR 124 FMJ RN. I've loaded a couple thousand of these since January. I use 4.2-4.3 gr and COAL at 1.135. That load works reasonable well for 3 different 9mm pistols. Before the 124 I used W231 with Berrys 115gr RN.

Hoping to try BE86 if I can ever find some locally.

-Jeff
 
Last edited:
4.2 with either Berry's or Xtreme for me

TiteGroup, WST and Bullseye have also given me good results
 
4.4 w/ RMR 124gr FMJ or plated, or with Acme 124gr coated RN.
W231 just works in 9mm.
 
I use 4.0gr of HP-38 with a Zero Bullets 124gr FMJ. That's on the low end of the range, but I'm loading it pretty short - 1.090". That particular bullet profile in my short-chambered Walther PPQ causes me to have to use a short COL.
 
I also like Berry's CFE Pistol at 5.2 grains with Berry's 124 PRN, but I have tested the same bullet with Win 231 at 3.8 grains (Lee cavity 0.34) and an OAL of 1.150. It runs pretty slow, at 900.3fps at that level (the 5.2 grain CFE pistol pushes it at 1071fps), so I can see how some guns might have cycling issues (mine was tested in a Beretta PX4) and the 4.0-4.1 grain level of W231 might be better in most guns. That said, at 3.8 grains of W231, it was a nice soft load and very accurate.
 
Hokie_PhD said:
I used to use Win231/HP38 but switched to BE86. I like the later better. The former seems much snappier where the later seems much more mild shooting. I haven’t noticed any accuracy difference so the softer shooting load is just more pleasant to shoot.
Click to expand...
I found the same with these two combos. I like BE86 much better now.
 
I always start low as well, but if that first round does not cycle, I make sure it hit paper. If it's not on paper I am checking for squib loads immediately. You have to be careful at very low loads just as much as you are at max loads, or tweeners for that much.
 
I didn't really see any significant difference between the loads of 4.0, 4.1, 4.2 or 4.3 as far as accuracy, POI and only a slight difference in felt recoil between 4.0 and 4.3gr..
As I stated I settled on the 4.1/4.15gr load because of ease of use. When using the Lee Auto Disk this is what I get consistently. So there is no fooling with a measure to obtain a weight. Just put the disk in, check weigh a few and then go to town.

Another advantage is this powder fills a 9mm case to about 2/3 full, very easy to see!
 
HP38=W231 exact same powder different jar.
Mixed range brass unknown number of firings, S+P SP, charges as thrown after setting measure
5" 9mm 1911
String: 3
Date: 10/29/2017
Time: 10:04:31 AM
Grains: 124
Hi Vel: 995
Low Vel: 962
Ave Vel: 986.2
Ext Spread: 33
Std Dev: 14
RMR 124 MPR JHP 4.0 HP38 1.08 5inch 1911
Velocity Power Factor Ft/Lbs
991 122.884 270.378
993 123.132 271.47
990 122.76 269.832
962 119.288 254.785
995 123.38 272.565

String: 1
Date: 7/23/2017
Time: 10:43:16 AM
Grains: 124
Hi Vel: 1001
Low Vel: 970
Ave Vel: 987
Ext Spread: 31
Std Dev: 13
RMR 124 MPR 4.3 HP38l 08 OAL
Velocity Power Factor Ft/Lbs
970 120.28 259.04
992 123.008 270.923
1001 124.124 275.862
977 121.148 262.792
996 123.504 273.113

Note if it matters the above did not make 125 PF in my pistol
Shorter OAl with 4.3

String: 2
Date: 10/29/2017
Time: 9:42:14 AM
Grains: 124
Hi Vel: 1068
Low Vel: 1004
Ave Vel: 1034
Ext Spread: 64
Std Dev: 24
RMR 124 MPR JHP 4.3 HP38 1.055 5inch 1911
Velocity Power Factor Ft/Lbs
1046 129.704 301.222
1021 126.604 286.995
1004 124.496 277.518 (think this one was maybe a little light)
1068 132.432 314.026
1034 128.216 294.35
 
I've been shooting Berry's 124s over 4.3 to 4.4 gns W231 for an easy shooting accurate load. Been looking at BE86 lately, too. But if you have a bunch of W231 to burn, it will treat you right. I've loaded and shot thousands of rounds with it.
 
One of my 5 star loads is 4.3 gr HP-38 with Berry’s 124gr CPRN at 1.125”. I track my favorite loads using the Vihtavuori Reload app for iPad. Great loading and shooting log. Nice shooting and I like the accuracy.
 
I've been working up a load for 2 guns with HP-38 and the Beretta 92FS is a little picky. Using a 124gr Xtreme FP the PPQ grouped the tightest with 3.9gr, but it stove-piped once in awhile. Which I find alright as I don't shoot competition and like the extra tight groups, but the Beretta shot all over the place with that load. The Beretta seemed to like a little heavier load @ 4.1gr with the same bullet, and the PPQ shot that load well also, although the heavier load caused the PPQ to group a little lower at the same distance of 21'. I'm about to settle on 4gr for the PPQ which cycles fine except once in awhile the slide won't stay open on the last shot. I started with 3.8gr and worked up to 4.3gr in .1 increments and my best groups were the ones I just posted, although the PPQ would group well will all. The match barrel must have something to do with that. I haven't chrono'd the loads yet as I was just looking for the tightest groups. I have a Sig Sauer SP2022 that I'm going to be putting through the test next. I should have already did this, but got distracted with a new S&W SW22 Victory I just bought and have been breaking it in. You might need to play around with the load some as the different guns group different with different loads. gun1.jpg gun2.jpg
 
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