WINCHESTER 231 VS 244

[hotshot357]

I'm using 700x for my 9mm reloads. The only reason is because it was free and there was around 3 lbs. of it. I'm thinking about 231 or 244 for 9mm & possibly 45 ACP . Which do you guys and dolls use and are there any other powder that would be better for both 9mm & 45 ACP.

 

[Cemetery21]

I like and use 231 for 9mm and 45 for mid-range loads. But, use your 700x 'cause you won't want to go back to it after seeing how much better 231 meters.

 

[BBarn]

Both are good choices. W231 has a long history of excellent performance in target loads for the 45 Auto. It 's been used my many in the 9mm as well. W244 is much newer and perhaps not as widely used yet. Many also like Bullseye and Titegroup for those cartridges as well. But maximum velocities are typically achieved in those cartridges using powders a bit slower than those listed above.

 

[Charlie98]

Never a big fan of W231, although I've used it. As I'm trying to find a good powder that will bridge both 9mm and .45ACP, I have some test loads already worked up with W244... I have high hopes.

Other newer powders to consider would be BE-86 and Sport Pistol... I have loads worked up with those, too. Now if I can just find a range that's open...

 

[hotshot357]

I like and use 231 for 9mm and 45 for mid-range loads. But, use your 700x 'cause you won't want to go back to it after seeing how much better 231 meters.

Yes, I have found that 700x is a PITA. I have achieved consistency by measuring each load. when it's gone I'm done with it !!

 

[lordpaxman]

Which do you guys and dolls use and are there any other powder that would be better for both 9mm & 45 ACP.

I’ve worked up loads for both calibers with 231 and 244, but will pursue 244 in the future. For me it burns cleaner and yields a bit faster velocity. It meters as good as 231. Both do well but there are other powders I use more of. IMR Target, Titegroup, N320, orSport Pistol for competition loads for either. N330 or WSF in 9mm higher power loads, and WST in .45 for a really soft shooting load. There are lots of powders out there that’ll work in either, and depending on the application there are specific powders that do well. Good luck!

 

[forty_caliber]

W231 has become my favorite powder for .45acp. It meters like a dream. I don't load for 9mm so I can't help there.

.40

 

[Whiterook808]

I use 231 for both .45ACP and 9mm Luger and have done for many years.

 

[horsemen61]

Ttrl

 

[hotshot357]

Ttrl

What in the devil does that mean?

 

[cfullgraf]

I use lots of 700-X in my 45 ACP loads and some other cartridges as well but that's not the question here.

I like True Blue in my 9x19 loads but W231 would be suitable. I do not think I've ever tried 700-X in 9x19.

W231 would work for 45 ACP. But, besides 700-X, Accurate #5 is my alternate for 45 ACP.

I have no history with W244

 

[Hondo 60]

Yes, I have found that 700x is a PITA.

I have almost a pound sitting here.
I've had it for 3 or 4 years.
I used it to load up 1 box of 50 rds.
Never again!!! But I still just can't bring myself to spread it on the lawn.

If someone local wants it just PM me

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm a huge fan of W231 and I use it for most of my handgun loading.

I'm guessing W244 will eventually replace W231. If I didn't still have 9lbs of W231 I would be testing W244. I'm told it is very similar to W231 so either will serve you well IMO.

 

[cfullgraf]

I have good success metering flake powders such as 700-X or Unique but I use what I consider a better quality powder measure.

For handgun, I used an RCBS Little Dandy for many years but as my load requirements changes, I moved to a Redding 10-X. The fixed rotors of the Little Dandy were just not flexible enough for my needs. The Redding 10-X is designed for pistol level powder charges. When setting up the powder measure, I throw 15-20 powder charges to settle the powder column in the reservoir before attempting to measure the powder charge.

The flake powders require a bit more time and test charges to get them to throw consistent powder charges. But even so, the variability of the charges are a bit more than with ball powders. But, in the end result, the variability does not seem to matter. The ammunition is suitably accurate with the flake powder powder charges.

I'll agree that using powders such as W231, Accurate #5, or True Blue are easier to set up, but with a little bit of work, the old school flake powders can provide excellent results.

 

[Bill_in_TR]

I use W231 for mid range loads in all my handgun cartridges. I have also used Titegroup in the past. W231 has done a good job for me in 9mm, .45, .44, .40 and .38. It meters well and burns pretty clean. I haven't tried any newer stuff because I still have 8 lbs of W231 and I am happy with it. My son gave me a couple of pounds of CFE Pistol. I will give that a try in 9mm at some point.

 

[Blue68f100]

What in the devil does that mean?

Tag to read later.

 

[hotshot357]

Tag to read later.

Thank you kind sir. I'm not very computer smart. I learned something today!!!!

 

[Slamfire]

I'm using 700x for my 9mm reloads. The only reason is because it was free and there was around 3 lbs. of it. I'm thinking about 231 or 244 for 9mm & possibly 45 ACP . Which do you guys and dolls use and are there any other powder that would be better for both 9mm & 45 ACP.

W231 is an outstanding powder in 45 ACP, 38 Special, 9mm, and a host of medium pressure pistol rounds. There are so many powders that are ballistic copies of each other, without pressure curve data, you really don't know the differences between them. All you really know is the advertising and the can colors. I am not an early adopter, once something has proven itself, I use it. W231 is a proven powder and that is the choice I would go with.

 

[Hondo 60]

I'm not very computer smart. I learned something today!!!!

No shame in not knowing!
Heck my degree is in computer network systems & I learn something new almost everyday

 

[Dudedog]

HP38/W231 is my one of my goto powders for .45 practice rounds.
It works decent in 9mm but I prefer something a little slower for practice and slower still for full power stuff.
I haven't done a lot with 244 but from my initial tests I liked HP38/W231 better in 45 and 9mm,
but I never got around to completing my testing of it in 9mm.

PS
My Goto powder for 9mm is WSF, which will work in .45 but not as well for me there as HP38.

 

[AJC1]

Have you looked at siloette by western powders. It meters like water and they provide a free download of their manual. Lists regular and +p loads. The bottles fit much better in a cabinet for storage.

 

[hotshot357]

Have you looked at siloette by western powders. It meters like water and they provide a free download of their manual. Lists regular and +p loads. The bottles fit much better in a cabinet for storage.

I will take a look as soon as I am done typing this. LOL Thanks for the info.

 

[joneb]

I've had very good results with W-231 for 380 acp, 9x18 Mak, 38 spl, 44 spl and 45 acp. When W-231 was not available I tried Accurate #2 which works pretty well. During the 08 shortage I took what could get. It's sometimes a pain finding time to work up loads with a new powder when there is little data.

 

[Walkalong]

Have you looked at siloette by western powders.

Yes. I like it.