Does anyone use W231 to load 147gr 9mm?

Hodgdon lists 3.5 grains as a max load, which works great in my polymer pistols but won't cycle my 92fs. Wondering if anyone has any loaded hotter than that, or if I just need to give it up and use a slower burning powder.

I've loaded W231 with 147-grain Gold Dot hollow points, with OAL 1.115".

First I loaded 3.5 grains. Notes: "Cycled find, light load."
Then I loaded 3.8 grains. Notes: "Cycled fine and shot well."

Thanks. These are XTPs and I was loading them to 1.1, I'll try backing them out a bit and loading them at 3.8.

It's interesting that you ask this. I've been loading that combination recently too. My defensive ammo uses a 147 grain bullet and I'd like to be able to have practice ammo with the same POI. I'm mainly using W231 because it's what I have on hand.

The current Lyman manual, for a 147 grain TMJ bullet lists 3.5--4.1 grains of W231. The pressures for that bullet weight are listed in CUP. I'm not sure what the SAAMI max is in CUP, but the 4.1 grain load is listed as 27,500 CUP. Other powders listed go as high as 32,500 CUP. Interpret that as you choose. I have worked my way up to 4.1 grains in MY gun, but I haven't tested it yet. It functioned fine with lower levels, but I'm after that POI match.

Take the above with caution and watch out for typos. Actually, maybe I'll take a picture of the Lyman manual...

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Thanks, Hodgdon must just be being really conservative then. I really like 3.3-3.4 grains in my Canik because of how soft shooting it is, but no es bueno in the heavier 92fs. The Hornady manual doesn't even provide data for 147 9mm with 231.

I've not loaded 231 before but see references to W231, WC231 and WW231. Are this the same or different? If different, are they interchangeable or completely different?

Thanks in advance,

Jack

I'm not certain about "WC231", but the others refer to Winchester 231 powder. I suspect that WC231 is also the same, but... Maybe someone else here knows for sure.

Edited to add: The "WW" in WW231 is short for "Winchester Western", an older name for the powder company.

Well, I just did a little Googling and my best guess is this:

- W231 is the regular Winchester 231 that we are generally familiar with
- WW231 is an error, somebody probably thinking "Winchester Western 231"
- WC231 is a bulk powder, not made by Winchester, but on this burn rate chart it appears to have a similar burn rate:
http://www.theballisticassistant.com/wp ... 0-2020.pdf
(Look in the Winchester and St. Marks columns, on row 76.)

So if you were to stumble into some WC231 powder, it appears that you could load it using W231 data, but I'd definitely start low and work up the load carefully.

Hodgdon HP38 is the exact same as Win231 but cheaper.

This is true. I should have pointed it out. Reloading manuals generally list both powders, but the load data is identical. I usually buy which one is available at the time.

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Just an update on this. Tested 3.8 grains today out of my 92fs. Everything cycled, no pressure signs (for what that voodoo is worth). Shots averaged around 830fps, compared to 760 or so for 3.5 grains. Didn't get a chance to test them out of my AR9, RSO disagreed about using an AR9 pistol on the pistol range and I generally try to avoid arguing with RSOs.

That's so aggravating . . . it's crazy that "gun guys" fall for the same BS that CNN viewers do.

Beretta 9mm with 5" barrel: "Just a pistol, no problem."
AR9 with 5" barrel: "OH MY GOD THAT'S A SCARY RIFLE, YOU CAN'T SHOOT THAT HERE"

Sounds like you're on the right track with your loads. Too bad about the RSO. I keep hearing about that same problem...

Griff

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I run 4.8grs of W231 in my 92x cent. with 115 grain everglades FMJ and runs great, forgot what I used to load 147's at though.

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