W231?

[dk17hmr]

What type of powder is this, flake, ball, stick?

I have been using powders like bluedot and reddot for my handguns but they dont seem to meter consistantly and would like to get a ball powder for my 38's and 45acps.

[cheese1566]

Ball, and good stuff to put through powder measures....

I use it in my 9mm, 38 spec, and 45acp loads.

[crabo]

It would be hard to beat, IMO, for both those calibers.

[fredj338]

It's not a true ball powder, not like the AA line. They are actually slightly flattened, still flows well in most measures.

[beagle]

Kind of a flaky ball. Meters really well for me and I've had at least one can on the bench since it came out way back when. Great powder./beagle

[Rocky Raab]

Correctly described, it is a rolled ball powder. The spheres are flattened by rollers to adjust the burn rate.

[BarryinIN]

I use it for 45ACP (230 at around 850 fps) and 9mm (125 at around 1075).
It may not be the very best in either one, but it is the best single powder I've found to use for both.
If you understood that at all.

Some find it "smoky".

FWIW, the description Winchester uses is "flattened ball".

Edit: It looks like you got a couple more descriptions of it while I was struggling restarting the computer. I didn't mean to come off as "Oh yeah, but..."

[sundog]

Yeppers, good stuff in both 38 spl and 45 acp. Several years ago I glommed unto a supply of SMP 231 (surplus from either Pat's, Hi-Tech, or Bartlett) and it's every bit as good as the cannister flavor, and cheaper.

[Mugs]

Also good for light loads in 30 carbine and 22 hornet.
Mugs
IHMSA 5940L

[Hardcast416taylor]

When I was shooting .38 wadcutters in competion I used 3.3 gr. 231 only. Most of my clubs shooters used 231. Still use it in many of my other pistol calibers. Bought many an 8 lb. jug of it over the years. Robert

[NoDakJak]

I wouldn't be without a can of 231. I have been using it since it first came on the market and 230 before that. I have used it in most of the pistol rounds and a few of the rifle cartridges. By far the most accurate load that I have found for my .310 Martini uses 231. Neil

[RobS]

Winchester 231 is a great powder also don't forget the hodgdon HP 38 is the same powder. Like mentioned it is a flattened ball type powder. I've used a lot of these two powders in 45 acp and reduced target loads in 45 colt, but now use zip as I think it is cleaner burning. 231 and HP 38 are very versatile powders, but definitely not as much as unique. The advantage is it meters well in most powder measures.

[fredj338]

Winchester 231 is a great powder also don't forget the hodgdon HP 38 is the same powder. Like mentioned it is a flattened ball type powder. I've used a lot of these two powders in 45 acp and reduced target loads in 45 colt, but now use zip as I think it is cleaner burning. 231 and HP 38 are very versatile powders, but definitely not as much as unique. The advantage is it meters well in most powder measures.

Give WSF a try in place of Unique. It is a tiny bit slower than Unique in the calibers I have tried it in. It meters like W231 & is pretty clean burning as long as you stayat mid level loads & up.

[lylejb]

it's called "ball powder" but like others have said, it's flattened...so almost like small flakes. here's a pic

LB :wink: