Where to find winchester 231

[Mark]

Has anyone purchased any W231 lately? It has gone the way of Winchester primers. I tried the usual places - local, powder valley, midway, Graf & Sons, Natchez. All are out of an 8lb container. Any tips would be appriciated. Who would have thought 231 would be hard to find?
Thanks,
Mark

[Tn_River_Ratt]

My local dealer had 5 1lb containers just yesterday and ZI have a couple in the shop. Wish you were closer.

Ratt

[curiousgeorge]

also look for Hogdon's HP38 - same stuff

[mtgrs737]

also look for Hogdon's HP38 - same stuff

I found two single pound containers of HP38 the other day, I snapped them up as my powder measure only has a couple of inches left in it.

The neat thing is that HP38 costs a little less than WW231 and I am told that it comes out of the same hopper. Go figure.

[Mark]

My local dealer had 5 1lb containers just yesterday and ZI have a couple in the shop. Wish you were closer.

Ratt

My local shop does have "a few" one pounders left. I don't know what he meant by a few. He wants $20 a pound. That seems a little high at $174 for 8 pounds - if he had that much.

As for HP38, yes I know it is supposed to be the same stuff. When I want to buy a quanity such as 8 lbs, I want to keep some consistancy. I loaded my first cartridge with W231. All that being said, HP38 is hard to come by as well.
Mark

[Wayne S]

Have you tried ;
Powder Valley, Wiedners, ??

[Mark]

I have had an order with Powder Valley that included W231 since the summer and they can't fill it.
I did forget about Wideners. I checked and they are out as well. Thanks for idea.
Mark

[Wayne S]

Hornady lists AA # 2 as as just under 231 and # 5 just under Unique in burning rates , under means faster Midsouth has both

[dsmjon]

Several local shops here have it on the shelf, 1lb and 5lb at my last visit. If no other alternative, drop me a PM and I'll ship it to you @ cost.

[dougader]

I'm still working on an 8 lb jug. When its gone I plan to try WST. From what I hear it does everything 231 does, but is cleaner burning... not that I ever thought 231 was a dirty burner.

[Mark]

My local gun store said that they would try to order an 8 pounder. I will give them a week or two to come up with it.
Thanks,
Mark

[Shiloh]

Has anyone purchased any W231 lately? It has gone the way of Winchester primers. I tried the usual places - local, powder valley, midway, Graf & Sons, Natchez. All are out of an 8lb container. Any tips would be appriciated. Who would have thought 231 would be hard to find?
Thanks,
Mark

Looked at all those "Go Too" sights as well. Still out.

Shiloh

[spqrzilla]

Go ahead and use HP38, it will be as consistent with WW231 as lot to lot variations would be anyway.

[.357]

Good luck I'm really hurting for Unique, I'm down to my last three pounds i never like to that low.

[JIMinPHX]

I used to use 231 exclusively in my .45's back in the mid 80's. Then it dried up for about a year. Out of desperation, I changed to Bullseye. I've never changed back.

[JIMinPHX]

231 is on the shelf locally here in Phoenix, but it's $26/lb.

[mtgrs737]

231 is on the shelf locally here in Phoenix, but it's $26/lb.

The big box stores here in Kansas seem to have most powders in stock but the price is high IMHO. Starting at the low $20's and going up to the high $20's. WW231 is the exception for availablilty, none anywhere around here.

I would say that those attending the big Tulsa Gunshow the 10th of April might be able to pick up powder and primers from Powder Valley as they usually have someone there at the lower level on the north east end. I have done that several times and it saves the shipping, hazmat, fees but the last time they only wanted cash, no checks. Give them a call to see if they will be there.

[blaser.306]

231 available here for near $40.00 a pound and amazingly they are still selling it just about as fast as they get it in , There story is that the U/S shooters are hoarding all they can get and we get the leftovers . If you want it you'll pay the price . [smilie=b:

[Mark]

231 available here for near $40.00 a pound and amazingly they are still selling it just about as fast as they get it in , There story is that the U/S shooters are hoarding all they can get and we get the leftovers . If you want it you'll pay the price . [smilie=b:


Good heavens! When will this all end. $40 today. $45 next week? Who knows?

With the recent additions to this post, I realize that I have not been good enough to keep all of you posted. I gave in and purchased an 8lb jug of HP-38. I have about 1 lb of 231 left and that should be gone by summer. I will then start using the HP-38. My Powder Valley order still stands.
Mark

[spqrzilla]

As mentioned, WW 231 and HP 38 are the same thing and interchangeable within the usual lot to lot variation. Interestingly, these days Hodgdon actually claims that Hodgdon branded powders are held to a tighter tolerance than WW branded powders.

As for availability, powders seem to be more easily found these days. Still not fully stocked of course.

[mtgrs737]

Hey guys, I dropped by Powder Valley today and they had 1 lb. jugs of HP-38 in stock. I picked up 4 lbs. to tide over my 45acp loadings. Maybe WW231 is coming soon?

[mtgrs737]

Hey guys, I dropped by Powder Valley today and they had 1 lb. jugs of HP-38 in stock. I picked up 4 lbs. to tide over my 45acp loadings. Maybe WW231 is coming soon?

Looks like they are out now.:-(

[DLCTEX]

Our local shop (Pampa) had 231 last week in 1 & 8lb. 1 lb. @ 24.00 and don't remember the exact price of 8 lb., but remember thinking it was less than $20 lb.

[ballistic]

Recob's Target Shop has 231 one pound cans in stock for $16.89 if you want it shipped to you.
Good folks to deal with.
http://www.recobstargetshop.com/browse.cfm/2,151.html

[mtgrs737]

Looks like Powder Valley has Hodgon HP38 listed as "In Stock" again at $15.35 per pound. It is the same as WW231.

[NoDakJak]

You gents are missing out on a couple of the best kept secrets around. ZIP from Ramshot was engineered to have the same burn rate as 231 and is great in all of my testing.
For those of you that are short of Unique I might suggest PB. It is one of the finest measuring powders and probably the cleanest burning that I have ever used. It also bulks up better than Unique. The burn rate is quite similar to Unique. Once you try it you most likely won't go back to Unique.
If you try these powders and have success give us a little feedback. Neil

[casterofboolits]

After reading thru this thread, I checked my powder magazine and discovered I still have a lifetime supply of 231!!!! Six 3 pound cans, four 1 pounders, and an eight pound cannister.

[Lee]

Hardly a lifetime supply!!!!!!:bigsmyl2: