Anyone use W231 in 30-06?

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

I love Unique in 30-06, but I'm running low. Was wondering if anyone has used W231/HP38 in 30-06? I'm using a Lee 155 gr GC bullet.

Thanks!

[poppy42]

Ah I doubt it

[Tall]

That would be a severely underperforming round. W231 is a great revolver powder for anything from 38 Special to 45 Colt but it is way too fast for any rifle cartridge, especially one as large as the 30-06.

[53slf]

I have and I do. It's not a hunting round of course, but I no longer hunt with my Ruger #1 RSI in 30-06. Full power loads are unpleasant for me in this light weight rifle so I down load so I can shoot more at the range. I just like to shoot at 50 to 100 yards with open sights. There are stickies here telling how it's done safely.

[mehavey]

Actually . . .

QL tells me Unique & W321 perform very closely -- and for similar powder weights -- in heavy-cast 30-06 loads.
(But I wouldn't suggest it without that self-same Quickload and a chronograph.)

[sigep1764]

I'd say start low at maybe 5 or 6 grains and let it rip. With 231, you might need to tip the barrel up to let the powder settle near the primer. 231 isn't nearly as fluffy as unique or red dot.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

there is Blue dot loads discussed here many times.
I recall people saying titegroup works as well, as it isn't position sensitive.

[mehavey]

5 or 6 grains....

Unfortunately, that low a charge may not break 800fps out of a 22" barrel.

FOR Jayhawkhuntclub: What bullet weight/charge Unique are you using now?

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

17.0 grs of Unique and, as mentioned, a 155 gr boolit (Lee GC-312-155-2R). I've went as high as 20 gr Unique with no problems, but 17 was more accurate.

[ShooterAZ]

Here is an article that you may find useful. I use a lot of Bullseye and Red Dot in reduced cast bullet rifle loads, but if I didn't have any I wouldn't hesitate to use W231. It's slightly faster than Unique, but should still work well. I hope this helps.

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/sho...Rifles-Article

https://hodgdonpowderco.com/wp-conte...teschart-1.pdf

[Soundguy]

748 or 760 could work..but not 231 imho....

[mehavey]

17.0 grs of Unique and, as mentioned, a 155 gr boolit (Lee GC-312-155-2R)

At an OAL 0f 3.34" in a 22" barrel, Quickload tells me . . .

- 17gr UNIQUE: 31,000 psi / 1,868 fps
- 17gr W231: 31,000 psi / 1,782 fps

It would take 18.5gr W321 at 35,000 psi to again hit ~1,862 fps


Lawyerspeak: YMMV. Take a chronograph

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

At an OAL 0f 3.34" in a 22" barrel, Quickload tells me . . .

- 17gr UNIQUE: 31,000 psi / 1,868 fps
- 17gr W231: 31,000 psi / 1,782 fps

It would take 18.5gr W321 at 35,000 psi to again hit ~1,862 fps


Lawyerspeak: YMMV. Take a chronograph

Very interesting. Thanks! I've never chronoed the 17 Uni load. I was assuming it was around 1700 fps. My COL is 3.145" (FWIW).

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

I have about 6lbs of Bullseye. Any suggestions on loads for it with the Lee 155 gr in 30-06?
Thanks!

[RickinTN]

Read Ed Harris article about "The Load". Red Dot is one of the favored loads, at 13 grains. 231 Is an appropriate powder to substitute for Unique, but probably not grain for grain although close. Bullseye is a good powder to use for reduced loads with cast. One of the Cast Bullet Handbooks probably list data for the Bullseye and maybe 231. Outpost, or Larry Gibson hopefully will be along soon with their answer to your question. You can put confidence in what they say as they have "been there, done that".
Good Luck to you!
Rick

[ShooterAZ]

I have about 6lbs of Bullseye. Any suggestions on loads for it with the Lee 155 gr in 30-06?
Thanks!

I'll post the Ed Harris rifles link again here for ya... 7 grains of Bullseye looks like a winner.

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/sho...Rifles-Article

[mehavey]

At OAL: 3.145" for that 155gr Lee / 22" barrel

17gr Unique: 33,200 psi 1,890 fps
17gr W231: 33,117 psi 1,806 fps

Ballpark only of course, but it does say still relatively low[er] pressures


FWIW: 7gr Bullseye is predicted 1,200 fps

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

Thanks everybody for the help! I appreciate it.

Mehavey, Thanks for the updated info!

[charlie b]

These guys have some data on it.

http://www.gmdr.com/lever/lowveldata.htm

[Hick]

You've got a lot of good info above already-- but to add-- W231 is a standard in my M1 Garand for heavy sub-sonic loads (7.5 grains W231 under a 195 grain cast bullet at 1050 fps) and also slightly faster (14 grains under a 210 grain cast bullet @ 1450 fps). I'm sure you realize its a big case and you have to be very careful to not do a double or triple charge.