W231 in .40S&W...dirty?

novega

novega

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Hey guys,
I just started reloading and I figured 231 would be a decent powder to start with BUT I'm finding it really dirty...is this a common situation? does anyone else find it to be a little dirty?

I just find it odd that Winchester advertises it as "clean burning" yet it seems to be leaving a lot of residue in my barrel :confused: (or is "clean burning" just a meaningless catch phrase?)

Anyhow, I'm using:
- 5.3gr. of W231
- AIM's new 185gr. RNFP .40 bullet
- CCI 500 Small Pistol Primers
- Shooting out of a Glock 22 (stock barrel) if that makes any difference

Is there adjustments that I can make to get a better burn outta this stuff?

ALSO: Is "HP38" the same as W231? The loads are identical in every recipe I see
 
Katana said:
I used 231 in my old 40 and right now in my 9mm and yes, it is a dirty powder.If you what a cleaner powder try tightgroup.
Click to expand...

Yep ... +1 ... I use(d) W231 in my .45 ... Tightgroup was about 0.5 gr less for the same power factor IIRC. But it works ... and meters well.
 
Yes, W231 and HP-38 are the same thing. I find that it tends to leave my S&W K-38 covered with soot after shooting.

Titegroup seems to burn much cleaner.
 
With these light pistol loads, I tend to think a lot of the sooty dirt you are looking at, comes from the primer.
To see what I mean, shoot one with just the primer, no powder, and see the dirt on the base of the bullet and in the case.
The primer may not blow the bullet out of the case, so you may have to ull it.
 
Titegroup and Clay does it well for me in 40. Just be careful with your powder charge and watch the pressure sign. Start low and gradually increase safely.

You want it really clean? Try VV N320.

YEP! 231 is dirty.
 
I have found that W231 gets cleaner when you use max pressure loads. Lower pressure loads are dirtier.

Tightgroup is better and Clays is very clean, But be careful using with Clays, it is a fast powder and little things, like a slight decrease in OAL, will make a BIG difference in pressure. (for example, don't just substitute bullets of the same weight unless the bullets are the same length)
 
No bout a doubt it. 231/Hp38 are not the cleanest on the market but for my money especially from Higginson Powders(unabashed shameless advertising), a great deal.
 
SandRoad said:
I have found that W231 gets cleaner when you use max pressure loads. Lower pressure loads are dirtier.

Tightgroup is better and Clays is very clean, But be careful using with Clays, it is a fast powder and little things, like a slight decrease in OAL, will make a BIG difference in pressure. (for example, don't just substitute bullets of the same weight unless the bullets are the same length)
Click to expand...

You're onto something here, I increased my powder by 0.2gr. and played with my OAL and it seems to be burning a little cleaner ...but I think I'm getting dangerously close to a maximum load.

It's so hard for me to tell overpressure on a Glock since the cases bulge anyhow. :( but I don't have the dark ring around the primer and the primers are staying in their pocket...so thats good right? ;)

I'll probably just leave everything as it is and clean a little more often. I'm scared of a KB
 
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