Would Winchester 231 work good in 45 ACP?

I haven't loaded the round in years. I think I was using Unique.

I use HP38, basically the same thing as 231. Works ok...had to get up near max to get even close to a complete powder burn, and it's still messy. My meter hates it, too. When I finish up my current supply I'm switching back to Unique.

I shot many thousands of rounds of .45 ACP 200gr LSWC's back when I was shooting IPSC stuff, all loaded with 231 to major power level. I never had any issues with it. I don't recall what the charge weight was. Unique is good too. IIRC it was quite a bit smokier, but that could have been the lube on the bullets I was using. It was about 35 years ago now.

Unique changed the formulation somehow so it was cleaner a number of years ago and it's not bad these days.

231 will work fine for .45 ACP.

I’ve used 231 since the early ‘80s for lighter loads in .45.

I have used 231 for .45acp and 9mm for many years. I have had no problems with it.

Red Dot and Unique here. Both work well enough for me.

I've loaded a lot of 45 with W231 and don't have any real complaints. I've got an 8# jug unopened and a couple 1# I'm working through.

I appreciate everyone's help.

I may load up a few rounds from 231 and unique to see which I like best.

Win 231 (equivalent to HP38 in current manuf.) is my go-to for .45 ACP loads. With 200 gr LSWC's, I load 5.0 to 5.2 gr. for 800 fps out of my 1911's and an ancient Smith model 1955 Target.

With hard ball, 230's, I up the load to 5.4 - 5.5 gr to match the government military load. Both are superbly accurate in my guns.

I don't like Unique (affectionately known as "flaming dirt" by some) in the .45 ACP for it's +- 0.2 gr charge variance with my measures. 231 or HP38 meter exceptionally well.

Best regards, Rod

I like Win-231/Hp-38, use it with various handgun loads.

Hodgdon had a fairly recent comparison, calling HP-38 ‘older technology’. I like Titegroup also.

https://www.hodgdonreloading.c...ng-powder-efficiency

With some reloaders, Titegroup gets disparaged as a potential of a double charge. That can be true with many, it’s also slower on most charts than Bullseye, another older school powder.

I try to bridge the gap between old favorites, but willing to try new powders. The last few years, availability factors in heavily. I will say, 4-8 pounds of Titegroup lasts a long time.