W231 vs. HP38

[RestrictedColt]

I see people repeatedly saying that they're the exact same powder and the data is interchangeable, but the couple times I've referred to published data they show different loads for them.

What's the deal?

[Bumslie]

I see people repeatedly saying that they're the exact same powder and the data is interchangeable, but the couple times I've referred to published data they show different loads for them.

What's the deal?

Oh gosh, not this again. Let me dig for your exact answer.

In short, at one time they were different powders.

They became the same powder when Hodgon acquired the rights for Winchester. 2006ish?

Depending when your manual was published, they will show different pressures. Many manuals just reuse data from previous edition. Hell lyman publishes same stuff from like the 45th edition.

A call or email to Hodgon will confirm they are infact the same powder.

You'll be able to find threads on other forums with the same lot number printed on both canisters.

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[Bumslie]

Prior to 2006, they weren't the same.

From another site from an old man whose been reloading almost double the amount of time I've been alive


Prior to 2006, they weren't the same.

From another site from an old man whose been reloading almost double the amount of time I've been alive

Old W-231 was made by the Winchester owned St. Marks powder facility in St. Marks Florida from 1969-2006.

Hodgdon HP-38 was made by St. Marks also, but in different lots made expressly for Hodgdon.

Burn rates and data for each were not the same.

In 1998, Winchester got out of the powder manufacturing business all together, and St. Marks Powder, Inc. became a separate company.

In 2006 Winchester divested itself of powder packaging & distribution.
And Hodgdon took over the packaging & distribution.

From that point foreword, it all comes out of the same shipping containers and is packaged and sold by Hodgdon.

The powder magazine, packaging, and manufacturing facilities are located in Herrington, Kansas. Additional magazine space is located at a closed military air base, (Forbes Field) leased from the City of Topeka, Kansas.

So, if you have older W-231, or HP-38 powder, or older data, they were not the same prior to 2006.

My own testing with an old little dandy rotor sheet that shows different charge weights for both powders confirm this. The difference in weights with the same rotor on the chart were on average .3 grains.

Hp-38 became 231. They are now both the same power. Lee probably publishes the same data when they were separate powders.


My own testing with an old little dandy rotor sheet that shows different charge weights for both powders confirm this. The difference in weights with the same rotor on the chart were on average .3 grains.

Hp-38 became 231. They are now both the same power. Lee probably publishes the same data when they were separate powders.

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[RestrictedColt]

Did W231 become HP38 or the other way around? So if I found two data which would I use?

[alland]

Did W231 become HP38 or the other way around? So if I found two data which would I use?

It doesn't matter. Most of the time the minor differences are just due to normal lot to lot variations. Start low and work up.

[RestrictedColt]

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Thank you for the details. I didn't read before asking my next question. After doing some digging I found the same info you'd already posted. Kinda wasted my time, but glad to have confirmation.

[Bumslie]

Thank you for the details. I didn't read before asking my next question. After doing some digging I found the same info you'd already posted. Kinda wasted my time, but glad to have confirmation.

No problem. Always glad to share info

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[tonyjr]

If they were the same so would be price . Probably 30 years ago I bought W231 - was told the same - was harder to meter , smoked and I think it was in a 14 oz can .
Now I am using HP-38 for the 45 but when it is gone - I will be using CFE pistol .
CFE pistol - takes more power - less chance of a double load .

[alland]

The price is not the same since Hodgdon must pay a license fee to use the Winchester name. HP-38 was originally designed to mimic 231. Now they are made by the same company and the only difference is the label on the bottle.

[Lead Waster]

The price is not the same since Hodgdon must pay a license fee to use the Winchester name. HP-38 was originally designed to mimic 231. Now they are made by the same company and the only difference is the label on the bottle.

If they are the same powder except for the price, then it's obvious which one we should buy!

[alland]

If they are the same powder except for the price, then it's obvious which one we should buy!

Yes, HP-38 is cheaper and what I normally buy. That is if I want 1 pound or 8 pound sizes, but if I want to buy 4 pounds, WIN 231 is the only choice.

Win 296 and H-110 are also the same powder.

[aspenvalley]

I have both. They load and meter the same. I use other powders but for 9mm, 40sw, 38 and 45 acp I love 231/H38. The only powder that comes close for me is Power Pistol.

[pagedeveloper]

I have some Power Pistol, but I like PB for my 38 special loads.. I am having to tear all my reloading down for now. Moving to Nashville next month for work. So hope that I can set it all back again.

[RestrictedColt]

If they were the same so would be price . Probably 30 years ago I bought W231 - was told the same - was harder to meter , smoked and I think it was in a 14 oz can .
Now I am using HP-38 for the 45 but when it is gone - I will be using CFE pistol .
CFE pistol - takes more power - less chance of a double load .

Two people selling the same product can ask different $ for them, it doesn't mean the product is different.

You didn't read about the change that was posted in detail. They've been the same for about 12 years, not 30.

[JagerDog]

Did W231 become HP38 or the other way around? So if I found two data which would I use?

Current.