[Andy J]

I have been a loyal user of Winchester 231 for more years than I can remember and every once in awhile I think I should take a look at other powders. Can anyone give me feed back as to their experience with TiteGroup or Vit N340 as they relate to 231. I currently use 231 for my .45 and 9mm with good results (clean & accurate) and just want to verify wether or not I should continue using 231 or should I buy a pound of these powders and experiement a little. All feed back, both good and bad is appreciated.

Andy

 

[EdGCNM]

I have used W231, TiteGroup and Clays so far (used Unique and Bullseye years ago, but will be re-evaluating them and Red Dot soon). I shoot bullseye, so the loads are light. My experience is that W231 is the most precise metering powder I have ever used. You can't beat ball powder there, I guess. However, it chucks a good amount of unburned powder out the barrel and down my arm. The chamber remains relatively clean. TiteGroup was quite accurate in metering (medium flake) but left a thick residue in the chamber that I hated. Otherwise a nice shooting powder. Clays is a largish flake and does not meter very well, but is okay as long as I don't try for a very light load. It is extremely clean burning.

Next on my list is probably Red Dot, then Bullseye.

 

[38 Super Man]

I use about 95% VihtaVuori. N340 is slower burning than 231. If you are wanting to try a VithaVuori that has about the same burn rate as 231 that would be N320. You can use the N340 and I have done so, but is it is not the same burn rate as 231.

Get yourself a VihtaVuori Reloading Guide. It has a burn rate chart in the front of it that list 107 different powders.

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LOVE THEM 1911s

 

[Howardk]

I went from W231 to VV 340 and then back to W231. Loading a fairly light load (6.1 gr. w/ a 230 gr. RN Precision bullet for a PF of 170 PF) VV 340 burned VERY dirty. It was so dirty that it gave the gun feeding problems. Maybe if the load were hotter the powder would have burned cleaner, but I'm not sure. So, now I'll stick with what I know works.