WST vs. W231

[fremont]

How much faster is WST than W231? In my 200 SWC loads, I typically use about 5.4 or so of W231 to make Major. Does anyone use WST for the same?

[Gammon]

Originally Posted by fremont

How much faster is WST than W231? In my 200 SWC loads, I typically use about 5.4 or so of W231 to make Major. Does anyone use WST for the same?

I believe WST is slower than 231. I never bothered with it because it takes more WST to get the same velocity as 231 with the same bullet. To duplicate your 231 load you would need almost 6 gr of WST.

[RetiredRod]

www.reloadbench.com/burn.htm

According to this chart, WST=#20 and W231=#26. Gammon is usually 100% right on the money, but this burn rate chart indicates WST is faster than W231.

[Bob Hostetter]

WST is faster then 231. I use about 5.0 gr's of WST behind a Precision coated 200gr LSWC for major in the 45acp.

[LSP 972]

Originally Posted by Gammon

...it takes more WST to get the same velocity as 231 with the same bullet.

Not my experience. With Rainier 230 plated RN, 4.2 WST gives me the same velocity as 4.8 of 231; and the WST load is cleaner.

.

[JohnC]

I never used it to make major but I think it is an excellent powder for medium power accuracy loads. I use 4.8g to drive a 200g LSWC and 4.2g to drive a 230g lead TC bullet. Excellent accuracy and much cleaner than W231. My experience is that you will use less WST as it is faster. Felt recoil is not quite as light as Clays but close when loading for target loads.

[davidalyn]

Originally Posted by Bob Hostetter

WST is faster then 231. I use about 5.0 gr's of WST behind a Precision coated 200gr LSWC for major in the 45acp.

Bob's experience is the same as mine. I use a lot of WST in 45 and 40 loads with cast bullets. It creates less smoke with cast bullets than any other powder I have tried. (I have tried a bunch of powders.)

[fremont]

Yes, WST is faster according to the burn rate charts I've seen.

[Gammon]

Sorry, guys. I was using a Winchester data sheet on the .40. In the loads listed 231 produced a higher velocity than WST with the same amount of powder. Usually this indicates that the smaller powder volume generating the same velocity is faster burning. This sheet was printed up just after the .40 hit the market. For years I assumed that WST was slower burning than 231. I should have consulted a burn rate chart before opening my mouth.

[CherokeeT]

I use a bunch of WST, having migrated from 231 some years ago, mainly becauae WST takes up more space in the case than 231. I like them equally for performance and still use 231 in some cartridges.

[KYreb]

231 fell out of favor is IPSC in the 1980s because was very susceptable to changes in velocity due to temperature changes. Folks would show up for a match on a cool morning and not make major.
I have used WST in .45 for over 10 years. I easily make major with a 200 grain LSWC and 5.0 grains of WST in both a SA with a Nowlin barrel and a COLT with a Wilson barrel. Both are 5" guns.

[TonyT]

WST is both faster and cleaner burning than W-231 in 45 ACP. I do use W-231 in relatively mild 38 Super loads. It appears to b urn much cleaner at the higher pressures of the 38 Super.