30 luger loads?

Ray · 02-09-2015, 09:31 PM

I have acquired some Winchester 231 powder which
I would like to use reloading 30 luger. I plan to use
Hornady 90 grain JHP bullets. Any suggestions for a
light starting load of 231? My shooter has a 7" barrel.
I have used Unique in the past, but it smokes a lot.

Ray

Schutzenbob · 02-09-2015, 11:26 PM

First of all....I know that the folks on this site don't approve of using WW231 in a 30 caliber, however I don't find that there's much difference between WW231 and Unique. This is a target I shot yesterday, it's 20 consecutive shots at 50 feet fired off of my shooting box. The load is 4.5 grains of WW231 with an 85 grain Hornady .312 bullet, OAL of 1.160" and a federal primer. This is about an average target, some have been better than this. When I shoot, I hold the pistol firmly and endeavor to squeeze the trigger without jerking it. My pistol is a 1920's commercial with a rather poor barrel, the bore diameter is .312" the barrel length is about 5".

rhuff · 02-10-2015, 03:19 PM

Every Luger is an individual.....at least mine are. If your Luger functions reliably with 231 powder, then you have a winner!! Mine do not "play well" with the faster burning powders, but those are MY Lugers. Give your 231 powder a go, and see what happens. That is part of the fun of handloading, at least to me. Be sure to report back your findings, as many of us here enjoy learning what works in the 30 Luger brass.

K.Wilhelm · 02-14-2015, 09:42 AM

I use a similar load to Bob with excellent results. BTW HP38 is exactly the same as W231. Bill

rhuff · 02-14-2015, 04:59 PM

The powder burn rate chart that I have(there are many....and they are all somewhat different) shows 231/HP38 burn rate to be close to that of Unique. I may have to give it a try once it becomes available to purchase. When I say fast burners, I am referring to Bullseye and Red Dot powders.

02-09-2015, 09:31 PM	#1
Ray Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Oregon Posts: 126 Thanks: 2 Thanked 37 Times in 16 Posts	30 luger loads? I have acquired some Winchester 231 powder which I would like to use reloading 30 luger. I plan to use Hornady 90 grain JHP bullets. Any suggestions for a light starting load of 231? My shooter has a 7" barrel. I have used Unique in the past, but it smokes a lot. Ray

02-09-2015, 11:26 PM	#2
Schutzenbob User Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 52 Thanks: 104 Thanked 61 Times in 19 Posts	First of all....I know that the folks on this site don't approve of using WW231 in a 30 caliber, however I don't find that there's much difference between WW231 and Unique. This is a target I shot yesterday, it's 20 consecutive shots at 50 feet fired off of my shooting box. The load is 4.5 grains of WW231 with an 85 grain Hornady .312 bullet, OAL of 1.160" and a federal primer. This is about an average target, some have been better than this. When I shoot, I hold the pistol firmly and endeavor to squeeze the trigger without jerking it. My pistol is a 1920's commercial with a rather poor barrel, the bore diameter is .312" the barrel length is about 5". Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Schutzenbob; 02-10-2015 at 01:03 AM.

02-14-2015, 09:42 AM	#4
K.Wilhelm User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South Central Colorado Posts: 215 Thanks: 45 Thanked 109 Times in 66 Posts	30 Luger load I use a similar load to Bob with excellent results. BTW HP38 is exactly the same as W231. Bill __________________ NRA Endowment Life member Proud veteran of the Naval Security Group

02-10-2015, 03:19 PM	#3
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,270 Thanks: 2,686 Thanked 958 Times in 704 Posts	Every Luger is an individual.....at least mine are. If your Luger functions reliably with 231 powder, then you have a winner!! Mine do not "play well" with the faster burning powders, but those are MY Lugers. Give your 231 powder a go, and see what happens. That is part of the fun of handloading, at least to me. Be sure to report back your findings, as many of us here enjoy learning what works in the 30 Luger brass.

02-14-2015, 04:59 PM	#5
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,270 Thanks: 2,686 Thanked 958 Times in 704 Posts	The powder burn rate chart that I have(there are many....and they are all somewhat different) shows 231/HP38 burn rate to be close to that of Unique. I may have to give it a try once it becomes available to purchase. When I say fast burners, I am referring to Bullseye and Red Dot powders.