Yesterday I bought a packet of 500 LSWC projectiles to shoot in my model 27 and I am about to break open a new container of Winchester 231.
I have checked the Hodgdon / Winchester website and there isn’t anything specific to 357 magnum for this 148 grain projectile so I thought I better check with you blokes before I dive in the deep end.
I am just looking for a medium load for shooting targets, nothing too savage or likely to sprain a wrist.
For the past year or so I have been loading my 357 rounds with 124 grain RNFP projectiles over 4 grains of Winchester Super Target. These have proven to be accurate and quite manageable. I am hoping to end up with a similar load.
If anyone here can share some favorite loads using WW 231 powder it would be much appreciated, I am keen to get to the range on Saturday morning and give them a try.
As always, thanks for any help.
Campfire

They list data for a 158 gn LSWC with 231. It should work fine. It's generally safe to use powder charges for a heavy bullet with a lighter bullet. Difference of 10 gn whouldn't make any noticeable difference.

Over at Handloads.com they list the following load for 148 gr.wc in 357

WC 3.4 gr Win 231 880 fps Winchester
Suggested starting load: 3.1 gr

Pressure: 19,500 CUP

357 Magnum Load Data - Handloads.Com

I checked an old Winchester reloading chart I have and it agrees with what Davwingman just said, 3.4 grs 231=880 FPS

I just came home from the range and I saw this thread. It's kinda funny since that is exactly what I was shooting today.

I was shooting my 5" 27-2 using- 3.4 grains of 231 under an Alberts swaged 148 grain hollow base wad cutter, Fed 100 Match primers, and W-W cases. That is a one hole group load at 50 feet. I seat the bullets out to an OAL of 1.451", so that the bullet rests in the throat which helped tighten the groups even further than when they were seated flush.

I have found that 3.2 grains of the same powder works even better, all else being the same.

In the 27, the recoil is almost non existant.

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

This would be the way to go. Hodgdon (the distributer of Winchester powders) lists 3.4 to 5.0 max for LSWC/lead semi-wadcutter 158 grain bullets. Using data for WC/wadcutter bullets would be wrong, even though 148 grain, because the full wadcutter bullets are designed to be seated much deeper into the case. In any case, you will have a lot of leeway shooting light loads in an N frame .357 mag.

I have personally used 4.0 to 5.0 grains W231 with good results with some 150 grain LSWC bullets that I had in the past.

From the previously published Winchester Data. Use data for 150gr LSWC for full power and 148gr WC's for mild target velocity.

Load listed are all maximums. Reduce W231 by 10% for a start load. Reduce W296 by no more than 3%.

My model 27 really likes 4.0 gr HP38/WW231 and Hornady 158gr SWC
bullets loaded in 357 brass. The same load/bullet in 38 SPCL brass really shoots well in my model 15. I use Rem 1 1/2 SP primers for both.

I am starting to get a fairly good understanding of where I am going with this load thanks to you guys. Before I posted this thread I was leaning towards starting with 4 grains of powder but I just wanted to get your opinions first.
Seems to me I will be ok with this so this morning I am going to load up 50 rounds to take to the range Saturday morning. Looking forward to giving them a try and thanks for your help.
Campfire

Are you going to make these loads in 38 Special brass or .357 Magnum brass?

Whelenshooter
I am using 357 Magnum brass.
Campfire

He was loading a 148 LSWC, using the data for a similiar bullet (in this case a 150 gn 150 SWC) is perfectly safe. You personal load confirms this, since your maximum is the same as the listed max for the 148. Of course one should always start at the minimum.

A charge of only 4.0gr W231 under a 148gr LSWC in .357 Magnum brass is going to be a very light load but not unsafe at all. You will probably end up charging 4.5gr W231 before you're done. From a 4" barrel that will probably produce ~900 fps or a little more.

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SWCA #3437

I use 148gr SWC, 4.0gr of W231 in 38spl brass. This load is very light, and one hole accurate.

Problem I have run into, is I have exhausted my 148SWC and cannot find anywhere t oget them. Does anyone have a link to where I can get 148SWC? I can find 158gr SWC, but no 148.

Anyone?

I'm curious. Why not just use a 148 grain DEWC? Is there a reason that you prefer the SWC?
Chris

My favorite easy-shooting 158 Gr LSWC /.357Mag load ( back when W-231 was still readily available over here) used 4.7 gr.

In general, I've found that a 10 % powder charge increase makes most any.38 Spl load (in .38 Spl cases) into a .357 Mag equivalent (in .357 Mag cases).

For instance : .38 Spl/148 HBWC (3.1 Gr of W-231) = 3.4 Gr in .357 Mag cases

Just to be sure your asking for/getting the right/safe data. Are you sure your using a 148 gr Lead Semi Wad cutter?? That's an odd duck. 148gr WC or 158 gr SWC are the norm. Since the 148 gr WC sits so deep in the case, you need to make sure your talking apples and apples.

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Dave

Steel,
I cast my own 150gr. semiwad with an RCBS double cavitry mold. I've found it to be extremely accurate in several different guns using .38 Special or .357 Mag brass and 3.1 and 3.4 gr. W-231, respectively. I've just about quit casting 148 gr. wadcutters because of this 150 gr. bullet.
Dick

I cast the #50 Hensley and Gibbs wadcutter as I am sure some of you do also. However, I see no advantage to it over the 150 grain Lyman 358477 at the same weight. Both shoot just great.

Wee Hooker
These are the 148 Grain SWC projectiles I am using.
The projectiles are made by Bullzi Bullets here in Australia.
Campfire

Attached Images

Bullzi Bullets 148 GR SWC.jpg (70.5 KB, 136 views)

I used 3.2 gr. W-231 behind the Remington 148 gr. LHBWC seated flush in my S&W 52.

A member here produces some of the finest bullet anywhere. He's a great guy to deal with too!!
I highly recommend Jessie's bullets from Tennessee Valley Bullets. His prices are good too...

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SWCA #3437

Cool, that's actually a nice looking bullet. Just wanted to make sure you were gettign safe info.
Good luck

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Dave

Shipping to Australia might be a bit stiff though...

Yep, it sure would be especially if you wait 2.5 years to order! LOL

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SWCA #3437

For sure! Several years ago I communicated with an Internet buddy who was a shooter, pig and kangaroo hunter and an officer in the Army.

Surprisingly, much of the shooting stuff imported into Oz comes through New Zealand, and though it might not take two years it was wise to order your stuff well in advance.

They also have some messed up gun laws. You have (had?) to apply for a permit for every gun you buy, and, at least for hunting rifles, prove some justfication for the caliber. You couldn't say you needed that .416 Remington for kanagaroos or pigs, it wouldn't fly. They do have a lot of water buffalo, though. If you had them in your area then you could get a bigger caliber.

We may complain a lot, but we still have it pretty good here.