I keep this powder on hand for my 45 ACP reloading and noticed Hodgdon data for it using the Hornady 140gr XTP bullet. Max load listed is 4.6grs I'm thinking of 4.5grs with winchester brass and primers. How would this load work out of a S&W J frame 638-3? Accuracy, felt recoil and muzzle flash?

Working your way up is a good idea. I have been surprised by less than full charges showing pressure signs. The only way to know how they will work is to load them.

I'm looking at the Hornady 8th Edition manual and for the 140 gr HP-XTP with W231 the minimum is 4.5 gr giving you 750 FPS and a max is 5.1 at 850. The next highest is 5.5 gr bringing you into +P range and 900 FPS. I've never loaded this particular bullet but have tried their 125 gr XTP with 4.8 gr (their minimum load) giving me 800 FPS. It shot well and was very accurate in my 36 and all my other guns.

Thank's for the feedback. Don't have a current Hornady book but is nice to have their data listed. Will give the 4.5gr charge a try and see how they perform. Then work my way up to 5.0grs. Might even try 5.3 to 5.4 grs for a +P load in Federal +P brass. Really like the quality of the 638-3. Picked over several to get the one with the best SA and DA pull. (Speer #13 lists their 140gr bullet as 4.8 to 5.1grs as their +P data) Also Speer has data for their 140gr bullet and Win WSF powder which I also have on hand. (+P = 5.3 to 5.5 grs for 930 and 974 out of a six inch test barrel) Looks like some real possabilities with powder already on hand.

I think W231 is a great powder for loading the .38 Special. Most of my .38 Special and .45 Auto ammo is made with it. BUT, I wouldn't start right at the Max charge weight, always work up your load...

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I have tested the Rainer 158gr plated truncated nose with 4.3grs of Winchester 231 and they shoot really well. The Hornady 140gr XTP with 4.5grs of Winchester 231 also shot very well. Function and felt recoil were very good with no pressure signs. I believe I'll stay with these two loads for my practice ammo. Also tested the Speer Gold Dot 125gr and 135gr +P, Winchester 130gr PDX-1 +p and the Federal 125gr Hydroshok +P. The Federal shot the best from my gun followed by the Winchester. The Speer 130gr did shoot to the sights and abit better than the Speer 125gr. I think I'll carry with the Federal or Winchester +P's.

W231 is also known as Hodgdon HP38. As I understand it HP38 was Hodgdon's Powder formulated specifically for 38 specials, hence the name.

That is correct as far as I know.

Also, H380 was developed for the then wildcat that because the 22-250. The charge with a 55gr bullet was 38.0gr hence H380.

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