357 mag with Winchester 231

[John Hill]

I want to load some 357 magnum with 158 gr LSWC and want to know if anyone is using Winchester 231 for a charge. W 231 is what I use for 38 Special and I have a bunch of it. If so, what charge? What kind of accuracy? Speed? Pressure?
Thanks
John

 

[colt_saa]

I have been loading 5.5 grains of 231 for a decade or so. It is quite accurate in my revolvers.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I loaded 5.0grs in a 357 case with a cci550 and the group was poor..........I logged a N/G

Hope you have better luck.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I loaded 5.0grs in a 357 case with a cci550 and the group was poor..........I logged a N/G

Hope you have better luck.

Try using a CCI-500 primer instead...

 

[Steve C]

Depending upon your bullet hardness and desired type load I would use 4.5gr as a minimum for a .38 spl equal start load with a soft bullet and go up to around 5.4 gr. With a hard cast bullet that needed the pressure of a full power load to obdurate the base or if I just wanted to shoot full power I would use the old Winchester data and start at 6.0 and work up if needed.

Current on line suggestion from Hodgdon list 3.4gr minimum to 5.0gr max of W231 with a 158gr LSWC for 1,109 fps from a 10" test barrel at a pressure of 23,900 CUP which is really a low velocity "Cowboy" load.

Speer says 5.4gr max of W231 with their swaged 158gr Lead bullets for a velocity of 989 fps tested from a 6" S&W M19 revolver.

The 2002 on line data from Winchester shown below listed 6.7grs as maximum for a pressure of 42,500 CUP for a full power load at a velocity of 1,275 fps.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I think Hodgdon stops @5.0gr W231 because of leading fears.
Lyman and a few of the others are willing to go "hotter"...

 

[alwslate]

The heaviest charge of W231 I have tried in the 357 is 6.4 grs under
a 158 gr cast SWC in Win brass and magnum primer. Velocity out of
my 4" md 28 was 1115 fps. 231 seems to be a popular powder for the 357 for those who dislike the blast from the slower powders and are
satisfied with a bit less than top velocity. I saw on another forum that
several members routinely use 7.0 grs with 158 gr cast bullets as their
standard 357 load with no problems even though this slightly exceeds
Winchester's recommendation of 6.7 grs max.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I saw on another forum that several members routinely use 7.0 grs with 158 gr cast bullets as their standard 357 load with no problems even though this slightly exceeds Winchester's recommendation of 6.7 grs max.

I have loaded 7.0gr under a hard cast 158gr LSWC but I have a strong feeling that load is over pressure. I would not recommend that load to anyone especially a new reloader. I agree with Winchester and "alwslate" and use 6.7gr as the Max charge.

 

[mikld]

When I read the OP's "357 Magnum with W231", I automatically went to my Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook (aka reloading manual) and found an answer on page 271. Reloading manuals are your friend...

FWIW, be extremely careful of any load data you see on any forum, pet load website, or hear from any gun shop guru. You could just wind up with a Kaboom!...

 

[stavman11]

My goto none Mag load for .357 158gr LSWC is 6.1gr of W231.... Nice Load and Good PoP Avg FPS was 1063

Like it alot

I have loaded Over 7gr... seemed Ok avg FPS was 1203... next time I mess around with loads i am going to try riaght at 7gr and see how it Performs

 

[GCF]

I want to load some 357 magnum with 158 gr LSWC and want to know if anyone is using Winchester 231 for a charge. John

For a light, very accurate target load, try Hodgdon's minimum .357 charge of 3.4 grains 231 - under a 158 LSWC. Very light (next to nothing / .002" - .003") crimp.

It's a mouse fart load, that shoots bug holes - w/ my 4" 686 no dash.

 

[old&slow]

I've done a lot of target shooting / practice with 4.8 grs W231 ,, 158 gr LSWC ,, WSP , Win. 357 case, 864 fps out of a 4" 686.


But , make sure you check a good reloading manual before using any loads. typos ,, fat fingers ,, etc..

 

[Nevada Ed]

Has anyone got 1460 fps with w231 and a 125gr Jacket bullet out of a 357 case and 8.1grs of powder?

My 6" 686 did not come close...............
but it was the most accurate load with that weight bullet.