38 spcl loads for snubbies

novalty said:
I just loaded up some 158gr. Hornady SJHP's last night for starter loads for my new Ruger SP101 (2.25"). Loaded 10 with 3.7gr's of W-231, and 10 with 4.0gr. of W-231, with a COAL of 1.455 and light crimp on the cannelure. Luckily, I have several manuals and was very shocked to see a significant difference in powder recommendations between Hornady's 3rd Edition for this boolit, and my Sierra binder. Hornady listed starting load with Winchester 231 as the 3.7gr's that I loaded, up to a max of 5.4grs (designated +P), and the Sierra binder listed a starting load in almost the +P rating. Decided to go on the side of caution and start with the lower Hornady numbers (since I was using Hornady boolits.) It doesn't look like a whole lot of powder in the case that is for sure. I used a RCBS 3 Carbide die set and seated and crimped in one step--no case bulging. Would upload pictures of completed bullets, but have horrible luck taking close up pics with my camera. Here is a stock photo of boolit used.
th
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Interesting. The Hornady 8th Edition runs from 3.7 to 4.9 gr of W231 (4.9 +P). I'd be interested to hear how these loads work for you. I load Hornady 158 gr SWC/LRN with 3.6 gr of W231 and would have no problem loading the 158 gr SJ in the 4.0 to 4.5 gr range.
 
Steve in Vermont said:
Interesting. The Hornady 8th Edition runs from 3.7 to 4.9 gr of W231 (4.9 +P). I'd be interested to hear how these loads work for you. I load Hornady 158 gr SWC/LRN with 3.6 gr of W231 and would have no problem loading the 158 gr SJ in the 4.0 to 4.5 gr range.
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Hello Steve, I think I am also going to load up 10 rounds loaded with 4.3 grs. of W231, and possibly 4.6grs before I hit the range. Will try to post pics of the targets, which I will be shooting most likely at 10 yards. I'm no expert marksman, so wouldn't use any pics I post as negatives against either the load or the firearm. This is also the first revolver that I've ever owned--have shot a few (S&W 686 6", Dan Wesson 357 6", Ruger Blackhawk .44 Mag), but picked the Ruger SP101 for concealed carry, so targets will most likely have poor grouping as I will be getting used to DA trigger and sights.

**(UPDATE)** Thought I would list the load discrepancy between manuals.
158 Jacked Soft Hollow-Points
Hornady#3 Manual: Winchester 231: 3.7 - 5.1 (+p)
Speer#11: Winchester 231: 4.5 - 5.4 (+p)

Hornady#3: Unique: 4.1 - 5.3 (+p)
Sierra: Unique: 5.0 - 6.4 (+p)
Speer#11: Unique: 4.8 - 5.5 (+p)

The number listing that shocked me the most was between Hornady's #3 Manual and my Sierra bindings list for Unique powder. The Sierra's numbers almost start in the +p range for the Hornady's listing, and go up over a full grain higher for the top end.
 
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novalty said:
Hello Steve, I think I am also going to load up 10 rounds loaded with 4.3 grs. of W231, and possibly 4.6grs before I hit the range. Will try to post pics of the targets, which I will be shooting most likely at 10 yards. I'm no expert marksman, so wouldn't use any pics I post as negatives against either the load or the firearm. This is also the first revolver that I've ever owned--have shot a few (S&W 686 6", Dan Wesson 357 6", Ruger Blackhawk .44 Mag), but picked the Ruger SP101 for concealed carry, so targets will most likely have poor grouping as I will be getting used to DA trigger and sights.
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One of most accurate loads I ever made was the Hornady 125 gr XTP-HP with 4.8 gr of W231. Especially good in my old 36, 2" 10 and 640-1 as well as my other revolvers. I could load that hotter, it's the low end in the manual, but I ask myself why and can't find a reason to.
 
snub nose

My mod. 49 does not like 110Jhp ,I think they are just too short from case to barrel and poor groups are from the "Jump"
the bullet has to make. The only load that will group is a maximum +P load of Unique powder,in this gun,which I have no need for.
The 125 Jhp is almost as bad and I can only get the longer Rem SJHP to group but only with a "Nyclad" 830fps velosity
and a Speer GDot through 3 water jugs and 3/4" into partical board,at this velosity, did not even start to open up.
The best accuracy came from heavier factory 135 Speer's and 140 XTP bullets. I am still working on 158 LRN and FBI loads
that hit at poa for me.
I did notice that in my gun, Bullseye and SR4756 did not come up with high velositys...........but RedDot worked well with almost all loads and Best acc/vel with the FBI came with
Alliants max 38 load of GreenDot,of all things.
 
I like 231 the best in my model 442 and Ruger sp101. For my firearms, an accurate and an easy range load is 4.1gr W231 behind 158 SWC bullets.
 
In my youth some forty years ago Red Dot and Bullseye mistreated me or maybe I misused them, I hate to admit this as a reloader. In my old age now I reload the little 32s autos and revolvers. Accurate number 2 is very versatile all the way up to the 45 auto. I used Unique for years in my 38 specials for my snubbies and K-frame Smiths.
 
I forgot to mention that you are dead on with the two bullet weights that you have. Nothing better than lead 148gr and 158gr bullets for the 38 special...........................unless you have a few Speer 135 Gold Dots laying around.
 
3.0 grains of 231 with a mastercast 148 DE Wadcutter
4.0 grains of 231 with a mastercast 158 RNL
 
Using the Lyman 358156 w/o GC, I load 4.5g W231.

Really nice no baloney load.

Accurate and hard hitting.

Juuust under +P (by today's standards).
 
Right now I'm trying W231, B'eye, and AA#2for my 148 gr DEWC I just got.
The best accuracy right now hands down is the AA#2 @ about 3.4-3.5 gr. Going to try a few somewhat stiffer than that though. Thing is not much info out there for AA#2 in 38 spl. seems the range is around 2.7-3.5 gr. My best accuracy is comign from 3.4-3.5 gr which is about 3-4" offhand group with a Smith 64 2' barrel at 15 yards.
 
Warren Sear said:
Load the same as for any other 38 Special barrel length. The powders that give the highest velocity in a long barrel will also give the highest velocity in short barrels.

If your concern is reducing muzzle flash resulting from the short barrel, 231 powder supposedly contains a flash suppressant as part of its composition.
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This has been proven true.
Check Speer #8 short barrel loads for both .38 SPL & .357 Mag.
 
November 19th,2012
Finally found the best load for my snub nose with the 158gr LRN. I tried to make Bullseye,Red Dot and w231 work but they all got blown away with with a slower powder.

210ee86.jpg
 
Nevada Ed said:
November 19th,2012
Finally found the best load for my snub nose with the 158gr LRN. I tried to make Bullseye,Red Dot and w231 work but they all got blown away with with a slower powder.

210ee86.jpg
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My guess is Unique, but 3.3grs seems too low for a 38 Special load.
 
If you're looking for mild 38spl loads, try Green Dot. I bought an old 3lb keg of it at a garage sale, and am having a blast with it. Uses a little less powder than Bullseye, or W231 per load.
 
3.3 grains of Unique under a 148 DEWC makes a nice target load. Very accurate.
I gave up loading for maximum power a long time ago.
If the .38 Special won't do it, use the Krag.
Sorry to hijack the thread.
 
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