38 Spl. 158gr LSWC- How much W231 are you using?
- Thread starter shortround451
- Start date
Black_Sheep
Member
I like 4.0 grains for mild recoil and good accuracy. W231 meters well out of my powder measure too...
gb70840
Member
I am using my model 14-2 with a 6" barrel.What length barrel?
jcfoxcroft
Member
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I use 4.4 grains of WIN 231 when I load 158 grain LSWC and 4.9 grains when I load 158 grain Jacketed bullet.
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Like many others here my favorite W231 load under a 158gr LSWC is 4.0gr. That load is listed as being the "potentially most accurate" in the new Lyman 49th Edition manual.
It's not the highest velocity load you can achieve using W231 but it's extremely accurate in every revolver I've shot it from.
It's not the highest velocity load you can achieve using W231 but it's extremely accurate in every revolver I've shot it from.
browndd1
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I use 3.8 of HP 38 for 158 gr LSWC, You should switch over to HP 38
Speer lists 4.3 max and Lyman lists 4.0 for the 158 gr
Lyman lists 4.9 for a 160 gr and 5.2 for a 160 gr +p
I wouldn't worry about your 4.2grs.
What about 4.3 grains of HP-38 behind a 20 BHN 160 grain SWC in a pre-model 10 38 special in very good shape? I understand that the Plus P loads listed today were the standard load for the 38 special back in the earlier days.
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4.3/ 231 with an H&G #51 SWC (160 grs.) gets 860 fps from a 6" Model 17. Used this load for years.
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
It's hard to tell how much pressure that load will generate, you don't want to abuse a fine old revolver.
You would have been better off starting a new thread than bringing back a 7 year old one.
DumpStick
US Veteran
Oh, I don't know. The information is just as relevant today as it was 7 years ago. I've not seen this thread before this.
There are a great many members, myself included, that weren't members 7 years ago.
FWIW, I use 4.2gr HP-38 under a Lee tumble-lube round nose 158 grain.
I've used 4.3 gr 231 since the 80's. One word of caution. If you are at a match in the winter, and the temp drops below the 30's put your ammo in your pocket before going to the chrono station. 231 loses velocity in cold weather, and may not make the minimum.
Rodinal220
Member
Have been using these two loads for over 30 years. In the 158 lswc 4.0gr and in the 148 wadcutter 3.7g .
I'm wondering why everyone is using so much 231 also. I use 3.0 grains of 231 with a 148 HBWC or DEWC cycles my model 52 without beating it up. I tried 158 gr lead bullets with the same charge and they work great in the revolvers. Nice and mild, Larry
kbm6893
Member
I've been loading 3.8 grains for a while but just dialed it down to 3.4. Hodgon lists 3.1 as minimum and 3.7 as max. I'm just pinching paper so I went middle of the road. Paper targets don't know the difference.
Benchrest1
Member
My go too load is 3.4 grains of 231 with a 158 LSWC.
noylj
Member
Some want max accuracy, some want mild recoil and "decent" accuracy, some want to push max loads, and some want to make some power factor to play games.
The point is, you will find people using loads that range from just below most loading manual start loads all the way up to the max load. There is no specific load for any cartridge that will make everyone happy.
The point is, you will find people using loads that range from just below most loading manual start loads all the way up to the max load. There is no specific load for any cartridge that will make everyone happy.
Another fan of 4.2 grains of hp-38 under 158 swc. About 820 fps from 6 in. It is very accurate and enables my k-38 to shoot to poa at 25 yards.
Used to use 3.2 grains under full wadcutters, but am not using those anymore.
Used to use 3.2 grains under full wadcutters, but am not using those anymore.
Huskerguy
Member
I have settled at 3.5 and it works great for mild target loads. It doesn't beat me or my wife up. I loaded 3.9 for a while but really didn't see the point.
DumpStick
US Veteran
I'm using 4.2gr 231, because it makes my fixed sight revolvers shoot to POA.
I tried several loads, starting with a low charge. At 10 yds I was hitting high.
I adjusted the charge up, walking it right down the target as the speed increased. When I got close to max (depending on which data one studies) I was hitting POA.
That's why, at least in my case.
