38 Spl. 158gr LSWC- How much W231 are you using?

[nbedford]

I have used 4.1 grains of W231 with a 160 grain LSWC bullet in my 4" Model 67 no-dash S&W. It appeared quite accurate, and chronographed at an average of 788 fps. All revolvers are a law unto themselves; in my 4" Model 15-3 they averaged 851 fps. Also quite accurate.

 

[Harrison]

Whatever Hodgen's on line data guide calls for.

 

[scattershot]

4.0 HP38 ( same powder) . About 850 fps, and accurate

 

[Nevada Ed]

I use w231 powder in a few of my 38 loads that work for me.

In my J frame snub nose, the 158 lead bullet gets from 587 to 816 fps.
With a longer 6" barrel K frame this powder will reach 948 fps.

One of my powders that does well with any type of primer and
still get good accuracy for target use.

 

[38SPL HV]

3.3 grs W231 148 gr cast DEWC
4.0 grs W231 158 gr Speer LSWC
4.7 grs W231 158 gr Speer LSWC (+P)

If I had only one powder for all my 38 Special/38 Special +P needs with 158 grs lead bullets it would be W231 .

 

[rockquarry]

3.3 grs W231 148 gr cast DEWC
4.0 grs W231 158 gr Speer LSWC
4.7 grs W231 158 gr Speer LSWC (+P)

If I had only one powder for all my 38 Special/38 Special +P needs with 158 grs lead bullets it would be W231 .

I can't think of anything more versatile at the moment, so I'm in agreement.

 

[Piwo]

Been using 4 grains with 158 gr lead swc as a light generic load for all my 38 spl. shooting for over 30 years. Decent accuracy in all guns. I recently bumped it up to 4.5 grains and noticed an increase in accuracy (and recoil) in most of my guns. I have read that 231 runs better towards the hotter end, within reason. I will stick with 4 grains for all around plinking and keep a few boxes of the hotter stuff for field use.

 

[Lance Boyle]

I can't think of anything more versatile at the moment, so I'm in agreement.

It does what it does quite well, and has lots of applications, it's versatile and has tons of data out there already.

As much as I am trying to work newer powders in to the mix for back up choices, flexibility, and possibly finding a better thing I still view W231 as a safe bet.