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.

 

[H Richard]

I have been loading 4.3 Gr 231 in 38 158 Gr SWC for at least 30+ years in numerous different 38 Special revolvers with no problems.

 

[rockquarry]

I have been loading 4.3 Gr 231 in 38 158 Gr SWC for at least 30+ years in numerous different 38 Special revolvers with no problems.

That's a good accurate load. I've used it pretty much exclusively with the H&G #51 158 gr. SWC in may .38s. About as heavy a load as I'd want to put through a J-frame or a Colt snub nose. About equal in velocity to my favorite .38 load, 3.5 grs. Bullseye. I've found the Bullseye load slightly more accurate than the 231 load overall, but that's really hair splitting.

 

[BrBa]

3.8 to 4.2 gr 231 under a coated 158 gr LRN has been the sweet spot for accuracy with my revolvers. I've gone as high as 4.7 gr but the groups really started to open up at around 4.5 gr. I just go with 4.0 gr since that's the mid point of the accuracy range.

 

[cmj8591]

I'm loading 3.5g of 231 with a 158 LSWC. I get between 750 and 850 fps depending on the gun. It's my go to 38 range load and shoots very well in everything. I have been tending towards Tite Group lately just because it seems to be more available. I don't think it's as consistent as 231 but it does the job and in this day and age of scattered availability, it's good to have some options.

 

[cmj8591]

Yikes! I just realized this is a 14 year old post! I guess it is still a valid conversation none the less.

 

[rockquarry]

Yikes! I just realized this is a 14 year old post! I guess it is still a valid conversation none the less.

Yes, posts with good information are timeless and always valid.