Making Minor PF with 38 Special

[hueycrew]

Here goes: 686 6" I want to shoot in USPSA.

I've got 8 lbs of W231 so its the powder I want to use. I tend to use heavier bullets.

Some fellow shooters don't reccomend W231 for revolvers as unburned powder flakes get into the ejector star and jam up the mechanism.

From my experience with 231 in 45 acp if I load slightly hotter(230g bullet) I have less unburned powder. Its a higher PF and cleaner.

38 Special loaded with W231 is there a "best balace" between bullet weight and powder charge?

My default idea is a 158g lead or Berry's bullet. Looking at load data it seems to be easier to make the 130 power factor (125 is minimum) easier with a lighter bullet. Hopefully with more complete powder burn.

?
huey

 

[Rule3]

I do not know about calculating PF but W231/HP38 was "made" for the 38 special.

It is a little dirty at low charge weights. If you keep it near max it is great.

It's pretty much the only powder I use for all handgun calibers.

 

[hueycrew]

I think I'll start with the 158g and go from there.

PF for USPSA Bullet weight X velocity = power factor

158g X 825fps = roughly 130,000 or a 130 powerfactor

I'd be near the max for FMJ. More room with lead. I'll try the Berrys first. If not - lead it is.

 

[Rule3]

Divided by 1000.

Lymans cast bullet shows using a 4" universal chamber

158 gr lead with 4.0 gr W 231 yields 837 fps. This is also indicated as the most accurate load with their #358665 bullet which is a Cowboy action flat nose.

 

[haggis]

You didn't mention bullet shape, but round nose is much better for fast reloads.

You also want to load to PF~130 to be sure that normal powder variation doesn't boot you from the match.

Buck

 

[H Richard]

Double check that Lyman load of 4.0 gr 231 with a 158 cast bullet. My "older" Lyman manual lists (potentially most accurate load) 4.9 gr. 231, which from my 6" 686 chrono's 875 fps. That makes a PF of 138, which is just a little cushion. Also keep in mind that 231 looses power in colder temps. I shot a match several years ago, and my load didn't make PW, so I put a hand-full in my pocket to warm them up for about 15 minutes, and went back to Chrono and they did make minor.

This 4.9 gr load I shoot is with a cast 158 gr RNFP and shoots into less than 2" at 25 yards and is my every day do everything 38 Spec. load.

 

[Rule3]

Double check that Lyman load of 4.0 gr 231 with a 158 cast bullet. My "older" Lyman manual lists (potentially most accurate load) 4.9 gr. 231, which from my 6" 686 chrono's 875 fps. That makes a PF of 138, which is just a little cushion. Also keep in mind that 231 looses power in colder temps. I shot a match several years ago, and my load didn't make PW, so I put a hand-full in my pocket to warm them up for about 15 minutes, and went back to Chrono and they did make minor.

This 4.9 gr load I shoot is with a cast 158 gr RNFP and shoots into less than 2" at 25 yards and is my every day do everything 38 Spec. load.

Tiz what it says in Lyman Cast 4th edition.

Speer #14 lists a max of 4.3 for 863 fps out of a 6" SW M14


Lyman 49th lists a 160 gr LRN with 4.9 grs for 906 fps, so give or take a grain or so.
Hodgdon list a max of 3.7

 

[OKFC05]

I am apalled at the misinformation you listed in the OP.
I have been shooting revolver competition for decades, and am an IDPA match director.
HP38/Win231 (same powder) is the most widely used powder in IDPA handgun loads (SSR), n fact HP38 stands for "Hodgdon powder for .38).

My standard load for many years has been the Berry 158gr RN over 5.1gr HP 38, which is a +P load to make 130 power factor.
Depending on your gun, it should make PF in a 4" barrel, but I have "identical" gns that chrono 30 fps different, and you have to chrono your load in your gun.
Hope you realize that shooting minor power revolver in USPSA is just for fun, as the major power .45 ACP revolvers with moon clips win all the major USPSA revolver matches.

However, minor power .38 with speedloaders is the norm in IDPA/SSR, and in fact, the power factor was recently lowered to 105, permitting non +P loads to be legal. You can lower the charge to 4.4 HP38 with the 158gr Berry bullets.

Your perception that it is easier to make power with light bullets is simply wrong, as they will have considerably greater recoil for the same PF because of the much greater MV.

Recoil Calculator

 

[ArchAngelCD]

My favorite .38 Special load is 4.0gr W231 under a 158gr LSWC. My measure drops 4.1gr W231 so that's what I now load. Using that charge weight and bullet from a 4" M686 the ammo generates 879 fps. You should have no problem approaching 900 fps from a 6" M686 with the same load. That would be a PF of ~142, more than enough to make a 125 Minor.