Question on W231 w/ 158 gr LSWC

[Forrest r]

A link to several old winchester reloading manuals.

Winchester Manuals

 

[TheTinMan]

A link to several old winchester reloading manuals.

Winchester Manuals

Thank you! The last one from 2006 has 45 Colt load data for a lot more bullets.

 

[colt_saa]

Ever since switching from Unique to 231, probably 2+ decades ago, I have been loading the 158 SWC over 5.5 grains of powder into 357 Magnum cases

For my 38 Special guns I have been loading/shooting the 148 HBWCs or for a very short time hard cast DEWCs in 38 Special cases at 3.3 and 3.5 grains of 231 respectivly

The 38 Special loads were tuned for my Model 52s which work best with midrange loads. If they were revolver only, I would have gone a bit hotter

 

[Dfish1247]

Any published 38 special load should be fine in a 357. It’s Billy Joe Bob’s super duper anti graboid loads posted in a forum I’d stay away from.

But, you’re being careful and double checking everything, that’s the proper and only attitude to have when reloading, a few minutes of inconvenience is better every time than a trip to the hospital or having a toe tag installed.

 

[Nevada Ed]

This is just a run over of the lawyer ****, Take a look at the velocity given and then at the barrel used.

HOrnady website uses a 10 inch barrel when they tell me how much velocity 4 grains of hp-38 will give my HBWC in a magnum case.

I found this picture on the net.

"Most" of the barrels might be 10 inches.
Enjoy.

 

[H Richard]

I have used 4.3 Gt 231 behind a 158 Gr cast lead bullet in a 38 case since about 1985. No idea how many have gone down range out of various .38's, Mod 10, Mod 15, 686, etc. Thousands with no problems at all.

 

[Miracle Man]

One of my most favorite .38 Special loads is 4.0gr W231 under a 158gr LSWC bullet. I see nothing wrong with that load.

IMO accuracy is king and that load for me is very accurate in my revolvers.

I think I'm going to give 4.0 grs W231 and the 158 gr LSWC a try

 

[rockquarry]

I think I'm going to give 4.0 grs W231 and the 158 gr LSWC a try

That's a fine load but if you happen to have any Bullseye powder, try 3.5 grs. behind the same bullet. Velocity will be slightly higher than the 231 load, but I've used the two loads pretty much interchangeably. It's splitting hairs, but I've seen just a bit better accuracy with the Bullseye load in a variety of .38 Special and .357 revolvers. I use the H#G #51 SWC, but other 158 - 160 gr. cast SWCs may work as well or even better.

 

[Miracle Man]

That's a fine load but if you happen to have any Bullseye powder, try 3.5 grs. behind the same bullet. Velocity will be slightly higher than the 231 load, but I've used the two loads pretty much interchangeably. It's splitting hairs, but I've seen just a bit better accuracy with the Bullseye load in a variety of .38 Special and .357 revolvers. I use the H#G #51 SWC, but other 158 - 160 gr. cast SWCs may work as well or even better.

No Bullseye

I've got W231, Titegroup, CFE Pistol, Unique, and have a lb. of HP-38 on the way.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

No Bullseye

I've got W231, Titegroup, CFE Pistol, Unique, and have a lb. of HP-38 on the way.

You do know W231 and HP-38 are the same exact powders, right? The come out of the same spigot and they slap a different label on the bottle.

This is fact verified but Hodgdon and St. Marks Powder Inc. (SMP)

 

[Miracle Man]

You do know W231 and HP-38 are the same exact powders, right? The come out of the same spigot and they slap a different label on the bottle.

This is fact verified but Hodgdon and St. Marks Powder Inc. (SMP)

No I did not know that. Well now I'll have like 5 lbs. of W231/HP 38 so I guess that's a good thing LOL.

Thanks