[kowenjr]

I have a S&W 442 that I want to reload for. I have Winchester 231 powder and 158 gr jacket RN bullets. Any suggestions on powder loads and OAL for target shooting? I can't find the appropriate info in Lymans.Thanks for your help.

[Walkalong]

As far as O.A.L., just seat then to the cannelure. My Speer # 13 does not give any 158 Gr jacketed data either. My Speer #11 does though.

Standard primers (CCI 500) No O.A.L. given (Loaded to cannelure, I am sure)

Shot from a 6" Security Six

Start load of W-231 - 4.5 Grs for 802 FPS.

Max load of W-231 - 5.4 Grs W-231 for 929 FPS. This was noted as +P

If you get to light with it you can stick a bullet in the barrel. Be careful.

[rcmodel]

Hodgdon is the distributer for Winchester powder. They have WW-231 data on-line.
http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

They say standard pressure .38 Spl is 3.8 Starting - 4.3 MAXIMUM with a 158 XTP. You can use the same data for a 158 JRN.

They don't list WW-231 for +P loads with that bullet weight.

There has been a fairly recent movement to not publish 158 jacketed data for .38 Special.

Due to low velocity not opening HP's, and due to stuck bullet possibility in guns with excess cylinder gap.

rc

[Walkalong]

Hmmm...very different charge weights, but then, many think Hodgdon has neutered the Winchester data, especially W-231.

[kowenjr]

Thanks for the info. The bullets I have don't have cannelure marks on them.

[rcmodel]

Winchester never had any data for jacketed .38 Spl. bullets in the old handbooks they used to publish before Hodgdon took it over.

rc

[rcmodel]

The bullets I have don't have cannelure marks on them.Well, then they are either 9mm auto pistol bullets, or plated jacket .38 bullets.

Do you know what brand they are at all, or do you just have some unknown bullets?

rc

[Walkalong]

I seat Berrys plated 158 Gr HP's and X-Treme 158 Gr SWC's at 1.440.

4.2 Grs of W-231 and an X-Treme 158 Gr SWC @ 1.450 O.A.L. gave me right at 700 FPS on a 76 Degree day from a 4" Model 10 heavy barrel.

You need to be sure of what you have. Mic the diameter.

[Mark whiz]

As a reference, I use 3.6gr of Win231 with 158gr XTPs and 3.2gr of Win231 with 158gr Gold Dots. With the bullets seated to tha cannilures, I get around 570fps out of a 4"barrel.

[Randy1911]

My Speer #12 recommends against using 158 Jacketed bullets in 38 Spl. You can read for yourself. They are afraid that bullets may get stuck in the bore.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f314/leecreekkid/100_0443.jpg

[loadedround]

Rcmodel: I have to disagree with your comment regarding lack of Winchester published data on the 158 gr jacketed bullet. I have sitting in front of me a Winchester Reloading guide dated 2006 showing loading data for the 158 gr bullet in 38 Special loads. It is identical to the data on the Hodgdon site so I did not list it. ;)

[rcmodel]

O.K.
My bad!

I didn't have any Winchester pamphlets that recent.

rc

[Galil5.56]

Kowenjr,

I have Winchester 158 grain JACKETED data from 1993/1994 as shown:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/Abucaster/IMG_8589.jpg

Also have 158 grain JACKETED data from 10/1990 for IMR, DuPont data from even earlier, tons from Hercules/Alliant from 1983 up, and Hodgdon regular and +P data from the early 90's that I can look up if you might try other propellants.

[earplug]

If your jacketed bullets are 158 FMJ's, I'd trade them off for some 158 LSWC.
I cast and load for my J frame and other 38's. You should get better performance with less powder shooting plain lead.
Perhaps some .357 magnum shooters would want your stuff.

[Ratshooter]

As a reference, I use 3.6gr of Win231 with 158gr XTPs and 3.2gr of Win231 with 158gr Gold Dots. With the bullets seated to tha cannilures, I get around 570fps out of a 4"barrel.

Mark one day soon you are going to stick a bullet in your barrel. Your loads are way too light for a jacketed bullet. You need to get close to 5grs with 231 to be safe. I have used 5.3grs of 231 for years in my 38s. That was a load recommended by Jan Libourel of Guns & Ammo.

By far the best bullets for 38 loads are the lead bullets. I almost won't shoot jacketed bullets in my 38s anymore.

[Sport45]

You need to get close to 5grs with 231 to be safe. I have used 5.3grs of 231 for years in my 38s. That was a load recommended by Jan Libourel of Guns & Ammo.

Is that supposed to be a +P load? 5gr of W231 would be a pretty stout charge under a 158gr bullet. Are you maybe thinking of a 125gr load?