Bullseye or 231 data for 135 Gold Dot?

[LTR shooter]

I have some Speer 135 grain Gold Dot bullets for the 38 Special and would like to know if anyone has any published load data for this bullet using 231 and Bullseye. Any help appreciated.

 

[rcmodel]

I really haven't seen any.

That bullet needs all the velocity you can get out of a .38 Spl to perform properly.
Neither Bullseye or W231 will do that safely.
And they are too expensive to load light for plinking anyway.

Published data from Speer suggests the use of:
Power Pistol (6.0 - 6.4)
AA #5 (6.6 - 7.0)
AA #7 (7.8 - 8.2)
HS-6 (6.8 - 7.2)
VTH 3N37 (6.0 - 6.4)
Unique (4.8 - 5.2)
Universal (5.0 - 5.2)
PB (4.3 - 4.7).

rc

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I really haven't seen any.

That bullet needs all the velocity you can get out of a .38 Spl to perform properly.
Neither Bullseye or W231 will do that safely.
And they are too expensive to load light for plinking anyway.

Published data from Speer suggests the use of:
Power Pistol (6.0 - 6.4)
AA #5 (6.6 - 7.0)
AA #7 (7.8 - 8.2)
HS-6 (6.8 - 7.2)
VTH 3N37 (6.0 - 6.4)
Unique (4.8 - 5.2)
Universal (5.0 - 5.2)
PB (4.3 - 4.7).

rc

I have gotten very good results replicating Speer's 135gr SB .38 Special +P load with AA#5. Not only can I duplicate the velocity but also the feel of the recoil is very similar with AA#5. Give a charge of 6.8gr AA#5 a try and see if you like it... All the listed powders will meet or exceed the factory velocity but AA#5 is the best replica IMO.

 

[Steve C]

This is data published by Speer on their website before this new bullet was included in their latest manual. There is no data for Bullseye or W231. Best velcoity will be from medium burn rate powders like Unique, AA5, etc. Most hand loaders are trying to reproduce the Speer short barrel factory loading for this bullet and fast powders won't do that.

Speer GD 135 gr .38 spl data PDF format.

 

[LTR shooter]

Thanks for the replies - a BIG help! Luckily I have an old lot of AA #5 and some Unique too.

Give a charge of 6.8gr AA#5 a try and see if you like it

I sure will try that one.

 

[Waywatcher]

Accurate No. 5 is good for duplicating factory ballistics with the 135 Speer Gold Dot, speaking from personal experience with it and a Chronograph. If you want to get even better performance, at the expense of some flash and noise, Power Pistol is even better than No. 5.