Is there a "standard"/known/good W231 load for 158 LSWC in .38 Special?

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Or HP-38 obviously. There are a couple "standard" loads for HWBC .38 special loads and M2 ball loads... just wondering if there's something similar for 158 LSWC
 
No one here has given seating depth or Cartridge OverAll Length! When loading pistol ammunition ALWAYS check published load data for three bits of data: Powder type and amount, bullet weight and construction, and Cartridge over-all length. Because pistol cartridges have a small internal volume, even small differences in bullet seating depth can dramatically influence chamber pressure.
 
For data on go-to loads I prefer checking the older manuals.

Hodgdon 2008, HP-38. Their data shows for Cowboy loads only.

Cowboy Action:
158 gr. LSWC, 3.1 gr,m 782 fpos, 11,900 CUP, 3.7 gr, 834 fps, 14,600 CUP.

In the older Winchester books is where to find the data. For example the 15th edition (1997) of the Winchester Reloading Manual shows the following data for the 38 spl, W231 powder and 158 gr. lead boolets.

Cowboy Action:
4.1 gr., 900 fps, 16,000 PSI, 6-1/8" bbl.

Standard loads:
158 gr. LSWC, 4.0 gr., 745 fps, 12,600 PSI, 4.5 gr., 830 fps, 15,800 PSI. 4" bbl.

+P data
158 gr. lswc, 4.7 gr., 860 fps, 17,100 psi, 4" bbl.
 
I'm using 3.5 grains with a home cast RCBS 38-150 SWC (actual weight 158 grains). I have loaded up to 5.0 grains of W231/HP38 but now use power pistol for full charge or +P loads.
 
No one here has given seating depth or Cartridge OverAll Length!
...Because pistol cartridges have a small internal volume, even small differences in bullet seating depth can dramatically influence chamber pressure.
Most folks crimp into the crimp groove on revolver bullets. Compared to the usual charge weights used, the internal volume of the .38Spl case is pretty tolerant of seating variations

My WW 231/HP-38 go-to load for, for the OP's bullet weight in .38Spl is 4.2 grs...usually ignited by a Federal SPP
 
No one here has given seating depth or Cartridge OverAll Length! When loading pistol ammunition ALWAYS check published load data for three bits of data: Powder type and amount, bullet weight and construction, and Cartridge over-all length. Because pistol cartridges have a small internal volume, even small differences in bullet seating depth can dramatically influence chamber pressure.
Kinda irrelevant when you're crimping to the groove but good advice generally
 
I've used 4.3 grains of W231/HP38 for years, makes minor for USPSA (in 6" bbl.) & also mild enough for plates. Loaded with either CCI or Winchester primers.
 
No one here has given seating depth or Cartridge OverAll Length! When loading pistol ammunition ALWAYS check published load data for three bits of data: Powder type and amount, bullet weight and construction, and Cartridge over-all length. Because pistol cartridges have a small internal volume, even small differences in bullet seating depth can dramatically influence chamber pressure.

Nor has there been much discussion of barrel length, cylinder gap, throat size, etc...

The .38 special was my first cartridge. My loads were developed for my gun and it took a while to find the sweet spot - for my gun. I wouldn't expect them to necessarily match for anyone else.
 
Mostly light to moderate roll crimp, but I also use a Lee FCD on occasion, depending on which press I'm using. Usually a standard roll crimp though.
just checking. a heavy crimp shouldn't be needed here, but you can play around with the crimp after you have settled on a load. you might see a change for the better.

luck,

murf
 
well I just loaded 300 with a light/moderate roll crimp so we'll see how they do. First time I've tried sorting by headstamp and trimming cases so my expectation is that these will all go through one hole. LOL
 
I just loaded up a bunch of 158grs last week. 4.0grs of W231 seated and rolled crimp into the groove. I get great accuracy out of this load.
 
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