357 lower velocity powder

[iblong]

Im trying for my 5 gun rating in IDPA in a few weeks and due to finances Im going to have to use my S&W 586 in ESR division shooting major PF 165.
This will require me to run my 158gr at aprox 1050 fps Its not hot but recoil needs to be as low as possible to get back on target as Im not shooting moon clips in a divission dominated by 625's big and slow.
I have Unique,2400,231 and blue dot powders on hand,Im leanning towards unique or 2400.So Do I use a faster powder at a neer max loading or do I use 2400 at a minimim loading to keep my velocity and recoil down,looking for a push in the right direction.
Thanks,Bob.

 

[GP100man]

At lower pressures the 231 will be the cleanest & runnin rite at max at 1050fps .

Unique is a hi deposit powder , 2400 will leave unburnt kernels when loaded down .

No exp. with BD .

If ya run out of 231 HP-38 has been the exact same powder for yrs. now & generally easier to find , at least in my area.

 

[Walkalong]

Unique is perfect for 158's at 1050. It is reasonably clean at those pressures. If you want squeaky clean, N330 or N340 will do it. Most any medium burn rate powder will "suffice", but I know Unique will be accurate at that power level. Probably in the neighborhood of 7.0 to 7.2 Grs to get 1050 FPS reliably.


W-231 should work very well too, I just haven't tried it. Since you have Unique, that is what I would recommend that you try. I really like it for midrange plinking loads (125's @ 1150 to 1200 and 158's @ 1125 to 1175) in .357.

 

[iblong]

Thanks guys Unique is prety much what I was figuring but some I know thought 2400 but Ive only used it for full house loadings.Ive had great accuracy in several cals with Unique,Its a little dirty but mostley with lead and I think it more a lube deal and not a big deal to clean up.
Thank's again.

 

[_N4Z_]

I will second Walkalongs recommendation to use the Unique. I run 158gr jacketed around 7.3gr which is quite accurate, and somewhere in the minimal to moderate recoil range. Also fairly clean at those pressures. With hardcast (MBC 158gr) I like 6.4gr.

Good luck and have fun experimenting.

 

[Cherokee]

I use 231 for 158 SWC.

 

[PO2Hammer]

I've been using Hodgdon Universal for 158 LSWC-HP loads in the .357 in the 1,000 fps range (my standard .357 load). Burns very clean once you get over 850 fps or so and meters perfectly.
HP-38 (W231) is another good one.

 

[kingmt]

I don't use those powders but faster burn = less recoil & better burn. BD or 2400 is probably the worst choice as far as recoil is concerned.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I don't use those powders but faster burn = less recoil & better burn. BD or 2400 is probably the worst choice as far as recoil is concerned.

I agree, try and stay away from the slower powders for the application your talking about.

W231/HP-38 and Unique will give you what you're looking for.
A charge of 5.0gr W231 under a 158gr lead bullet or 6.2gr W231 under a 158gr jacketed bullet will probably get you there but you will have to try those loads in your revolver to be sure.

*EDIT*
The above powder charge weights are for loading in a .357 Magnum case.

 

[evan price]

Blue Dot is a BAD choice to download and 2400 won't perform much better. I would use Win-231 if it were me. It's cleaner and easier to meter than Unique.

 

[jcerillo70]

A charge of 5.0gr W231 under a 158gr lead bullet

do you use that in a 357 cartridge or 38? I'm trying to find a new 38 & 357 load. Im just starting out for this caliber

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The charge weights I gave above were for loading in a .357 Magnum case.

 

[dhfenno]

I was shooting a Zero 158gr JHP over 4.5gr 231 in a .38 special case 2 days ago and getting an avg. of 770fps.
85 degrees and 115ft above sea level.
I don't think you'll get there with 5gr but 5.5 might using lead or a plated bullet. I think you'll be closer to 6gr.
I can tell you I was amazed at how clean the 231 shot. I put just under 200 rounds through the gun and did not see 1 speck of unburned powder anywhere.

 

[LTR shooter]

Not long ago I tested a 357 load with the Hornady 158XTP and 231. Turned out to be one of the most accurate loads I have ever tried but I do not have a chrono so not sure of the velocity.

Have used Unique with 158 LSWC with good results too.