38 Spl Rainier 125 gr with #231?

[Kramer Krazy]

I haven't reloaded in a few years since my other hobbies have taken over my life, but I am wanting to reload some 38 Spl. I ordered some 125 gr Rainier flat-nose and want to use Winchester #231 powder for them. Naturally, my Speer #13 manual doesn't seem to help. The only 125 gr bullet loads they show is for jacketed bullets and give a 5.6 gr charge with a "DNR" (do not reduce) to give a muzzle velocity of 944. Anyone have a recommended #231 charge for the Rainier (or Berrys) 125 gr plated bullets? I actually prefer a lighter load, as my mother is wanting some of these and she doesn't like hotter loads for target practise. (Edit - Rainier's website states to use 10% less than the jacketed bullet charge, so that would be 5.0 gr of #231).

BTW, this ammo will be shot in a snub-nosed Colt Detective Special, two snubbie S&W J-frames, and possibly a 4" Colt King Cobra or 4" S&W 686.

In the past, I've only reloaded 158 gr JHP for the 38, and am wanting to branch out a little. Any input you can give me will be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[ReloaderFred]

If you'll go to the Hodgdon site: http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp and click on pistol loads, then click on .38 Special, it will give you loads for cast and jacketed bullets. You can use that data as a starting point for your plated bullets. I would use the jacketed data myself, and start about the middle of the suggested loads.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Kramer Krazy]

If you'll go to the Hodgdon site: http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp and click on pistol loads, then click on .38 Special, it will give you loads for cast and jacketed bullets.

Thanks for the very handy site! I've bookmarked it for future use.

I'll absorb the info a bit and see what anyone else's experience with this combo may be before I start reloading. The bullets are scheduled to arrive on Tuesday. I should have my cases ready by then.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

Another tip is that Hodgdon makes W231 and HP-38 powders, which are the same formula. So if you don't find W231 listed you can use the data for HP-38.

 

[rfwobbly]

Mr Krazy -
Well, you're going to like the plated bullets. They'll smoke a lot less than lead, and be much easier to clean up after.

 

[jfh]

jeez, rf--I hadn't realized you were getting allergic to gun cleaning....

Jim H.

 

[Kramer Krazy]

Well, you're going to like the plated bullets. They'll smoke a lot less than lead, and be much easier to clean up after.

I've reloaded well over 1000 Rainier plated bullets for 45 acp, just haven't used them for the 38 spl, yet. I liked them with the 45, but quit using them when I found a really good deal on several thousand Speer TMJ bullets. With the price of bullets going up considerably since I last bought some (three years ago), I'd hate to use my Zero and Winchester 158 JHP as a plinking bullet.

Thanks for the replies, guys.