Help with a starting 38 Special load

[iScream]

Hi Guys,

I just got a bunch of 125 grain SWC bullets from Missouri Bullet but I'm having a hard time finding load data. I'm using Win 231 and CCI primers.

The closest thing I see seems to be the data below from Hodgdon.

Bullet
125 GR. CAST LRNFP .358"

Start Load
3.8

Max
4.8

Does 3.8 grains of Win 231 sound like a good safe starting load for these bullets?

What does LRNFP actually stand for?

Thanks for any help.

-Chris

 

[BADUNAME37]

Lead Round Nose Flat Point


Cowboy #15
.358 Diameter
158 Grain RNFP
Brinell 12
For Tubular Magazines
Price per box of 500
Price: $28.00

http://www.missouribullet.com/results.php?pageNum_rsCWResults=1&category=5&secondary=9

You might want to weigh your bullets and make sure you aren't about to inadvertantly load 158g bullets to 125g specs. You could have a BIG BANG!

 

[iScream]

Thanks. I know what bullets I have though.

Cowboy #2 - 3K
#358125CB-3K .358 Diameter
.38 Special
125 Grain TCFP
Brinell 12
For Cowboy Action Velocities

Any help with my question?

-Chris

 

[BADUNAME37]

You asked about LRNFP bullets and the brand.
I was just trying to help.

 

[iScream]

I thanked you for the help. No offense intended.

-Chris

 

[Walkalong]

3.8 Grs of W-231 will be just fine to start, lightish, but just fine.

 

[Walkalong]

RCBS Cast Bullet Manual number 1 gives a start load of W-231 of 3.7 Grs and a max load of 4.2 Grs with a 158 Gr bullet for 744 and 810 FPS.

 

[iScream]

Thanks, Walkalong. I have a Hornady manual and one of those spiral bound "The Complete Reloading Manual for the .38 Special" books. Neither one has data for Win 231 and a 125 grain lead bullet.

-Chris

 

[Nate1778]

I really, really like 4.1 grains of hp38 behind the same kind of bullet. A little more bang is 4.4 but the accuracy doesn't change and the lighter load is a joy to shoot. This is out of a 6" GP100.

 

[billybob44]

Hi Guys,

I just got a bunch of 125 grain SWC bullets from Missouri Bullet but I'm having a hard time finding load data. I'm using Win 231 and CCI primers.

The closest thing I see seems to be the data below from Hodgdon.

Bullet
125 GR. CAST LRNFP .358"

Start Load
3.8

Max
4.8

Does 3.8 grains of Win 231 sound like a good safe starting load for these bullets?

What does LRNFP actually stand for?

Thanks for any help.

-Chris

As stated 4.0 to 4.1gr. of WW-231(or HP-38=SAME powder) should be a perfect load charge for your 125gr slug. LRNFP=Lead Round Nose Flat Point. Most all loads can be "Improvised" on with varying bullet designs, as long as the weight is the same. In other words, if all you could find specs. for in the 125gr. bullet weight was SWC, it would be ok to load a RNL(Round Nose Lead) bullet in place of a SWC. Always start toward the min. charge listed, and work your way up, observing for signs of pressure along the way.

 

[nulfisin]

Win 231 and Hodgdon

You'll need to check your manual to make sure, but I believe the Win 231 and Hodgdon HP 38 are the same powders under different names. Hodgdon, which owns both names, will confirm that. It's true that some manuals have conflicting load data for the two powders. That said, in the bottles being marketed today, you can use data for either powder.

 

[iScream]

WW-231(or HP-38=SAME powder

That's a great tip if anyone missed it. I had no idea that HP38 = Win231, but the Winchester site shows that Hodgdon makes their powder now and sends you there for load data. I actually already had the window open when I read this but paid no attention to anything other than 231. Looks like all the load data is exactly the same for both powders.

It's an especially good tip since Powder Valley has HP 38 in stock right now and it's a little cheaper than Win 231. I considered buying 8 pounds but I still have over 7 pounds of 231 so I'll spend my money on more bullets instead.

-Chris

 

[Nate1778]

Yep sorry to clarify in my post, HP38 is 231. It is a great load, I think you will like it.

 

[nulfisin]

HP38

We actually posted on this a few days ago, but it's worth sharing again. If you consult different manuals, you will see different suggested loads for Win 231 and HP 38 in some instances. Since the powder is the same -- and Hodgdon, the owner of the brand names, comes right out and says it is -- you can safely use whatever is published in the manuals you know to be trustworty. No, the cost isn't necessarily the same for the same powder. Buy whatever is cheaper (or available).

 

[Nate1778]

I considered buying 8 pounds but I still have over 7 pounds of 231 so I'll spend my money on more bullets instead.

If I may as so bold as to make another suggestion. Take the money you were going to spend on powder or bullets and get a Lee 10 lb production pot, or the twenty pound pot. Invest in the Lee 124 grain RF mold in either the six cavity or two cavity (easier for a beginner). Buys some Gulf paraffin wax, Vaseline and STP oil treatment. Do a search for Darrs Lube or Pan Lube and check out the Cast Boolits site. Aquire some wheel weight alloy from your local tire shop, or buy online and make many thousands of bullets. Mine drop at .359 and chamber just fine in my gun as well as any other .357 I have shot them in, so no sizing is needed. Good Luck..........

 

[Walkalong]

but the Winchester site shows that Hodgdon makes their powder now

Someone else makes if for both of them. They just sell powder.

 

[Ky Larry]

My Winchester Smokeless Propellant Guide (2006 Edition) lists the following data:


125gr LRNFP Bullet
Win SP Primer
4.8gr Win231 (Max Load)
C.O.L. 1.445"
M.V. 1071 FPS

Back off 10% for a starting load and work up. Hope this helps.