W231 3.2gr...safe or squib?

[sparkyguy]

I made up 3 dozen rounds of 140gr LSWC for 38spl using the Lee Auto disk that was supposed to be about 3.5gr for one of it's settings. My Dillon scale finally arrived and when I weighed one out, it came to 3.2gr. My question is, is it safe to fire, or will it squib on me?

 

[loadedround]

The current Speer Manual(#14) shows a starting load of 3.0 gr of 231 for a 148 gr LWC bullet and a max load of 3.3 gr for same. Your 140/3.2 load should be perfectly safe in your revolver and turn out to be a mild and accurate load to boot.

 

[sparkyguy]

Thank you, sir.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

sparkyguy,
The Hodgdon site has a min/max listing of 3.7gr and 4.7gr W231 for a 135gr LRNFP bullet.

They have a listing of 3.5gr and 4.0gr W231 doe a 148gr LHBWC.

Even though a charge of 3.2gr might be fine to shoot I would pay close attention to be sure all is well when you shoot those rounds.

BTW, where did you get 140gr lead bullets? That's a strange weight these days for a lead bullet.

 

[sparkyguy]

BTW, where did you get 140gr lead bullets? That's a strange weight these days for a lead bullet.

I got them from gunbroker. They are listed as:

Hornady 38 cal .358 dia, 140 grain cowboy. Flat point lead.350 bullets in box

Thanx for the advice. I will give special attention when shooting them.

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

A couple things about reloading that are important related to safety:

1. Always own a manual (speer is a good one) that lists loads so you can have at least an idea of what you've "cooked up."

2. Never complete loads unless you have a powder scale to check (do a quality assurance check) what your powder measure is dispensing.

Dave

 

[sparkyguy]

Thanx, Dave. That's good advice. Reloading manual is on it's way, but I was a bit anxious and went with powder data from mfr's website and others. Scale is here now.