Ok I've got a question or two about using w231 in a 357 case. My midway reloading map has a range of 4.5 to 5.9 grs of powder. My combination is 357 mag case 158 gr coated swc from DG bullets not looking for burn the house down loads 1000 fps would be fine. From reading here and there everyone is saying 5.0 grs of231 is a max load I'm I missing something here? Normally I use unique but can't get my hands on any at the moment. What have you guys and girls used as a starting load with this combo?
W231
- Thread starter rtufixer
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Hodgdon's online data gives a max of 5.0 with lead at 23,900 CUP for 796 FPS, but 6.9 with jacketed at 40,000 CUP for 1220 FPS, so they stopped not at pressure, but where they expect no leading for folks.
Your coated bullets can take more than lead, so 5.0 isn't a hard stop there. You should be able to get to 950/1000 FPS with no issues, or at least close.
The Midway Load Maps were a bit optimistic with some data, especially up in their "red" zone.
I haven't seen that one (.357 Mag) though.
Your coated bullets can take more than lead, so 5.0 isn't a hard stop there. You should be able to get to 950/1000 FPS with no issues, or at least close.
The Midway Load Maps were a bit optimistic with some data, especially up in their "red" zone.
I haven't seen that one (.357 Mag) though.
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Thanks walkalong appreciate the reply. I was going to do a ladder at starting at 4.6 4.8 and 5.0 grs and see how that goes. If I had some unique its a non issue thats my preferred powder of choice use it in all my pistol loads for well over 20 years. This is the first time using 231 guess I will see how that works. If not I may have a source for some AA5.
ballman6711
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I'm seeing Hodgdon's start load at 6.2 and a max of 6.9 at 40K CUP. This is a jacketed bullet.
chris
chris
splattergun
Member
5.0 gn is max for a 158 gn LSW, 6.9 gn is max for 158 gn XTP, a jacketed HP bullet . That is quite a wide variable. If you were shooting bare lead bullets I would recommend minding the 5.0 max due to leading. But being coated bullets, I think that you can split the difference and consider about 5.9 - 6.0 gn W231/HP38 as your max. Be careful to work you load up to be certain you aren't stripping your coating. I also think you would find a very good accuracy node before you reach 6.0 gn charge.
W213/HP38 (they are the same powder) is a good propellant for light-to-medium .357 loads.
W213/HP38 (they are the same powder) is a good propellant for light-to-medium .357 loads.
Dang, I sure looked at that crooked, I'll fix my post, thanks. One reason why we take stuff with a grain of salt if we don't fact check.
I just shot some 158 gr with 4 grains HP38 and SP primers in .357 cases. Shot okay. Soft shooting. Not as accurate in my hands as a faster load of Clays was. I am deciding what to do next right now. Hodgdon data for lead bullet goes to 5 grains max.
Jes my thinkin'; Not familiar with a "reloading map" so I can't comment, other than get published reloading manuals for your load data. Don't pay much attention to anything "they" or "everyone" is saying, use published manuals or at least powder/bullet manufacturer's web site reloading data, and do load work ups, starting at min. charges and working up if necessary. I have reloaded a lot of 357 Magnum rounds mostly with cast (I have an excellent Lachmiller mold that drops a 160 gr SWC, and I've loaded many in my 4" 357, some with W231)...
Some of the numbers in the midway 357 load map (the one I have is copyright 1999) left me scratching my head.
For example: Look at any of the 2400 loads in there. They are much lower than any published values I have seen in any of the Alliant manuals or older Hercules data as far as I can tell.
For example: Look at any of the 2400 loads in there. They are much lower than any published values I have seen in any of the Alliant manuals or older Hercules data as far as I can tell.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Like said above, with that coated bullet you should be able to achieve 1000 fps without a problem. When you get close try to find the most accurate load between 950 fps and 1050 fps.
AzShooter1
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231 / HP 38 are great powders and you should have no problem starting at 5 grains and working up since you are using coated bullets. Just go easy, .2 of a grain and work up 5 shots. You may not get 1000 fps but you will find a fast accurate load.
I too miss Unique. I was loading 158s and kept going until I got 1 inch groups at 25 yards. It's so hard to find right now though.
I too miss Unique. I was loading 158s and kept going until I got 1 inch groups at 25 yards. It's so hard to find right now though.
Thank to all for your replies and perspective. It looks like I'm going to fall some where between 4.7 and 5.2 grs of 231. I will be shooting these out of a ruger GP100 with a 6 in barrel don't think I mentioned that before. Maybe I'll get lucky and get a chrono from santa.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Unfortunately the Midway USA Load Maps have been discontinued. It's been many years since they were available. Its too bad I load the data I had in a computer crash. Yes,I know I should have had a backup but the crash happened only a few days after I got them. I usually backup only once a week.
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