I’ve used 5.5/5.6 grains of W231 for decades with 230Gr-200Gr weight range jacketed or cast bullets.
That may be due to using Winchester load data older than 2006 - http://www.hodgdon.com/history.htmltightgroup tiger said:It's funny that Hodgen's web site data calls for 5.3 grs of 231 as max load for lead and jacketed both for a 230gr bullet.Hangingrock said:I’ve used 5.5/5.6 grains of W231 for decades with 230Gr-200Gr weight range jacketed or cast bullets.
Since 2006, Winchester load data changed and for powders like W231, matched the load data for HP-38, which is the same W231 licensed to Hodgdon to be sold as HP-38.In March 2006, Hodgdon Powder Company and Winchester® Ammunition announced that Winchester® branded reloading powders would be licensed to Hodgdon.
185 gr Hornady JSWC W231/HP-38 OAL 1.135" Start 5.0 gr (762 fps) 12,000 CUP - Max 5.9 gr (906 fps) 15,800 CUP
200 gr CAST LSWC W231/HP-38 OAL 1.225" Start 4.4 gr (771 fps) 11,000 CUP - Max 5.6 gr (914 fps) 16,900 CUP
200 gr Speer JHP W231/HP-38 OAL 1.155" Start 5.2 gr (794 fps) 12,700 CUP - Max 5.9 gr (906 fps) 16,700 CUP
230 gr Hornady FMJ FP W231/HP-38 OAL 1.200" Start 4.2 gr (751 fps) 13,800 CUP - Max 5.3 gr (832 fps) 16,800 CUP
230 gr LRN W231/HP-38 OAL 1.200" Start 4.3 gr (699 fps) 12,200 CUP - Max 5.3 gr (834 gr) 16,900 CUP
You will also notice the COAL that goes along with that load data is 1.200". I can't see seating a FMJ bullet that deep into the case. I usually use a COAL of between 1.250" and 1.270" depending upon the bullet with a charge of 5.5gr W231. I would not start there but you probably will end up there. Like said above, start @ between 5.0gr and 5.2gr and work up.It's funny that Hodgen's web site data calls for 5.3 grs of 231 as max load for lead and jacketed both for a 230gr bullet.
+1. Deeper you seat the bullet, higher the chamber pressure. If I am using significantly shorter OAL than published, I may decrease the max charge by .2-.3 gr.ArchAngelCD said:also notice the COAL
Once you determine the Max OAL and working OAL that works with your pistol/barrel/magazine (reliably feed/chamber when slide is manually released), I will reference published load data from powder manufacturers and Lyman #49.edfardos said:how do you work up? What do you look for?
Here is the thread for the plunk test.Can you give this fella the picture of your perfect "plunk test" comparison to a poor one ?
You say it all the time, post after post after post recommending Ramshot.Okay, now I'll say it.
You say it all the time, post after post after post recommending Ramshot.