W231 in .357mag?

[tjhands]

Hi again. Does 6.6g of W231 in .357mag using 158gJHP Hornady bullets sound like too much? A friend said that's what he likes to use, but I don't have my manuals here today. Thanks.

 

[G56]

If you haven't used that load before you need to start at 6.0 grains, max charge is 6.8.

 

[Mark whiz]

Posted Max Charges have to be taken with a grain of salt. My load data has the max charge for 158gr JHPs anywhere from 6.9gr (Winchester) to 7.7gr (Sierra). But I HIGHLY recommend working upward from 6.0 gr as G56 said.

Personally, for my 4" Ruger Security Six: It shoots 6.9gr and XTPs VERY well and absolutely no signs of excessive pressure at 1057fps.

 

[k in AR]

Both G56 and Mark whiz are correct, still I would like to add this...
The W231 works great with my 38 specials, yet not very good in the 357 mags.
When loading the 357 I have much better results (accuracy and FPS), using a powder like W296, AA9, etc., I.e. a slower burning powder that fills the case more.
JM$.02, k

 

[redrooster2]

W296, H110 or 2400 are ideal for fullpower .357 loads ---- for something a little lighter I would recommend Blue Dot or Unique over W231.

 

[Mike Irwin]

I've put quite a few pounds of 231 through .38 Spl. and .357 Mag.

I use it exclusively for lead bullet loads in .357 Mag., and go to other powders, such as WW 296, for jacketed bullets.

 

[Mark whiz]

Like the others have said, my BEST 158gr JHP loads are with Win296 or AA#5, not Win231..................... but the 231 load below doesn't suck either.

But for the lighter 145gr Win Silvertips I load for my CCW use, 231 gives me MUCH better groups than any powder I've tried to date. And I would think if you tried the lighter 125gr XTPs with 231, you'd get good groups as well.