W231 in .357mag?

tjhands · March 10, 2005, 11:37 AM

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 · March 10, 2005, 03:38 PM

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

Mark whiz · March 10, 2005, 05:56 PM

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 · March 10, 2005, 07:50 PM

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 · March 10, 2005, 08:21 PM

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** · March 10, 2005, 08:43 PM

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 · March 10, 2005, 09:00 PM

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.

March 10, 2005, 11:37 AM	#1
tjhands Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2005 Posts: 1,718	W231 in .357mag? 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.

March 10, 2005, 03:38 PM	#2
G56 Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2004 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 302	If you haven't used that load before you need to start at 6.0 grains, max charge is 6.8. __________________ John

March 10, 2005, 05:56 PM	#3
Mark whiz Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2004 Location: Wabash, IN Posts: 227	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. __________________ "Every moving thing that liveth, I give unto you as meat" (Gen 9:3) Aim small.........miss small. Trust God..........but keep your powder dry!

March 10, 2005, 08:43 PM	#6
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	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. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

March 10, 2005, 09:00 PM	#7
Mark whiz Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2004 Location: Wabash, IN Posts: 227	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. __________________ "Every moving thing that liveth, I give unto you as meat" (Gen 9:3) Aim small.........miss small. Trust God..........but keep your powder dry!

March 10, 2005, 07:50 PM	#4
k in AR Senior Member Join Date: October 12, 1999 Location: Arkansas USA Posts: 436	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

March 10, 2005, 08:21 PM	#5
redrooster2 Member Join Date: September 23, 2004 Location: north of Acadiana Posts: 80	W296, H110 or 2400 are ideal for fullpower .357 loads ---- for something a little lighter I would recommend Blue Dot or Unique over W231.