357 mag and hp38/231

rofranks · March 10, 2013, 06:39 PM

Does anyone have experience with loading hp38/231 with magnum primers? The actual can of powder says max load is 7.01 gr with a magnum pistol primer but can not find many other loads that suggest this powder strength with magnum primer. Can someone suggest start load and velocity. I will be firing 158 lead cast rounds. I only have magnum primers on hand.

Rebel · March 10, 2013, 08:18 PM

My lee manual 2nd edition using HP38/231 and a 158gr lead bullet the starting load is 3.4gr and max is 5.0. 796fps and 1109. Min OAL is 1.610.

My lyman(49th) and Hornady(9th) do not provide any data for that bullet and powder combo.

Revolver1 · March 10, 2013, 08:25 PM

I can tell you first hand, you're safe using mag primers for 38spl. I've been doing it for three yrs now! I honestly don't think there's a difference between mag and regular primers. I don't have a chronograph, but when shooting there's no difference at all!

mikld · March 10, 2013, 08:35 PM

Reading powder bottle/can lables is fine, but get your load data from a published reloading manual. Magnum cartridges don't necessilary need magnum primers and W231 is one powder that does not need magnum primers. For your application, start with the starting loads from your manual, if you have to load with magnum primers.

Misssissippi Dave · March 10, 2013, 08:59 PM

HP-38 and W231 are the same powder and is a great powder for .38 specials. I feel it is too fast a powder to work well for magnum loads. A slower powder should work much better. Magnum primers can be used but there are few powders that really require a magnum primer in .357 mag. loads. I prefer using AA7 with a magnum primer for .357 mag. loads.

SSA · March 10, 2013, 09:06 PM

The 357 data at hodgdon.com shows a magnum primer for all loads.

rofranks · March 10, 2013, 09:17 PM

SSA on the hodgdon website where does it state primer size? I have never seen it listed which has always frustrated me.

To all those that suggested 231 does not need magnum primers due to current shortages my supplies are EXTREMELY limited.

SSA · March 10, 2013, 09:22 PM

Find the data you want, click on 'print.' It will show you a print preview of the data, including primer.

Hammerhead · March 10, 2013, 09:35 PM

All Hodgdon .357 data is with a 10" test barrel and Winchester magnum primers.

The stiffest load I see is 6.7 grains of 231 for a 158 lead bullet in .357. That is older Winchester data. No primer specified.

Most data tops out between 5.0 and 5.4, probably assuming soft bullets. Some of those are mag primer, some standard.

With mag primers I would start at 4.8 grains and work up in .3 increments until I see pressure signs or get the accuracy or power I'm after.

rofranks · March 11, 2013, 07:31 PM

When crimping to cannelure of the lead rounds I have I have COL of 1.545. The load listed is longer at 1.61. Should I not crimp to the cannelure or since the pressure is already so far under max would this difference not matter too much?

mikld · March 12, 2013, 12:30 PM

Ferget OAL when reloading revolver ammo, as long as the cartridge isn't too long for the cylinder it's OK. Crimp in the cannalure or crimp groove (the groove/cannalure isn't located haphazardly, it's location is determined by designers to allow suffecient case volume for safe powder charges)...

March 10, 2013, 06:39 PM	#1
rofranks Junior Member Join Date: November 12, 2011 Posts: 11	357 mag and hp38/231 Does anyone have experience with loading hp38/231 with magnum primers? The actual can of powder says max load is 7.01 gr with a magnum pistol primer but can not find many other loads that suggest this powder strength with magnum primer. Can someone suggest start load and velocity. I will be firing 158 lead cast rounds. I only have magnum primers on hand.

March 10, 2013, 08:35 PM	#4
mikld Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Southern Oregon! Posts: 2,891	Reading powder bottle/can lables is fine, but get your load data from a published reloading manual. Magnum cartridges don't necessilary need magnum primers and W231 is one powder that does not need magnum primers. For your application, start with the starting loads from your manual, if you have to load with magnum primers. __________________ My Anchor is holding fast! I've learned how to stand on my own two knees...

March 12, 2013, 12:30 PM	#11
mikld Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Southern Oregon! Posts: 2,891	Ferget OAL when reloading revolver ammo, as long as the cartridge isn't too long for the cylinder it's OK. Crimp in the cannalure or crimp groove (the groove/cannalure isn't located haphazardly, it's location is determined by designers to allow suffecient case volume for safe powder charges)... __________________ My Anchor is holding fast! I've learned how to stand on my own two knees...

March 10, 2013, 08:18 PM	#2
Rebel Member Join Date: January 30, 2013 Location: West Chester, Ohio Posts: 28	My lee manual 2nd edition using HP38/231 and a 158gr lead bullet the starting load is 3.4gr and max is 5.0. 796fps and 1109. Min OAL is 1.610. My lyman(49th) and Hornady(9th) do not provide any data for that bullet and powder combo.

March 10, 2013, 08:25 PM	#3
Revolver1 Junior member Join Date: January 21, 2013 Location: NY Posts: 150	I can tell you first hand, you're safe using mag primers for 38spl. I've been doing it for three yrs now! I honestly don't think there's a difference between mag and regular primers. I don't have a chronograph, but when shooting there's no difference at all!

March 10, 2013, 08:59 PM	#5
Misssissippi Dave Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2009 Posts: 1,411	HP-38 and W231 are the same powder and is a great powder for .38 specials. I feel it is too fast a powder to work well for magnum loads. A slower powder should work much better. Magnum primers can be used but there are few powders that really require a magnum primer in .357 mag. loads. I prefer using AA7 with a magnum primer for .357 mag. loads.

March 10, 2013, 09:06 PM	#6
SSA Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Posts: 641	The 357 data at hodgdon.com shows a magnum primer for all loads.

March 10, 2013, 09:17 PM	#7
rofranks Junior Member Join Date: November 12, 2011 Posts: 11	SSA on the hodgdon website where does it state primer size? I have never seen it listed which has always frustrated me. To all those that suggested 231 does not need magnum primers due to current shortages my supplies are EXTREMELY limited.

March 10, 2013, 09:22 PM	#8
SSA Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Posts: 641	Find the data you want, click on 'print.' It will show you a print preview of the data, including primer.

March 10, 2013, 09:35 PM	#9
Hammerhead Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,432	All Hodgdon .357 data is with a 10" test barrel and Winchester magnum primers. The stiffest load I see is 6.7 grains of 231 for a 158 lead bullet in .357. That is older Winchester data. No primer specified. Most data tops out between 5.0 and 5.4, probably assuming soft bullets. Some of those are mag primer, some standard. With mag primers I would start at 4.8 grains and work up in .3 increments until I see pressure signs or get the accuracy or power I'm after.

March 11, 2013, 07:31 PM	#10
rofranks Junior Member Join Date: November 12, 2011 Posts: 11	When crimping to cannelure of the lead rounds I have I have COL of 1.545. The load listed is longer at 1.61. Should I not crimp to the cannelure or since the pressure is already so far under max would this difference not matter too much?