WST in 38 Special 357 Mag 45 acp

awbrock · July 20, 2009, 01:38 PM

Does anyone have any good load data for WST in 38 Special 357 Magnum and 45ACP? I couldn't find anything in my Speer 14 or Hornady 7 manuals.

From what I've seen it looks to be a bit faster than Win 231 but slower than IMR Hi-Skor 700-X. I have used both of these powders with good results.

I was given a little over half of an 8lb can of WST and I'm itching to try it!

Thanks,
AwB

Farmland · July 20, 2009, 01:42 PM

Did you try the Winchester Powder data center?

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

Mark whiz · July 20, 2009, 07:46 PM

I like WST in .38Spcl and .45ACP for lighter target loads - here's my best loads:

.38Spcl
158gr LSWC 3.5gr WST
158gr XTPs 3.6gr WST

.45ACP
200gr Ranier Plated SWCs 4.7gr WST
200gr Speer Gold Dots 4.8gr WST
185gr Ranier Plated FN 5.3gr WST

I know I tested it with .357Mag rounds and with 230gr bullets in .45ACP.................but since it isn't in my recorded data, that means it just wasn't accurate enough to bump out my best loads for them.

Oh, and you'll love the smell of it at the range - it has a very different aroma when fired.

kxkid · July 9, 2013, 11:21 PM

I am buying 24 pounds of WST and need to find some info for 125 cast 38 special. I was thinking around 3.0 grains at a coal 1.40.

Misssissippi Dave · July 9, 2013, 11:35 PM

I use 5.4 grains of WST in .45 apc with 185 grain JHP. WST will work well in .45 but if you try to push it hard accuracy is not good. It is best for low to mid range loads. The on line data mentioned works pretty well for me. Going over 4.0 grains of powder in .38 special with a 158 grain JHP bullet is pretty much a waste from what I have seen. You need to work up a load no matter what to find what works best for your needs. It is always nice to know an approximate area where others have found that works for them but in your gun those loads may not really be the best. Always check some published data before trying someone's pet load. Mistakes happen all the time and you don't really want to have one of those happen to you if you can avoid it.

kxkid · July 10, 2013, 01:02 AM

I am loading up 125 grain cast not 158.

Misssissippi Dave · July 10, 2013, 07:48 AM

Normally you need more powder and not less with a lighter bullet of the same type and the same OAL.

July 20, 2009, 01:38 PM	#1
awbrock Member Join Date: November 10, 2008 Location: SC Posts: 41	WST in 38 Special 357 Mag 45 acp Does anyone have any good load data for WST in 38 Special 357 Magnum and 45ACP? I couldn't find anything in my Speer 14 or Hornady 7 manuals. From what I've seen it looks to be a bit faster than Win 231 but slower than IMR Hi-Skor 700-X. I have used both of these powders with good results. I was given a little over half of an 8lb can of WST and I'm itching to try it! Thanks, AwB

July 20, 2009, 07:46 PM	#3
Mark whiz Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2004 Location: Wabash, IN Posts: 227	I like WST in .38Spcl and .45ACP for lighter target loads - here's my best loads: .38Spcl 158gr LSWC 3.5gr WST 158gr XTPs 3.6gr WST .45ACP 200gr Ranier Plated SWCs 4.7gr WST 200gr Speer Gold Dots 4.8gr WST 185gr Ranier Plated FN 5.3gr WST I know I tested it with .357Mag rounds and with 230gr bullets in .45ACP.................but since it isn't in my recorded data, that means it just wasn't accurate enough to bump out my best loads for them. Oh, and you'll love the smell of it at the range - it has a very different aroma when fired. __________________ "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!

July 10, 2013, 01:02 AM	#6
kxkid Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2011 Posts: 207	Re: WST in 38 Special 357 Mag 45 acp I am loading up 125 grain cast not 158.

July 20, 2009, 01:42 PM	#2
Farmland Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2009 Posts: 869	Did you try the Winchester Powder data center? http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

July 9, 2013, 11:21 PM	#4
kxkid Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2011 Posts: 207	I am buying 24 pounds of WST and need to find some info for 125 cast 38 special. I was thinking around 3.0 grains at a coal 1.40.

July 9, 2013, 11:35 PM	#5
Misssissippi Dave Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2009 Posts: 1,411	I use 5.4 grains of WST in .45 apc with 185 grain JHP. WST will work well in .45 but if you try to push it hard accuracy is not good. It is best for low to mid range loads. The on line data mentioned works pretty well for me. Going over 4.0 grains of powder in .38 special with a 158 grain JHP bullet is pretty much a waste from what I have seen. You need to work up a load no matter what to find what works best for your needs. It is always nice to know an approximate area where others have found that works for them but in your gun those loads may not really be the best. Always check some published data before trying someone's pet load. Mistakes happen all the time and you don't really want to have one of those happen to you if you can avoid it.

July 10, 2013, 07:48 AM	#7
Misssissippi Dave Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2009 Posts: 1,411	Normally you need more powder and not less with a lighter bullet of the same type and the same OAL.