W231 and 357 load data discrepancy

[swampratt]

I think it is new data vs old data on the 357 magnum.
The old data for that round was much hotter and today it has been down graded maybe because of wimpy guns or something.

I have a very accurate load for my 6" revolver in 357 magnum that is my mild load and it is
5.1gr HP38 in Winchester cases No crimp, .002 neck tension, Lubed with "grease" not powder coated 158gr Lee gas checked SWC But my bullets weigh 170 gr with the gas check.
Each load is weighed on a 505 beam scale.

It is a mild load like I say not near as stout as my 13.5gr of 2400 with the same bullet which is not even a start load in some manuals, that is if it did weigh 158 gr though.. It moves along at 1376 fps from my gun.

 

[DRC458]

My Sierra 5th Edition shows no data with lead bullets. With 158 grain jacketed it shows 7.0 to 7.7 grains of W231.
My Speer #13 has no jacketed bullet data. With 158 grain cast bullets it shows 4.9 to 5.4 grains.
No specific pressure data from either one ... just 'within SAAMI limits.'
My old Hornady #2 manual contains no data for either cast or jacketed.

 

[Rod Snell]

I've used 231 in .38 and .357 for 50 years, and have the old Winchester loading books.
Obviously, you can't get magnum MV with 231/HP38 (same powder) in a .357. And with a lead bullet in a .357, it leads horribly long before you get to pressure limits. Comparing 231 and 296, I can load both to max pressure limits with a 158gr hard cast lead, and the 231 will lead the barrel severely, while the same bullet going faster over 296 won't. Probably something to do with the different pressure curves.
So if using 231 with 158gr lead bullets in a .357 I always stop around 5.5gr to avoid the mess. With 125gr JHP, I load up to 8gr.

 

[okierider]

Thanks for all the input guys, I worked some loads from 4.3 to 5 grains and went to the range today and they were pretty mild to put it lightly. Not much fun until I dropped the factory rounds in the gun and went to work, ahhh there is that recoil

 

[dlbleak]

I find that 231 and hp38 have a high pressure spike. It’s a +p or 357 load but doesn’t give the boom. It’s more like a quick crack. I load 38’s up to 4.3 of hp38. Its snappy but won’t give the boom if that’s what you’re looking for.

 

[Shadowrider]

You want boom, you need 296 or 2400. Bluedot will get you a fireball to marvel at.

 

[dennishoddy]

You want boom, you need 296 or 2400. Bluedot will get you a fireball to marvel at.

Used bluedot in .45ACP once and your correct, the fireball is impressive enough that I quit using it. It needs a longer barrel than a pistol for a full burn. Love it in magnum shotgun loads though.

 

[1mathom1]

I think it's interesting that some pressure readings are in PSI and some are in CUP.
Wonder if PSI is a more "modern" unit of measure? Used to be that all pressure data was CUP.