Does anyone have experience with Win231 for reduced loads in 38? Tables shows starting loads at 3.2g. I would like to create my own puff load ( very quiet, very slow, short range squirell getter). Am I safe or taking stupid risks? I have a few rounds loaded at 2g already but I guess I'll just pull them if need be.
Win231 for reduced loads?
- Thread starter Slowbalt
- Start date
231 is great for light loads in a 38 spl. The only experience I have with loads below 3.0 grains is when I first started reloading and my lee autodump powder measure jammed up and probably only put a grain in. No explosion. Quite the opposite. A laughable pop and the bullet seen arcing toward the target at slingshot speed. It might be that a powder like 231, which fills only a small percentage of the cartridge is immune to problems with low charges.
hatman1793
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
One of the all-time classic 38special loads using WW231 was and is 3.1 grains. Utilizing a swaged 148 grain lead hollow-base wad cutter bullet with the above load is the reload that made careers...
If you are shooting squirrels, is it a rifle you are loading for? That would likely be different than a typical 4-6" bbl revolver. A starting load of 3.1 grains might be quite quiet in a rifle compared to a handgun. A very light load that leaves the barrel of a handgun at a few hundred fps might not make it out the barrel of a rifle.
Bullseye is better but 231 at minimum load would be okay. The classic indoor target load for 38 special is 2.8 grains of bullseye under a 148 grain wadcutter.
I'm sure trailboss would work fine too. Not sure its worth using buying it just for this application, esp if you have 231 on hand. Try the 3.0 gr loads and see what you think. If that's too hot, try 2.5 grains. That should be really quiet outdoors in a rifle.
I have done similar things a number of times. A fast powder is best, like Bullseye, but you can try 231.
Start with the Start load and then load 3 of each in 0.1 gr increments, in milder steps. Start testing with the Start load and then listen and watch groups. You might find the groups start to open up before you hit the end of the test.
Eventually you will get a stuck bullet. Use a load at least 0.2 hotter.
Start with the Start load and then load 3 of each in 0.1 gr increments, in milder steps. Start testing with the Start load and then listen and watch groups. You might find the groups start to open up before you hit the end of the test.
Eventually you will get a stuck bullet. Use a load at least 0.2 hotter.
What bullet are you planning to use? The Lyman manual and probably all others state not to go below listed starting loads with a given bullet powder combination to prevent getting the bullet stuck in the barrel,these loads are listed for a 4" pistol barrel.
In a longer rifle barrel using jacketed or cast bullets friction on the bullet would be much greater giving slower velocity but much quieter than form a handgun due to the pressure from the expanding gases of the powder having move area to fill as well as cooling down before exiting the longer barrel.
W-231 and Bullseye generally give the most accurate load in 38 Spec. there are a few others as well. Jacketed bullet have the greatest friction followed by plated and then cast lead bullets. With 38 Spec. velocities all being well below sub-sonic you can use pure lead bullets if you desire.
In a longer rifle barrel using jacketed or cast bullets friction on the bullet would be much greater giving slower velocity but much quieter than form a handgun due to the pressure from the expanding gases of the powder having move area to fill as well as cooling down before exiting the longer barrel.
W-231 and Bullseye generally give the most accurate load in 38 Spec. there are a few others as well. Jacketed bullet have the greatest friction followed by plated and then cast lead bullets. With 38 Spec. velocities all being well below sub-sonic you can use pure lead bullets if you desire.
Bullets will be cast.
What I'm really wondering and can't wait to test, is when does the point of diminushing return appear? The longer barrel will add velocity right until the sweetspot, and then friction will take over and slow the bullet down. I wonder where in the barrel that'll happen. I also wonder if that will quiet the shot, as gasses will be cooler and less violent when no longer able to accelerate the bullet.
What I'm really wondering and can't wait to test, is when does the point of diminushing return appear? The longer barrel will add velocity right until the sweetspot, and then friction will take over and slow the bullet down. I wonder where in the barrel that'll happen. I also wonder if that will quiet the shot, as gasses will be cooler and less violent when no longer able to accelerate the bullet.
Winchester 231 is made by Hodgedon and is the same as their hp-38 and often cheaper by a couple bucks a pound... at Lebarons anyways.
Cheaper? Bwahahah! You would already get 3500rnds/lb how much cheaper does it need to get? Gunnutz are so funny.....
try adding something usefull to a thread sometime Joe.
