.357 with Win231

[woodchopper]

I have not been able to find load data for .357 magnum and 180grn jacketed hollowpoints in any of my reloading books, so perhaps someone here can help. The only pistol powder I have is Win 231, I tried with some data for 200grn lead and was disapointed with the results

Ammo is used in a S&W 28-3 N frame revolver

 

[RePete]

You need to buy a slower burning powder like Blue Dot/2400/296/H110/AA#9/IMR4227.

231 is just too fast.

For 200gr Lead and 231, Winchester recommends 5.5gr.

RePete.

 

[Canuck223]

+1

If you were looking to run a reduced load, I'd still recommend a slightly faster powder.

If you want a cheaper powder in the burning range Repete mentioned, check with Higginsons about the Hodgson's H108. It's a little faster than H110, so your top end drops a bit.

 

[joe-nwt]

From the hornady manual,if you are looking for cheap:

800X from 7.0 to 8.7grs for a max velocity of about 1250fps.

That would give you 800+rnds to the lb.

The same manual shows max load for 231/200gr lead at 6.4gr, max velcity about 1100fps.

 

[hunter64]

In my Model 28 I am running 6.7 grn W231 for a 158grn Lswc which is maximum load according to the winchester site. I get about 1 1/2" at 25 yards which is plently good for me. I am not sure about 180grn jacket bullets but I used 231 because it was a saturday evening and we were going to the range the next morning and I ran out of 110 powder.

 

[woodchopper]

well all I have right now for pistols is win231, everything else is a lot slower.

I loaded up a batch of 20 rounds using 180grn JHP over 5.5grn win231 using cci small pistol primers. This was the load recomended for a heavier bullet (200grn lead) and would be safe. This ammo went to the rande along with some factory .357 rounds. I found that the factory rounds had a greater recoil and that my reloads were fairly mild.

I don't really want to go out and get any more powder (I've got about 6lbs of various rifle powders right now, wioth the next fastest being Win748) and would like to work up a load using the half can of Win231 that I have till that runs out.

My next question is will pistol rounds fired in a revolver show the same over preasure signs as rifle ammo, flattened and/or blown primers etc..... What I'm thinking is to increase my loads by 0.1grn and load 5 rounds each of 5.6grn to 6.?grn and see how they go.

 

[L Frame]

I have used 6.3 grns of 231 with small pistol primers and 158 grn FMJs for years with excellent results fired from a 6 inch 586. Will group to one inch at 25 yards. YMMV This load was worked up from 6.1 to 6.6 with 6.3 being the best.

 

[joe-nwt]

My next question is will pistol rounds fired in a revolver show the same over preasure signs as rifle ammo, flattened and/or blown primers etc..... What I'm thinking is to increase my loads by 0.1grn and load 5 rounds each of 5.6grn to 6.?grn and see how they go.

Yes, most times they will. Going .1gr at a time into unknown territory with pistol is wise.