IMR 4227 powder in 38 Spl + P loads

[robpad]

I have five pounds of IMR 4227 in my storage locker. I had acquired it over the years for my 30 carbine loads. With the amount of 30 carbine I shoot I will never use it up. So I wonder if it can be used in my 38 Spl, 38 Spl + P or 357 mag loads?

According to several sites and books the answer is yes.

Hodgon
357 Mag 140 gr jacket bullet 11 -13 gr

Hornady 7th edition
357 mag 158 gr jacket bullet 12.4 - 14.5

Lee
38 spl 158 LSWC 8.6 to 9.5
357 mag 158 jacket bullet 13.7 to 15.3
357 mag 158 LSWC no recommendation

lyman 48 th edition
357 mag 160 lead 11.8 to 17* compressed load

Would it be reasonable to start my reloading with the following data:


38 Spl 158 LSWC 8.6 to 9.5
38 SPL + P 158 LSWC 9.5 to 12
357 Mag 158 LSWC 11 to 15

38 Spl 158 Jacket 8.5 to 10.5
38 SPl + P 158 Jacket 10 -13
357 Mag 158 Jacket 13.7 to 15.3

Of course I would start with the minumun amount and work upwards.

Has anybody out there tried IMR 4227 in their revolvers?

The reason I also want 38 Spl + P loads is because I have a lot of that brass. So I tend to load to 38 SPl + P loads so I can be assured to meet power factor for IDPA shooting

 

[Rugerman]

My experiences with IMR 4227 in 38 Special +P was not what I had hoped for. I got a lot of unburnt powder and accuracy was average. I even used magnum pistol primers and it made no difference. I made sure there was a solid crimp but that didn't help.
I found there was better powders that were more economical and gave better results accuracy wise.
Maybe that was just my experience and others will share better results but, for me, it was not a suitable powder for that calibre.

 

[H4831]

I know very experienced reloaders who use 4227 almost exclusively, for 357 and 44 magnum revolvers.

 

[BattleRife]

I have used it with great success for mid to high end .44 and .41 Mag. Should work great for .357 Mag, too. Probably too slow for even the hottest .38 Special.