.38 / .38+p special load for 158gn JHP with W231?

[turbo89]

Has anyone worked up a load for .38/.38 +P special,158gn JHP bullets? I have QTY(100) of these and would like to have a good starting point for my S&W 442. These are Speer bullet # 4211.

I don't have have anything listed for these in any of the 3 manuals I own... I do have a load for .357, but that's probably a little too hot.

Thanks in advance.

EDIT: Final Load for Future reference. THIS IS A +P LOAD 4.4gns of W231, C.O.L. of 1.438" (+P)

 

[turbo89]

I found a few interweb recommendations for (+P) loads. They varied from 4.1-4.6gns of W231, with a few differnet sources saying load 4.4gns of W231 and expect ~ 820fps.

I loaded 15 @ 4.4gns of W231, C.O.L. of 1.438". I'll post back with results.

 

[AmmoSapien]

I use Power Pistol for my +p .38s, the flash and recoil simulates SD ammo much better than most other powders. I don't have the data in front of me but it must have come out of the Speer or Lyman books.

 

[turbo89]

I use Power Pistol for my +p .38s, the flash and recoil simulates SD ammo much better than most other powders. I don't have the data in front of me but it must have come out of the Speer or Lyman books.

I looked in both of those books for a W231 load and could find one (2 editions of Speer). When I bought the powder Power Pistol was unobtainium, so W231 it was. So far I've loaded 9mm, 45acp, and other .38 special loads without issue. I'll probably pick up a lb or 2 of Power Pistol when things calm down.

 

[swampy]

From Reloading The .38 Special Page

158-160 grain JHP or JSP (Jacketed Hollow or Soft Point)
Bullseye 3.5 gr. 805 FPS
Unique 4.2 gr. 800
Unique 4.9 gr. 858
2400 7.6 gr. 850
Universal 4.4 gr. 778
HP38 3.7 gr. 819
HS6 6.3 gr. 701
HS6 6.5 gr. 914
No. 2 4.0 gr. 756
No. 5 5.8 gr. 841
PowerPistol 5.9 gr. 838
231 (+P) 4.4 gr. 720*
540 (+P) 6.6 gr. 800*
2400 (+P) 7.8 gr. 910*
2400 (+P) 8.2 gr. 955*
Unique(+P) 5.0 gr. 928*
* All PLUS P loads for guns designed for it (20,000 PSI)

 

[crazymikie]

From Winchester's loading data:

158 JHP Winchester W-231 4.0 635
Remarks: starting load; 13,900 psi
158 JHP Winchester W-231 4.4 720
17,200 psi

 

[turbo89]

Update: I just got in from shooting the 15 4.4gn loads I made. They shot nice and clean, and most importantly straight. No signs of debris left in the barrel / chamber and they certainly had that "+P" kick that I expected.

This load's a Keeper.