38 spc load help?

[RAD]

Hi all.
I'm looking for some data on loading a 148 gr. 38 wadcutter load. I'm using 231 powder right now and going with 3.0 even for my powder. Does anyone know of or have any information/guidance for a hotter load for this? I know I know...3.1
What I'm looking for here is how safe can I go up with this 231 powder with my 38 spc's before I might start to get into risky territory?
Thanks for any help for a newer reloader.

 

[Valkman]

148gr Wadcutter Data

My LoadBook says 3.0 to 3.3gr of 231, but the Hornaday manual says 2.2 to 3.5gr with 2.2gr giving 550fps, 3.0gr at 700fps, 3.3gr at 750fps and 3.5gr at 800fps.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I'd recommend going to a different bullet. Wadcutters are designed for low velocity target loads, and give great accuracy at around 700 fps. There really isn't much reason to drive them faster -- I've killed a lot of squirrels with a load like that, and it hits like the hammer of Thor.

If you're using hollow-base wadcutters, be careful! It isn't unknown for a hot load to blow the fore part of the bullet out the muzzle, leaving the skirt caught in the barrel.

 

[DillHarris]

I load 148 gr wc in 38 special with 3.2 grains W231 for target loads. What firearm will you be shooting these out of? Is it +P rated? What do you want to use the loads for? If you want a more serious load, I'd second using a different kind of bullet and saving the wc's for the target load you're using now. Do you have a reloading manual? Or better yet, two? You can get free data for W231 from Winchester's website. Be safe, have fun, and good shoorin'.

Dill

 

[RAD]

I'm running these loads through my 6".
I'm looking at punching B27's at 50 yards and I'd like to know what the upper limit is for this powder before I would start getting into a risky area. I'd like to move up from 3.0 to 3.2 to 3.4 etc. and see what will work best in this (my setup) but I want to know what grains to stop at. I am using a 148 wadcutter as this is for punching paper only.
Would 4.0 be too much for a hot load?
Thoughts?
I appreciate the guidance guys.

 

[RAD]

I just checked the Winchester site like Dill mentioned and they list 3.3 as the maximum for 148 wadcutter HB.
I've loaded 3.4 and 3.6 before with no problems or signs of problems.

 

[Okiecruffler]

Have youy thought of changing powders?

For awhile I was toying with the idea of WC's for defense and was loading them with 5.5gr of IMR 800X. This was the absolute MAX in my gun so you should start a ways under. The load was as accurate as any other WC I've loaded, but I never tried it out past 25 yrds.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I must admit, I once loaded some 148 grain hollowbase wadcutters backward in .357 cases, with a max charge of Unique and took them to Viet Nam to use in my Colt Model 357.

The experts tell you a load like this won't work -- but it did for me. Twice.

 

[RAD]

These loads are for paper punching only. I really like the 231 as it is clean and fast burning.

 

[RON in PA]

Are you using bevel base wadcutters or hollow base? The hollow base bullets should be kept at a low powder weight such as 3.2 grains. If you are using the bevel base wad cutters you can go up to 4.4 grains of 231 in my experience (load from 13ed. Speer manual with Speer 148 grain swaged lead BB wad cutters). This load gives you velocities of approx. 850 fps and is, in my experience, accurate and not to be sneezed at from a power point of view.