Does anyone use Win. 231 for 357 Magnum?

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Bruce H.

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I see on the Hodgdon web site that there is load information for using Winchester 231 and HP38 for a 158 grain bullet in 357 magnum. But my Lyman manual only lists Win. 231 for use with a 110 gr. JHP in 357 magnum. The Lyman manual does not list any load info for any other bullet weights in 357 magnum. The Lyman manual shows N110 and 2400 powders in bold type to indicate that they are the best for 357 magnum. Is there any reason that I should not use Win. 231 to load a 158 gr. JHP in 357 magnum?
 
Well, yeah. It's WAY too fast to be a good choice for 357 loads, especially with the heavier slugs.

In 38 special, it shines for target type loads.
 
It is a good powder for mid level loads, about 5grs, I can't remember. I use it for some plinking loads, I get 1400 loads per lb of powder, and it will not require me to have to clean 38 special rings out of my 357s.
If I am into blowing holes in things with my 357s I use 15grs Lil' gun and 180grLRNFPGCs, It produces a good bit of uuuummmmpf with no pressure signs and minimal recoil and blast.
 
A MAX load of WW-231 will give you 1,220 FPS at 40,000 CUP pressure.

A starting load of H-110 will give you 1,418 FPS at 28,6000 CUP pressure.

I'm about to wear this one out lately!
But using fast-burning target powder in a magnum with heavy bullets is about like hitting a bowling ball with your fist.
You will break your hand!

Push it with your palm however, and you can move it a long ways without hurting your hand at all.

Fast Target Powder = Fist.
Slow Magnum Powder = Palm.

rc
 
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I agree with rcmodel on this one too. Medium burn rate powders at least for midrange loads in .357. For light loads in .357 cases I prefer bulky fast powders, two in particular.
 
231

I also use WW231 for .357 target loads. A Missouri Bullet 158 grain cast semi wad cutter over 5.2 gr of 231 is my Colt Troopers favorite load. For mid range loads it's works great. I'm with Brian, no scrubbing out the ring from shooting .38 specials this way.
For full power loads/jacketed bullets, my go to powder is WW 296.
Pat
 
As the others said--low to mid-range 231 loads are good in 357; I've never cared for the higher-pressure rounds, either.

Jim H.
 
7.8 grains of W-231 under a 140 grain SJHP or 140 grain HP/XTP. From a S&W Mod 19 Combat Magnum with a 2 1/2" barrel. 1100 fps....And accurate to boot.
 
trail boss and universal, Walkalong? Or unique?
Click to expand...
Unique works very well in midrange (Well, 80 to 85%).357 loads, as does N340. (125's at 1200 to 1300 FPS-140 & 158 testing to come) Very accurate, very clean, and great numbers, partly because it fills the case well and the "powder forward" numbers are good, especially with the N340.

I have not tried Trail Boss for this yet. In my limited testing with it, it seems to like lead much better than plated though.
 
W-231 is way too fast to be ideal in 357 mag. You'd be much better off with Unique, Universal, Longshot, HS-6, Blue-Dot, ect. The medium burn powders work great for medium loads in 357.:) For full house loads, go with 296 or 2400.
 
For .357 Mag. I've only tried W-231 for 158gr LSWC through a 2.75" barrel and it work ok, I prefer Bullseye for the cast 158gr I use 6.1gr. For jacketed 158-180gr jacketed I use a upper end load of AA#9 for my short barreled .357. For mid-range loads with 125-158gr jacketed bullets I've had good results with AA#5, HS-6 and Unique.
 
The slowest powders I use in a Magnum round are HS-6 and Longshot for all the reasons given so far.

Also, the reason the Lyman manual lists only the 110gr jacketed bullet with W231 is, the load will build way too much pressure if a fast powder like W231 tries to move a heavy bullet at velocities associated with Magnum loads. The pressures spike.
 
Now see...ArchAngleCD...That's why you are supposed to have more then one loading manual. As much as I like and recommend Lyman's manuals they are not the absolute of manuals. Winchester, Sierra and several of my other smaller manuals list W-231 for everything from 110 grain bullet to 158 grain bullet. W-231 IS a viable powder for .357 magnum if used properly by working up to your maximum load. Though I have found that in .357 that W-231 works best in short barreled revolvers (3" and less)...
 
W231 = Low Flash Medium Load

In a short barrel for medium velocity loads, wouldn't a fast powder like 231 be ideal? Low flash since there's not much left going out the barrel?

I've been thinking about loading 158 gr. XTP's over the Hogdon on-line manual's starting load of 6.2gr W231 and calling it a day. Velocity for this load is given as 1108 fps. Less fps out of a 3" revolver, but still more umph then 38 Spl +P. If I want lots of velocity, I go straight to W296/H110 for the big loads (and use with longer barrels).

The "only" advantage I see to the higher load density powders is safety - less chance of double charging because it is more obvious to see what you've done when you double check case level. That's a real nice advantage to be sure, but 231 will work in 357.
 
Random Discharge...Did you read my earlier post (#9)? The maximum powder charge of W-231 is 8.1 grains under a 140 grain JHP (look it up to be sure) and I load to 7.8 grains under a 140 grain JHP to get 1100 fps +/- a few from a 2 1/2" barrel. This is my favorite loading for my Mod 19...Beyond 7.8 grains I start getting sticking cases.
 
Bushmaster - yup, other than low flash advantages out of a short barrel, I see we're saying pretty much the same thing now that I re-read your post.

FYI-max W-231 charge listed on hogdon's web-site for 140 JHP XTP is 7.7gr, with a pressure of 41,900 CUP; not 8.1 gr. This might explain why you see sticky cases going over 7.8gr, as it would appear you are already over max load. At any rate, I'm loading 158gr XTP's - different weight, less powder (6.2-6.9).
 
Random Discharge. Sierra V edition 2nd printing has them (140 grain JHP) at 8.5 maximum. And a 1984 manual that I have has them at 8.0 and I believe that Lyman's 46th or 47th edition listed them at 8.1
 
Now see...ArchAngleCD...That's why you are supposed to have more then one loading manual. As much as I like and recommend Lyman's manuals they are not the absolute of manuals. Winchester, Sierra and several of my other smaller manuals list W-231 for everything from 110 grain bullet to 158 grain bullet. W-231 IS a viable powder for .357 magnum if used properly by working up to your maximum load. Though I have found that in .357 that W-231 works best in short barreled revolvers (3" and less)...
Click to expand...
The Bushmaster,
I wasn't agreeing with the Lyman manual I was only answering the question as to why... Also, I have so many manuals I've lost count, not including all the free powder and bullet company manuals I have. (although I don't have anything from before 1964) I also have several binders full of my own data to refer to. I know full well there is tons of data for W231 in all bullets weights in a .357 Magnum.

What I said about heavy bullets and fast powders is correct. I have more to say but I'll leave it at that so I don't give the impression I don't enjoy someone talking down to me.
 
6.7 gr. W231 + 158 gr. JSP + .357 mag. case = sore palm

can we say "snappy"

now ....

4.5 gr. W231 + 158 gr. JSP + .357 case = one ragged hole and a big smile
 
Just my 2 cents

1) 125 gr JHP W231 good 4", and good 6" inch barrel
2) 158 gr JHP W231 good 4", and 6" too much grief H110 or AA#9 much better choice.
3) 158 gr SWC W231 interesting, but it's Universal for me.
 
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