carbonman556 Posted September 8, 2012 Share Posted September 8, 2012 I am just starting to load 38 spl.and was about to order bullets (I plan on using 158g plated) and powder. I have N320 for 9mm and 40s&w and I have W231 for 45acp, should I use one of these or get something different? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 8, 2012 Share Posted September 8, 2012 WW231 will certainly work and typically is very accurate in target type loads, not familiar with VV N320. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Youngeyes Posted September 8, 2012 Share Posted September 8, 2012 I've loaded both. N320 is softer and cleaner, but not by much. IMO 231 is the better choice for 38spl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOF Posted September 8, 2012 Share Posted September 8, 2012 +1 on 231 with the plated bullets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carbonman556 Posted September 8, 2012 Author Share Posted September 8, 2012 Sweet, Sounds like I have the powder I need...Thanks guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sargenv Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 Solo 1000 if you like something single based and cooler.. I know a lot of ppl like Bullseye Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scootertheshooter Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 I've been using solo 1000 lately Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DWFAN Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 Clays is good for 38sp and 45 ACP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modoc Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 I'll be the odd man out. I have been running Unique for a long time with plated and cast. It works and I haven't really felt the need to try anything else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwx40x40 Posted September 27, 2012 Share Posted September 27, 2012 Just like most of the others, I too usually run CLAYS or Solo1000. But recently I have been loading E3. However, when it is gone , I will go back to CLAYS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
practical_man Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 3.5 to 4 grains of win 231 works for me with 158 gr JHP. It is one of my favorites for 38 special and a bunch of other calibers for mild target loads. If I could only have one pistol powder, 231 would be it. Universal and Unique don't work so well for me at 38 special pressures. Bullseye will work fine too if you want something different. 2.8 to 3 grains of Clays works good with 158 LSWC. -John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmclaine Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 I use 2.9 grns of W231 in my Smith 52-2 behind 148 grn HBWC. For .45 its 5.3 grains under a 230 grn FMJ. One keg, two calibers, less clutter. It pours to the exact measure pretty much in a Dillon drop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevor Mitchell Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 I use 4 grains 231, behind 158 grain SWC, in my 686. Lovely paper punching load. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glynnm45 Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 For playing around with some light loads, I use Trailboss. Easy on the wrist and doesn't take alot. P.S. I use 2.8gr under a 158 SWC and shoots em through my SP101 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeRush Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 Trail boss, bullseye, and clays- favorite is 3 grains of clays under a 158 cast LRN. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carbonman556 Posted October 5, 2012 Author Share Posted October 5, 2012 Anyone wory about OAL with 38 special? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
earplug Posted October 5, 2012 Share Posted October 5, 2012 WW231 works for me. Curious why the plated bullet? Most of us get no leading with simple cast bullets. Are you trying to make minor for USPSA or ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Small Towner Posted October 5, 2012 Share Posted October 5, 2012 I've currently been working up loads using HS-6. I have also loaded a few with titegroup but be very careful watching for double charges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carbonman556 Posted October 5, 2012 Author Share Posted October 5, 2012 WW231 works for me. Curious why the plated bullet? Most of us get no leading with simple cast bullets. Are you trying to make minor for USPSA or ? Minor for IDPA...I guess I'm just used to buying plated for 9 and 40. The plated stuff looks nice and seem like it would be cleaner??? Never worked with cast... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOF Posted October 5, 2012 Share Posted October 5, 2012 IDPA SSR only requires a 105 PF (158 @ 675 fps makes it). You can do that easily with 231. But, the more experienced IDPA SSR shooters stay with a PF around 115-120. That's to make sure that when they hit steel it goes down, which is very important if that steel is activating a mover... which is becoming very common in IDPA. If you have counted your rounds and know you have enough for the steel and the mover, and the steel doesn't go down when hit... and you have to fire extra rounds at it... then your stage plan is up in smoke. A 158 grain velocity of 735 - 745 fps is ideal. Soft recoil and handles steel very well. With a plated bullet you can do that easily with a 158 grain bullet at standard (not +P) pressures with 231. For what you want, I think 231 is the ideal powder. If you have a chronograph available, start with 4.0 grains 231 (or HP38... same powder, just a different can/label) and see where you are. Plated bullets will be cleaner than cast, and you should be good to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carbonman556 Posted October 5, 2012 Author Share Posted October 5, 2012 Thanks GOF, that's exactly what I was looking for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blind bat Posted October 5, 2012 Share Posted October 5, 2012 Anybody shooting a 125gr load? I'm looking for a j-frame plinker load. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fredhull Posted October 6, 2012 Share Posted October 6, 2012 Unique for 30+ years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GOF Posted October 6, 2012 Share Posted October 6, 2012 Anybody shooting a 125gr load? I'm looking for a j-frame plinker load. Clays or 231 will work. Start with 2.8 Clays or 3.7 231 and see if you're getting what you want. Both are safe, well below max, loads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeRush Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 Anyone wory about OAL with 38 special? I have fiddled a bit with OAL, and it's not terribly picky. Remember, lots of people shoot .38 special out of .357 mag chambers. Trimmed or shorter cases can work as well. An old PPC shooter told me that they would build PPC guns on .38 special frames to minimize the jump the bullet made from the case to cylinder throats, and that they would load the rounds long for the same reason. I tried that and found with lead I would get buildup that prevented the cartridges from fully chambering. So I backed it off a few thousandths, and haven't had to mess with it. If you are shooting lead sometimes the crimp groves will suggest where to seat the bullet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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