Need 100 Grain WC Load for .38 Special

[winman]

I have some 3-D swaged DEWC bullets sized .357 and want to load some light target loads using 231.  I want to use just enough powder to get consistent velocities, I assume somewhere around 700- 750 fps. I have looked through all my manuals and searched the net (including this forum) and have not found quite what I'm looking for. Can anyone help please?

Thanks.   

[gray-wolf]

I would call the powder Company and the bullet people and get it frome them.

[P.A. Myers]

I have found very light loads of 231 to be very inconsistant. I would recommend about 4.2. In the right application 231 is a good choice. 

[Catfish]

I also agree that 231 is a bad choice for lite loads. You would be far better surved to use Bullseye powder. With it you should be good to go with anything from 2 grs. to 3.7 grs. I like to use Win. primers with these loads or mag. primers. I have never had a problem with standard primers, but with so little powder in the case I`ve always thought the extra fire could not hurt.

[stimpylu32]

I have some 3-D swaged DEWC bullets sized .357 and want to load some light target loads using 231.  I want to use just enough powder to get consistent velocities, I assume somewhere around 700- 750 fps. I have looked through all my manuals and searched the net (including this forum) and have not found quite what I'm looking for. Can anyone help please?

Thanks.   

That should be a clue that your powder choice may not be the best for were your trying to get , maybe Unique or better yet Trail Boss would be a better fit for a lite target load .

stimpy

[Steve P]

Small doses of ball powder, air space in the case, and consistency do not mesh.  Won't happen.  Too many variables.  Light loads you still want to fill up that case (and not with air.).

All of my light loads for 38s are using Unique powder.  Most of my light loads for anything are using Unique, but that is only because of 30+ years of experimenting and always going back to what actually works.

Unique, Trail Boss, Clays, Universal Clays, etc are what you are wanting.  Small dose fills more of the case and does create consistency AND accuracy.

Steve

[winman]

Thanks for all the responses. I've used Bullseye and Unique a lot in the past but switched to mostly 231 after I started using my Dillon. I've never used Unique for light loads however, thinking of it as a powder for medium-hot loads only. I have used Bullseye for light loads, just not recently. I do still have some Bullseye and Unique on my loading bench, I'll try some.

Thanks again. Good input.