Just starting out - loads for HP-38/Win-231 and cast bullets?

[ssb]

Background: I have a small amount of reloading experience and have previously loaded approx. 1K rounds of 9mm under somebody else's supervision, using their (known) load data. I have basic familiarity with how things work, but my dad has years of experience and is willing to teach me. In October my dad moved to a new reloading setup and offered to give me his old one. So, I belatedly bought 16lbs of Win-231/HP-38 and 10K small pistol primers towards the end of the pre-election panic, as I was fortunate enough to find them locally at a big box store for comparable prices to what I'd seen online. I figure I may as well get into it as it should enable me to shoot more for the same money -- always a good thing.

The two calibers I'm focused on are 9mm and .38SPL, to be fired through a J-Frame and Glocks.

I'm thinking about the coated cast bullets (Bayou, SNS, etc.) that seem to be the in thing right now. My previous experience is with plated bullets. Do you guys have any load data for, say, bullet weights of 124/125, 135, and 147 grains of cast bullets and Win-231, that's known to work well with Glocks? Suggestions on where to start?

Thanks!

[Luke]

Les should have TONS of data... I'd PM him if he doesn't respond.

[JCS]

[MGW]

For 9mm I've had really good luck and accuracy out of Glocks, HKs, and a Sig 1911 with 4.2 grains of 231 and 125 Bayous. Recently did some testing with 4.0 grains and was still getting really good accuracy. I plan on sticking with that load.

The only thing I've noticed with 231 is it is I get a little more smoke than Bullseye. No barrel leading or anything like that.

All the 38 I have has been loaded with Bullseye.

[jeep45238]

My beretta loves 4.1 grains under a 127 grain (close enough of a load match). 4.3-4.5 under a 107.

[Sal Picante]

I thought that Win231 with 124's was a little harsh ... 147s with 3.5gr is so soft and easy to shoot. Accurate too.

With the Beretta I'm finding that .357" projectiles are more accurate. (I had tumblers with .356" sized bullets)

New SNS red coating is really nice... Far less smoke than any other coated...

[rojocorsa]

I'm loading at 4.5 grs with confidence (as suggested per "Sean M" here).


This is my most recent load data:

(4.5grs W231; 1.12″ COAL; 115gr “blue bullet”; Fed Match SPP||CCI 500 SPP||Win SPP)

[MGW]

New load that is showing promise. 135 TC Blue Bullets, 3.7 of HP38 at 1.125 OAL. Shot very well out of the Sig 1911 and my Gen 4 19. Soft shooting and very accurate.

[D.O.A.F.S.]

I run 124gr Bayou Bullets with 3.8gr of Win231 at 1.130 OAL. They run great through all my handguns and PCC.

[Wendell]

Suggestions on where to start?

http://leeprecision.com/modern-reloading-2nd-ed.html