.357 magnum load with HP38 and jacketed 158 gr SP

[devils4ever 0]

I've been loading .357 magnum for years using HP38 with 158 grain lead SWC. I use 5.0 grains of HP38.

 

I decided to try some jacketed bullets to reach out to 100 yards a little better. So, I bought a couple of boxes of Sierra 158 grain jacketed soft points. So, I look in the Speer manual and the Sierra manual and neither list HP38. I look in my .357 magnum Loadbook and the Speer section does have it listed (what's with that?) with 6.9gr(start)/7.2gr(max) and the Hodgdon section listed at 3.4gr/5.4gr. I also found this website http://www.reloadammo.com/357loads.htm showing 5.4gr/6.9gr.

 

So, I'm looking for a safe load that gives me higher velocity. I don't like using websites for load data. But, is 6.0gr safe? is 6.5gr safe?

 

Why does the Speer manual not list it, but the Speer section in the Loadbook show it?

[tbtrout 141]

HP38 is the same powder as Win 231. Use that data

[devils4ever 0]

HP38 is the same powder as Win 231. Use that data

 

Thanks.

 

Has this always been the case or just recently? I have some HP38 that been sitting around a while (years).

[tbtrout 141]

I am not sure the exact date Hodgdon took over Winchester, but if you call them up and give them the lot# they can tell you better than I. I would hate ot steer you wrong on that. But I do know the current stuff is the same.