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?

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

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).

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.