Blackhawk and Marlin 38spl

[Guest Sec334]

I would like a suggestion on a 38spl load for a Blackhawk and an 1894 Marlin with W231 powder.

I have found a couple of loads that work OK, but I would like a suggestion from others.

I am playing with the idea of cowboy shooting in the future.

If you have a load that works in .357 , I am interested in that also.

Thanks

[glockster157]

With 158 grain cast bullets I have loaded a zillion loads of 5.2 grains of 231 in WW cases with WW primers. This is a +P load and I have always shot it in 357 revolvers. I usually back it down to 4.5 for a typical service load for a 38 spl. As for 357 mag, I have never used 231, I have used a ton of 2400. I cast the Lyman 358429, it is the 168 grain Kieth bullet over 13.5 grains of 2400. It has always shot very well. This load is too long to fit some revolvers, like counter bored SW's. I have also done some Hornady swaged lead bullets over 4.0 grains of 231 for a really lite load. Does OK but still leads a little.

[Guest Sec334]

Thanks Glockster for the reply.

I've been using a 140 grain flat point Hornaday lead bullet with anything from 4.0 to 5.0 gr. and they seem to be ok. I wanted to see if anyone had a better load for this rifle and pistol combo. I am going to go to a 158gr bullet. It seems to be the preferred round.

The reason I asked about using W231, a gentleman that has quit reloading, due to sickness, sold me an 8lb jug of W231 for $35.00.

In the right place at the right time, I guess.

[Oh Shoot]

Title caught my eye, since I have Blackhawk .357 and Marlin 1894C.

I like shooting them so much that I may have to learn to reload, too!

- OS