Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns W231 and the 44 SPCL

I am looking for some load data for W231 and 240 cast in the 44 Special. These are just plinking loads and I am looking for around 800fps. On another note - where do I look for cast bullet data? All of my reloading manuals are for jacketed bullets and the old Lyman manual doesn't have much data. So what is the go-to source for lead bullet data (pistol and rifle)?

Thanks - Redleg

Looking back over my old targets and notes, these are from two different Ruger .44 Spl Flattops, one 4 5/8" and one 5 1/2".

Lyman 429244 245 gr. SWC gas check - 7.0 gr. 231 gave 947 fps.

Oregon Trail 200 gr. RNFP - 6.0 231 gave 860 fps, 7.0 231 gave 966 fps.

Lyman 429421 245 SWC - 6.0 231 gave 835 fps, 7.0 231 gave 931 fps

So I'd say 6.0 grains should give you what you want. That much 231 doesn't take up much room in the case so it is kind of position sensitive, you will get a bit better groups holding the revolver muzzle up to position it back against the primer before each shot. My groups show vertical stringing if I didn't do that with that minimal load.

I have a lot of groups with 231 but only the above were chronographed. It looks like accuracy for my two revolvers really came in the 6.5 to 7.5 grain range, but that could be due to the hardness of my alloy requiring more pressure to obdurate well.

Lyman's manual is still the best source I know of for cast bullet data but you're right, even it doesn't have a whole lot. Speaking of which, my loads above exceed Lyman's top loads by a couple of grains but they are safe in the Rugers. If you have one of those or a S&W N-frame you should be good to go, anything else (AFAIK) stick with the book loads. Speer and Hornady make cast bullets and they show loads for those in their manuals, Speer #13 especially has loads for 231 for all of he cast bullets they show.

Thats a good load. I shoot 9.5gr of 231 and a 240gr cast bullet in my 44magnum and its a joy to shoot and dosnt kick like a mule. Wish i knew hiw fast it was but regardless its my favorite walkaround/deer load. Guns a 4"ruger sbh.

I like 6.5 W231 in my Ruger flattop .44 Special. But I like 6.0 of American Select even more.

5.5 W231 and the Lasercast 240 SWC groups real nice in my 44 Special Flattop, not as nice as 9.0 of HS-6 though. YMMV.

Thanks for the help - sounds like I'll play with about 6.0-7.0 and see what happens. I have a whole can of W231 and want to use some of it up. I use the 7.5 of Unique for my hunting load.

I will see if I can find a Speer #13, I always need some more reference material...