WST for 44 Special

[Tater]

Does anyone have data from an old source that list loads for 215gr. or 240gr. SWC in 44 Special for WST? I know I can use Jacketed information too, but I can't find anything listed nowadays for WST in 44 Special. I don't think the case is to large to use WST. I find information for 45acp and 38 special and 40 and 9mm, but no 44 special. If anyone knows, please enlighten me. Thanks, Steve

[Rocky Raab]

In a sidebar writeup in the current issue (#261) of Handloader, it is said that WST has a burn rate "similar to" W231. Why Winchester would have two powders almost alike is anybody's guess. But unless you are of the "damn the torpedoes, pour more powder" type, you should be able to use W231 data with WST powder. Again, just stay with moderate loads.

[sixshot]

Tater, WST is indeed very close in burning rate to W231. I have shot many hundreds of rounds through my 44 special using 5.5 grs WST & the 250 gr Keith, don't have my chrono results handy but its a very accurate & easy shooting load in my Lipsey's 44 special.

Dick

[NickSS]

I use the stuff in a 45 colt loads using 6 gr and a 250 gr cast bullet. I also tried 4.8 gr and a 200 gr SWC in a 45 acp this was a mild load that just cycled my 1911

[blue45colt]

Sixshot,
I believe you use WST in the .32 H&R a lot also.
What have you found to be its advantage over 231 for your applications?

[Cherokee]

For my purposes, I use WST when using a light load in a big case, ie - 45 Colt. My most used light load in 45 Colt is 5.3 WST, because it has more bulk than 231. Otherwise, I use 231 in most everything from 25 ACP thru 45 ACP and in other 45 Colt loads.

[Tater]

Thanks you guys, I wasn't sure if I could use WST. I had just started using 231 instead of Unique when I got one of the 44 Special Rugers from Lipsey, then the powder shortage. I seem to be able to find WST a lot easier than 231 or Unique. Thanks again to you folks that responded, you have been a big help. Rocky, thanks for your website. And thanks Dick, aka Sixshot, I'll try 5.5 grs. with both the 215 and 240gr. SWC. I was getting really good groups with 6.3grs. of 231 with those 2 weights. Thanks again, Steve

[Sarge 105]

I have a Winchester-Western Ball Powder Loading Data Book Dated 2/1977 Page 68 Shows a .44 Special load using 231 and a 246 Gr. Lead R.N. 5.4 gr of 231 795 FPS 12,500CUP
Hope this helps.
Sarge 105

[sixshot]

blue45colt, what I found with WST in my 32 maggie is that it burns better (notice I didn't say cleaner) now 231 is a very good powder & I use a lot of it but in my 32 maggie WST works the best, change the load & that might change also.
My 32 maggie load is 3 grs of WST & a 100 gr cast SWC, wonderful little squirrel or rabbit load, runs around 950 fps in my 6" barrel. Sorry for the delay, didn't see your question.
Shot these cottontails saturday withe the 32 maggie, head shots. Fixed up a rabbit stew sunday with taters, carrots & cream of mushroom soup. Wonderful!







Dick