WST powder for 38 target loads ?

Is WST powder a good choice for some 38 spl 148 gr hbwc's. This would be for a S&W model 19.

JIMPGOV
"REMINGTON 148HBWC WITH 2.7 GR WST, FLUSH OR JUST BELOW FLUSH, REDDING PROFILE CRIMP."

2.9-3.1 of 231 is also popular. Zero bullets are widely used as well

Not only is it good, most say it's the best.

desben wrote:Not only is it good, most say it's the best.

+1 As accurate as BE but cleaner and softer at 2.7 gn. Just be careful not to go past 3.0 with a HBWC....

Oh, yeah. It's great stuff, not to be confused with WSF!

YES 2.7 GR WST WITH THE HBWC IS THE WAY TO GO. JP

I found that WST was only accurate at about 1.5gn, and it wasn't accurate enough for me to change powder. It will work, but there are other powders that, in my guns, are better.
Even old Uniquewas as accurate and accurate over a wide range of charge weights.
I loathe Clays, but even it has been better than WST in my guns.
2.3gn of Trail Boss and Remington HBWCs gave me test groups of 1.406, 1.031, 1.188, 1.188, 1.375, 1.094, and 1.031" at 25 yards (without called flyer, the 1.094" group was a 4-shot 0.517" group).
So, it all depends on your gun.

Unusual,to say the least!

james r chapman wrote:Unusual,to say the least!

+1

I just noticed WST is also a shotgun powder.

rebs, a lot of shotgun powders are also used as pistol powders (or vice-versa?)... Hi-Skor 700-X, Clays, WST, WSF, Red Dot, Unique, etc.

desben wrote:rebs, a lot of shotgun powders are also used as pistol powders (or vice-versa?)... Hi-Skor 700-X, Clays, WST, WSF, Red Dot, Unique, etc.

Anyone try Redot for Bulls eye looks like it would work?

I tried it one time, it shot ok.  Try 2.8 gr.  

The 1985 Hercules pamphlet listed the following as starting loads for 148 LWC:

Bullseye 2.6gr; RedDot 2.8gr; GreenDot 2.9gr; Unique 3.5gr.

I have shot these loads except for the GreenDot and all were equally accurate.  In a early 1970s issue of Handloader, they tested all kinds of powder and bullet combinations and one of the most accurate loads in several guns was 3.7 of Unique.

YMMV

How well does wst meter in a powder drop ?

Fine

I loaded some 148 gr Zero hbwc's with 2.7 of WST and was amazed, very accurate and hardly no residue on my model 19. I will use up the bullseye I have  and then buy more WST
Thank you guys for the info on this powder.

rebs wrote:I loaded some 148 gr Zero hbwc's with 2.7 of WST and was amazed, very accurate and hardly no residue on my model 19. I will use up the bullseye I have  and then buy more WST
Thank you guys for the info on this powder.

hard to beat for 38spl or 45acp.

Some people have complained about metering with WST, it is very flaky and tends to stick to powder measures.

Things that work well for me to provide more even throws are cleaning the entire powder measure with an electrical contact cleaner, putting a dryer sheet in on top of the powder (a long thin strip that can just accordion in there on top of the powder) and to ground the powder measure with speaker or electrical wires to a good ground. This gets rid of all static and makes the throws very consistent.

I also have my Hornady LNL and Dillon SDB presses grounded like SmokinNJokin, and get very consistent drops with WST and BE. I've been very happy with 1, 5 and 10 drop measurements. I also have check weights to make sure my scale isn't lying to me or drifting.

I used 3gr WST with button nosed wadcutters for 38, excellent results.

Be careful with 3gr load. It may be fine with a button nose seated out, but it's likely +P when a bullet is seated flush. Pressure builds fast with WST and most guides give a max of 2.8.

desben wrote:Be careful with 3gr load. It may be fine with a button nose seated out, but it's likely +P when a bullet is seated flush. Pressure builds fast with WST and most guides give a max of 2.8.

+1 I would go with 2.8 , check the primers for pressure signs.