185 Gr SWC TMJ Load Question

How low of a starting charge, using 231, is safe for the Speer 185 Gr?  The reason I am asking is the Lyman 49th has the lowest 231 charge listed at 4.1 gr.  My other manuals, Speer #14 and #13 list 5.0 grains as the lowest.  My goal is to make an accurate 185 gr powder puff load for plinking.

Thanks

I would not go below the 4.1 for that jacketed bullet. Powder puff and jacketed don't mix.

Len

Agreed on the low charge.

I was planning on using 4.5 gr of 231 just to try.

Thanks

There is "safe" and there is too weak to exit the barrel.
IF you want, you can go lower, but YOU will have to ensure that the bullet exits the barrel.
I have manuals the reference the following start loads:
3.5gn 231/HP38 for 599fps
4.1gn 231/HP38 for 680fps
4.4gn 231/HP38 for 640fps.

I decided to load up 10 rounds with 4.6 grains of 231 just to be safe..