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Well, the 38sp reloads I put together are "just right". The 45acp's : 185gr swchp's, 4.7gr of W231 were "border line weak". One bad thing about shooting when I did was the wind was blowing into my face. I know I loaded on the minimum side, but that's a good thing to do (as you all know). I felt, what appeared to be), some unspent powder blowing back in my face? One round failed to reset the slide, and a couple other rounds were close to doing so. These are indications that I need a little more powder. Hodgdon told me 5.0 to 6.0 gr's, but I wanted to be on the safe side. The powder not completely burning is a unique way of reflecting too weak of a load? Has anybody read that before?
Haka

Yes your correct, a little to weak.

WW231 burns the cleanest when it is in the upper range. I use it for my 9mm 115gr RN Rainers. At 4.5 its like you describe, at 4.6 just a little, at 4.7 it burns super clean with 4.8 gr max. I don't have a crony to know what the velocities are. But the accuracy is dead on consistant.

I have found if you loading for an auto you need to start in the middle of the range to avoid improper slide velocity. Make sure your using a TC or FC on autos too to avoid bullet setback. It normally does not take a lot, 0.002"-0.003" is sufficient. On plated bullets if you do more than that you will damage the plating. The crimp will help get the pressures up.

There will always be some unburned powder. If you've ever swept an indoor shooting range down you know what I mean. 22 rimfire ammo is the worst for throwing out unburned powder from the barrel.

Now you have a baseline for your 185 grain loads. Kick up the powder some and keep testing. Once you find your best load, that's when you can make a bunch of rounds for shooting.

R,
Bullseye