Average Joe
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3.0 grains of Red Dot under 158 grain bullet. Nice easy target load.
Looking to try a new powder for .38 specials.
- Thread starter Keith G
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Try American Select, an Alliant flake powder that is between Bullseye and Unique in burn rate. Benefits include good load density, clean burning, cool burning (less that 2% nitroglycerine), low smoke with lead and virtually no smoke with coated bullets, and no muzzle flash (unlike Unique and 231). From my 4.2" GP-100 Ruger, 4.2 gr. American Select under a 152 gr. LRNFP went a little over 900 fps with small SD. 4.4gr. American Select (just in the +P range) got around 940-950 fps with good accuracy. AS also works well with reduced loads although standard deviations go up a bit. I can send you a copy of the Alliant 2004 manual that has lots of AS data. The current Alliant load information is very limited and virtually useless.
Haven’t heard of AS, but I like the sound of it. Let me know the best way to send me the 2004 manual. Thanks!
Mowgli Terry
Member
Right, sure enough there was a 38-44 and the loads were heavy. So heavy in fact I will not shoot them in my 1934 vintage Outdoorsman. I suspect it would be necessary to put our hot load caveat to any real load data. For example, for the Thompson bullet 358156 velocity was excess of 1200 fps was common. These loads were made up with 2400. Some of the 357 loads I found for similar bullets were nearly the same charges of 2400 (walking on egg shell here not looking for trouble with the moderators). Don't load 357 loads in a 38 Special case.
vincyr
Member
One of my favorites was a hornady 158 SWC over 2.5gr of Trail Boss. Slower than snot, but essentially recoiless and bunny accurate out of my snubbie to 50yds(just have to aim a touch high). Not a viable SD load, but fun.
Mowgli Terry
Member
My last run of 38 Special was with Power Pistol. Not enough rounds to made a decision-the jury is still out. I got a ton of 170gr. Kieth bullets cast so I'll finish the out ASAP. My other favorite load is 150 WC with 3 gr's of Bullseye. I'll be back making Skeeter loads in 38,357 and 44 Special. Here we can make the bullets he used with one possible exception.
Alliant promoted American Select as primarily a clean burning shotgun powder but recognized it has several applications in target and mid-rnage loads for semi-autos and revolvers.
Here is the Alliant 2004 Manual which shows the max load for .38 spl LSWC is 4.3 gr. of American Select. Information about AS and 125 gr lead bullets is in the Cowboy Action section and is 4.7 gr. maximum. This manual also has some .357 mid-range loads with AS and lead bullets.
AS also works well in .45 acp. 4.7 gr with a lead or coated semi wadcutter makes major power factor and is very clean and reliable.
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mokin
Member
This is interesting to me. I recently started loading for .38 Special and.357 as well. I've tried many of the powders mentioned and so far I haven't been disappointed with any of them. The thing is that I'm leaning towards something more like HS-6 or 231 because they seem to meter most reliably. I know Red Dot is great but I feel like I have to weigh each charge.
I recently tested a 2.7gr TB load, and it was too light for my liking. The fact that I’m shooting it out of a 5.5” .357 SA revolver might have something to do with that also. Might be more fun out of a light snub nose.
That’s a light load. I show the starting load for that bullet/powder combo is 3.2 grains.
Reeferman
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Yes it it is. LabRadar shows 630 to 650 FPS. Also use a Federal magnum primer with it. Should have included the bullet is a Hornady 158 LSW.
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