Looking to try a new powder for .38 specials.

[Keith G]

Been loading 158 grain LSWC’s with 3.5 grains of Bullseye in my 357 Magnum 5.5” SA revolver for a while. Have also played around a little with Trail Boss. Looking at trying maybe Unique or Universal, but open to others. Not unhappy with BE, just want to try something new.

Uses for the load are target/steel shooting out to 100 yards and small to medium sized critter control on our farm. So not looking for super light loads.

Opinions and load recommendations appreciated.

 

[gunlaw]

Try AA#2. Very clean burning. Charges are slightly below Bullseye. 231 works well also.

 

[IlikeSA]

Titegroup is a good powder, similar to Bullseye, but more modern.

 

[cheygriz]

Try HS-6.
A good bit more power than the fast powders..

 

[Keith G]

Try HS-6.
A good bit more power than the fast powders..

Thanks, I’ll look into that. Don’t really need a fast burning powder with my barrel length And I like the idea of more available velocity.

 

[Keith G]

Hmmm, just did a little research on HS-6 and it seems to do best at or near +P levels. Not sure I need to load at quite that level. Not going to write it off yet, though.

 

[LiveLife]

FWIW, I did some light target load testing with .38 Spl/45 Colt comparing Bullseye, Red Dot/Promo, W231/HP-38, Herco and Herco produced the largest group followed by Red Dot/Promo (This was first generation Promo before being reblended with more rounded flakes so repeat testing is warranted as current production reblended Promo now outshoots W231/HP-38). https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...endence-from-work.853305/page-3#post-11195171

Bullseye and W231/HP-38 produced smallest comparable groups.

 

[Keith G]

Some great info in that thread, bds. Thanks.

 

[LiveLife]

Some great info in that thread, bds. Thanks.

While I have not tested Target and Sport Pistol in .38 Spl (I only loaded for friends and currently trying to get a .357 Mag revolver for retirement), they should do well.

 

[748]

I have used unique for some 38spl and hot 38spl.
I wouldn't use bullseye to do 38spl in 357 mag, 3.5gr fills the case like 1/4.

 

[AZAndy]

Unique is my go-to for .38 Special. I like the way my hand has soot all over it when I'm done shooting; makes me feel like I've accomplished something.

 

[Bfh_auto]

I like Universal and Green Dot for slightly higher velocity.
Before you even think of it, CFE-P is terrible in 38.

 

[Walkalong]

WST or Competition under that 158 Gr LSWCs.

 

[Charlie98]

<<< I would have to say Unique. It was all I ever used in .38/.357 loads, when I loaded for them.

 

[cheygriz]

Kieth,

38 +P is still a very mild, soft recoiling load in a .357.

HS-6 and Longshot are my go to powders for 900-1000 FPS. Good varmint loads, and good for ranges past 50 yards.
Good luck!

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I really like A#5 for +p.

 

[entropy]

Try 700-X. I loaded a lot of .38 Spls. with it back in the day, because that's what I loaded my Trap loads with also.

 

[George P]

Titegroup, Universal, Unique all work great with my 158SWC loads.

 

[Slamfire]

I was trying to develop 38 Special equivalent loads in 357 cases, due to my dislike of lead rings in the cylinders. I shot two cases of +P 38 Special ammunition in one M66 and it took hours of work to remove the lead ring. That more or less cured me of the desire to shoot 38's in a 357 cylinder.

But, I tested what are the typical 38 Special powders, in a 357 case, and they all did very well. I shot them in my Colt Trooper, just for fun, but I can no longer see the target and the irons at the same time, so I am no where near the accuracy potential of the ammunition.



I can group better if I have an ultradot on the pistol, such as this group with my Les Baer Wadcutter



Unique did well





A half grain more of Bullseye shot well in a 357 case



AA#5 did very well. It is a fine grained ball powder.







I really don't like these fine grained ball powders, not for their performance, but because they roll between the powder bar and its cavity on my Dillion 550B, necessitating clean ups when the powder bar jams. If however you are not using a Dillion progressive with a well worn powder bar, this may not be a problem. AA#5 does shoot well.

If you don't have Unique, try that. Unique is so useful in 44 Special, 45 LC, that future needs are assured.

 

[Bfh_auto]

Try 700-X. I loaded a lot of .38 Spls. with it back in the day, because that's what I loaded my Trap loads with also.

Did Keith G offend you at some point?
I loaded 700x in 38s. While it was extremely accurate, it was impossible for me to drop consistent charges.

 

[Keith G]

Did Keith G offend you at some point?
I loaded 700x in 38s. While it was extremely accurate, it was impossible for me to drop consistent charges.

 

[Keith G]

Alright, after some internet searching, I think I might pick up some HP-38/Win231 and some HS-6.

I see the following load data for my 158 grain LSWC’s:

HP38/Win231:
3.1 start, velocity of 782
3.7 max, velocity of 834
Sounds like a good general purpose, target load.

HS-6
5.7 start, velocity of 928
6.3 max, velocity of 1010
Sounds like good potential for long range shooting, critter control on the farm.

I am shooting these out of a 357 revolver, so can push them a bit if I’ll gain anything. Anyone have any recommendations/experiences on loads that work well for cleanliness/accuracy with these powders?

 

[cheygriz]

All of my HS-6 loads have been accurate.

Since I clean after every shooting, I never paid any attention to a powder's cleanliness.

 

[Keith G]

All of my HS-6 loads have been accurate.

Since I clean after every shooting, I never paid any attention to a powder's cleanliness.

I shoot 2-3X/week, so I don’t want to have to clean my revolver after every session. A little dirt is fine, some smoke is even appreciated, but not filth.

 

[joneb]

I've had very good results with VV n340 for 38 spl and 158gr lswc.