Question: .38spl powder to use

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V-fib

V-fib

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Hey,

I’m new to reloading and all the different powders is kinda confusing to me. I plan on reloading .38 spl using hard cast lead bullets dewc 148gr. And rnfp 125gr. I’m going with CCI #500 small pistol primers and so far I’ve looked at Accurate #2 smokeless powder which say’s is good for short bbl. applications.

Also if I were to shoot these out of a longer bbl revolver is there another type of powder to use? Is bbl length a consideration for a different type of powder? I’m also interested in differences between short burn and long burn powders vs bbl length. Or does it matter?

Any way if you have any feedback on different brands and what you use I would appreciate the info, and any brands to steer clear of too.

Thanks for your time

v-fib
 
AA#2 is fine for short barrels, as are most of the faster powders. They may not max out velocity in longer barrels, but if you are shooting lead you don't need max velocity and leaded barrels. HP-38 was designed for the .38 special, and is worth a good look. It is the same powder as W-231, but usually 1-2 dollars a pound cheaper. Clays, 700-x and Green Dot are also worth looking at for .38spl and have worked well for me. The slower powders will build their pressure curves more gradually and give higher velocity in longer barrels, in general. Have fun and stay safe.
 
TfflHndn,

Is "HP" in the HP-38 the initials for a brand name? same for the "W" W-231 and what brand is 700-x.

So faster powders work better in short bbl's? And If I were to shoot these same rounds out of a 6" rev there wouldn't be much difference in velocity?

thanks

v-fib
 
You're in luck, any number of powders suitable for 12 gauge target loads are just perfect for 148gr wadcutter loads in .38 Special. Barrel length has nothing to do with it. Some suggested powders: red dot, 700-X, Solo 1000, and Bullseye, as well as AA #2.

Don
 
AA #2 is good for any barrel length. It happens to work very well with lead in .38 Spl.

The powder that gives the most velocity in a long barrel will do so in a short barrel. Stop over thinking that one.

Since you are looking at low to medium velocity with lead bullets, AA #2, W-231, WST, N320, 700X, Solo 1000, Competition, Red Dot, etc will work very well for you.

I liked AA #2 enough to buy a four pounder. But heck, I liked W-231 enough to buy in bulk as well. Either will serve you well for .38 Spl, as well as other lead applications.
 
W-231 is more properly referred to as Winchester 231. HP 38 is the same powder, made by St. Marks powder company, and marketed under the Hodgdon name. Hodgdon markets and distributes powders under Winchester, Hodgdon, and IMR brand names.
 
I use Bullseye and Unique for 38 Special. Your loading manuals will list many suitable powders, you do have manuals right?
 
Bullseye does it all for me in the 38 Special. Long or short barrel, excellent accuracy and performance. It is the oldest gunpowder on the market and for good reason. It works.


Code: 
[SIZE="3"]S&W M638-3 Airweight Bodyguard  		
					
148 LWC Lead 2.7 grs Bullseye thrown Mixed Brass WSP	
18-Mar-07 T = 52 °F					
Ave Vel =	611.6		 		
Std Dev =	22.04		 		
ES	75.92		 		 
High	648.1		 		 
Low	572.2		 		
N =	25				
little high					
					
158 LSWC 3.5 grs Bullseye Mixed brass WSP		
18-Mar-07 T = 52 °F					
Ave Vel =	611.1		 		
Std Dev =	9.64		 		
ES	28.05		 		
High	626.3		 		 
Low	598.3		 		
N =	32				
4-6" High accurate					

[ATTACH=full]675199[/ATTACH]

S&W M637-2  2" barrel

158 LRN 3.5 grs Bullseye WSP Mixed cases		
6-Apr-07 T = 48 °F		 	 		
Ave Vel =679				
Std Dev =16.48				
ES 56.11				
High 698.2				
Low 642				
N = 18				 
					
125 Lead BBRNFP 4.0 grs Bullseye Lot BE 532 Mixed cases CCI 500 	
6-Apr-07 T = 48 °F					
Ave Vel =	763.9	 			
Std Dev =	22			 	 
ES	78			 	 
High	806.5			 	 
Low	728.5			 	 
N =	15				 
Point aim OK					

125 Lead BBRNFP 4.0 grs Bullseye Mixed cases WSP 	
9-Apr-06 T = 59 °F					
Ave Vel =	760.4	 			
Std Dev =	27.33				 
ES =	82.1				 
High  =	798.9				 
Low  =	716.8			 	 
N =	19				 
					
					
125 Lead BBRNFP 4.5 grs Bullseye Mixed cases WSP 	
9-Apr-06 T = 64 °F					
Ave Vel =	827.9				
Std Dev =	23.21				 
ES =	92.27				 
High  =	879.4			 	 
Low  =	787.1			 	 
N =	20				 
				 
					
	
[ATTACH=full]675200[/ATTACH][/SIZE]
 

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Walkalong said:
AA #2 is good for any barrel length. It happens to work very well with lead in .38 Spl.

The powder that gives the most velocity in a long barrel will do so in a short barrel. Stop over thinking that one.

Since you are looking at low to medium velocity with lead bullets, AA #2, W-231, WST, N320, 700X, Solo 1000, Competition, Red Dot, etc will work very well for you.

I liked AA #2 enough to buy a four pounder. But heck, I liked W-231 enough to buy in bulk as well. Either will serve you well for .38 Spl, as well as other lead applications.
Click to expand...
I can't much to that post so I will quote it. I also buy W231/HP-38 in bulk, the only handgun powder I buy in bulk if that tells you anything.
 
titegroup, unique, bullseye, hp38/231 are poweders I see loaded commonly for 38 spl.

I use titegroup cheap easy and clean just don't double charge it it barely fills the case at 3 grains.
 
The slow powder for long barrel, fast powder for short barrel dogma is bunk.
Bullseye or W231 will cover most any standard bullet weight suitable for the .38 and will give good velocities to boot. Heavier bullets, 158-160 gr will also do fine with fast powders, and cast bullets are a natural with the .38 If you want to push velocities, a bit slower powder will get you there within safe pressures: Unique, A#5, even HS-6 or Blue Dot. Powders on the slow end do like good tight neck tensions. Jacketed bullets also generally provide more friction (resistance) and seem to give a cleaner powder burn with the slower powders; fast powders not as critical.
 
I have little experience with loading 148 grain and 125 grain bullets. Once i tried 3.5 grains of Bullseye behind a 158 grain lead bullet (of various shapes) in my .38 spl. revolvers (from 2" to 5" barrel lengths) I saw no need to look any farther. It is just what I was looking for in a nice effective target load.
 
Personaly I use titegroup for all my pistol loading. started using it for cowboy action shooting and just kept using it. When only using 3 to 5 grains at a time a 8lb can will last forever. I use something like 3-4 grains behind a 158 grain bullet for 38 and 357, and go with 5-7 grains with my 44 and whatever bullets I got at the time. awesome for plinking loads.
 
.38 spl using hard cast lead bullets dewc 148gr.
Click to expand...
You don't want 'Hard Cast' for target velocity wad-cutters either.

The softer the better, and less likely to cause leading then hard cast bullets at low pressure & velocity.

rc
 
For 38 spl, 125 gr lead. Red Dot is at the top of my list. Followed by SR-7625, W231, and Unique. Trail Boss is great for light loads.

I bought Tightgroup based on their advertising. If you knocked on my door I would give you most of the pound.
 
Lead Bullets - WST, 231, Bullseye in that order.
Jacketed Bullets - Universal Clays, WSF, HS-6 in that order.

All of the above have provided clean burning and above average accuracy. Remember for safety reasons that there are three different Clays powders and work up all loads.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr
 
wow! great info here at THR!

many (powders) to choose from I'll continue my research. thanks guys for explaining the abbreviations.

hostjunkies,
yes reloading manual is on the way I just want to get as much info as I can before starting
Rcmodel,
the hardcast bullets I'm thinking of using are the ones made by SNS casting out of illinois and featured for sale in "the blue press." what other dewc's are out there and what companies do you guys recommend? what type of bullets other than "hardcast" are available in dewc's? Copper jacket? i've shot reloaded dewc's , and lswc's, copper jacketed round nose and RNFP in manufactured ammo.

Again thanks for ALL the great responses, i'm really looking forward to starting reloading and any continued info is welcome.

V-fib
 
Falcon makes a nice DEWC (and others). Check them out at falconbullets.com. If you want to buy bulk and save money on a jacketed bullet, check out Montana Gold (montanagoldbullet.com). I've been very happy with their product.
 
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