Powders

Hello I'm new to reloading and have most everyhtin I need now except for the powder. I'm really not to sure what brand or type to get I have a couple of reloading manuals but I was wondering which powders type and companies produce a cleaner burn. Any advice is appreciated.

PS: Forgot to mention I'll be reloading 38 specials and 357 magnums

http://www.ramshot.com/powders/

Any particular bullets and weights??

for 357 mag, I like H110 but maybe for a someone just starting out, you may want to go with 2400.

for 38 special, Titegroup is cool, as is Bullseye, Clays, and W231 and if you use lead cast, even Trail Boss.

For lighter loads of 357 mag, you could get away with using all the powders I advised for 38 special.
But you really need to check what type of bullet you are looking at flying down range and load for that.

I would also start off with handloading 38 special first to get your feet wet. Go slow and read those reload manuels a few times over before doing anything.

Cheers...

one powder for both = blue dot

otherwise:

.357 = h110
.38= blue dot or hs-6

You may also use Unique for both.

I'm nearing the end of my first pound of powder. I'm loading .38 spl for a S&W 15 and Marlin 1894c. I chose Unique because it seemed to be a decent all around powder. It's worked out fine. I've zeroed in on an accurate load for the rifle, still feeling my way along for the Smith.

I liked Blue Dot for 357 mag.

For 38 Special I used a lot of WW231.

Bullseye, Unique, or Herco.

WSF would be very good for doing both cartridges, except there's no published load data available.

(Has anyone tried using 231 in the .357 Magnum?)

This is what I use:

W231 for .38 Special rounds.
Longshot for .38 Special +P Jacketed rounds.
HS-6 for .38 Special +P lead rounds.
HS-6 or Longshot for light & medium .357 Magnum rounds
W296/H110 for full power .357 Magnum rounds.
Lil'Gun for .357 Magnum rounds with heavy bullets. (170gr & 180gr)

Listen to the ANGEL...(ArchAngelCD that is..)
I agree 100%...and I don't agree very often!
...however...I don't use lil'gun,so...
I agree 90%!...sorry,my bad..!
He he...

Bullseye for light target loads in both. You can use 38spl data in the 357 case so carbon rings don't develop in your cylinder.

I stay away from the H110 thingy because of the horrendous muzzle flash. AA#9 is much better along with several other powders.

The Accurate line of powders are a good choice.

Thanks for all of the replys. I know load data is diffrent depending on bullet weight but I only target shoot so I'm just looking for light loads. I picked up a magtech bulk 250rnd box but there seemed to be alot of residue form there powder. I was just wondering if there was a prefered powder for .38 .357

I'm planning on starting with the .38's and doing 50-100 rnds of whatver I get at the bottom of the load data listed powder and then maybe 5-100 rounds of a slightly higher amount of powder twards the middle of the listed load data for whatever powder I get.

most of the time the low and high powder weight is useless for accuracy(it is just a guideline). i usually start 1/10 of a grain up frome there with 10 rounds incrementing higher by 2/10 of a grain (if the powder allows it) chronographing the 10 shot strings looking for pressure signs.

AA #2, AA #5 & AA #9, or W-231, WSF & W296 or Bullseye, Unique & 2400 or, Zip, Silhouette, & True Blue, or.....

Lots of good choices. ;)

Dragoneye9,
For your .38 Special rounds, if you charge 4.1gr W231 under a 158gr SWC bullet you will be very happy with the accuracy. It's a good light target/plinking round and W231 is a clean powder too.

Check the different powder companies web sites to get an idea of bullet weight used with what powder for an effective load for what you want to do.

I suggest using Unique in your situation. It will fit the need of Both .38 and .357.

I'm a Huge Fan of WSF and Yes there is Published Load data for WSF. (even for .38spcl)

'Nitro

Thanks for all the info everyone. I ended up picking up 1 lb of Winchester 231 seems pretty nice and I got to talking to someone at the store when I was looking at bullets and he said that it was a good choice. So thanks again all.

It looks like you've made a decision that you'll be happy with, Dragoneye9. I may treat myself to a pound of W231 just to see how it performs. However, I'm currently loading .38, .357, and .45 with HS-6, and I'm very pleased with this powder. :D

Corner Pocket

If you want clean, look at Vihtavuori Oy powder. It's a little pricier than American stuff.

American Select is a shockingly clean-buring powder. I loaded some .38 Specials with it using Berry's copper plated bullets, and after shooting a whole box the gun didn't just look clean, it looked *unfired*.

You probably won't be happy with its performance in .357 magnum because it will top out too quickly. But that shouldn't matter, because any powder ought to burn cleanly in a .357 because of the higher pressure. So buy a pound of American Select for .38 loads and .357 target loads, and 2400 or HS-6 or Power Pistol for the hot stuff. :)

After a 13 year break from reloading. I picked up the new hornady manual and power pistol looks like a higher charge weight per velocity compared to other powders. In my experience this condition gave more acurate loads(the case almost full).

However Midway is the only one that mentions it for sale but is unavailable to order. My local ranges do not carry it. The guy at cabelas never even heard of it.


So where do you guy's buy power pistol? BTW I'm in the Chicago area if you know somewhere local.

I usually buy primers and powder from PowderValleyInc.com, although I sometimes buy small amounts locally (or large amounts even during closeout sales.) I'm almost certain that powdervalley has Power Pistol available.

I bought a *bunch* of surplus AA#7 recently from hi-techammo.com, but I haven't had a chance to try it out yet. It seems to be monsoon season here, and we don't even have a monsoon season (global warming? ;))

Just remember, when using a lead bullet you will find even the cleanest powder will seem dirty because it's the lube that's causing the residue, not the powder.

Corner Pocket,
I'm a big fan of HS-6 too but usually for my .38 Special +P rounds and hot .45 Auto rounds. I find it to be a slower powder than necessary for the .38 Special. I use W231 for my .38 Special and .45 Auto target rounds. It meters extremely well and is a clean powder too. 5.5gr W231 under a 230gr bullet is a great .45 Auto round IMO. (both lead and jacketed bullets)

The guy at cabelas never even heard of it.

Must be a corporate problem. The guys at Cabelas in La Vista, NE never heard of it either.

It's made be Alliant, the same folks who make Bullseye, Unique, Red Dot and a host of other VERY popular powders. Anyone that stocks Alliant powder should be able to get it for you.

It's definitely the "funnest" powder I have for 9mm and 45ACP. I haven't used it in .38... yet.