[KevinR]

Looking at these three powders for my 38Spl+P load. Can someone please tell me the cleanest burning out of the three.

Win 231
IMR 700X
Accurate No.5

[rcmodel]

No idea?
I pick my powders based on performance, not clean burning.

Guns get dirty and need cleaning if you shoot them, regardless of the powder used.

Power Pistol or AA #5 will give you the best .38 Spl +P performance with most bullet weights.

rc

[Archie]

All powders burn cleanest - most completely with least amount of residue - when used at their top end pressure range. All three powders you list are on the fast to middlin' range of burning. You will find the 'hotter' they are loaded, the cleaner the results. With .38 Special, (standard or +p) part of the problem is the pressure limits on the cartridge are not the upper ranges of a particular powder.

One finds that - for example - Bullseye and Clays are rather clean burning. This is due (in part at least) to those powders burning so quickly even modest charges with either 148 grain or 158 grain bullets run at the pressure limits of the round.

Of the three you list, a glance at the Hornady reloading manual shows 700X as the quickest burning powder in .38 Special. So, it would probably be the cleanest burning, if you run it at the highest pressure loads SAFE IN YOUR FIREARM. This also indicates 700X will give the most abrupt pressure curve of the three.

This is not to say this load will give the highest velocities or best accuracy.

Whereas cleanliness is to be encouraged, it may not always be the sole criteria in any given project.

[Jim Watson]

I would not care to shoot 700X at .38 Spl +P load levels.
It is very fast burning and could get spiky at the top.
I have loaded a lot of .45 ACP midrange and ball with it, some .38 wadcutters.
It is a large flake and meters poorly, adequate with a vibrator on the Dillon powder hopper.


I have loaded .38 +P with W231 but you could probably get higher velocity with something else.

Power Pistol gives good velocity per pressure range, and enough muzzle flash and blast to let you know it.

[ColtPythonElite]

X2 on Power Pistol being a better choice.

[KevinR]

Thanks for the help fellas, I think I am going to try the AA No.5

[Walkalong]

Of those three AA #5 will most likely be the best powder for +P .38 Spl (I haven't tried W-231 at +P .38 Spl levels), and at that pressure it burns pretty cleanly. My 10-6 loves my 125 Gr AA #5 +P load.

For lower pressure .38 Spl, 700X is very clean.

But as posted, the gun will get dirty no matter what.

[ArchAngelCD]

Of the 3 powders you listed you will get the best results with AA#5 although I use HS-6 for my .38 Special +P loads.