Preferred 38 special powder?

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Obturation

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Hey all,
From my appropriate powders on hand : clays, titegroup , unique or trailboss- which would you choose to work up new loads for an old s&w snubby? Bullets are the dreaded laser cast 158 swc (bnh 20ish I think :uhoh:) . not really seeking charge weights but which powder you would prefer in light of the short barrel/old gun. I was thinking clays because it's the fastest or trailboss but I have a good supply of titegroup that I bought a couple years ago and have never used and was thinking about giving it a try. Let me know what you'd choose, thanks!
 
Not a big fan of TiteGroup with cast bullets... I feel it burns too hot. The burn rate is correct, however...

I always used Unique in .38SPC... it's not the cleanest but it works well enough. The most accurate load I've ever developed was 4grn Unique under a Hornady swaged 158grn SWC (the old soft lead bullet with the knurled sides...) lights out in a 3" J-frame model 60.
 
I think you will get a pretty good load with any of them. I am loading a lot of Trail Boss now and like it. I do not shoot a short barrel though.
 
I just started loading for .38. I had on hand some Speer 158 gr. LSWCHP’s and a can of W540 (HS6). Six grains makes a pleasant to shoot load in my snubby. I’ll save the Titegroup for when I get some jacketed bullets.
 
Some time back I was trying to work out a load in 38 Spl. using MBCs 158 gr. SWC, 18 Bhn.

I tried 2 fast powders, Titegroup and HP-38. I couldn't get a load without fouling.

It was when I used Silhouette to at or near max that I had a clean barrel after shooting.

So, with what you got, I would lean toward Unique, though I have never used it.
 
I like Bullseye, AA#2, 231. There are other good powders for this caliber. BTW why are the 158 laser cast “dreaded”. Been using them for years no complaints here
 
BTW why are the 158 laser cast “dreaded
Because they're extremely hard, I've heard reports of up to 24 bnh but I've never tested my batch but I can say that I can't really make a thumb nail mark on them. They do ok and don't lead at magnum velocities but something about them (I suspect the beveled base) gave me 8-10" groups at 50 yards out of a carbine but very good accuracy from revolvers. That's why I'm moving away from them- carbine & revolver need to share ammo and my carbine hated them.
 
Hey all,
From my appropriate powders on hand : clays, titegroup , unique or trailboss- which would you choose to work up new loads for an old s&w snubby? Bullets are the dreaded laser cast 158 swc (bnh 20ish I think :uhoh:) . not really seeking charge weights but which powder you would prefer in light of the short barrel/old gun. I was thinking clays because it's the fastest or trailboss but I have a good supply of titegroup that I bought a couple years ago and have never used and was thinking about giving it a try. Let me know what you'd choose, thanks!

Only of those I've used is for 38 special is Trailboss and it shoots great in my Smith 638.
 
Because they're extremely hard, I've heard reports of up to 24 bnh but I've never tested my batch but I can say that I can't really make a thumb nail mark on them. They do ok and don't lead at magnum velocities but something about them (I suspect the beveled base) gave me 8-10" groups at 50 yards out of a carbine but very good accuracy from revolvers. That's why I'm moving away from them- carbine & revolver need to share ammo and my carbine hated them.

I've had similar experience with SNS cast bullets (which I use for my 38s and 357s). Can't get them to work well in my Henry but my Blackhawk shoots them quite well.
 
I’ve only used them in hand guns with great results. Guns can be finicky. At 25 yards with various calibers and pistols I’ve had excellent results. They do better near max chargers.
 
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