700x for .38 or .357

I've used 700-X in 38 special loads. The bullet was a cast bullet from a Lee 358-125-RF mold. The load performed well. It was accurate, and clean for a cast bullet load. It performed very similar to Red Dot in 38 special.

The only complaint is that, for me, 700-X is difficult to meter. I use the small charge insert on a RCBS quick change powder measure for pistol loads. It takes me a while to get the powder meter set up to throw fairly consistent charges of 700-X. For me at least, 700-X is more difficult to meter than Unique.

Because of metering issues, 700-X would not be my first choice for pistol loads. However, with the on going powder shortage it can be made to work and it will work well. It just takes some extra effort.

38 Special 700X

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[/URL][/IMG] 3.6 gr with 158gr lswc works better in my model 28 6" barrel with the longer sight radius.

I've had pretty good luck with 700x in 38spl. In my Uniflow measure, it works best with the baffle. In my Dillon measure, I use the aquarium pump trick and can get +/- 0.1gn drops.

Lots of it burned here with cast 105s and cast 158s. Loads were in 38 special and 357 mag brass, but all loads are light plinkers. The same sort I use red dot or similar for.

Happy with it in that loading. Does a good job in the 9mm and 45 ACP too.

I've used 700x in most handgun calibers I reload at one time or another. I don't load plinking ammo in 38 special anymore, just match ammo, so 700x is out because of it's metering attributes.

That being said, I have found that it makes exceedingly accurate loads in cartridges that operate in it's best pressure range, like under 20kpsi. 45ACP, 45 Colt, 38
Special, etc are all good examples.

Everybody has nailed it. Performance in the .38 S&W Special is often as good as it gets. Similar loads in .357 Remington Magnum cases will do just fine. Higher pressure loads in the .357 Remington Magnum there are vastly superior powders.

4.4 grains of 700x behind a 110gr Hornady XTP gives 773fps average. OAL 1.450 38 special.

I've never used 700x but I do use unique. Doubt I'm the first guy to think of it, but with unique I put my vibra prime against the powder hopper for a minute or two and get throws +/- .1.

If you make a dedicated powder dipper for the charge you find accurate then practice a bit the charges can easily be repeatable to +/- .1 grain. That is how I do it! Works better (repeatable results) than my Ideal #55 by a wide margin.

700-X in .38 spl

I use 2.8 gr. 700-X in .38 special with a 148 gr. wadcutter, H&G #50. This is a mild target load that I use in bullseye shooting to 50 yards. I prefer it to Bullseye since 700-X fills about 20% more by volume which is better in a case with so much empty space. I used up a 12 lb. keg of DuPont 700-X and then 4 lb. of IMR 700-X.

Although others have reported inconsistent measuring, I have had no problems with a Dillon powder measure. Variation is less than 0.1 grains.

P.S. these loads are shot using a Clark long slide semiauto, not revolver. However, this gun uses full wadcutters also suitable for revolver.

I've used quite a bit for .38 plinking loads and 158 grain cast lead bullets. I load it near the top-end, usually 3.5 grains I believe, and it chono's just under 900 fps. pretty smoky, but I don't mind.

One of the best powders for .38 SPl. I used 700x until the keg ran out, then bought 800x. Lately I've been using Unique, Bullseye, and AA#5 for the hotter carry practice loads.

I hand dump charges onto my 505 with lee scoops, so metering is not a factor.

Toprudder said:

I've had pretty good luck with 700x in 38spl. In my Uniflow measure, it works best with the baffle. In my Dillon measure, I use the aquarium pump trick and can get +/- 0.1gn drops.

Click to expand...

does a baffle not work well?

bfalcon00 said:

I've never used 700x but I do use unique. Doubt I'm the first guy to think of it, but with unique I put my vibra prime against the powder hopper for a minute or two and get throws +/- .1.

Click to expand...

So help me with this "vibra prime" idea. How does that make you load more accurate?

CLP said:

does a baffle not work well?

Click to expand...

I would have to go back and look at my notes, but IIRC I was only getting about +/- 0.2gn average without the baffle. It was much more consistent with the baffle.

I dislike 700-X!
My usual powder was made of unobtanium, so I picked up a pound of 700-X.

Everything was going fine, I checked the weight on 5 consecutive charges to start.
Then weighed every 10th case.

After 39 finished rounds which supposedly had 4.0 gr, the 40th one had only 1.7 gr.
CRAP!!!!!
That meant i had to breakdown 39 rounds.

It looked good to start with, but please be careful.
In a Dillon PM it wasn't a consistent drop.

This was my first & only attempt with that powder.
From now on I'm gonna have to weigh EVERY charge.

That kinda defeats the purpose of having a progressive press.

I had the same issue with 700-X, which is why I was curious about the vibration technique.

Don't know if it'll help, but I thought I'd head over to the local craft store and get one of those little vibration motors, strap it to the powder measurer, and weigh out 20 or charges. It's raining here anyway. Need something to do!

I Like 700x

I personally like 700x for my handguns. I have LOTS of it on hand from my years of skeet shooting, so that caused me to focus on it a lot for .38, .40, and .44 practice loads. It takes a long time to burn up 15 lbs of the stuff in little handgun cases instead of big 12 ga. shells!

It is true that it does not auto-measure as well as ball powders, but I still find it quite reasonably consistent with both my RCBS powder measure and my Lee auto measures on my progressive press.