357 MAG, 9mm, .38 Special Powder

[308sc]

What powder works well in all three of these calibers? What would you suggest for each one?

Also what bullet weight seems to do best in each caliber?

post your loads for these guns

Springfield XD 4'' 9mm

Ruger GP100 4''

those are the guns that will be firing the rounds stated, if you have any rounds that seem to do good in those guns feel free to post them!

thanks,

Ryan

 

[XD-40 Shooter]

I can help you with the 38 special and the 357 mag, but not the 9mm, as I don't load for it, shoot it.


38 special = 125 grain plated or jacketed bullet, 5 grains of Unique.
357 mag = 158 grain jacketed, 7.5 grains of Unique, this is an excellent load in my Taurus Tracker 4". For plated bullets, I drop it down to 7 grains.

Unique pretty much runs the spectrum of calibers, gives good performance in all, but not maximum performance.

 

[308sc]

alright thanks, good information

 

[zxcvbob]

Bullseye:
357 = 6.5 grains BE with 158 grain LSWC or RNFP cast bullet
9mm = 4.5 grains BE with 135 grain LRN cast bullet
.38 = 2.8 grains BE with 148 grain WC, or 3.7 grains BE with 158 grain cast bullet.

Can you tell I like cast bullets?
Some folks will say Unique or 231 or WAP is a better choice, and they might be right.

HS6 looks really good on paper, but I haven't tried it yet. Might be a little slow for the .38 Special tho'.

 

[308sc]

What if the bullets are jacketed?

 

[zxcvbob]

What if the bullets are jacketed?

The same powders will work, I just don't have load data. (but you can look it up)

 

[Z-Michigan]

I've used Power Pistol with good results in .357 and .38 loaded to the edge of +P. I will also be using it shortly in 9mm. And I have an unopened can of HS-6 that I'm waiting to try. I would have bought Unique but Cabela's was all out of it.

 

[.38 Special]

Another vote for Unique, although I'm another guy that hasn't reloaded much 9mm.

For jacketed bullets in all three I like Win 231 an awful lot. I use it in a competition .38 revolver with 148 jacketed wadcutters with top accuracy and the cleanest burn I have had with anything. The only problem as far as I can see is that it is too fast for top velocities in the .357, but that's going to be a problem with any powder. It will either be too fast for perfection in the Magnum or too slow for perfection in the Special.

HTH!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

For jacketed bullets I think Hodgdon HS-6 is probably the best powder if you want to use only 1 powder for all three calibers you listed. As a matter of fact, HS-6 will also work well with lead bullets.

As for which bullet weights are best, I can't tell you what's best for you but I can tell you what I use and think is best for me.

For the 9mm I load only 124/125gr bullets.

For the .38 Special I load a lot of 148gr DEWC and 158gr LSWC bullets. I like a 140gr Hornady XTP bullet when loading .38 Special +P rounds.

In the .357 Magnum I usually load a 158gr jacketed bullet or a 180gr Hornady XTP/FP bullet for my Marlin Carbine. Of course you might want to load a 125gr jacketed bullet because it is the "classic man stopper" but I like the 158gr bullets better.

 

[Walkalong]

WSF or AA #5, but you will need something like AA #9, W-296, or H-110 to really make the .357 sing.

 

[tbtrout]

I use Win 231 for all three

 

[The Bushmaster]

W-231 for 9mm X 19, .38 Special and .45 ACP. W-231 works well in short barreled .357 magnum revolvers under 4". 4" and over try either Alliant 2400, H110 or W-296...These are my findings...

 

[Ifishsum]

I don't know if a handgun round exists that you can't make a serviceable load for with Unique. Yes, it's a little dirty with low end loads, and it doesn't meter great but it fills the case well and is forgiving - definitely one to have on the shelf. I use it extensively in .45 colt and midrange cast .357 magnum loads.

 

[DMZ]

I use 231, Unique and Universal for all three.

 

[rcmodel]

+1 on Unique.

If I had to settle for only one handgun powder, it would be Unique.

Not the best perhaps for very light target loads, or very powerful Magnum loads.
But it will work for either one, and every power level in between.

I load 32-20, .380 ACP, 9mm, .38 Spl. .357 Mag, .40 S&W, .44 Spl, .44 Mag, .45 ACP, .45 AR, .45 LC, and 20 & 12 ga shotgun with it.

For full power Magnum loads I use 2400.

For very light target loads I use Bullseye.

I could get by quite nicely with only those three pistol powders, and I do.

But if push came to shove, and I could only have one powder, it would be Unique!

rcmodel

 

[strat81]

4.5gr Titegroup, 115gr FMJ, 1.135" OAL 9mm
4.1gr Titegroup, 124gr XTP, 1.115" OAL 9mm

3.5gr Trailboss, 158gr LSWC, crimp to cannelure, .38 Sp

 

[Hook686]

For .357 magnum I use 158 grain SJSP (MagTech);
for 9mm I use 147 grain Rainier PFN;
for .38 Special I use 158 grain LSWC.

For each of these I use Alliant Unique.

 

[bakert]

I think Hodgdon HS-6 is probably the best powder if you want to use only 1 powder for all three calibers you liste

I agree with ArchAngelCD. HS6 is versatile and I use it in certain loads with cast bullets in the calibers mentioned although I don't consider it a good for really light loads in .38Sp. Also a fine powder for light .44 Mag and reasonably stiff loads in .45 Colt.

 

[SSN Vet]

W-231 for .38 spl and 9mm Luger

2400 for .357 mag.

I'm pulling bullets on all the .357 mags I loaded w/ W231. WAY to snappy!

 

[wankerjake]

3.5 gr titegroup, 125gr lead truncated cone for 9mm
2.5 gr clays, 148 gr hbwc for 38 spl.

both are light, accurate loads

 

[jhansman]

Whatever powder you settle on, you really should give Titegroup a thorough test. I have found it to be extremely accurate in my .357/38spl loads.