.38 Special 158gr LRN with Universal & HS6?

[y5e06]

I was able to pick up some powder this weekend. No Bullseye to be found, so I ended up w/ 1lb of Universal and 1lb HS6.
I was planning on trying Universal anyway and using it for 9mm... grabbed the HS6 too but not sure if it was necessary. May use it in the 9mm or .357 loads.

Anyway, I'm curious what Universal & HS6 users find to be their pet loads for .38 with 158gr lead projectiles.

Right now I have a few cases loaded up with 4.0gr Universal, and 4.2gr Universal to try out. Hodgden lists 3.5-4.5gr range.
I also have a few with 5.9gr HS6, I think Hodgen indicates 5.7-6.3gr. I haven't shot any yet. All of my pistols are either .38 +P or .357 rated.
I'm looking for decent velocity (IDPA power 124 power factor), clean burning and minimal leading.

 

[barbarian]

I've used the Universal Clays cowboy load with 158 grain lead in my Dan Wesson 357 Mag revolver. I never chronoed the load so I can't speak to velocity. It was pleasant to shoot but the gun was filthy and had lots of unburned powder. No leading however. I have since swithced to Trail Boss which seem to burn much cleaner. YMMV. Good Luck!

Barbarian

 

[Mark whiz]

4.0gr of Universal with 158gr LSWCs always shot extremely well out of both my 2" snubbie and 4" Security Six.
For the record, I chrono'd it at 496fps out of the 4" Ruger.

Universal can be a bit "dirty" (leaving unburned power grains laying around) unless you give it a good crimp - even so, it was still extremely accurate.

 

[Landric]

I load 6.5 grains of HS-6 under a 158 grain LRN from Missouri Bullet. Depending on who's data one looks at, that is ether near max for .38 Special or at the low end of .38 Special +P. It tends to run between 850 and 875 fps out of my 4" 681 and makes IDPA power factor. Its also pretty clean, especially for a lead bullet.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I use nothing but HS-6 for my .38 Special +P rounds but it's a little slow for target .38's. It's an accurate powder when using lead bullets. Great powder for medium to medium hot .357 Magnum rounds, especially with lead bullets.