38 Spl Pet Powders?
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Jim Watson
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Of the powders in the OP, I would recommend Unique for JACKETED BULLETS in .38 Special. Do not be afraid of full charge loads if you are shooting a "modern" revolver (post 1957 if S&W.) Yes, I like HP38/W231, too. Please let me know where to get some.
Do be afraid of powderpuff loads with jacketed bullets. I saw a guy light load some Speer JSPs because he did not want to dirty up his new gun with those nasty old wadcutters.
He stuck a jacket only in the barrel. We did not think anything was amiss, because we were wearing ear protection and saw an impact on the target as the bullet core only flew the ten yards quite well. The next shot bulged the barrel, which he did not notice until he felt the patch jump when cleaning the gun. S&W replaced the barrel for a very reasonable fee.
Do be afraid of powderpuff loads with jacketed bullets. I saw a guy light load some Speer JSPs because he did not want to dirty up his new gun with those nasty old wadcutters.
He stuck a jacket only in the barrel. We did not think anything was amiss, because we were wearing ear protection and saw an impact on the target as the bullet core only flew the ten yards quite well. The next shot bulged the barrel, which he did not notice until he felt the patch jump when cleaning the gun. S&W replaced the barrel for a very reasonable fee.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Like I said at the start of this thread W231/HP-38 would be my choice but since that powder is almost impossible to find I also like WST, Zip and AA#2. I won't even mention Clays since the production plant is offline.
Other powders that will work and work fairly well are: Universal, AutoComp, Silhouette, BE-86, Red Dot, Promo, PB, Green Dot and probably a few others I just didn't think of right now.
I would suggest SR7625 but it's being discontinued VERY soon along with the other 2 remaining SR powders.
Other powders that will work and work fairly well are: Universal, AutoComp, Silhouette, BE-86, Red Dot, Promo, PB, Green Dot and probably a few others I just didn't think of right now.
I would suggest SR7625 but it's being discontinued VERY soon along with the other 2 remaining SR powders.
OP,
The powders you have are already the perfect choices for 38 Special. Although none will be safe enough to prevent double charges, they are all good powders for that cartridge. Of the powders you mention, Bullseye is the sootiest which is only important if you have a stainless steel gun and don't want it to look like a blued gun after 100 or so rounds. Otherwise it is a very good powder that will get you almost the same velocity with about 10% less powder than Unique. As with Unique, don't load it too light or else you'll get smokey shots, sooty cases and unburned powder flakes spewing out in all directions.
Good luck and stay safe.
The powders you have are already the perfect choices for 38 Special. Although none will be safe enough to prevent double charges, they are all good powders for that cartridge. Of the powders you mention, Bullseye is the sootiest which is only important if you have a stainless steel gun and don't want it to look like a blued gun after 100 or so rounds. Otherwise it is a very good powder that will get you almost the same velocity with about 10% less powder than Unique. As with Unique, don't load it too light or else you'll get smokey shots, sooty cases and unburned powder flakes spewing out in all directions.
Good luck and stay safe.
Edcnh
Member
I have used 231 for years in 38 special and found the accuracy to be excellent. Like others have stated any good pistol powder will work. A "good" powder nowadays is one you can actually find and buy!
Lj1941
Member
I have had excellent results with Alliant ClayDot using Hodgdon Clays data.3.1 grains with cast 158 grains LSWC. IT is a very clean accurate load in my Model 19.Like I said at the start of this thread W231/HP-38 would be my choice but since that powder is almost impossible to find I also like WST, Zip and AA#2. I won't even mention Clays since the production plant is offline.
Other powders that will work and work fairly well are: Universal, AutoComp, Silhouette, BE-86, Red Dot, Promo, PB, Green Dot and probably a few others I just didn't think of right now.
I would suggest SR7625 but it's being discontinued VERY soon along with the other 2 remaining SR powders.
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