Clean powder for .38

[medalguy]

I want to load some .38 Special for my daughter to practice with. I generally load towards max using Unique but I know this powder doesn't burn cleanly in low powered loads. What would you recommend for low powered .38 Special loads? I am considering W231. What else is there that is clean burning at lower powered loads?

 

[depoloni]

Loads using TrailBoss would be fairly clean, and give good case fill as a perk from my experience. That said, W-231 (HP-38, same thing) is my go-to powder for mild/cast loads in most of my handguns. Burns "about" as clean as anything at lower pressures.

And, well, TrailBoss is more expensive. Good stuff though if you'd like an alternate. I'd likewise suggest trying Vihtavouri's fast pistol powders, which may smell funny (burnt sugar?) but burn clean as heck.... and likewise warn you that it's pricey

 

[LiveLife]

I have used W231/HP38 with good results in the past (especially if you are looking for lighter target loads), but for the last batch of 500 38 Spl loads, I decided to try Promo I recently got.

I used 3.5 gr for the 125 gr lead bullet and they shot accurate enough with good consistency. I think it may have been as clean burning comparable to the W231/HP38 (I didn't clean the 357 pistol it was shot in, but looked comparable after 300 rounds.

I also have Clays and Green Dot I am thinking about trying. Clays has been known as a clean powder and I anticipate very clean burning. Green Dot gives you similar recoil and burn characteristics as W231/HP38, especially for lighter target loads.

 

[fourdollarbill]

I use Clays for this light load. With Clays I don't even crimp - just enough to straighten the brass and it burns pretty clean.

 

[Quoheleth]

Universal will be fairly clean, but you'll have unburned flakes.
Mild loads of Bullseye, sub-3gr., while sooty, are about as soft as it gets.

Q

 

[rfwobbly]

IMHO the cleanest powders will be single base, like Vihtavuori and the Solo 1000/ Solo 1250 series.

 

[KSCCHTrainer]

IMHO the cleanest powders will be single base, like Vihtavuori and the Solo 1000/ Solo 1250 series.

I definitely recommend the Vihta Vuori N320 or N340 powders for 9mm, .38 and .357. they burn extremely clean and produce very consistent velocities. Been using N340 for 9mm & .38 so much I actually bought a 4 pound jug of the stuff. At 7000 grains/pound that'll last me a loooong time!

 

[Jim Watson]

I use W231 clear down to wadcutter loads but they are not squeaky clean as modern shooters seem to demand. American Select has a following in CAS for light tenderfoot loads.

 

[Walkalong]

clean burning at lower powered loads?

Solo 1000, 700X, N310, WST, Competition, in no particular order. I shot some Clays and Competition in low powered .357 loads today. 125's at 875ish, and 148's at 700ish (6" barrel). The Competition combined with the plated 148 Gr DEWC's and HBWC's shot extremely well and were very clean.

Here is the last group I shot this morning. I was shooting at 7 yards shooting through the chrono. Very soft shooting, very clean, and not bad for a 2 1/2" barrel, open sights, and old eyes.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I think W231/HP-38 is a very clean powder in the .38 Special. Remember, when loading lead bullets if you get some dirt or soot it's usually the bullet lube causing the mess, not the powder.

 

[soloban]

+1 on IMR 700X. I use 4.0 - 4.2 Gr under a 125Gr XTP. Very clean in my 3" Ruger SP101

 

[zxcvbob]

American Select or Red Dot. (Solo 1000 and PB should be good choices too, but I've never actually tried them yet)

 

[Walkalong]

American Select or Red Dot

Yep, very clean, forgot about those.

 

[c919]

Trail Boss has proven to be very clean for me.

 

[squarles67]

I use Clays, very clean and meters well for me.

2.9 grains under a MB 158g RNFP is my go to practice and SASS load.

 

[medalguy]

Well, 231 or Clays look like the best for me as they're both easily available locally. I'll see if I can scrape up a bit of Clays to try so I don't have to buy a pound just to run a few test rounds.

Thanks to all for the input.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Just be careful with Clays because even a small overcharge can spike the pressures from what I've read. I've loaded the .38 Special with clays and had no problems other than metering. It's hard to get an accurate charge using so little powder that is required for using Clays in a .38 Special target load.

 

[Walkalong]

Just be careful with Clays because even a small overcharge can spike the pressures from what I've read.

Agreed. It does get touchy near the top. Going up no more than .1 at a time is a must. Good stuff, but a little like Red Dot in the fact that it gets "spikey" near the top, which sneaks up on you easily.

 

[medalguy]

Hmmm.... I've used Red Dot before and didn't particularly care for it. I guess it's W231 then for sure. Thanks!

 

[tactikel]

My buddy who shoots competitively swears by Clays. I shoot Titegroup for .38 spl (but shot Bullseye for 30 years).