favorite powder for .38?

Status
Not open for further replies.
I loaded 100 rounds of the 7 grains Longshot, I look forward to shooting them, these things should bark.:) I'm shooting them in a .357, so I'm not worried.
 
Redneck with a 40,
I use a lot of Longshot for my .38 Special +P rounds. It produces the highest velocity of any powder while staying within the SAAMI specs in that caliber. I load 5.5gr Longshot under a 158gr JHP bullet with very good success. For lead bullets I use nothing but HS-6, it just works better and produces more accurate rounds than with Longshot.
 
Rolando,

To give you some hard velocity numbers as they relate to charge weight and pistol used, here are actual chronographed averages using 158 grain lead bullets from a 3" model 60. They can be downloaded to suit in accordance with published data:

*7.3 grains HS-6 = 832 fps *listed as +P

5 grains Unique = 882 fps

**5.8 grains Power Pistol = 924 fps **charge is in between std max and +P

All are accurate, with the Unique load filling the case the most as I recall. 3.5 grains of Bullseye is considered a std velocity classic, but great care must be used to ensure only a single charge is used.
 
another one for bullseye here... i use it for all my .38 spl loads... i use 3-3.2 grs for the bullet weight you mention... your mileage may vary but that's what i like...


LIFE IS SHORT.....
 
What are the actual numbers your chronograph got and in what handgun?
Click to expand...
Galil5.56,
I don't have my notes handy right now but I will post the numbers I got for Longshot shortly, it was a while ago. If I remember correctly I have velocity data from both a 4" M686 and 2" M638.

I do remember the velocities I got from a 2" barrel when loading a 158gr LSWC/HP bullet with HS-6, I got an average of 889 fps with single digit SD numbers.
 
I used to use Unique for 158's and I have used 231 and bullseye, but now if it is lead and it is below 1000 fps and a revolver round, it gets trailboss.

Trailboss is accurate, reliable and safe. I can load it in my progressive and not worry about double charges as it will fill the case.

What I would really like is a slower trailboss type of powder more along the lines of unique that was bulkier. Maybe someday.
 
Galil5.56,
Here are those Longshot numbers as promised...

.38 Special +P
5.5gr Longshot
158gr SJHP bullet
CCI-500 primer
4" M686
AV 954 fps
SD 8.1 fps

.38 Special +P
5.5gr Longshot
158gr SJHP bullet
CCI-500 primer
1 7/8" M638
AV 894.4 fps
SD 19.3 fps

Here are some numbers with a LSWC bullet but the accuracy was unacceptable using Longshot. That's why I use only HS-6 with lead bullets.

.38 Special +P
5.5gr Longshot
158gr LSWC bullet
CCI-500 primer
4" M686
AV 916.1 fps
SD 14.3 fps
 
Last edited:
That .38 Special +P in the 1 7/8" is very impressive considering it uses a jacketed bullet... I am very surprised at the results considering the charge weight relative to the propellants speed and the barrel length. I need another powder under my bench like I need termites, but it might be fun to play with Longshot and see the numbers I get.

Just one bit of clarification please... You mention a LSWC in the last paragraph, but the data shows SJHP?
 
Bullseye and W231 for .38 Special, both are very accurate in my weapons. Bullseye is the best for me.
 
Just one bit of clarification please... You mention a LSWC in the last paragraph, but the data shows SJHP?
Click to expand...
Sorry, I did a copy and paste to save time but forgot to change the bullet type when I changed the velocities. I just fixed it so as not to look the fool!! :eek: Thanks for the catch.
 
double charge with Bullseye

I have shot a lot of Bullseye. You can double charge a
.38 case with it BUT if you visually check every batch in the loading block AFTER charging 100% of the time you will be OK. The only double charge in
.38 for me happened in 1965. A Fench buddy and I loaded up for a Canadian Shooting Federation match in Regina, Saskatchewan. We were loading for a K-38 which will take any amount of powder you want to stuff it with. However, we did double charge one case and it was the third shot on a rapid fire string. I had a pretty good group except for one flyer. I do not know if it was the double charged case or the next one. A heart thumping moment but nothing was hurt expecially the K-38.
 
I shoot 12ga.trap and 9mm,380,38spec.,357mag and 45ACP. Hand guns used in IDPA.

The reason I reload green dot is I can use it in all of above effectively and only need to stock one powder.

Makes it a lot safer as I do not have to worry about what is in the hopper.

Cheaper as I only have to stock one powder.

And it does a good job in all of the calibers.and as the man said

"It don't get no gooder than that":cool:
 
Another one for Bullseye and 231. I like both equally well in my .38. I prefer Bullseye better in my 9mm so I'm sticking with the 231 in the .38 and saving the Bullseye for my 9's. With the current shortage situation I'm not experimenting and sticking to my personal favorites. I do want to try some of the others mentioned here.
 
Another powder not mentioned that seems to have some availability around the area is Vihta Vuori N340.

I just got back into loading .38 special after I got a Charter Arms 2" revolver out of a local pawn shop for cheap.

I had some VV N340 on hand but was almost out of Bullseye and didn't have any 231. None of the local sources in Wichita had either, so I checked the loads for N340.

Just to see which did better with the Berry's plated 158 grain round nose, I loaded some with Bullseye and some with N340. The ones loaded with Bullseye all keyholed badly at 10 yards out of the 2" but grouped well (2" or better). The N340 ones punched clean holes with no signs of keyholing and grouped slightly better.

I finally got my Hornady order for the 158 grain XTP bullets in from Midway and loaded some of these with N340 as well. They grouped very well, under an inch at 10 yards out of the 2" barrel and were extremely clean, very little residue left. Cleanup after 50 rounds of the XTP's loaded with VV was minimal.

I realize it's a bit more expensive than Bullseye or 231, but something to consider if you can't find the others.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

G
  • Locked
Fluffiest Pistol Powders
2
Replies
31
Views
7K
1KPerDay
1KPerDay
S
  • Locked
Trail Boss metering issues
Replies
11
Views
2K
Mad Chemist
M
Z
  • Locked
favorite 223 powder: progressive press and 62g fmj and some heavier stuff
2
Replies
34
Views
11K
Gtscotty
Gtscotty
L
  • Locked
357 Magnum, 158g hard cast lead TCBB, SPM primer: HS-6, IMR4227, H110?
Replies
15
Views
1K
larry44
L
M
  • Locked
Best powder drop for extruded handgun powders?
Replies
16
Views
1K
snuffy
S
Back
Top