HP38; I Like It

[J-Bar]

I found a pound of HP38 at a decent price and decided to try it just for a casual range powder, never having used it before. I loaded 100 rounds with home cast Lee 158 grain RNFP wheelweight bullets, lubed (very lightly!) with Lee Liquid Alox. My Hodgdon reference said HP38 under a 158 grain lead bullet should be loaded from 3.1 to 3.7 grains of powder. I tried the middle and loaded 3.4 grains.

A plain Jane S&W Model 14-4 had not seen the range in a while, so it had the honor of testing the new-to-me propellant. The target on the left was 12 shots over a rest at 10 yards. Then I screwed up my courage and shot offhand 2-handed at the same distance. That right hand target is pretty good for me, so I quit after a cylinder full!

I know this is not Olympic performance, but if I find more HP38 I will buy it.

 

[film495]

yea, I'd take that at 30 feet, you only have one outside of the center circle. What is that excluding the flier - at 2" group?

 

[Slamfire]

It is the same stuff as W231, which is an outstanding powder.

 

[e rex]

I like it in my 38 Special with 4 grains also. Find a Winchester reloading handout, I like their data a lot better than Hodgdon.

 

[J-Bar]

yea, I'd take that at 30 feet, you only have one outside of the center circle. What is that excluding the flier - at 2" group?

About 1 1/2”, actually.

Thanks!



(the cat bumped the micrometer as I took the photo!)

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Beautiful M14!

Ive been known to pack it in after only a couple good groups too. Always best to finish on a high note!

 

[elktrout]

I use HP38 and W231 when I can find them. Both are great powders for the 38. Nice Model 14. I have always admired them. Jack Weaver used one back in the Jeff Cooper days at Big Bear Lake, prior to Gunsite. Jeff was a 45 auto guy, but he respected Jack's competent performance with a Model 14.

 

[DukeConnor]

if i could only have one pistol powder it would be my choice.

 

[MacAR]

So far, W231 has been my go-to for all things 38. To me, it seems to be a "quieter" powder with less flash than others I've used. I use it for my plinking loads and my "business" loads as well. The plinkers are loaded with 3.2 grs under a 158 gr lswc, pretty accurate and great for knocking over pop cans and rocks at 10 to 25 yards. My "business" load is an interpretation of the old 38/44 Heavy Duty; in other words, a healthy* charge of 231 under a 158gr JSP/JHP moving about 1050 fps. It absolutely not for use in J-frames or any other small-framed revolver. In my SAA's, where the plinker load barely recoils, the HD load makes it buck pretty good. You darn sure know when you touch one off, but so far the critters that I've used it on have offered no negative feedback...

Mac

*The charge weight is unpublished and I wouldn't feel right recommending it. However, if anyone is curious, PM me.

 

[Pat Riot]

View attachment 993850

About 1 1/2”, actually.

Thanks!



(the cat bumped the micrometer as I took the photo!)

Oh sure, I suppose “the cat” bumped your elbow causing that flier too?

Just joshin’ ya J-Bar.

Nice shooting! I have not tried HP38. Thanks for the info.

 

[Jim Watson]

I have used predominantly W231, then HP38* for non-magnum handgun loads for a long time.
Not exclusively, I have sometimes been affected by curiosity or economy, but the HP38 is always there.

*Now that Hodgdon distributes Winchester powders, W231 is the same price as HP38; both cans filled out of the same barrel from St Marks. But previously, Hodgdon was able to sell HP38 cheaper than Winchester sold 231. The marvels of the marketplace.

 

[Alaskamike]

HP38/W231 is definitely my go-to powder for .38 Special. I used to use it quite a bit for target loads in .45 Auto, but not so much anymore.

 

[bersaguy]

Just shot up 100 158g Lee rnfp's with 4g W231. Fantastic load! I had never put that many rounds thru a revolver in one sitting, 100 of mine plus some loose 38+p and a cylinder of 158 357's I had left over. The old girl got pretty hot, but was still making shotshell hulls dance on the berm at 30yds at the end of the day

 

[JJFitch]

My go to PPC load when shooting reloads at practice is 3.1 grains of W231/HP38 under a 148 grain HBWC and Federal Gold Metal Match primers. This nearly duplicates the Winchester 148 Gr. HBWC Target load. Capable of <2" groups at 50 yards when shooting PPC Open revolvers (ie. Tanaka, Davis)!

 

[wgf]

View attachment 993828


I found a pound of HP38 at a decent price and decided to try it just for a casual range powder, never having used it before. I loaded 100 rounds with home cast Lee 158 grain RNFP wheelweight bullets, lubed (very lightly!) with Lee Liquid Alox. My Hodgdon reference said HP38 under a 158 grain lead bullet should be loaded from 3.1 to 3.7 grains of powder. I tried the middle and loaded 3.4 grains.

A plain Jane S&W Model 14-4 had not seen the range in a while, so it had the honor of testing the new-to-me propellant. The target on the left was 12 shots over a rest at 10 yards. Then I screwed up my courage and shot offhand 2-handed at the same distance. That right hand target is pretty good for me, so I quit after a cylinder full!

I know this is not Olympic performance, but if I find more HP38 I will buy it.

Nice gun and good shooting. Thanks for posting.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have 10lbs of W231 and I'm sure that will last a good long time. I load the .38 Spl, 45 Auto and a few others with it. I think it's a great powder. I have 2x 4lb just and 2x 1lb jugs.

I think the more you use it the more you will like the results. I also charge 4.0gr under a 158gr cast bullet.

 

[jimboecv]

I like it in my 38 Special with 4 grains also.

4 grains in 38 Spl, 9mm, 45ACP... all good.

 

[lordpaxman]

I know this is not Olympic performance, but if I find more HP38 I will buy it.

I never compare my shooting to Olympic performance, I’m happy in my own little world .
If you like 231, you should try 244 as well. I’ve been pleasantly surprised in everything I’ve tried it in and will keep both on the good list. Good luck.

 

[bdb242]

Just started using HP-38 in my 38 special loads with 125 gr cast and plated bullets (Hunters Supply and Berrys). 4.5 grains in each. My old Ruger 6" SS revolver loves it. I have a deck outside the master bedroom and a backstop 20 yards from the edge of the deck. With these loads I can usually hit a 3/4" stick-on target dot with the first shot with either load. That to me is just like magic...

 

[CQB45ACP]

Know what I like most about it? I’ve got some.

 

[ballman6711]

I like W231 (same as HP-38) in several loads. Very accurate in 38spcl, and makes a mild 357 load as well.

chris

 

[FROGO207]

Years ago I bought a guy out and ended up with almost 3/4 keg of W231. Just getting to the last of it and will buy another when it shows up at a fair price again. Lots of 38 SWC and DEWC down range with that combo for sure.

 

[snowman357]

Ramshot zip powder is close to win 231, a good alternative for times when powder can be hard to find. I use lots of win 231 and zip.

 

[rfwobbly]

Your groups would shrink if you simply shot at a smaller bull.
Next time draw a black 1/2 inch circle with a marker on the same target.
That's no bull.

 

[gunlaw]

I bought some during the previous shortage because I couldn’t find Bullseye or AA#2. Found it to be very versatile and economical. I use it in pretty much any non magnum handgun cartridge.