Powder conundrum ...

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Furncliff

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Just getting started and have successfully loaded and shot .38 special in a S&W 10 and Marlin 1894c in several loadings. My first tests firings were to confirm that they would indeed go bang and to determine by felt recoil how hot the load was, relative to factory ammo. Have not shot off a rest yet.

So the next step is going for accuracy in these two guns, which shoot Win White Box very well. Although I have limited my powder to Unique, I have loaded several different bullet types, weights and etc.. Trying to keep it simple in the beginning should I stay with Unique and continue to experiment with loads and bullet types or buy another powder and add that to the mix?

Also: if you are working on a load do you transpose load data from one powder to another?

Thanks,

Tom
 
Also: if you are working on a load do you transpose load data from one powder to another?
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NO! Never! Not ever!

You pick a powder and use published load data for it.
If you want similiar velocity with a different powder, look up the load data for it.


As to other powders?
Unique is a very good general purpose powder for .38 Special.
If you are trying all different types & weights of bullets, it will probably work as well as most, and much better then some.

Once you settle on a bullet weight and intended use, it would be worthwhile to further refine your powder choice.

If you are going for very light target loads, there are better powders that are faster burning.
If you are going for maximum velocity & power, there are better powders that are slower burning.

rcmodel
 
I would stick with Unique and keep trying different loads... Why introduce another factor when a lot of stones remain unturned with what you have. Unique's versatility has been liked by generations of reloaders, and it works so well with cast, swaged, or jacketed bullets from mild to wild.

I know Titegroup is all the rage today, and I'm sure it does work well for certain applications, but old futty dutty Unique has been getting the job done very well for many, many decades, as has Bullseye, WW 231, HS-6, Herco, Green Dot, Red Dot... Keep experimenting with Unique and I bet you will like the results!

Good luck.
 
I have to agree with these opinions. Unique is a fine powder for your application. Reducing the variables will simplify the process. Do a lot of research and work up loads carefully.
 
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