Powder for snub pistol loads

[Zendude]

I have read that "slow" burning powders might not be the best for short snub revolver loads (38 special or 32 H&R). I have tried bullseye and universal. Bullseye feels more snappy which makes sense because it is a quick burning powder. My loads using Universal have very little recoil compared to most factory ammo. I don't have a chronograph so I don't know if my velocity is too low. I am using plated bullets and loading in the low to mid range of FMJ recipies for the same weight bullet. Is Universal the wrong powder (too slow) to use for loads shot through a 2 inch barrel?

I am considering trying HP38 but I'm not sure if it's fast or slow burning. The Alliant burn chart shows HP38 to be just a tad slower than Bullseye, but the Hodgdon chart shows the HP38 burn rate much closer to the rate for Universal. My goal is to produce soft shooting loads for range practice. Any suggestions?

 

[Rule3]

For practice and target loads then fast to medium powders, for self defense hard hitting loads slower powders

Also depends on the weight of the bullet.

But as far as powders for target, BE and or HP 38 would be my pick.

 

[CZ9shooter]

There is nothing really wrong with using slower powders in short barrels, assuming you are staying within the suitable range for the cartridge. Just dont use rifle powders or something crazy like that.

Generally, you will get a louder bang and more flash. Pressure will still be high when the bullet exits, causing the bang, and some powder may burn outside the muzzle causing the flash. Despite this, the short barrel is not wasting the energy as much as one might think. Slow powders still produce higher velocity just like they usually do in longer barrels.

Slow powders can produce recoil with less snap and more push. But they dont always work well at the very bottom end. Loading higher can then offset the advantages.

In 38 special I like PowerPistol (relatively slow) for the warmer stuff. And WST (kinda fast) for light target ammo.

 

[gamestalker]

The powders you would use for a 6" barrel, are the same powders you would use with a 2" barrel, makes no difference. If you want magnum loads, you use a slow burning magnum class powder, standard target loads, a faster burning target powder, doesn't matter what the barrel length is.

I shoot revolvers and AL-ing pistols, and for a variety of barrel lengths. And although I don't get the same velocities with a snub, or a short barreled sub compact, I still experience the same velocity trends.

You do get higher velocities with more barrel, of course, but that's just because the bullet spends more time getting propelled by the gases created by the already burned powder, not burning powder.

GS

 

[stu1ritter]

I load behind a 160 gr sort of SWC with a full meplat. I just did an accuracy test from my snub Model 37 to see which shot to point of aim with the smallest group. All load development was half way between start and max, which is somewhat comfortable to shoot in an airweight revolver. You work up loads for your own revolver/pistol. The powders I tried were, VV N310, WST, Bullseye, W231, AA#2, VV N320, Auto Comp, Hogden Universal, Power Pistol, HS-6, 4227, 4756, AA#5, Titgroup and CFE. Best accuracy was 4756 (one hole group right in X ring), next was Universal and third was CFE. All were very comfortable to shoot in the airweight revolver. You can check my three best on the powder charts and see where they fall. These three had really tight groups and beyond those three the groups opened up quite a bit. All shot from sandbags on a bench at 10 yards.
Stu

 

[243winxb]

38 special

My loads using Universal have very little recoil compared to most factory ammo.

Recoil should be about the same , if velocities are close, using Bullseye and Universal. A "slow" powder would be 4227 or 2400 burn rates in a 38 special and would be a poor choice in powder for the cartridge.

 

[Wishoot]

I'm using Unique for light 38 loads (and heavy loads for that matter).

Seems to do the trick.

 

[V-fib]

IMR 700X works great for all my .38spl loads. it's a good fast powder.

v-fib

 

[bluetopper]

You're analizing the scenario to death. Bullseye and Universal are just fine for both.

A max charge of both will have noticeable more recoil than a light charge of each. What more can you say?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

A good handgun load is a good handgun load. There is no reason to use a faster powder in a shorter barrel. There is very little difference with a 2" barrel so shoot the load that has been good for you in the past. My favorite .38 Special range load is a 158gr LSWC bullet over 4.-gr W231/HP-38 and it's shot in all my revolvers including a S&W 4" M686 and a 1.875" M442.

I use several powders for the .38 Special but mostly W231/HP-38 but for .38 Special +P ammo I switch to HS-6 and I have used AA#5, Longshot and Power Pistol.

 

[il.bill]

During the recent powder shortage I was unable to find Bullseye anywhere and was forced to try some new smokeless brands. Titegroup worked well, but I was somewhat shocked to find that CFE Pistol under a 158 Grain SWC was the single most accurate loading out of my S&W Model 10-5 snub nosed revolver, at least at 7 - 10 - 15 yards. Now I finally have some Bullseye (and Titegroup) again, but have stuck with the CFE Pistol for my .38 special snubby. I still have a hard time believing it, but it works the best for me! Certainly, YMMV.

 

[stu1ritter]

I found much the same in a multi powder accuracy test from my Model 37. The CFE group was about 1/4" larger than the 4756 grouping. It's a nice powder with a very comfortable recoil for an airweight at half way between start/max loads.
Stu

 

[ATAShooter]

On my snubby .38's, my preferences are; Bullseye, then Red Dot, then Green Dot.
( Can you tell I am an Alliant freak? )

 

[TimSr]

Usually what gives you the best velocity in an 8" barrel will do the same in a snub, if that is what you are going for. If you are looking for clean and pleasant shooting reduced recoil target loads, your faster powders tend to be better options. It's not a matter of right or wrong, but a matter of what works best for your intended purpose. Generally its fast powders for light loads, and slower powders for heavier loads, regardless of barrel length. I use Bullseye, red dot, or Unique for cast target loads, and Blue Dot w/148gr cast for my defense loads.

 

[RealGun]

The powders you would use for a 6" barrel, are the same powders you would use with a 2" barrel, makes no difference.

But only if the bullet weight and powder charge are different. One of those variables needs to be optimized to scale the load to the weight and balance of the gun. That might be the powder.

 

[RealGun]

IMR 700X works great for all my .38spl loads. it's a good fast powder.

It is relatively lofty too, making powder charges easier to see before placing a bullet.

 

[RealGun]

For an easy shooting practice round, Trailboss and 38 Special are a good match, making it easier to see a lighter charge before placing a bullet. Max charge is rated just over 800 fps. with a 158 gr cast SWC. I use a grain more for the 125 gr TCFP.

 

[oneounceload]

I switched from Unique to Universal about 15 years ago and haven't felt the need to change. Have tried BE and 231, results were just OK, nothing spectacular

 

[Zendude]

During the recent powder shortage I was unable to find Bullseye anywhere and was forced to try some new smokeless brands. Titegroup worked well, but I was somewhat shocked to find that CFE Pistol under a 158 Grain SWC was the single most accurate loading out of my S&W Model 10-5 snub nosed revolver, at least at 7 - 10 - 15 yards. Now I finally have some Bullseye (and Titegroup) again, but have stuck with the CFE Pistol for my .38 special snubby. I still have a hard time believing it, but it works the best for me! Certainly, YMMV.

Have you found CFE to be noticeably cleaner than BE and Titegroup?

 

[PapaG]

I pretty much stick to Unique for the snubbies. I remember an amusing (to me) attempt to speed up the 38 special back in the sixties where I used a book load of 2400 and a 160 grain bullet in my 3" Chief's Special.
Shot a few, seemed pretty mild. Shot at the 100 yard gong on a lark and could see the bullet scooting across the sunlight toward the target. Wish I'd had a chrono. Probably not over 500 fps. If the light is right we can see 1100 fps trap loads and used to watch minie balls "fall" into the target if we set up the scope behind a shooter.
Anyway, Unique for me. Sometimes Bullseye but I'm kind of wary about it.

 

[USSR]

I'm duplicating the .38 Special FBI load with HS-6, AA#5, and Unique for my S&W Model 19 snubbies.

Don

 

[ljnowell]

If you aren't looking for max velocity, ditch the slow burners.

Go with a light charge of something fast. My preference would be AA#2 or 700x.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm duplicating the .38 Special FBI load with HS-6, AA#5, and Unique for my S&W Model 19 snubbies.

Don

Don, PM me your FBI replica load with HS-6 and AA#5 please. I have what I think is an almost exact replica of the FBI load using HS-6 with chrono data I will send you.