What propellant for 38 spc/45 ACP training ammo?

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altitude_19

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So I'm still in Afghanistan, but I'm hoping to be able to start reloading within a couple days of getting home. I have all my equipment ordered and it's waiting for me at the post office, but I still don't know what powder and primers to get.
I got the Speer reloading manual (I think it's the 14th edition) BUT like I said it's in the states and I'm still out here.
So what propellants does this manual list as options for 38 spc/45 ACP? The more propellants you can provide, the better. I have a feeling the first recommendations you esteemed gents (and ladies?) will provide will be sold out on Midway, so backups are definitely in order.
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH for sharing your experience with me and helping me get spun up on this great hobby. Can't wait to get started when I'm finally out of this sand-trap. :D
 
I find Alliant Red Dot to be an affordable powder for both of those calibers. It's not going to set any velocity records, but a small charge will create some excellent target loads.

It its also available under the name 'Promo' from Alliant, at something like $10/lb at powdervalley.com. Promo has the same burn rate, but a different density than red dot. Charges measured by weight will be identical. One pound will do something like 1500 reloads of 45 acp. Most importantly, it shoots well too!
 
When reloading .38 special I use Accurate #2. I'm thinking of purchasing a .45acp and there seems to be enough data to indicate I can use it to reload target ammo for the .45 as well. I've read that Ramshot Zip is a good candidate also. Ultimately, pick one of several that you can find data for and try it out. Once you get familiar with its nature and have a frame of reference, maybe try another for comparison.

While certain powders are certainly more suited for a particular caliber than others, certain ones within that group are going to be more suited to your particular gun and bullet combo.

Good luck, and thanks for your service!
 
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First of all, thank you for your service. It really means a lot to us. My choice of powder for those 2 rounds would be Bullseye. It's kind of hard to beat for target loads in 38 and it works well in 45 also.
 
Bullseye and Unique are old standbys for both .38 and .45. Hard to beat. As far as primers, just get the cheapest.
 
For general plinking and action shooting (e.g. IDPA & ICORE), I've used W231, bullseye, Red Dot, but currently use Clays. I'm keeping my eye open for some Solo 1000.

For target rounds, though, W231 and bullseye have worked best for me.
 
I have been using WST lately for the purpose listed. It's a renewed version of 452AA, for which there is a good amount of reloading data still around. Very clean, fast burning, and economical. Like others have said, Bullseye, AA#2, W231, HP38 and Unique are all well-suited to practice rounds as well. I have assembled highly accurate target loads with all of these.
 
Powder - HP-38 and Clays work well for me in 38spl and 45acp.

Primers - whatever you can find at a reasonable price, I use Winchester
 
Bullseye.... 4.5gr for a 230gr. 45 slug and 3gr. for a 158gr. 38 slug. Those are my go to loads for both of these calibers. I shoot cast bullets though. Both very accurate.
 
I have narrowed my powders down considerably. Bought 8lbs of HP-38/W-231 and use it it for just about all my handgun loads from 380 through 44 mag.

Yes there may be slightly better powders for specific loads (which I also have) but for "training" or general range shooting the HP38 works for everything.
 
I'm using Solo 1000 and WST in 45. 200 grain LSWC.

Been a while since I've loaded any 38 special, think I was using Bullseye for it though.


bluestringer
 
Thanks for your service.

This abbreviated list compares powder costs to load .45 ACP 200 gr LSWC. It lets you see who the most economical powders are. Another factor that is important is how well the powder meters.

Least expensive 10 powders are:
Cost/100 = $0.66 Alliant Promo ---> 4.5 grains; 831 fps.
Cost/100 = $0.77 Alliant Red Dot ---> 4.5 grains; 831 fps.
Cost/100 = $0.79 Alliant Bullseye ---> 4.6 grains; 807 fps.
Cost/100 = $0.80 Ramshot Competition ---> 4.3 grains; 896 fps.
Cost/100 = $0.83 Hodgdon Clays ---> 4.3 grains; 888 fps.
Cost/100 = $0.93 Alliant Unique ---> 5.4 grains; 790 fps.
Cost/100 = $0.98 IMR 700-X ---> 5.3 grains; 921 fps.
Cost/100 = $0.99 Accurate S1000 ---> 5.3 grains; 952 fps.
Cost/100 = $1.00 Hodgdon Titegroup ---> 5.4 grains; 957 fps.
Cost/100 = $1.05 Winchester WST ---> 5.1 grains; 910 fps.

Most expensive 3 powders are:
Cost/100 = $1.87 Hodgdon HS-6 ---> 8.4 grains; 907 fps.
Cost/100 = $2.12 Vihtavuori N340 ---> 6.6 grains; 1039 fps.
Cost/100 = $2.38 Accurate No.7 ---> 11.5 grains; 1022 fps.

I've got the data for another 17 powders if you are interested.
 
Thanks for your service.

This abbreviated list compares powder costs to load .45 ACP 200 gr LSWC. It lets you see who the most economical powders are. Another factor that is important is how well the powder meters.

Least expensive 10 powders are:
Cost/100 = $0.66 Alliant Promo ---> 4.5 grains; 831 fps.
Cost/100 = $0.77 Alliant Red Dot ---> 4.5 grains; 831 fps.
Cost/100 = $0.79 Alliant Bullseye ---> 4.6 grains; 807 fps.
Cost/100 = $0.80 Ramshot Competition ---> 4.3 grains; 896 fps.
Cost/100 = $0.83 Hodgdon Clays ---> 4.3 grains; 888 fps.
Cost/100 = $0.93 Alliant Unique ---> 5.4 grains; 790 fps.
Cost/100 = $0.98 IMR 700-X ---> 5.3 grains; 921 fps.
Cost/100 = $0.99 Accurate S1000 ---> 5.3 grains; 952 fps.
Cost/100 = $1.00 Hodgdon Titegroup ---> 5.4 grains; 957 fps.
Cost/100 = $1.05 Winchester WST ---> 5.1 grains; 910 fps.

Most expensive 3 powders are:
Cost/100 = $1.87 Hodgdon HS-6 ---> 8.4 grains; 907 fps.
Cost/100 = $2.12 Vihtavuori N340 ---> 6.6 grains; 1039 fps.
Cost/100 = $2.38 Accurate No.7 ---> 11.5 grains; 1022 fps.

I've got the data for another 17 powders if you are interested.
Click to expand...

I cant believe AA#2 isnt on there. Its usually cheaper than bullseye and uses similar chargweights.
 
Ditto what Moxie says as far as the Unique goes. I've been using that Russian Salute from Pat's Reloading, it's $11/lb, good bang for the buck.

I sorta did the same as you, but in the casting department.....just got back from six months in Kabul and ordered a bunch of moulds to cast with as soon as I got home...but after 2 months home have yet to cast a single bullet.......
 
I have used W231 for .45acp and have recipes for .38SPL. I also have Unique and Bullseye, and recipes exist for both calibers.

I ran across a good deal on a quantity of Green Dot and have been using it for a while for .45acp (as well as a couple other calibers). I have a lot more to use up :)

When it's gone, I'll probably go back to 231.
 
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