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Author Topic: .38 spcl reloading (powder selection)  (Read 677 times)

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Offline baranjhn

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.38 spcl reloading (powder selection)
« on: September 28, 2007, 06:00:21 AM »
Does anyone have a good load for .38 spcl with 158 gr. cast lead bullets? I'm looking for a powder that fills the case more than Unique. I want to keep the fps around 700-750ish and I'm not interested in +p loads.

Thanks
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Offline PA-Joe

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Re: .38 spcl reloading (powder selection)
« Reply #1 on: September 28, 2007, 06:07:27 AM »
UNIQUE and Lead
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Offline Questor

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Re: .38 spcl reloading (powder selection)
« Reply #2 on: September 28, 2007, 06:54:59 AM »
I like winchester 231 powder for 38 special. I can't think of a powder other than Trailboss that would fill the case very much. It was designed with black powder in mind.
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Offline Old Syko

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Re: .38 spcl reloading (powder selection)
« Reply #3 on: September 28, 2007, 07:45:18 AM »
I've never found a powder that would burn completely in 38 special with a full case.  I've used nothing but WW231 for over 35 years.
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Offline baranjhn

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Re: .38 spcl reloading (powder selection)
« Reply #4 on: September 28, 2007, 07:58:57 AM »
I'd like the powder to burn as complete as possible. However my main concern is powder position sensitivity. I don't like the powder to "slosh" around in the case, that's why I wanted something that fills it more.

I was thinking about HS6 or maybe H4227.
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Offline BCB

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Re: .38 spcl reloading (powder selection)
« Reply #5 on: September 28, 2007, 08:09:10 AM »
I've used Blue Dot and AL-8, both are fluffy and very filling in the 38 Special case.  I have also used Win-540 (HS-6) and Win-571 (HS-7) with O.K. results.  I would thank that 4227 might be a tad too slow.  Good-luck...BCB
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Offline Graybeard

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Re: .38 spcl reloading (powder selection)
« Reply #6 on: September 28, 2007, 08:15:06 AM »
I know it doesn't fill much of the case but I use Bullseye almost exclusively due to performance and accuracy. W231 is about the only other I use in it.
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Offline Savage

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Re: .38 spcl reloading (powder selection)
« Reply #7 on: September 28, 2007, 01:14:22 PM »
For all my range loads in .38/9mm/.40/.45acp, I have not found anything better than Bullseye. For range loads in larger cases like 44/.45LC I load Unique. All of the above with cast bullets of course.
Savage
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Offline Catfish

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Re: .38 spcl reloading (powder selection)
« Reply #8 on: September 28, 2007, 01:49:34 PM »
I agree with GB. 2 1/2 to 3 gn. of Bullseye seems to be about as accurate a load I`ve ever came acrossed and it seem to be the most accurate load in all .38`s and .357 I`ve tried it in.
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Offline Mikey

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Re: .38 spcl reloading (powder selection)
« Reply #9 on: September 29, 2007, 02:39:17 AM »
I've used Win231 for about the past 15 yrs or so with heavy 200 gn slugs and it is both accurate and clean.  Unique always used to burn dirty.  Mikey.
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Offline Swampman

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Re: .38 spcl reloading (powder selection)
« Reply #10 on: September 29, 2007, 02:49:11 AM »
The new Unique is supposed to be very clean burning.  Bullseye has long been considered tops in the .38 Special.  I like 231 but it just never seems to be quite as accurate as Unique in my guns.  I tolerate Unique's messyness because I haven't found a powder that is as accurate and versitile.
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Offline stimpylu32

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Re: .38 spcl reloading (powder selection)
« Reply #11 on: September 29, 2007, 03:27:30 AM »
Quote from: baranjhn on September 28, 2007, 06:00:21 AM
Does anyone have a good load for .38 spcl with 158 gr. cast lead bullets? I'm looking for a powder that fills the case more than Unique. I want to keep the fps around 700-750ish and I'm not interested in +p loads.

Thanks

You may want to give Trail Boss a try , it will give you better case fill and was designed to be used with cast bullets in the lower speed ranges that are used in Cowboy Action Shooting .

Just an idea .

stimpy
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Offline DWTim

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Re: .38 spcl reloading (powder selection)
« Reply #12 on: September 29, 2007, 01:07:59 PM »
Another vote for Trail Boss, if you're looking for bulk.

Personally, I haven't found that any of the other powders mentioned are cleaner than Unique, but I note that certain types of residue tend to bother some folks more than others. I'd rather clean off a light coating of carbon with a single swipe of a rag. But then again, if Yankee Candle had an "Alliant Unique Residue" scented candle, I'd probably buy it.

I'm intrigued by 4227 in the .38. I don't have any IMR-4227 / H-4227, but I've tested the work-alike XMP-5744 in the .357 and had promising results. (Just checked the Hodgdon online data, and yes, there are H-4227 loads for .38 Special with 158 grainers.)

If you're looking for very low residue, but can live with a little less bulk, you might want to try Hi-Skor 700X or Solo 1000. (The latter is difficult to find, and the loading data even more so.)

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