Quote:
Originally Posted by mboyda
Didn't mean to limit myself to one. Looking for the best for .357, .38 and .38 +p, which could be two. I think my best bet is to get a pound each of top recommended here and shoot them side by side.
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As the others are telling you, the .38 Special and .357 Magnum are two very different calibers. The pressures are so different you will need at least 2 powders to do both well because the burn rates of the powders need to be different. The .38 Special should use a fairly fast powder like AA#2, Clays, Bullseye, W231/HP-38 and so on. The .357 Magnum needs a slower powder to be at it's best like 2400, AA#9, W296/H110 and powder like that.
The old standby powder trinity is Bullseye, Unique and 2400. My "trinity is W231, HS-6 (W540) and W296.
I use W231 for the .38 Special, HS-6 for the .38 Special +P and either 2400 or W296 for the .357 Magnum. It's not the powder name that's important but getting the burn rate correct for the application.
I hope I didn't make things more confusing...