I'm getting back into reloading after 10 years. Question what powders would be best for 38 special and 357 Mag.? I'm looking for one powder. I willuse ithe for target and hunting and will probably will be using 125/130gr or 150/158gr LSWC.
Powders?
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tappedandtagged
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One powder for target 38 spl and hunting 357?? That is asking a lot. You won't get the best results out of the 357 with a powder that will do well in 38 target loads.
But if I had to pick a powder, I'd say Unique. 4.5 grns for the 38 and 7.5 grns for the 357, both with a 158 grain cast pill.
Now, that being said, I would still rather see you use Unique for target loads and a powder along the lines of Alliant 2400, H110/W296, or AA#9 for the hunting rounds. With hunting rounds, the faster and heavier the better. I don't hunt with my 357, but if I did, I would go for a 180 grain XTP or a flat metplat cast bullet in the same weight.
But if I had to pick a powder, I'd say Unique. 4.5 grns for the 38 and 7.5 grns for the 357, both with a 158 grain cast pill.
Now, that being said, I would still rather see you use Unique for target loads and a powder along the lines of Alliant 2400, H110/W296, or AA#9 for the hunting rounds. With hunting rounds, the faster and heavier the better. I don't hunt with my 357, but if I did, I would go for a 180 grain XTP or a flat metplat cast bullet in the same weight.
olskool
Member
unique for 38 and 2400 for 357, one powder that works good in both is blue dot.
There is no "one powder" unless you are willing to just load midrange and give up both light target loads in .38 and max hunting loads in the .357.
WIN231/HP38 (same powder) covers all .38 loads and up to midrange .357. WIN296/H110 (same powder) is for max .357 loads.
You can also use other combinations like Bullseye and 2400 to cover pretty much the full range.
Or you can use something like Unique for your one only powder and have smokey light .38 loads, and never reach full power .357 loads.
You pays your money and you makes your choices.
What OKFCO5 said above^^^^^
But if you still only want one powder I would go with HP38/W231
You will probably load more 38 target loads than 357 for shooting a few dogs. The HP38 is capable of that.
But if you still only want one powder I would go with HP38/W231
You will probably load more 38 target loads than 357 for shooting a few dogs. The HP38 is capable of that.
ACP230
Member
I load both practice .38 and .357 rounds with Unique.
Good accuracy in both calibers.
It's about time I made some more .357s and I will probably use
Unique again. My .357s liked the last batch I made with a Remington
158 grain JHPs and Unique under them.
Good accuracy in both calibers.
It's about time I made some more .357s and I will probably use
Unique again. My .357s liked the last batch I made with a Remington
158 grain JHPs and Unique under them.
No such powder................
A middle of the line powder is too slow for 148 target loads and too fast for 158 or larger hunting loads that have enough velosity and energys to take big game cleanly.
Only $20 for a pound of powder............$40 will get things done right.
A middle of the line powder is too slow for 148 target loads and too fast for 158 or larger hunting loads that have enough velosity and energys to take big game cleanly.
Only $20 for a pound of powder............$40 will get things done right.
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
For the life of me i will never understand why some reloaders want to use just 1 powder for loading such different applications. Doing so deprives you of the best performing and most accurate ammo you can produce which is part of the reason we reload in the first place.
remo,
You save nothing and achieve little by using only 1 powder.
Welcome back to reloading and to this forum. I'm not bashing you personally...
remo,
You save nothing and achieve little by using only 1 powder.
Welcome back to reloading and to this forum. I'm not bashing you personally...
Give me time I will probably end up with the two prowders I was using when I quit Unique and 2400. I will probability start out with Unique or a similar type of powder. I didn't know if any of the powder manufacturers came out with any new powders. Has anyone used Alliant 300-MP?
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Nothing wrong with Unique or with 2400 either.
I have MANY different handgun powders because I like to try different stuff but i do the majority of my handgun loading with 3 powders, my powder trinity. I use W231(HP-38), W540(HS-6) and W296(H110).
I have MANY different handgun powders because I like to try different stuff but i do the majority of my handgun loading with 3 powders, my powder trinity. I use W231(HP-38), W540(HS-6) and W296(H110).
all357mag
Member
If you're not trying to melt your gun shooting 357mag, try Bullseye. I got 8grs of it behind 125gr Ranier HP's, and believe me, you know you're shootin'.
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I would not use a ultra-fast powder like Bullseye in the .357 Magnum unless I was loading a .38 Special pressure target load in .357 Magnum brass.
Skip Sackett
US Veteran
Welcome back to reloading and, hopefully to better health! Hang in there buddy!
You can load Unique for both loads. It will not get you down to true target loads (dirty as all get out) and it will not get you to maximum velocity BUT, it will work in both just fine within those limits.
Using the heavier bullets would be a plus. Both on the dogs and on helping Unique burn more cleanly in the 38spl loads.
I wish there wasn't a hazmat charge for powder, I would just send you a pound, your choice!
You can load Unique for both loads. It will not get you down to true target loads (dirty as all get out) and it will not get you to maximum velocity BUT, it will work in both just fine within those limits.
Using the heavier bullets would be a plus. Both on the dogs and on helping Unique burn more cleanly in the 38spl loads.
I wish there wasn't a hazmat charge for powder, I would just send you a pound, your choice!
Where did you come up with that gem especially with a plated bullet??
K&Nframe
Member
Buy a pound of a fast powder for your target loads and a box of factory ammo for the hunting loads. You can take care of quite a few dogs with a box of ammo.
Kevin
Kevin
Skip Sackett
US Veteran
SAY WHAT?
You came to the reloading section and told someone to buy factory ammo? WASSUPWITDAT?
Dude, we could ban you for that!
(Just kidding, I buy factory ammo too. Whenever I need new brass, um, PERIOD!)
You came to the reloading section and told someone to buy factory ammo? WASSUPWITDAT?
Dude, we could ban you for that!
(Just kidding, I buy factory ammo too. Whenever I need new brass, um, PERIOD!)bullseye for light loads in either
231 is good for mid loads
2400 for magnum
for my 686 i'm just after target - 148 wc and 2.8 BE
for my lever rifle i want a bit more punch with a 158RN - 5gr if I recall of 231 does pretty well, but 12-14 of 2400 really spices things up.
I have some 357 cases and a lot of 38 cases - 357 cases are pricey to acquire and the 38s load fine in my M92 so I'm just sticking with them.
231 is good for mid loads
2400 for magnum
for my 686 i'm just after target - 148 wc and 2.8 BE
for my lever rifle i want a bit more punch with a 158RN - 5gr if I recall of 231 does pretty well, but 12-14 of 2400 really spices things up.
I have some 357 cases and a lot of 38 cases - 357 cases are pricey to acquire and the 38s load fine in my M92 so I'm just sticking with them.
shadowrider
Member
Care to cast your own bullets too? Why not just use the old Skeeter Skelton load? Lyman 358156GC bullet seated in the 1st crimp groove (long OAL) in .38 special brass. I think his load was 13.5gr of 2400 but I'd check that first. The rounds will be too long to put in a .38sp chamber but will be fine in a .357 mag gun. Pretty versatile load. Not a full mag but a very stout .38.
I was giving a bottle of Hodgdon Clays powder. I was looking around in the bottom of the clothes closet that I have some of my reloading stuff and found about 2000 135gr LSWC .357 bullets. I'm thinking about 3grs of clays. I'm hoping to get to perform like the 38 Special Nyclad HP
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Checked the Hogdon website for load data. Minimum with a LSWC 135 gr is 3.4 gr, max 5.1 gr. in .357.
2ndtimer
Member
If all you are shooting is cast bullets at medium velocities, then Unique, or Universal Clays, HS-6, Accurate No. 5 or even W231 would work fine for .38 spec. and .357 Mag loads. If you are really on a budget, you might consider Tite Group, as it requires very light charges of powder and works very well for mild target loads. Unique adds versatility in that it can be used for some pretty potent 125 gr JHP loads, as well. I do have some old W-296 on hand, too, just in case I want to load up some maximum performance .357 Magnum 158 gr XTP loads.
2ndtimer I will be getting some Unique and some Blue Dot or 2400. I also found some Rem 180gr sjhp that I will as my 357 Mag load. When I carry I carry only factory ammo. I try to reload to near factory specs to plink with. A long time ago I loaded some cast bullets to max and then had to scrub the lead out. Light to medium velocities for my 38's and medium velocities for my 357 Mags. I used the Clays that I got from my brother to start with and have fun till it's gone. It will give me time to work up some loads up.
Checked "MY" alliant data and one old one called out 8.3grs of Bullseye with a 125 Jhp..............7.0grs with a 158 LRN.
There are better powders out there for the Jhp bullets, with the Mag with 4" plus tubes.................Bullseye and faster powders are great with LEAD bullets,though.............but thats just my 2 cents, I'm sort of new at reloading,started in 1962,I think ?
There are better powders out there for the Jhp bullets, with the Mag with 4" plus tubes.................Bullseye and faster powders are great with LEAD bullets,though.............but thats just my 2 cents, I'm sort of new at reloading,started in 1962,I think ?
FloridaFlier
Member
Over time, if you really get into reloading, you will develop your favorite recipes. Although I have expanded my powders I will admit to starting with W-231/HP-38 for 9mm, .38 Special, .45 ACP and more recently .44 Special. It eliminates the possibility of mixing powders. I believe in the KISS principle.
BobR1
Member
If I were to pick a single all purpose powder for 38 Special and 357 loads it would be either Unique or Power Pistol.
Unique will cover mild to wild in a 38 Special, as will Power Pistol.
For the 357 you can get up to about 200 fps under Maximum Velocity with Unique or Power Pistol.
Unique is not perfect, but it will work reasonably well in almost any handgun ammo you are likely to load.
Bob
Unique will cover mild to wild in a 38 Special, as will Power Pistol.
For the 357 you can get up to about 200 fps under Maximum Velocity with Unique or Power Pistol.
Unique is not perfect, but it will work reasonably well in almost any handgun ammo you are likely to load.
Bob
