Reloading Powder

mmais · Sep 18, 2015

I am thinking of reloading some 38 special with 125 gr bullets, any suggestions on what power to use?
This will be my first attempt at reloading going to start with the simple Lee Loader so powder should be on their supplied list.

Thanks Mike

scooter123 · Sep 18, 2015

I use 5.8 grains of Vihtavouri 3N37 with a 125 grain plated bullet. Out of a 6 inch Dan Wesson this load yields 800 fps and is as accurate as I can shoot with iron sights. Out of my 4 inch model 620 with a J Point reflex I get 700 fps with 1.5 inch groups at 25 yards.

Pluses for the Vihtavouri is that it is not at all position sensitive and it meters very well with an SD for charge weight of 0.05 grains using my RCBS Competition powder measure. The minus is the cost, at about 38 dollars a pound it's the most expensive powder I use on a per pound basis.

roscoepc · Sep 18, 2015

Here's a link to Hodgdons Reloading page. It's got some good info and should help you out a bit...

Reloading for Beginners | Hodgdon Reloading

chuckster57 · Sep 18, 2015

I use tite group. It is becoming my go to powder for my .38 and my 9c. I have also used HS-6 but it seems a bit slower burning.

tim c · Sep 18, 2015

WW231 or HP38 is a good choice

GypsmJim · Sep 18, 2015

There is only 1 choice for your circumstances - bullseye.

Goblin · Sep 18, 2015

+1 for Bullseye. Get some 148 grain hollow-based wadcutters while you're at it.

alwslate · Sep 19, 2015

Any of the common fast burners that are probably on your list. Red Dot,
Bullseye, 700X, Titegroup, 231-HP38, WST.

rwsmith · Sep 19, 2015

Don't forget.....

Don't forget Unique or Universal (if you can find it)

The .38 is not picky at all and many powders will do the job.

BE SURE not to double charge fast burning powder. It makum gun go boom.

This is a good round to start with. I started with a Lee Hand loader with .38. Very forgiving round.

RobertJ. · Sep 19, 2015

Congratulations on getting started!

The .38 Special has become my favorite cartridge to reload, edging out the .44 Magnum slightly. I have some 125 gr. hard cast SWC's, but I haven't tried them yet. Almost all I've shot in the .38 for years are the 158 SWC, and the 148 HBWC.

Fellow member Novalty wrote what could be the best post ever on reloading, both for the beginner and even the experienced. I encourage you to look it up!

JBnTx · Sep 19, 2015

Save yourself some time and money and start with the powder that you're going to end up with anyway.

Bullseye.

imakmst · Sep 19, 2015

Bullseye is my current favorite
also have and loaded HP-38/WIN231
also have and loaded Unique for +P

MikFinkel · Sep 19, 2015

Hi Robert J. This link brought me to Brownells reloading power page.

RobertJ. said:
Congratulations on getting started!

The .38 Special has become my favorite cartridge to reload, edging out the .44 Magnum slightly. I have some 125 gr. hard cast SWC's, but I haven't tried them yet. Almost all I've shot in the .38 for years are the 158 SWC, and the 148 HBWC.

Fellow member Novalty wrote what could be the best post ever on reloading, both for the beginner and even the experienced. I encourage you to look it up!

Gamecock · Sep 19, 2015

Unique. Good for all things pistol and shotgun.

littleriver1 · Sep 19, 2015

+1 more for bullseye and there seem to be plenty of it around. Bass pro even has it if you don't mind paying $10.00 extra per lb just for the right to walk through their doors. they also had unique.

RobertJ. · Sep 19, 2015

MikFinkel said:
Hi Robert J. This link brought me to Brownells reloading power page.

I didn't add a link, sometime the site does it automatically! I haven't figured out how to add a link, or I'd have linked the post by Novalty.

Bkreutz · Sep 19, 2015

RobertJ. said:
I didn't add a link, sometime the site does it automatically! I haven't figured out how to add a link, or I'd have linked the post by Novalty.

Here's the link http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/406473-so-youre-thinking-about-getting-into-reloading.html

gwpercle · Sep 19, 2015

The Classic Lee Loader comes with a powder scoop and a list of powders to be used with that scoop. Just go with the chart if this is your first time reloading. No sense trying to reinvent the wheel if Lee has gone to the trouble to list a powder for you.
If you are an experienced reloader , and have a powder scale, any of the powders listed in a reloading manual will do. A lot of times, what powder you can find is what you have to use. I made a list of all the powders I could use for 38 special when I went to Cabela's , the only handgun powder they had was 700X...I bought it and found data in The Layman Cast Bullet Handbook. So that's the powder I'm using in cast bullet loads. And it does just fine.
Gary

mmais · Sep 20, 2015

I would like to thank everyone for your help. Watching more reload videos, & reading more posts, I have come to realize any pistol powder will do. I have also been looking at an upgrade to a single stage press. The press would be an additional $140 (approx) over the Lee Loader will have to check with the boss.
Thanks for all the help.
Mike

da gimp · Sep 20, 2015

GypsmJim said:
There is only 1 choice for your circumstances - bullseye.

I strongly disagree with this choice... Bullseye is probably the worst choice that he could use.. with Bullseye it is so easy to double or triple charge a case with maximum charges that it is very easy to seriously damage your gun & injure yourself using it...when you do not have a good reloading setup with scales & a good powder thrower.. that can consistently throw good charges that are verified with a good quality reloading scale. If you used the wrong dipper with Bullseye you could be seriously hurt.....

1st buy & use a good powder scale... RCBS makes several, that vary in price & verify the charge weights of what you are scooping with your Lee loader ...this is a MUST DO thing.. to be safe... We have both an RCBS Rockchucker & RCBS powder thrower & a Dillon 550... we still use our scales to verify periodically the powder charges that both the RCBS thrower & the Dillon thrower give this is after you set up both to give consistent weights... & know what they look like (height) in the cases you are reloading.

Unique is a great powder to use, PB is another, & there are many more that can be safely used...

Reloading Powder

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