Hi folks,

Stumbled into a Lee 3-hole, and I’d like to load for 38/357 and 45acp.

Since I have ZERO powder, and will need to pay through the nose for whatever I get, could the experienced here please recommend the ideal options for those cartridges?

I don’t want to push any envelopes, just looking for an easy-measuring option that won’t confound a beginner.


Thanks !

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- Post No Bills -

Bullseye is good for target loads in both

For 38 Special standard powder is Bullseye. NRA recommended wadcutter load is 2.7 grains Bullseye and 148 grain wadcutter.

Bullseye is one obvious choice but I'd go with W231/HP38 (two names, same powder).

But if you want .357 loads those are a bit fast. You could do all with Unique or Universal.

Another vote for W231 or HP38.

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Only a cold warrior

What powder to get depends a little on how hot you want the loads and what bullet weight you'll be using.

For those calibers I have and use Bullseye, Win 231, Unique, WST, CFE Pistol and Titegroup. None of those will really get you to full power 357 Magnum loads, but they can be used for light and mid range loads. They all work pretty well for 38 and 45 ACP. Lots of other powders that work too. If you can't find any of those, find ones with similar burn rates like Universal, Herco, Accurate #2 or #5, HS-6, etc.

First get a good reloading manual like Lyman and look up the bullet you'll be shooting for which powders are listed, then buy what you can find. If it's listed in Lyman's manual, it will work. Now is a tough time to be trying to find powder though. Best of luck

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What could possibly go wrong?

Universal or 231. I have been using Unique for 40 years ( and still am) but I now describe Unique as “ dirt that burns “ I still have a few pounds of Unique to get through and hope to never buy it again.

Powder prices haven't jumped here as much as they apparently have in other parts of the country.

I've recently bought CFE Pistol and CFE 223 for around $25/lb.

CFE Pistol is quite versatile too.

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GOA
USA Shooting Supporter

I see your location as "midwest" If you're close to Omaha, Guns Unlimited has had a very good stock of powder and non gouging prices.

If you can't find pistol powder, I exclusively use Winchester WST for .38/357. My pet load is 2.7grains of WST under a 148g DEWC which chronographed at 700FPS.

Now that I go look at some load data Universal is only going to get you maybe an extra 100fps in the .357 vs W231.

True magnum loads will need something slower. I'd stick with W231/HP38 in .45ACP and .38 Special for now and leave the .357 stuff for later when you can get another powder. You're just not going to get real .357 performance out of a powder suitable for the other two.

Magnum revolver cartridges are sort of in a world of their own.

BEFORE you search for powder - Buy at least a couple of reloading manuals.
The Lyman manual (50th Edition is the most recent) covers many jacketed and cast bullets as well as the basics for reloading handgun and rifle calibres. The Hornady manual is another excellent reference.
Review those manuals for applicable powders/primers for your cartridge of interest and then go shopping.
Good Luck shopping, because pickings are pretty slim right now.

WYT-P
Skyhunter

Bullseye, red dot, w231 type powder works well with most lead bullets for light target work.

Unique or HS-6 will do ok with most jacket HP or SP bullets if you have any.

They all work and go bang............
good luck with one or two, that are not too hard on your wallet.

[QUOTE=PatriotX;141031598]Hi folks,

Stumbled into a Lee 3-hole, and I’d like to load for 38/357 and 45acp.

Since I have ZERO powder, and will need to pay through the nose for whatever I get, could the experienced here please recommend the ideal options for those cartridges?

I don’t want to push any envelopes, just looking for an easy-measuring option that won’t confound a beginner.


Thanks !

I use titegroup with great success in both
Islander

Thanks for all the counsel, folks.

I bought a Lyman manual a while back, since it seemed like the correct first step.

I have a very limited selection of components, some 158gr JHP, 140-something LRN, and some 230gr jacketed ball. I’d like to make up some target loads and leave the magnum stuff for when I feel more comfortable.

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- Post No Bills -

Agree, HP38/231 for both.

What about primers??

For range/target rounds, I like HP-38, which for some reason seems to be a buck or two cheaper than 231. Primers . . . whatever you can find and afford.

I have one tray of SPP and one of LPP.


According to the gun show reports, that should be enough to make $400.00 worth of ammo.


Is there any reason why I shouldn’t start with 45acp? The 625 is hungry.

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- Post No Bills -

Bullseye, 231, and Unique will work well for you, but Unique sometimes doesn’t meter well.

Red Dot works well, too.

My advice would be to get a good reloading manual first. That will give you some more ideas. Good luck!

W231/HP38 is a good choice for all three. Unique, universal or wsf would also be fine.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

Make that three. Works well for target loads in all 3 calibers and meters nicely as well.

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Send lawyers, guns & money...

I think it will be a matter of what you can find ? If you can't find W231 / HP-38 then I would look for Unique . It's been around since 1899 and for a very good reason . Don't load it the minimum , load the maximum and you will get more complete combustion and cleaner burning . I prefer Unique over W231 , HP-38 . Regards Paul

For 38 Special and 45 ACP, Bullseye and 231are perfect. Bullseye is great for powder puff wadcutter loads in 38 Special, and was part of the original charge for 45 hardball.

When looking at 357 Magnum loads, think Unique and investigate the Skeeter Loads!

231 or Bullseye, plus Unique can fulfill all of your needs and definitely outlast your primer supply!

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Judge control not gun control!

FWIW, I like Unique too - but one of the specific criteria the OP asked for was "easy measuring". Inconsistent metering is, and always has been, one of the biggest complaints most people have against large flake powders like Unique. Just sayin'...

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Send lawyers, guns & money...

I'm surprised Universal isn't more popular. It and Power Pistol are on either side of Unique on the burn rate chart and it meters better and is much, much, cleaner. I have yet to try Power Pistol. When all this calms down I'll have to do that.

I've never had a problem metering Unique . I use scoops . Regards Paul

I load those two calibers, mostly use Bullseye and Unique. The idea to study a few manuals is a good one (along with advice here), because you could make a list of possible other powders to get by with during this shortage.

Both cartridges are easy to reload. The main difference is that with 45 you will want to pay attention to the cartridge overall length (COAL) and the crimped mouth diameter - break out the calipers!

38 Special/357, I never paid any attention to dimensions other than getting a nice looking roll crimp.

For the calibers you listed, Bullseye, Unique, 231, 244, Red Dot and 700-X have all worked for me over the past 40 years or so. Currently all of my .38 and .45 loading involves 231. However, if that were not available, I could use one of the others.

Welcome to a great hobby and relaxation. Get some manuals and check magazine articles and such.

Universal is a twin brother to Unique and will do ok in the 38 & 357 but you should not use the Unique data with it.

Unique worked better in my 12 Ga. loads, though.
For some reason. Universal was "Dirtier" than Unique and not the same in fps with the wads and cases that I used for my trap loads in 1 1/8 oz. payloads.

Titegroup can work for 45 acp,38Special and 357 mag. while not the best for 357 mag there are some loads that be used for some bullets. Hodgdon online reloading data site can give you ideas of loads with different bullets and powders. I f you only have 200 primers you will not need much powder. You an still get powder online at a pretty good price. Primers are the issue and it seems they will be for a while.

I am a big supporter for HS6. One of the reasons is that HS6 fills the .38 case/brass to greater extent than many others (high VMD). That is important in that, that makes it more difficult to end up with a double-charge that would blow up your gun. My favorite 38 bullet is 158XTP, though I am experimenting with 135grSB Gold Dot loaded for +P but not as high as OEM +P.

Bullseye or 231 is probably all you need for almost every application that you'll need. I use Bullseye for .38 Special, .38 ACP, .45 ACP, .45 Colt, 9 MM and .32 H&R Magnum. It is great for target loads and will go a long way. Also I load the same power loading as requested by the War Department for the M1909 Colt .45 Colt with Bullseye. If it was good enough for the military back then it should work for defense or offense now.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

Bring your Lyman manual with you. Buy the powder that is available on the shelf. Look in the Lyman manual to find the load data for the available powder.

Any 4350 rifle powder won't perform in handgun cartridges. The local indoor range has all the Shooters World powders available in 1# bottles or 8# jugs. It is happy time.

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S&WHF 366

Figure out what powder you want to load. Keep in mind a pound of powder in most places costs $30 to $35 a pound, or at least it does in my area. We were able to buy 8 pound Kegs of Bullseye for $180 a keg, that is $22.50 a pound. Larger quantities will usually get you better overall prices.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

Get a good manual, I like Lyman. Download some older manuals on line. Read them all you can with out looking at data. When you are confident in the process look at data.
Copy a powder burn chart and highlight what powders work for both cartridges. Take that to your local shop and see what they have.
I would recommend, Red Dot, Bullseye, AA2, AA5, and HP38/WW231 if you can find those. Ask if the powders available are flake or ball and go with ball to start as it is less easy to bridge.

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Front sight and squeeze

Look in your reloading tor powders listed for the bullet you are going to use. Look at the "fastest to mid speed powder" and make a list. Take the list shopping and don't allow any "expert" you meet at the store change your mind. I agree you won't go wrong with Bullseye or W231/HP38, but Unique or Universal are very good choices too. I discovered Universal when obumma ran and couldn't find any Unique. I soon bought 2, 1 lb. jugs then a bit later bought an 8 pounder. I use it in nearly all my handgun cartridges...

Still get powder online? Where? I can't find any, and I check frequently.

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What could possibly go wrong?

I load 38, 9, and 45 ACP. I use Unique, Bullseye, and 231/HP38. If you can get just one of them it will work in all three calibers. I have used a lot of others in the last few years due to availability but like those the most.

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Ron
Southern IL

I haven't seen a vote for the Accurate line of powders, #2, #5, #7 and #9. 2, I think, will cover both 38 and 357. #9 is good for hot loads. Might try them if you can get some. For me, they meter very, very well.

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Just Say No - To Social Media

Just watch ammoseek. They;'re showing a couple powders suitable for handguns right now, IMR Blue, one of the Vihtavouri powders. Not a lot, but something to keep shooting.

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Just Say No - To Social Media