What is your favorite powder for .38 Special and .38 +P?

[sarge1967]

I have been using Unique. It is just filthy in a .38. Just wondering what you all use?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I use a lot of W231/HP-38 for all my handgun loading especially .38 Special and 45 Auto.

W231/HP-38 for the .38 Special
HS-6 for the .38 Special +P (but W231 will also work)

 

[shoot308]

Universal Clays and Tight Group for me.

 

[Clovishound]

Universal here also.

 

[Titegroups]

Bullseye and TG.

 

[sarge1967]

Are these cleaner than Unique?

 

[1991a1colt]

VV350

Sent from my SCH-S720C using Tapatalk 2

 

[x10x10]

W231 is nice and clean, I've also used the newer WST which seems very clean, Also I've used Clays seems like what little fouling it does have seems (opinion) softer and easy to clean up

 

[336A]

I'm partial to Unique for both regular .38 Special loads as well as +P loads. Unique will clean up once you get to the middle of the charge weights. My M10 likes 4.6gr with a 158gr SWC for a standard pressure load. I've also worked with W231 for little bit as well, 4.5gr with a 158gr SWC shoots really well. I haven't worked up any +P loads with 231 as I think Unique serves that purpose better. That being said I'm certainly aware that W231 is fully capable of +P loads too, I just think that Unique fits that application better.

 

[andyo5]

Unique, same as you.

 

[alwslate]

W231 is great for +P loads and is cleaner at that pressure level than
standard pressure but also works well for standard loads. Bullseye is
smokey but is a great powder for standard loads along with Titegroup.
The cleanest powder I have used for standard pressure loads is WST,
the replacement for the discontinued 452AA.

 

[sarge1967]

I'm partial to Unique for both regular .38 Special loads as well as +P loads. Unique will clean up once you get to the middle of the charge weights. My M10 likes 4.6gr with a 158gr SWC for a standard pressure load. I've also worked with W231 for little bit as well, 4.5gr with a 158gr SWC shoots really well. I haven't worked up any +P loads with 231 as I think Unique serves that purpose better. That being said I'm certainly aware that W231 is fully capable of +P loads too, I just think that Unique fits that application better.

I am using 4.6 grains of Unique under a 158 grain SWC. I find it absolutely filthy. It is accurate as heck though. One jagged hole at 15 yards. But man is it a mess.

 

[Cdog]

Try a pound of Universal. It's a clean burning, great metering, wide application powder.

If you like Unique's for its range of applications, Universal is certainly worth a range test.

 

[blujax01]

Unique or HP38

 

[mark454]

W231. I gave up on Unique years ago.
Mark

 

[Quakertown]

I use a lot of W231/HP-38 for all my handgun loading especially .38 Special and 45 Auto.

W231/HP-38 for the .38 Special

^^^^^THIS^^^^^^
I also like Bullseye for 38 special.

 

[Infidel_319]

W231, Great For Both Applications.

 

[COYOTEHUNTER]

In 38 special I use 3.8 grains of Accurate #2 with 158 GR. SWC that is very accurate in my 8 3/8 27 with very little recoil.

 

[MikeyB]

Been using Unique for decades. May switch over to W231/HP-38 once my supply of Unique runs out.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Yet another Win 231/HP38 user here. Usually HP38 is cheaper by a dollar or two so I stock up on that. I managed to find a four pound jug of Win 231 on sale a few months back so I'm at least good for a little while before I have to pay today's current goofy new prices.