bananaman
Member
Hi, have any of you used Green Dot for .38 Special loads? Used it in 40's & 9's, but not .38. I am looking for an accurate target load w/ 158 LSWC. Any info or positive experiences would be appreciated! Thanks, Bob
.38 Special w/ Green Dot
- Thread starter bananaman
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ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I really tried to like Green Dot but it's a "funny" powder to say the least. While most powders have a range where the ammo is accurate that's not so with Green Dot. In handgun ammo either you find the sweet spot or nothing. It's a hard powder to find that sweet spot with and I gave up trying since W231 is so much easier to load with. (In my opinion of course) IMO Green Dot is one of those shotgun powders that's best left to loading shotshells. Red Dot and Blue Dot are easier to work with for sure...
OP
bananaman
Member
Thanks for the info! I'll keep loading Clays at this point. 3.2 gr, 158LSWC. Bob
Green Dot was the first powder I ever used, I didn't like it. Very large flakes that meters poorly - even worse than Unique. Accuracy was unimpressive in my .38. I did find an accurate load for my .45 auto in 230 gr FMJ. I think it was 5.1 gr + WLP primer.
K-framer
Member
Green Dot is a little slow for target loads (light loads) in 38 Special. As such, it will never function well at those pressures. Go faster - Bullseye, Red Dot, Clays, etc.
A bit HOTTER loads work well with Unique, HP38, W231, etc. Green Dot is in this speed range - so it is really only suitable for loads up in or near +P territory.....or even magnum loads.
A bit HOTTER loads work well with Unique, HP38, W231, etc. Green Dot is in this speed range - so it is really only suitable for loads up in or near +P territory.....or even magnum loads.
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I have to disagree about W231/HP-38, it's a great target powder in the .38 Special. I use almost nothing else with a 148gr DEWC or 158gr LSWC with outstanding results. W231/HP-38 is not a slow powder although not as fast as Bullseye or Clays.
Peter M. Eick
Member
I tend to agree with Arch. 231 is a great powder for light 38's. I used to load its predecessor 230 and then 231 for my 38's for years. I finally switched over to 158 SWC's and wanted more power so I went to unique.
I now tend to avoid ball powders for revolvers because I believe they contribute to flame cutting of the frame. Not a big deal on a 38 special but a big deal on a 357 Maximum.
I now tend to avoid ball powders for revolvers because I believe they contribute to flame cutting of the frame. Not a big deal on a 38 special but a big deal on a 357 Maximum.
