I have been looking for HP38 for quite awhile now.
Desperation time. The local gun store had 3 or 4 that might be a reasonable substitute.
Red Dot, Trail Boss, IMR PB and 700X.
I will use this for non plus P 38 SPL loads for my 442. The bullets are Xtreme 125 gr plated flat point. Trail Boss doesn't give good accuracy with these bullets. I have not tried the other of the listed powders. I ended up buying the PB, but have not loaded any yet. It seems to be the closest in burn rate to HP38.
I use A#5 for plus P loads for my 640 Pro, and for my Blackhawk 44 SPL Flat Top. It works well for those applications, but leaves a lot of unburned powder at lower loadings in 38 SPL, that causes the cases to be difficult to extract.
I would appreciate any comments of the various powders that I listed above, in case I don't like the PB.
It will be nice when we can take money into a gun store and leave with the powder of our choice. What a concept!

Best,
Rick

It's kinda late now , but I would have said to flip a coin between Red Dot and 700-X .

I have never used Trail Boss but I have used the other three. PB would
be at the bottom of my list and it would be a toss up between the
other two. Neither meter very well and I would choose Bullseye over
either one. Titegroup or WST would be ok if available.

The replies here will interest me. I'm close to needing more powder and made a list of possibilities since I may not find my favorites. HP-38 and Win 231 are the same. My favorite for most of my reloads. Bullseye is at the top of my list too. My game plan is to take my list with me to the Orlando show next weekend and hope for the best. As alwslate mentioned, metering is important to me.

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NRA Certified Instructor-RSO

I second Bullseye at the top of the list. I've used PB and with my Dillon 550 it meters very accurately in my experience.

Win 231
Win WST
CLAYS

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NRA Life
USPSA/IPSC

700X is a great shotgun powder that I also used to use for a lot of pistol reloading back in the 1970s...

Bob

Another option is Vihtavouri 3N37.

Munuses are few with the chief one being the cost because it's not as cheap as we all would wish for. However, powder in the hand is better than no powder at all and having used it I plan on purchasing more in spite of the somewhat high cost. The second minus is the data coverage for this powder is a bit thin because I suspect that it's capable of much more applications than you can find load data for. A very minor quibble is that the produced muzzle flash is about the same as with Unique.

The pluses are numerous. First is the produced velocities, which are quite high on the chart for both 38 special and 9mm. For 125 grain plated bullets a mid range load will produce velocities approaching 1000 fps from a 4 inch barrel, which is rather fast for a mid range 38 special with this bullet weight and barrel length. Second is the metering quality, which is nothing short of fantastic. In my cheap Lee Perfect Powder Measures 3N37 will throw charges consistently within 0.04 grains with a 0.10 grain deviation a 1 in 200 outlyer. Final plus is likely a result of bullet/velocity produced but my 6.7 grain charges produce loads that allow me to shoot 1/2 inch diameter holes in the target at 30 feet if I use a rest. Basically, be careful with the sights and you can put a full cylinder through a very small hole in the target. BTW, my 67-1 REALLY likes the Rainier 125 grain plated with this load and it is the key reason why I'll buy more 3N37 any time I see some.

Winchester W231 is actually the same powder as HP38, in a different container. I recently bought some HP38 when I could not find W231.

I also started using 700X back in the '70's. It does not meter as well as some of the other powders, but it is easier to find than some of the "newer improved" powders.

Thanks for all the replies.
I actually used 700X when I started loading almost 20 years ago.
I was using a Lee Loader (hammer tool) and didn't have a scale. I bought 700 X since it was on the chart for the included dipper. And, because the local store had half pound cans. I was in on a shoestring. But, that was for 357 Mag loads, so, using it for light 38 SPL loads would be different. As I remember, the powder worked fine for a mid level mag load. I only made a few boxes before I bought a press and scale. It had been a good learning experience.
For those interested, I paid $27 for the pound of PB.
It will probably be a couple of weeks before I get to the range to test the PB loads.

Thanks,
Rick

Equivallent

This chart shows what powders are BASICALLY THE SAME, some are the same. But you must use the load data published for the specific powder (other than known powders like HP38/Win 231 OK??

ADI Powders Handloaders' Guide

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Still Running Against the Wind

As mentioned try and find some w231........

but in my 38 and 9mm load test, I have found that Green Dot gives almost the same fps than the w231 that I have used.

38 snub nose w231 at 816 fps Green at 822 fps.
9mm 124gr plated w231 at 1075 and Green at 1097 for a starting target load.

Some do not like Green Dot but I will be testing it in my 357 with lead 158gr next trip out.

Hope you find that hp38 or w231 powder.

I am very fond of 700-X as it has given me such unfailing accuracy in several calibers especially with cast bullets. PB is a bit cleaner burning and will meter easier. Red dot produces fine accuracy in varied calibers but is among the worst for accurate metering because of the large size of it's powder flakes.

I haven't seen HP38 or W231 for over 6 months (and I've been looking every day). I'm presently using Autocomp and have 8# of Titegroup as my 2nd backup powder. If this situation doesn't improve I'll have to figure out a load using 50BMG powder (the only powder that seems to be consistently available)

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Minimize the variables

Green Dot and W231 have been my favorite 38 Spl powders for years, and I've had good luck with both in mid-range .357 Mag.

You guys in WA might try Cabela's in Lacy. I'd been looking for W231 for almost a year and found HP38 there. At the time (a month ago?), I had to ask for it; they keep it tucked away in the bowels of their warehouse and have a 2(?)-lb limit.

Bullseye is my "go to" powder of choice; as I load cast bullets for my 38 Special, 9mm and 45 acp. That being said, no one locally has had any Bullseye since last summer/fall.
Me and a buddy went last week to a shop that had just gotten powder in; we both bought a pound of Red Dot to use in place of Bullseye and he also bought a pound of Varget (we both use this for 223/5.56).
We decided to go back again this past Friday (2-21-14) for another pound of each. He called and asked for them to put a pound each back for him; wish I had done the same! All the Red Dot and Varget were gone! They still had some other powders, but I'm holding out for more Bullseye, as long as the Red Dot holds out. Did buy more Sm. & Lge. pistol primers @ $35/1,000.
Was able to try 20 rounds of Red Dot in my 45acp today w/200 gr. Cast RN-FP from Falcon Bullet Co. 4.2 Grs. Red Dot shot nearly identical to 4.2 Grs. Bullseye. The Bullseye group was slightly tighter, but otherwise very pleased with the results. I have not tried the Red Dot in any of my powder measures yet, will see how it meters and go from there. I may also try some 700-X, seems to work with all the calibers I load for and they still had a few pounds left.

You will like PB in 38spl loads. Clean and consistent. I have loaded thousands with Red Dot also and prefer it because it is cheaper and I have developed Red Dot loads for everything...but since you bought PB enjoy it. Sadly it is being discontinued but it is a truly great shotgun/pistol powder.

In this part of the world is easy to locate Vectan French gunpowder. Specifically the BA9 to BA10 for 9mm and .38. In 9 mm projectile bp 125 gn lead. 4.5 gn are advisable. In cal. 38 for wc. 148 gn lead., use 2.7 gn. of BA10 to a good accuracy.
If you are new to reloading, it is advisable Starting and economic type of manual machines RCBS Partner widely known until the entire process. Highly recommended, check on the pallet all pods before mounting the projectile to ensure that the content is the same in all.

Good luck and enjoy!

Don't get too fixated on developing loads with PB, SR4756, SR7625, or SR4759. As reported in other threads, Hodgdon will be eliminating them this year.

Like said, HP-38 = W231 and I'm fairly sure similar powders are Zip, AA#2, Green Dot, N320 and SR 7625.

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