cougar14
US Veteran
Got 8 lbs of 38 on the way for my .45 ACP, wondering if it's an acceptable powder for the .357.
HP 38 for .357?
- Thread starter cougar14
- Start date
HP38 is great for light and mid-range .357 loads, not for full power .357. See the Hodgdon on-line load data.
By the way, Hodgdon used 10" test barrels for their data, so the listed MVs are way too high for what you get with normal guns people carry.
By the way, Hodgdon used 10" test barrels for their data, so the listed MVs are way too high for what you get with normal guns people carry.
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bigggbbruce
Member
HP 38 is good mid power for lots of calibers.
bigggbbruce
Member
I put 6gr under 158gr plated.
MJFlores
Member
This is my load also...6 gr under a 158 grain plated Berry's in mag cases. It's a nice range load.
Just another 22 shooter
Member
Works well in my 6" 586 also. I use Hornady XTPs or Remington's SJHP
Moe Mentum
Member
Sure, you can use it for .357 . Not full power , but great for target loads.
italiansport
Member
It works fine for mid range .357 loads with 158 gr cast SWCs. Without
exceeding published data I can get a bit over 1100 fps out of a 4" S&W
mod 28-2 revolver with low extreme spread of velocity.
exceeding published data I can get a bit over 1100 fps out of a 4" S&W
mod 28-2 revolver with low extreme spread of velocity.
H-38 is a very good light target to medium loads in the 357 case. It meters well and is clean and has a pretty low flash.
In my 686 6" with a FULL loading I could only get it to cross my chrony at 1245 fps on a good day............but very accurate.
There are better powders out there for FULL loads.
In my 686 6" with a FULL loading I could only get it to cross my chrony at 1245 fps on a good day............but very accurate.
There are better powders out there for FULL loads.
Super Dave
Member
I've settled for 5.6 HP38 with 158 gr Montana Gold JHP.
Point of aim at 25 and 50 is about the same.
Accuracy is good from sand bags.
Accuracy is good from 5.3 grains to 6.0. I didn't test higher because I'm looking for the a balance of accuracy and light recoil.
The gun was sighted in for 25 yards. You can see that at 5.3 grains it hits a little low at 50 yards and 6.0 grains hits a little high. 5.6 was about right.
Point of aim at 25 and 50 is about the same.
Accuracy is good from sand bags.
Accuracy is good from 5.3 grains to 6.0. I didn't test higher because I'm looking for the a balance of accuracy and light recoil.
The gun was sighted in for 25 yards. You can see that at 5.3 grains it hits a little low at 50 yards and 6.0 grains hits a little high. 5.6 was about right.
venomballistics
Member
it is not the best powder for 357. IME magnums like a little slower powders. That said ... its still far from useless in the cartridge
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Like said above, yes you can use HP-38 in the .357 Magnum but also like already said, you won't achieve the highest velocities. HP-38 will deliver about 20% less velocity than H110/W296 when both are pushed to max pressure. HP-38/W231 is a great choice when using lead bullets but I usually go to HS-6 for top performance with lead bullets in the .357 Magnum.
