What powder would you order 8lbs of for 1000fps 38/357/44?

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Stopsign32v

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I'm wanting to load my 38s and 44s all to around 1000fps or so if that's a realistic goal. What would be the best powder to grab? 231, wfc, universal..?
 
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No single powder will work well in 38, 357 and 44.

W231, HP38 or Unique for the 38 and 357 LEAD bullets.

For 357 jacketed and 44 Mag either Blue Dot and 2400 should do the job.
 
Personally I would get Universal.
That way you could use it for slower (and faster) loads as well.
It performs very similar to Unique but burns a little cleaner and meters much smoother.
It also is going to fill up the case better than those faster powders.
Pretty much lives up to it's name.
http://www.recobstargetshop.com-8lb. Universal

If you go strictly by the opinions in here, you are going to need 16 different powders to do the job (and W296 is not one of them).
 

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Max. loads of Universal for .38 Special using 158 gr. cast bullet is just shy of 1,000 fps.. For a 125 gr XTP, 1,000 is a bit over starting loads.Ten grains of Universal in .44 Mag. using a 240 gr LSWC is pretty close (too close) to max..

I would use Universal for your choice of cartridges, but not push the 1,000 fps barrier. 900 fps (or even 800) will kill an animal just as dead as a 1,000 fps bullet and will be much easier on you and your gun...:D
 
mikld said:
Max. loads of Universal for .38 Special using 158 gr. cast bullet is just shy of 1,000 fps.. For a 125 gr XTP, 1,000 is a bit over starting loads.Ten grains of Universal in .44 Mag. using a 240 gr LSWC is pretty close (too close) to max..

I would use Universal for your choice of cartridges, but not push the 1,000 fps barrier. 900 fps (or even 800) will kill an animal just as dead as a 1,000 fps bullet and will be much easier on you and your gun...:D
Click to expand...
What I was trying to say but am not as eloquent as you are.
If you look at that 44 magnum target I posted you will see that jacketed bullets do indeed bump up to fill the chamber throat.
That gun has .433 throats and does not shoot well until the bullets are banged really hard.
Hard cast 240 grain bullets bump up with 7.5-8 grains Universal.
Needless to say I don't shoot that round every day but it is the one I carry rural.
 
Im a real fan of WSF , but data is a little thin . Alliant has lots of data for their new powder BE-86 in all the calibers you requested . The burn rate is just a little slower than unique or universal and more slower than W231 / HP-38 . It's a good over all powder , low flash .
 
I've used HS-6 and now CFE-P for 44mag, 240gr. LSWC to about 1100 fps and 357mag, 158gr. LSWC to about 1200 fps with great results.
Hodgdon does list 38spl. with CFE-P with a max load at 1K fps, but I've never tried it.
Locally I've always been able to get Hodgdon powders. For pistol I buy 8lb. jugs of CFE-P and WST when I find them, a pound or 2 of #9 or 2400 for magnum revolver loads when they pop up.
As a side note I never hesitate to buy pound bottles of W231, WSF, #2, #5 or ZIP when available.
 
I have 9 powder measures dedicated to pistol powders but Accurate No. 5 is what I buy in bulk and use for all of my 900-1000 fps loads with jacketed/plated, light-for-caliber bullets in the 38/357, 9mm, 45ACp and 44mag. Accuracy is always more than acceptable with uniform velocities; often the very best, in each application. Meters extremely well. No flies in the ointment, nor on AA#5.
 
I like Universal, but just tried some CFE in .38 Special +P, and thought it was great. I would take a hard look at CFE.
 
I'm going to go with Ramshot True Blue for this application. It flows like water through the powder measure, will get the velocities you are asking about, and is extremely consistent (low std deviation) in my testing. Do a search for my tests with HS-6, True Blue, and No. 5 on this site. It works great with cast bullets too.

Found the thread for for: http://smith-wessonforum.com/reload...ate-no-5-vs-hs-6-comparison-test-results.html

Mark in GA
 
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I posed a similar question a while back only I compared what I was using to CFE. I am currently using W231 and Titegroup. Like them both, perhaps TG just a bit better as it is cleaner. Looking for a good all around replacement and I think I am going to lay up 8 lbs of CFE to go along with what I already have and I should be set for a long time. I think a trip to Powder Valley is in order.
 
I've seen ONE pound.......

cowboy4evr said:
Im a real fan of WSF , but data is a little thin . Alliant has lots of data for their new powder BE-86 in all the calibers you requested . The burn rate is just a little slower than unique or universal and more slower than W231 / HP-38 . It's a good over all powder , low flash .
Click to expand...

I was at an out of town LGS and saw one pound of BE 86. It ticks me off that they are pushing something so hard that is practically a 'virtual' powder.
 
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