Low flash powder for .38 Special +P

Strike Eagle · Feb 27, 2009

My question regards powders that have a low flash signature for a .38 Special +P load with 125 grain Hornady XTP. Currently I'm using W-231 in a S&W M-27, 6 inch barrel. The load is comfortable with very manageable recoil but the flash coming from the sides of the cylinder is considerable. Anybody have suggestions for a powder that has low flash characteristics?

Strike Eagle · Feb 27, 2009

My question regards powders that have a low flash signature for a .38 Special +P load with 125 grain Hornady XTP. Currently I'm using W-231 in a S&W M-27, 6 inch barrel. The load is comfortable with very manageable recoil but the flash coming from the sides of the cylinder is considerable. Anybody have suggestions for a powder that has low flash characteristics?

Steve C · Feb 27, 2009

No such thing as low flash canister powders for reloaders. Want less flash, use less powder. You must be shooting in low light conditions to even see much flash from W231.

Shoot some full power .357 mag H110/W296 or 2400 loads before shooting your W231 loads and your perspective will change enough so you won't think there's much flash.

*Ring · Feb 27, 2009

I disagree. Both Hodgdon's Universal Clays and Titegroup have relatively low flash signatures for .38 spl target loads. Vithavouri N-320 and N-340 are also good in this regard. Unique and Power Pistol have much bigger flashes in this application.

Paul5388 · Feb 27, 2009

Flash seems to be a product of the nitroglycerin content of double based powders. They can use a coating for less flash, but many times a single based powder may be a better solution. AFAIK, 700X and 800X are the only two powders IMR makes that are double based, the rest are single based.

Skip Sackett · Feb 28, 2009

SR4756 hands down. SR7625 next maybe.

There is a military surplus powder that I use for magnum loads that has zero muzzle flash. Never have used it for 38spl though, not even +P.

I experiment, just not that much, YET!

zeke · Feb 28, 2009

Taken from Speer's Plus p data on 38 special plus p. The max V V-3n37 load for 125 jhps of 7.2 grains is low flash and very accurate. Am using this load with Rem 38 special 125 grain Golden Sabers for about 1040 fps from 4 in 38 special.

As usual, start lower and work up.

Strike Eagle · Feb 28, 2009

Thanks for all the responses--very helpful advice!

roundgunner · Feb 28, 2009

I have been reloading for over 30 years and my new favorite powder is Titegroup. I have played around with lots of stuff and have about 10 kinds in house but for the last 3 years I have used over 24 pounds. Try it.

Paul5388 · Feb 28, 2009

Some Titegroup was given to me a couple of years ago. I sure am glad it was free, because I haven't found anything it was usable in.

David Sinko · Feb 28, 2009

I'm also a fan of Vihta Vuori N320. It gives very little muzzle flash and is also very clean burning. I find that it's good for .45 ACP +P and some .45 Colt +P. I'm sure it would perform well in the .38 Special but I haven't gotten around to trying it yet. I'll soon be experimenting with my new pound of SR4756. I hear you can do wonderful things with SR4756 and the .38 Special.

Dave Sinko

rigrat · Oct 15, 2013

Titegroup works fine for me, but my new favorite is Clays for 38 special.

For 38 Special +P I use 2400.

Ben_hutcherson · Oct 15, 2013

This particular powder looks promising, although I've not seen any and a quick google search indicates that it's not yet shipping

Alliant Powder - BE-86

moxie · Oct 15, 2013

David Sinko said:
I'm also a fan of Vihta Vuori N320. It gives very little muzzle flash and is also very clean burning. I find that it's good for .45 ACP +P and some .45 Colt +P. I'm sure it would perform well in the .38 Special but I haven't gotten around to trying it yet. I'll soon be experimenting with my new pound of SR4756. I hear you can do wonderful things with SR4756 and the .38 Special.

Dave Sinko

Just for clarity, there is no actual .45 Colt +P. SAAMI does not have such a category. There are no widely recognized pressure specs for it, and the claimed velocities by different boutique ammo makers differ quite a bit. Reloaders should exercise caution exceeding published loads for .45 Colt.

rwsmith · Oct 15, 2013

King of Reloaders

roundgunner said:
have about 10 kinds in house but for the last 3 years I have used over 24 pounds. Try it.

Good gravy!!!

alwslate · Oct 16, 2013

Try Hodgdon Longshot.

ArchAngelCD · Oct 16, 2013

alwslate said:
Try Hodgdon Longshot.

Longshot isn't low flash and it's very LOUD too. I'm not saying it's excessively flashy like Power Pistol but it's not low flash.

Another 4 year old thread brought back from the Abyss, really???

hotrod150 · Oct 16, 2013

Steve C said:
........ You must be shooting in low light conditions to even see much flash from W231.
.......

I disagree. I'd been happily shooting 4.5 gr W231 behind a hardcast 148 gr WC when I switched to 5.6 gr behind a 110 gr JHP, and was amazed at the flash-- very noticable, even shooting in bright sunlight. Shooting in low light conditions, I'm sure it would've been blinding.

AZ Desertrat · Oct 16, 2013

I used to use AA#2 in .38 sp all the time...I never saw a flash even in a snubnose.

chief38 · Oct 16, 2013

How about Talcum Powder - no flash - guaranteed!

Seriously, Titegroup works pretty well for me.

Low flash powder for .38 Special +P

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