38 Spcl 158gr LRN with some new powders

RDub

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Hello



I recently scored a pound each of these new powders, Sport Pistol, 244, 572, IMR Target, and IMR Blue.
Here is some pics of what they look like;









My goal is to shoot an expose in .38 Special, .40 S&W and 10mm.
Today I just had time to shoot some .38’s, so here is what I came up with.

I shot a 3-load ladder with each powder, excluding IMR Blue.
Some liberty was taken with the published data just to get a good look at each powder.
And along with that, a few of my favorite handloads for a comparison. All the loads were assembled with Magtech 158gr LRN bullets, CCI500 primers and REM-UMC brass. C.O.L. was 1.540”.
Powder charges were hand weighed.



The gun is a 4” 686. Chronograph; Oehler Model 33. Temps today were on the cool side, mostly in the 40°’s. But, a nice day, not a cloud in the sky.





It’s hard to come up with definite opinions with just one shoot, but I don’t know what to say about Sport Pistol, except that it must be really cold blooded. Higher standard deviations than I would expect from a fast powder like this. Alliant says 3.4,3.5 grs. yields velocities around 760-770 fps. I’m betting it will do better in warmer temperatures.

572 was not much better.. Very high standard deviations. This one might do better with a hotter primer in colder weather.

244 did ok.. It should prove to be very useful.

The surprise of the day was IMR Target. Nice groups, acceptable SD’s and high velocities. I believe this powder will be a winner.

My favorite handloads did what I expected in cooler weather. 231 performed like it always does. The others are cold blooded and do better in warmer temps.
Notice the 4.0 grs of AA #2 and 244 shot exactly the same velocity, along with 3.7 grs Bullseye.

Here is a graph for today;



Again this was just one shoot in not so accommodating weather. We’ll see what happens latter on.
Hopefully this should give us some idea what to expect from these new powders.
 
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Thanks for the test on the "New powders"
I was wondering how they would do, seems that they don't like cold temp's. That is nice to know.

Thank you for all the work plus PICTURES!!

I like the M-Tec 158 LRN in my M49, it is a MOA bullet, for me at 570 with TBoss.
My 6" with this bullet does well with Bullseye at 756 and w231 at 890fps.
With Blue Dot the 38 case can get 1024fps.

Good luck with the next tests.
 
I'm a new reloader, very new, picked up some Alliant RED DOT and want to match it with 158 SWC. I couldn't find a recipe, so ? would 3.3 grains be a good starting point....and is red dot a clean burn...i've been buying Remington lrn loads and they are filthy..hence the reason to reload my own...thanks for any info you can relay....Guy
 
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Review of New Powders

I Reload all my own stuff. So, Thank
You so much for the nice Review, Testing,
and Pictures.

I enjoyed your enthusiasm and detail for
Reloading some of the New Powders out
there.
 

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i'm a new reloader, very new, picked up some Alliant RED DOT and want to match it with 158 SWC. I couldn't find a recipe, so ? would 3.3 grains be a good starting point....and is red dot a clean burn...i've been buying Remington lrn loads and they are filthy..hence the reason to reload my own...thanks for any info you can relay....Guy

Yes 3.3grs. is fine with Red Dot. Providing your gun will handle +P loads, you could work up to 3.9grs. Back in the day, 3:9grs. Red Dot was a popular favorite
 
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Nevada Ed , " Why quit a good thing " ? If its been working good for you all these years , I'd stick to it . Just my opinion . Paul
 
.38 spl. good load

Rdub, FYI: I am getting excellent results from my K-38 Target Masterpiece using GI surplus WCC .38 brass, 158gr. Oregon Trail SWC's pushed by 4.2 grs. of Hodgdon Trail Boss for approx. 800 fps. Very good grouping @ 25 yrds.
 
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