Black powder is getting harder to find and it can be dangerous to use. There is a good alternative though, Pyrodex P is specifically designed as a pistol powder. I have loaded it in the 45 Colt and it's a hoot-to-shoot! I have not tried it in the .38 Special but I see no reason why it wouldn't work just as well since the .38 Special was also originally a black powder cartridge.Given the lack of available powders, I'm considering looking at black powder loads. FFFG?