Anyone Using HP-38 In .38 Special???

[.38SuperMan]

I used 231/HP38 for decades in 38 spec and 45 acp with very good results as long as I stuck to mid level to higher power loads. I’m now an old guy with arthritis so I started trying minimum recommended loads and had all kinds of issues. I found it to be extremely position sensitive and even had incomplete or no detonation several times. Out of two snub nose Smiths I had no ignition and had a bullet stick in the barrel. I know there was powder in the case because it poured out of the barrel when I opened the cylinder.

Chronograph if these loads I had spreads of 400 ft per second. In 45 acp I had an incomplete ignition and the bullet crossed my chrono at 60 fps and dropped into the dirt.

I started searching and found Accurate 2 and Accurate Nitro 100nf to be excellent replacements. I’m using Nitro 100nf with 158 polymer coated and AA2 for some 158’s and all 125’s. Neither are position sensitive and both are much cleaner than 231/HP38 for light loads. Recoil with Nitro 100nf is noticeably less as well. It’s a faster powder than Bullseye so it’s well suited for short barrels but works very well in long barrels like my 8-3/8” K38.

If you’ve not settled on a powder both are worth exploring especially for light loads.

 

[38SPL HV]

For 38 Special using 158 gr lead SWC’s: 4.0 grs W231 for a standard velocity load and 4.7 grs W231 for +P. Winchester 1 1/2 primers. Always tight extremes over the chronograph and accurate. For 148 gr DEWCs I like 3.3 grs W231 and Fed 100 primers…good load for a S&W Airweight, adequate penetration and your hands will thank you.

 

[Jeff Napoleoni]

HP-38

I'm well through a few hundred rounds with this powder. The powder meters great. Good consistent groups for me at 50 feet.

 

[Troystat]

I use HP-38 for my 38 special and 45 acp bullseye reloads. For 148 grain HWBC in the 38 special I use 2.9 grains of HP-38 they clock about 650-660 FPS out of my 52-1. I use 3.7 grains of powder for my 185 grain coated lead swc in my 1911. I have not chronographed them yet but they shoot well.

 

[GypsmJim]

I realize this is an old thread, but since I switched to 231 in recent years, it piqued my interest.

Specifically for 38 spl and a 158 gr. lead SWC, several posters reported a 4.5 grain +- load. My latest Lyman manual shows 3.5 grains for that combination, and it is highlighted as being the optimum powder among all the rest.

Not really a question here. Just a comment. I have been using that formula for over a year and found it to be quite good.

 

[rwsmith]

Might as well add my latest two cents to an old thread...

Chris Hodgdon says HP-38 and Win 231 are exactly the same powder. I've found it to be so versatile that I use it in several calibers, including .38 and 9mm. It's consistent, clean and meters well. Zero complaints or criticisms. And it's currently more available than Alliant products, who seem to be throwing their long time fans under the bus.

 

[pmhayden]

For .38 special I use 4.0 gn HP-38 and W231 for a 158 SWC as a standard load, and 4.2 gn for a little bit more oomph, both in a Model 15. If I want more oomph I load 5.0 gn of Unique or BE-86 but shoot it in a .357 686 or a .357 Ruger Blackhawk. I consider modern HP-38 and W231 to be identical.

 

[majorsideburns]

Yes they are the same powder. It's great stuff. Very versatile and can be used in many pistol cartridges but it is excellent for .38 special. For .38 special I also use 4 grains under a 158 SWC.

 

[Richard93]

I use 6 gr of BP100 (same burning rate of HP-38) For 44 mag target loads. It Is like to use a 38 special

 

[Dan W. Cady]

HODGDON, HP-38 is supposed to be identical but cleaner than Winchester 231.

I see .38 Spcl. load data for 158 gr lead is the same for HP-38 & W-231.

Anyone using HP-38 in place of W-231?
Any comments on use?

Thanks - J.Solo

The two powders are virtually the same. I use both. Dan

 

[Claymore33]

yes, all the time

 

[TheTinMan]

I use W231/HP38 in .38 Special, .45 ACP, and .45 Colt. I also have used it in 9mm Luger, .44 Special, 9x23 Winchester, .357 Magnum (in between load), and I forget what else.

I tested it for position sensitivity in a .38 Special revolver years ago and found no effect. However, I was using a medium load for a 158 grain LSWC, not an ultra-light load.

You can easily load a double charge of this powder in many cases. That’s the only downside IMHO.

 

[sniper]

I have a pound, and I'm trying to match my go-to load of 5.5 gr. Unique for ~860 fps 158 gr cast/plated in 357 brass.
I notice that loads from a couple of manuals for W231 and HP-38 do vary .2-.4 gr. I've heard the opinion that they are "twins, but not identical twins"(?) I compromise by averaging the two, checking the drop regularly, inspecting with the shop flashlight before seating the bullets and not loading to max.

 

[bigggbbruce]

I load all my handgun calibers with HP-38. Adjust to your liking.

 

[LAH]

I love reading old threads.

 

[Skeet 028]

Years ago I bought a couple 25 pound boxes of HP-38...when I opened the first box there was a heavy plastic bag with powder in it...a tag on the bag from the powder plant said Winchester 231...but as stated above for many years Hodgdon priced their powder 2 dollars a pound cheaper

 

[Green Frog]

I use W231/HP38 in .38 Special, .45 ACP, and .45 Colt. I also have used it in 9mm Luger, .44 Special, 9x23 Winchester, .357 Magnum (in between load), and I forget what else.

I tested it for position sensitivity in a .38 Special revolver years ago and found no effect. However, I was using a medium load for a 158 grain LSWC, not an ultra-light load.

You can easily load a double charge of this powder in many cases. That’s the only downside IMHO.

Mr Tin Man,
You can add 32 S&W Long and H&R to that list. Bullets in the 95 gr range for S&WL and 105 gr for H&R seem to be a perfect match with fairly modest charges of 231/HP38. I’ve just about quit using any other powders for these rounds. I’ve also starting using the same jug of 231 with 9mm Luger.
Froggie