Best powders for 38/357?

[Spartikus]

I have a few different powders so I used them to build my first batch of 38/357 hand loads but just wondered what other people like. I used TiteGroup and liked it actually as I didn't need much and it was accurate. I also have W231 and HS6 to try as well. What do you prefer?

 

[TAROMAN]

Titegroup is fine in the 38 Special. I use 231 with 158 grain lead bullets. A very popular loading.
As for the 357, depends on what you want to do with it.
If you want to load down, the TG and 231 would be fine.
If you are wanting more velocity/power, a slower powder like HS6 or even slower is needed.
A loading manual will be your friend.
I have many of them and use the Lyman manuals most of all.

 

[alwslate]

From std. pressure 38 spl to +P 38 spl to midrange 357 mag; Titegroup,
W231 and Bullseye. In the 38 W231 probably gives the best velocity
within acceptable pressure levels. For midrange 357 loads Titegroup
and Bullseye seem to burn a little cleaner with less smoke.

 

[blujax01]

With plated bullets in a .38, I prefer using Hodgdon HP38, which by the way, is the same exact powder as W231. As the name implies, it is Hodgdon Powder for .38 Special (and is $2 per pound cheaper without the Winchester Horsey on the label).
Load data for both Hodgdon and Winchester here -> http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

With jacketed bullets in .38 spl, HP38/W231, Titegroup, or Unique.

For .357 Magnum, Alliant 2400 is my go-to powder although I have a pound of Power Pistol I've been hankering to try...

 

[358156hp]

I have a few different powders so I used them to build my first batch of 38/357 hand loads but just wondered what other people like. I used TiteGroup and liked it actually as I didn't need much and it was accurate. I also have W231 and HS6 to try as well. What do you prefer?

What do you want the loads to do? Punch paper economically? Do you plan to hunt with them? You mention 38 & .357, but although they use a similar diameter case, require different powders for best performance.

 

[Spartikus]

What do you want the loads to do? Punch paper economically? Do you plan to hunt with them? You mention 38 & .357, but although they use a similar diameter case, require different powders for best performance.

Well I'm mostly loading target loads that are economical to shoot and accurate and I am using both 38 & 357 because I have a little brass for each. Titegroup performed well and was very clean but I feel like its a bit snappy so I already know I want to try W231 as it has a bit more push them snap. From the responses here and my handbooks it sounds like faster powders are the way to go for target so I mostly have that figured out.

What I don't have much experience with is slower powders and wondered if anyone uses them for target loads or mostly defensive rounds.

 

[Cerberus62]

What I don't have much experience with is slower powders and wondered if anyone uses them for target loads or mostly defensive rounds.

Unique is probably the slowest powder that will give good results across the full range of 38/357 loads.

3.5grs under 148gr or 158gr bullets makes very mild target loads, 4.5-5.0/158 is close to a factory 38 duplicate.
6.0/125 or 5.5/158 are great +P loads.

In 357 cases 6.5/158 is a good everyday midrange load and 9.7/125 and 8.0/158 are full power magnum loads at close to factory velocities for each weight.

Anything slower like 2400 or 4227 won't perform well with lighter loads and W296/H110 are only suitable for full pressure magnum loads.

 

[Sebago Son]

.38's -- Unique and Bullseye
.357's -- Unique, 2400 and IMR4227
Best all around for both -- Unique. Especially if you are using heavier cast bullets.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I use 3 powders for my 38/357 ammo. (My Powder Trinity)

For standard pressure .38's I use almost nothing other than W231/HP-38. For .38 Special +P ammo I use mostly HS-6/W540. For light to medium hot .357 Magnum ammo I also use HS-6 and for full power .357 Magnum ammo it's W296/H110. I'm not in the camp of 1 powder to do everything. I feel if it takes 2 or even 3 powders to get the best results, it's what I use.

Now, the original powder trinity, Bullseye, Unique and 2400 will also do a good job too but I went with a different company.

That works for me...

 

[ArchAngelCD]

For midrange 357 loads Titegroup
and Bullseye seem to burn a little cleaner with less smoke.

Sorry but Bullseye is way too fast a powder for use as a mid-range .357 Magnum powder. The pressures will build way too quickly to make it an acceptable option. Velocity will not get there without excessive pressures.

 

[alwslate]

Sorry but Bullseye is way too fast a powder for use as a mid-range .357 Magnum powder. The pressures will build way too quickly to make it an acceptable option. Velocity will not get there without excessive pressures.

Well Arch is this just your opinion or did you bother to check
Alliant's data? My 2004 Alliant manual shows 6.5 grs Bullseye
with a Fed. 200 primer and 158 gr LSWC giving 1,320 fps at
33,900 psi in their test barrel. This compares favorably with
every other powder they list for this bullet. A few days ago I
tried a load of; RP 357 mag. brass, Fed 200 primer, 5.7 grs
of Bullseye and TV 158 gr SWC. Velocity at about 12 ft from
the muzzle was 1022 in my 3 1/2" 27-2 and 1066 in my 4"
27-2. Thats the velocity range I'm looking for in clean burning mid range loads. Bullseye has more flexibility than you
might think.

 

[growr]

How do yu go wrong with Unique? 5.0 grains of Unique and a 158 projectile replicates a standard velocity factory round for me.

Many will say it is too dirty.......big deal...you are going to clean the gun anyway aren't you?

Randy

 

[Granddad]

Same powder for both??? I'd use Unique. Of the two you have I'd use 231, but I don't think it is a real good choice for the 357.

 

[Sebago Son]

How do yu go wrong with Unique? 5.0 grains of Unique and a 158 projectile replicates a standard velocity factory round for me.

Many will say it is too dirty.......big deal...you are going to clean the gun anyway aren't you?

Randy

Randy, from what I've seen, what most people see as "dirty" powder is usually bullet lube residue. Drew

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Well Arch is this just your opinion or did you bother to check
Alliant's data? My 2004 Alliant manual shows 6.5 grs Bullseye
with a Fed. 200 primer and 158 gr LSWC giving 1,320 fps at
33,900 psi in their test barrel. This compares favorably with
every other powder they list for this bullet. A few days ago I
tried a load of; RP 357 mag. brass, Fed 200 primer, 5.7 grs
of Bullseye and TV 158 gr SWC. Velocity at about 12 ft from
the muzzle was 1022 in my 3 1/2" 27-2 and 1066 in my 4"
27-2. Thats the velocity range I'm looking for in clean burning mid range loads. Bullseye has more flexibility than you
might think.

No reason to get your panties all in a bunch. BTW, I just looked on the Alliant Load Data site and with a 158gr LSWC bullet they report only 939 fps with Bullseye and 1034 fps with unique.

It's not my opinion fast powder will reach their max velocity before a slower powder and with more pressure, it's a fact. No reason to shoot the messenger.

 

[GF1]

No reason to get your panties all in a bunch. BTW, I just looked on the Alliant Load Data site and with a 158gr LSWC bullet they report only 939 fps with Bullseye and 1034 fps with unique.

It's not my opinion fast powder will reach their max velocity before a slower powder and with more pressure, it's a fact. No reason to shoot the messenger.

ArchAngelCD is right here, IMO. Using Bullseye for faster/heavier loads is not wise...a slower powder makes more sense, even if you can get by with it.

I've tried lots of powders over lots of years in a number of good revolvers, mostly Model 27s, and keep coming back to 2400. I load 15 grains w/ hard cast 158 SWCs and find it both powerful and accurate.

 

[sophie]

WW296 or H110 (same powder) or 2400. Never had no problem.

___________
James

 

[StatesRightist]

Since it's different, I'll add my two cents. I use Clay's 2.8 gr and 158 gr wadcutters, that gets get you a little over 800 fps and a nice target load. It's a very economical combo.

 

[silentflyer]

Unique and 2400, if it was good enough for Skeeter, it's good enough for me..

 

[jrhoney]

I like Unique and Hercules 2400.