Clean Burning Powder?

[epj]

You will have a VERY difficult time beating Hodgdon Clays. Not Universal Clays, just "Clays".

It also happens to be an outstanding target load propellant

These folks have some in stock:
Powder Valley, Inc.

My experience as well. Not a lot of velocity, but VERY clean and very accurate.

 

[Calliope]

The switch to plated bullets will probably be a bigger factor than the powder you use.

I make .38 level loads in 357 brass and even with Unique my gun stays very clean with plated bullets.

With plated you generally need to add a bit more powder to compensate for the loss of velocity.

 

[hdwhit]

...Bullseye. Trying to find something that is cleaner burning.

Win 231/HP-38 (same powder different container) would be my first choice.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Glad to hear you have found a clean load.........

I have yet to find a load that leaves the front of my stainless 686 cylinder and crane area clean.

An accurate and mostly clean load for me is a coated 158gr SWC over 4.0gr W231.

A coated 148gr DEWC over 3.4gr W231 is very accurate for me too. If accuracy is off bump the charge to 3.5gr W231/HP-38.

I usually run those loads with lead bullets because I don't feel the need to run coated bullets in a .38 Special. I worked those up for a shooting buddy who now loads them for himself who did not like the soot generated but the lube.

 

[Nevada Ed]

post 24,......... Right on !

I used coated in the 9mm test and they were nice and clean.

Just that I have yet to shoot coated or plated in my 38/357 revolvers as yet
due to all the lead I have laying around my house.

By the time I shoot all my lead there will probably be a "New Kid" on the block that makes coated look like lead?

 

[BC38]

post 24,......... Right on !

I used coated in the 9mm test and they were nice and clean.

Just that I have yet to shoot coated or plated in my 38/357 revolvers as yet
due to all the lead I have laying around my house.

By the time I shoot all my lead there will probably be a "New Kid" on the block that makes coated look like lead?

Sounds like you need to get an old toaster oven and some powder coating powder and start coating your own! Its really easy and very cheap to do - and the results are more than worth it IMO.

 

[cowboy4evr]

For me it's WST ( Winchester Super Target ) . I use it in 38spl , 45acp , 44spl . I use it for target loads in 41magnum and 44 magnum . There's a lot of good powders . You ask a dozen guys that reload and you'll probably get at least a half dozen different suggestions . Just need to find the powder that works for you .