Clean Burning Powder?

[Eddietruett]

My go to powder for .38 target loads has always been Bullseye. Trying to find something that is cleaner burning. I shoot a lot of 148gr hbwc, 158gr swc and lately been using 158gr Berrys 125 and 158gr plated bullets. Loads are 2.8-3.5 gr. On a suggestion from another shooter tried Titegroup but that does not seem any better. Any suggestions?

 

[H Richard]

At the lower velocities you need to load the HBWC's at just about any powder will not burn too clean. Most powders burn cleaner as the pressure goes up. My go to powder is 231, and with lighter target loads is not very clean, but push it up for a +P 38 and it is surprisingly clean.

 

[Collo Rosso]

I load 158gr. SWC's with WST for soft shooting target loads. It's a fast powder and burns pretty clean at low velocities.

 

[4barrel]

3.2 of American Select is clean in 38s in my autos. The older Bullseye was a little dirty but easy to clean. 3.2 of A. S. is about like 2.8 of Bullseye. The new Red Dot is clean also.

 

[rwsmith]

I was 'forced'...

I was forced to try Red Dot during the shortages. Turns out that I like it, a LOT. Hodgdon's Titegroup is worth a try. And I really like the Accurate Powders but haven't tried #2, which is their 'target .38' powder.

 

[SLT223]

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.

 

[peterthefish]

N310 is great for powder puff loads.

 

[StakeOut]

2.3gr of Hodgon Clays with a heavy crimp at the leading edge of the Hornady 148gr HBWC bullet is about the cleanest I get out of 2.5" 686-4 and 3" 66-2.

The heavier crimp is essential to a cleaner burn of this fast powder.

You can start at 2.1gr of Clays

Try Winchester SP primers for this load.

 

[mtgianni]

I was forced to try Red Dot during the shortages. Turns out that I like it, a LOT. Hodgdon's Titegroup is worth a try. And I really like the Accurate Powders but haven't tried #2, which is their 'target .38' powder.

AA2 burns well in my guns but I do clean them.

 

[Calliope]

I never had any complaints with Bullseye, but I don't run it with low pressure lead.
Clays, N310 burn pretty darn clean even at low pressure, but danger, fast stuff!
Universal and plated bullets make a very clean combo.

 

[edonwheels73]

CFE pistol is pretty good.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[fredj338]

I never had any complaints with Bullseye, but I don't run it with low pressure lead.
Clays, N310 burn pretty darn clean even at low pressure, but danger, fast stuff!
Universal and plated bullets make a very clean combo.

No really faster than BE, maybe a tiny bit, just cleaner burning. I would probably use Clays, pretty good loft & data is available.

 

[Moe Mentum]

All powders leave residue, no matter how clean they seem to burn, I clean my guns after each range visit, no matter what powder I use.

 

[Eddietruett]

Thanks to all for the suggestions. One thing that surprised me recently was shooting 100+ rounds of factory 130gr ball ammo and everything was virtually spotless. No powder residue at all. Winchester brand loaded at around 850fps according to box if I remember correctly. Always wondered if factory loaded ammo was loaded using powder available to us. Especially Winchester. I think they are the only company that sells powder as well as factory ammo. I do know from pulling bullets through the years that manufacturers do change powders at times. I've seen the same load but with different lot numbers that would have powder that were completely different at least in appearance. BUT with all that has been said, I'm sort of glad there is no one perfect powder and/or bullet. That would eliminate 90 percent of the fun in reloading. I'm sure a lot of us would load even if there was not a huge money saving. I think every range trip consist of at least one "new load" to try out.

 

[BC38]

AA2 burns well in my guns but I do clean them.

I agree with all that. AA #2 isn't completely clean at 38 special pressures, but it isn't nearly as dirty as some others either. Works for me.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Just a note, the powder isn't as dirty as the lube on cast bullets. Most likely the lube is causing most of your soot.

I agree Clays and AA#2 are probably the cleanest target powders out there right now. I use W231.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Lead has lube..
plated should not have a heavy crimp........

So just go out and get coated bullets that don't smoke and
can hold a heavy crimp on the 158gr bullets.

The fastest powders are always the best with reduced loads
for minimum clean up. However I would rather have accurate loads
over loads that are cleaner.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Lead has lube..
plated should not have a heavy crimp........

So just go out and get coated bullets that don't smoke and
can hold a heavy crimp on the 158gr bullets.

The fastest powders are always the best with reduced loads
for minimum clean up. However I would rather have accurate loads
over loads that are cleaner.

There is no reason why you can't have both clean and accurate loads in one.

 

[Nevada Ed]

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.

 

[BC38]

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.

LOL, and I doubt you ever will! Doesn't take much residue to show up on the stainless or nickel guns, huh?

"Clean" is a relative (and highly subjective) term.

For example: in terms of housekeeping there is "bachelor clean" and then there is "housewife clean". Not the same thing at all