Recommendations on powder.

[GA_Sheepdog]

So I started reloading about 4 or 5 months a ago. I'm really enjoying it and wish I would have started sooner. I just recently finished my first container of powder. I was currently using Hodgdon CFE Pistol powder. I have no compalnts with this powder at all but would like to expand my horizon. I only reload 38 Spl. I was thinking of trying the HP-38 powder as I feel this was made more designed for 38 Spl.


For those that have used both, can you compare them for me and what would be your recommendation?


Thank you.

 

[lhump1961]

CFE is a relatively new powder and I've not used it but the data would indicate it's as economical as most and performs well. I like Hodgdon powders and if I needed powder I wouldn't have any hesitations buying it.

HP-38 is also a very versatile and popular powder (same as W231) and is a time proven performer. Unique would also be a good choice. I have a ton of Power Pistol and like it fine but it's not as economical as some...very good performer though and good for a nice range of calibers and bullet weights.

Unique, Bullseye, Power Pistol, 231, HP-38...all good choices for 38 Special IMHO. There are others but there is a ton of data for these.

 

[otisrush]

When I first started loading pistol (a couple of years ago) pistol powder was in very short supply. The first time I saw pistol powder on the shelf it was Titegroup - 4 lbs of it - so I grabbed it.

Given all the comments and stories about Titegroup I was especially cautious with it - especially by staying on the low end of acceptable charge weights. I used it in 9mm. I didn't use it in .38 Spcl although hodgdon.com has loads for it there. I ultimately gave up using it because of its "hotness" and low case fill.

I now use HP-38 for both 9mm and .38 Spcl and I like it a ton. To be fair - I'm not doing anything fancy with it. And it's not like I've tried tons of other powders. So in reality saying "I like it a ton" really means "I have no reason to not like it". It does what I expect it to, and I'm comfortable with it.

OR

 

[Nevada Ed]

There are some loaders that like the Alliant "Flake" type powder
and there are those that like the ball powders from the others.

Some like the way the ball powders go through the meters
some like the way flake powders fill up the cases, better.

Each powder has a "Range" where it will work, just that some may not
be good for light target loads or it might not be the best for a full load,
with the bullets used.

I use them all............

Best bet is to get a flyer from the company on their powders.
They will state what the powder can do for reloaders.
Looking up loads in a manual is another way to see if a certain
powder might fit your needs.

Good loading.

 

[GA_Sheepdog]

Thank you all for the replies so far. FYI, I'm also using the Lee Auto Drum Powder Measure. Would HP 38 but good for using that?

 

[Bosquebass]

Thank you all for the replies so far. FYI, I'm also using the Lee Auto Drum Powder Measure. Would HP 38 but good for using that?

I have had good luck with HP38 using a Lee Auto Drum. I like HP38 for a low to mid range powder in 38 special. It's a good all around powder and there is a lot of loading info on it.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

...currently using Hodgdon CFE Pistol powder
...thinking of trying the HP-38 powder
...can you compare them for me and what would be your recommendation?

HP-38/W231 are the same powder.

They are faster burning powders than CFE-P.

They are also flashier as CFE-P is flash suppressed.

CFE-P is better for full power loads while HP-38 is better for lower power & target loads.

While their range overlaps, chose the one that best fits how you'll be loading.

.

 

[GA_Sheepdog]

What about Trail Boss? How does that function in the Lee Auto Drum? I know it's flakey and it fills the case up more the HP 38 or CFE.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I use W231/HP-38 in most of the cartridges load. I think it's a great powder and will never be without it.

You will really like HP-38 in the .38 Special. It's very accurate and clean for me. My two favorite .38 Special loads are made with HP-38/W231.

 

[muddocktor]

I'll go along with the Win 231/HP-38 endorsements too for 38 Special too. It's a very good and very versatile powder and is a good choice for many pistol calibers. I also have some CFE-P, but don't think I've used it in 38 Special yet. I've been using it mostly in 9 MM. I don't have a Lee Auto Disk, but I know that both CFE-P and HP-38 measure accurately out of my Lyman 55 and the Dillon powder measure on my old RL-450.

And for some other powder recommendations, you might look at Accurate #2 and Accurate #5 and the Ramshot True Blue. I've loaded quite a bit of A #2 in 9 MM target loads and 380 Auto and some 38 Special in the past. I've never used it, but have heard from multiple sources that the Ramshot True Blue is also a very versatile powder and is position insensitive, so you shouldn't have major power variations in cases with a low fill percentage like 38 Special.

 

[MyDads38]

Alliant Bullseye was always my "go to" powder of choice, until it wasn't available for the past 3-4 years. I started buying what I could find, that would work in the calibers I shoot-38 Spec., 9mm, 40 S&W and 45 acp.

I ended up with Red Dot, TiteGroup, 700X, CFE Pistol and W231. I liked TiteGroup so well in 9mm and 40 S&W with plated bullets, I bought 16 lbs. of it. I haven't tried it in 38 Special yet, as I have enough range ammo loaded for now. Red Dot has worked well in 9mm and 38 Special.

Depends on what you want the powder to do for you-target loads, full house/max loads? I only shoot middle of the road target/range loads, and all the powders I have can do just that. My SD loads are all factory loads. Never hurts to try other powders, you never know when the well will dry up :-(

 

[Collo Rosso]

For 38 spl. I've used W231/HP-38, CFE-P and WST. CFE-P works well but best at its upper ranges. I've used it when looking for a +P like load. CFE-P has worked great for me for mid range 357mag, 44mag, upper end 9mm and 45acp. My biggest use of W231 is 44 spl. When I do load 38 spl. it's with WST for a soft shooting practice load for my wife and daughter.

 

[chief38]

I use Titegroup and have for many years. Works very well for me, goes a long way, and never any issues.

W231 (same as HP-38 as Hodgedon makes it for Winchester) is also a great powder but I use that exclusively for the .45 acp.

 

[Clovishound]

I'm going to swim upstream here. I have used CFE pistol, HP38, and a handful of others. I have a full bottle of HP38 I would gladly trade for a bottle of CFE, or Universal. HP works. It meters well in the auto drum. IMO HP38 meters better than Universal, which is my go to powder. CFE metered well for me in my older Auto Disk.

I get better accuracy with Universal than HP38. Of course, I have gotten away from cast, and now use coated and plated in .38 and .357. Universal works very well for me in 9mm, which I also load occasionally.

I was very impressed with the bottle CFE I used, but had problems with availability, and then Universal became available again, so I loaded up and it.

 

[cowboy4evr]

I used Bullseye for yrs in 38spl but when it got hard to find I switched over to Winchester super Target . That has become my most favorite powder in 38 spl , 45 acp , 44 spl etc . It was available , economical , clean burning , easy to meter and I just seemed to shoot better groups .

 

[ontargetagain]

Another vote for HP38 as it is accurate, comfortable on recoil and meters very well which for me is a big plus on any powder.
Also recently I have used BE86 and it too meters well and is a nice load in 38spl. I use the the very basic Lee powder dispenser on both of these powders.
WST also works well and meters well.
Karl

 

[gwpercle]

HP38 / 231 are excellent , as are Bullseye and Red dot for target loads. and Unique and Universal for mid range and upper 38 special loads.
For years I used only Unique in 38 special but discovered it's not great in lead bullet target loads... 2.8 grains of Bullseye and a 148 grain LWC , was much better than any light Unique load I tried.
Red Dot is also great in this type of loading.
Gary

 

[Wise_A]

HP-38, Bullseye, and Winchester SuperTarget are all excellent choices for target .38 Spl loads, and will meter well in just about everything.

Unique would serve well if you needed more velocity, or if you were looking to lay in a large supply of one powder that would serve many cartridges.

I detest Universal.

What about Trail Boss? How does that function in the Lee Auto Drum? I know it's flakey and it fills the case up more the HP 38 or CFE.

It's not going to do anything the above powders don't do better. But it will happily do them for more money!

People rant and rave and moan endlessly about "case volume" in .38 Spl. Trust me, now that I've said something, they're going to descend on the thread. One will invariably link Lyman's 48th Edition, and refer to an article about rifle cartridges. They will bloviate about how safe it is to have a powder that cannot be double-charged (ignoring the fact that it can blow up if you compress it).

For better than half a century, the dominant target load in .38 Spl has been either 2.8 grains of Bullseye, or 2.7.

 

[fixitfred]

Titegroup is economical but can be dangerous for novices. If you feel confident that you will not accidentally double or even triple charge it's a good 38 spl powder.

Availability needs to be considered and powder availability is better but see what they have where you buy your powder. Do you go to the Army-Navy store on 42 north?

My powder guy from TN should be at the big gunshow next month in Jonesboro. Go early and he usually has a good selection including Titegroup and sometimes Bullseye.

 

[Wise_A]

I found one!