New to reloading... What powder and where to get it?

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pavmentsurfer

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I've just started reloading 357/38 on my Dillon SDB. I had some unique I was using but have run out. I have no frame of reference for this stuff (I'm working on it) but I need some powder now and it seems unique is no where to be found.
Can anyone suggest a powder that IS available and let me know where to get it? I have primers and 140-158 grain projectiles (I have a range of weights). I'm trying to stock up on components a bit right now.
Help is appreciated.
 
Well, you can use Titegroup and Universal works well for a mild load 357/38Sp. H110 and Lil'Gun works great for 357 Magnum loads, not for 38Sp.

I find it impossible to find most Alliant powders.
 
Big shortage across the continent, getting worse from all appearances. People see a shipment and immediately buy three times as much as they need right now, just in case (me too), which makes the problem worse, which leads more people to start hoarding and it spirals down and down. You might want to check your reloading manual for other powders, make a list and keep it in your wallet in case you ever find somebody with stock.
 
What kind of shooting are you doing? Target shooting with a .38? Bullseye is the go to powder for that. 2.5 to 2.8 with a 148 WC has been the standard target load for eons.
You do know you can load .357 cases to .38 velocities? Not a big deal if you don't, but it eliminates the required cleaning of the cylinders what switching between .357 and .38 ammo. Best to use a different bullet to tell 'em apart.
Give Shooter's Choice in Waterloo a call about powders.
 
Just picked up some 296 from Prairie Gun Traders. Shipping was only $24 to ontario. Got 2 lbs just to have around. Im still going to look for some other powders as well. Seems like Bullseye, titegroup and unique are the ones best suited to what I'm doing.
 
pavmentsurfer said:
Just picked up some 296 from Prairie Gun Traders. Shipping was only $24 to ontario. Got 2 lbs just to have around. Im still going to look for some other powders as well. Seems like Bullseye, titegroup and unique are the ones best suited to what I'm doing.
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W296 is the same as H110. Good stuff! Makes a nice snappy round in 357Mag. :)
 
I use ~2.9gr 700X in my SDB for 148gr wadcutters in .38 Spl - didn't really notice any differences in how the 700X metered, but maybe I'm just too lousy a shot to notice... :(

For hot GC lead loads in .357, I used 2400 - but I don't remember how much. I had a sweet mid-power load, 5.5gr 800X behind a 158gr GC SWC, but 800X meters even worse than 700X... :(

I really can't recommend the 700X because it really doesn't meter very well. If you're shooting lead loads in the .38, you might give Trail Boss a try - it was formulated specifically for part-pressure lead loads, but it doesn't meter very well either... :(

And there are powders that, being new at the game, you SHOULD NOT USE - they're too hot and too finicky, and a minor $crew-up on your part could put a dangerous load in the gun. As an example only, I mention Titewad; it meters like a dream, but is extremely fast-burning and does not take to overpressure at all well - and there is almost no pistol reloading data for Titewad, it's pretty well exclusively used as a shotgun powder (I use it for 9mm, in small doses with lead bullets). I'm sure the other reloaders can warn you away from several powders; I recommend you start-out with slower and less picky powders like Unique.

To sum-up, get a good reloading manual, pay careful attention to their recommendations and start below their maximum loads, working-up carefully; and learn the symptoms of excess pressure. Better still, content yourself to not shooting maximum loads at all - why bother?
 
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I would not use Bullseye as a starter powder. Small charge volumes increase the likelihood of a double charge and it's got a reputation as less than stellar loads. All will be well and then in midstring one report will be 'off'.
Go with Trailboss until you are familiar and comfortable with your new press. It's virtually impossible to double charge; it's designed that way. "Trail Boss was designed specifically for low velocity lead bullets suitable for Cowboy Action shooting. It is primarily a pistol powder but has some application in rifles. It is based on a whole new technology that allows very high loading density, good flow through powder measures, stability in severe temperature variation, and, most importantly, additional safety to the handloader." From Hodgdon's website
I like Universal for my older guns, but it's similiar to Bullseye in that a double charge is easily fit into a 38/357 case. I'd not recommend it for a new reloader. There are a lot of variables involved with reloading already.
Trailboss just takes one potential danger 'off of the table'.
After you get good, then try out the Universal, Bullseye, titegroup, Reloader 22 or whatever you desire.
Go with Trailboss (or similiar type powder) til you get good.
No offence intended
Stay safe
 
tokguy said:
I would not use Bullseye as a starter powder. Small charge volumes increase the likelihood of a double charge and it's got a reputation as less than stellar loads. All will be well and then in midstring one report will be 'off'.
Go with Trailboss until you are familiar and comfortable with your new press. It's virtually impossible to double charge; it's designed that way. "Trail Boss was designed specifically for low velocity lead bullets suitable for Cowboy Action shooting. It is primarily a pistol powder but has some application in rifles. It is based on a whole new technology that allows very high loading density, good flow through powder measures, stability in severe temperature variation, and, most importantly, additional safety to the handloader." From Hodgdon's website
I like Universal for my older guns, but it's similiar to Bullseye in that a double charge is easily fit into a 38/357 case. I'd not recommend it for a new reloader. There are a lot of variables involved with reloading already.
Trailboss just takes one potential danger 'off of the table'.
After you get good, then try out the Universal, Bullseye, titegroup, Reloader 22 or whatever you desire.
Go with Trailboss (or similiar type powder) til you get good.
No offence intended
Stay safe
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accept if they put to much in and compress the powder then there will be pressure issues(trailboss). if you can't watch for double charges when your new to reloading, you sure as hell won't if you get complacent when have more experience.
 
Have you used Trailboss?It'll pretty much fill a case to the 75% level when using published (e.i. factory;Lee , Hodgdon) loads. You cannot double it; unlike Unique or Bullseye.
Adding unneeded complexity to an already complex task seems like a recipe for disaster when teaching inexperienced folks. And by posting basically he is asking for help.
Not someone saying " Pay attention newbie, or sucks to be you..."
I taught newbies how to do an extremely dangerous job for 10 years, I had not one lost time injury among my men in that time.
But ultimately the OP will read these posts and take what advice he deems worthy. And I hope he is successful at his new hobby
Stay safe
tokguy
 
tokguy said:
Have you used Trailboss?It'll pretty much fill a case to the 75% level when using published (e.i. factory;Lee , Hodgdon) loads. You cannot double it; unlike Unique or Bullseye.
Adding unneeded complexity to an already complex task seems like a recipe for disaster when teaching inexperienced folks. Which is basically what he is asking for is help.
Not someone saying " Pay attention newbie, or sucks to be you..."
I taught newbies how to do an extremely dangerous job for 10 years, I had not one lost time injury among my men in that time.
But ultimately the OP will read these posts and take what advice he deems worthy. And I hope he is successful at his new hobby
Stay safe
tokguy
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i have and do use it alot, it's an awesome powder. when i said put in to much powder, i meant if the powder measure was off or if it wasn't calculated properly, etc.

i don't see how watching for double charges is complex? if your reloading on a single stage(or turret), there is only 1 thing happening at a time, if your running a progressive the only thing to watch is the powder charge, like a single stage. i don't look to see that the case was resized or primed or case mouth flared, i just check powder level. the reason i don't check that is because i already setup the press and made a few rounds in a single stage manner.

on top of that, anyone who reloads should be looking into the case before a bullet is seated regardless of whether or not the powder being using can be double charged or not.
The OP already reloads, so he should know enough stuff to keep him safe. MAYBE if he was brand new to reloading, but anyone starting should read several manuals and or get some help from a more experienced person. further more what were people doing before trailboss came about? safety first of course, but that's going a bit far IMO especially with the current powder shortages.
 
"+1 for Bullseye and it meters well use it for 38 / 357 and 9MM"

^^^ Good choices if you want one powder to do it all in those calibers. Win 231 is also a good versatile powder for those calibers as well. Both of these powders are generally readily available. And not to disagree with tokgy too much, Bulseye has been used in 38 sp for eons - probably longer than any other powder. Good reloading discipline is, in my opinion, more important than relying on a bulky powder to overflow your case. Under loading and getting a "squib" load is also a danger.

Besides Trailboss is not much of a 357 powder.
 
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