38 spcl powder choice

If I can get good performance out of red dot that would be great. I buy promo by the 8lb for trap, which is a weight equivelant of red dot. Has anyone used promo for this? Have heard its dirty, but even with factory loads stainless still needs a cleaning to not look gungy after!!
 
I use bullseye, 231 and clays for lower powered stuff, bullseye has been most accurate with clays right behind, clays burns much cleaner though.
MY .38 loads include.

bullseye / PPC 148 HBWC 2.7 bullseye - the old stand by
ODPL 158 grain TMJ campro - 3.3 clays clean and accurate
FArtin around 158 LSWC with 3.0 of bullseye or 3.3 of 231
 
I tried clays and red dot, was satisfied with both, but under the 158 swc I have a 4 gang mold for, 3.1 clays outshoots me forsure!! And Cheap, plus I have a 4lb of it, lots of loads in that jug!!
 
I've used bullseye and trailboss. I like bullseye, probably has something to do with those 2300+ loads per pound. :D

I gotta admit, it was a little unnerving at first. 3 grains of bullseye is TINY! Especially when you're used to reloading rifle rounds that would overflow halfway through a double charge.
 
A little unnerving is an understatement!! Caught myself giving a double charge during the flashlight inspection. Cant wait to get Bullseye and titegroup to try. One thing is clear with pistol shooting, only newbies buy primers less than 1000 at a time!!!
 
The only thing i have found trail boss good for is maybe lighting the burn barrel. Never could get to like it anything from rifle loads to light cowboy pistol loads. Titegroup, 231, unique, clays and bullseye for pistol loads for me.
 
4.0 of trailboss under 158gr lrn in 357 mag cases has shot the best out of anything in my taurus yet!!, clays and unique in 38spcl are very close behind though
 
Well, I have decision to make: using either 231 or titegroup to load .38sp using up qty 500 of 158gr rnfp, and 148gr wcbb if I have any brass left over. It's a bit of a complicated situation I'm faced with and these are the only options available, no variations. I prefer to use a mild load (700+ fps or so) and the less smoke (cleaner) is definately better. No matter where I search I get conflicting info so I now turn to my fellow reloaders for your suggestions: which powder at what load will give me less smoke (not overly concerned with accuracy as I'm such an excellent marksman! lol). often things are never simple; thanks guys for any input you can offer.
 
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Using 4.6 grains of Trail Boss in .38 special cases with 158g TMJ Speer bullets...very accurate in my 4.2" GP100 and less recoil than factory 158g ammo.
 
3.4 grains bullseye shot groups so accurate in my model 60 revolver that I could make touching groups at 25 yards rested. When I was standing, I was able to put all 5 shots into the hostage taker's head on one of those practice targets no problem.

This was with 158g lswcbb of course, super accurate bullets.

I really miss that gun and the buyer I sold to won't respond when I asked to buy it back lol it must be good!
 
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