What powder do you use for 38sp ?

[Casper]

I'm just starting reloading, I will be reloading .38 special with 158gr. semi wadcutters for target use. Probably around 800-900 fps
I'm just curious what you people think about powders. After lots of reading I'm leaning twards Bullseye or HP38.
What do you use ?

 

[pontcanna]

I like Bullseye (3-3.5 grains) but given the generous size of .38 special brass, I have some SP-85 surplus cheapo powder that also goes well at 5 grains.

 

[ckid]

I used Bullseye for years with good results and have recently been trying both titegroup and IMR trailboss as alternatives. Trailboss is showing excellent potential and titegroup is proving to be pretty good too. I have developed a load with trailboss and 148gr HBWC's that gives 3/4 inch groups at 20 yards with my S&W 686, that's smaller than I've ever been able to get with bullseye.

 

[doc25]

I use IMR 700x for .38 spec. I prefer it over 800x because it meters better. Both powders can also be used in .357 mag.

 

[bear.23]

I use 3.1 of 231 with a HBWC dead accurate out of my Charlton S&W's @ 50 yds... I've seen a GM shoot 1490 with my gun and ammo... why can I only shoot 1430's .... maybe too many periods in my typing......

 

[Boomer]

I'm just starting reloading, I will be reloading .38 special with 158gr. semi wadcutters for target use. Probably around 800-900 fps
I'm just curious what you people think about powders. After lots of reading I'm leaning twards Bullseye or HP38.
What do you use ?

I liked 4.5 grs of Unique.

 

[VICIOUS]

HOWDY . The HP38 is a good powder . meters true in many different measure . will work for lite loads or stout loads +P type. Watch out for double chargeing as it takes a small amount of powder and you can drop a second charge. It is a little bit temperature sentive ,cool temp give less of a bang. But a well known sound powder.

 

[dnepr]

6,5 gr of HS-6 behind a 158 gr semi-wadcutter

 

[acrashb]

titegroup.

 

[Janeau]

Bullseye with a Speer 148 grain WC.

 

[RePete]

Bullseye.

2.8gr with the 148gr HBWC

3.0gr with the 158gr LSWC for the snubbie

4.4gr with the 158gr LSWC for IPSC

RePete.

 

[daBear]

I have had great success with both W231 and Titegroup behind the 158 SWC's
Cheers
dB

 

[Boer seun]

I used I think it was 5gr of mp200 don't know if you can get that in this country but was a good load

 

[joe-nwt]

4.0gr AA#2

 

[JB]

i use 4.0 of Unique. with 158gr swc works great for me

 

[petriw]

3.2 gr Win 231 - 4.1 gr win 231. Nice accurate loads and easy on the hand. Do not exceed 1000 FPS or you will end up with leading. If you want to g faster switch to jacketed.

 

[horkz]

3.3 of 231. 158 gr semi-wad. Smokey, lots of carbon works well though. But I do load withing the same parametres as above.

 

[Normmus]

I've had good luck with w231 3.1 grains under the 158 gr swc for punching holes in paper at 25 yards.

 

[RUPZUK]

+1 for bullseye .

 

[Casper]

Thanks for all your input !
Now it's a toss up between Bullseye and 231.
Or maybe I'll try loads with both.