So I’ve spent a couple years off and on looking for the most accurate powder and bullet combination in 38 Special that would also make a power factor of 125. We’ve all heard that the HBWC with 2.7 gr of Bullseye was the old accuracy load. But it is really low powered.
So I set out looking at different bullet profiles and powder combinations to see what was most accurate.
I used two different revolvers for the test. A S&W model 14 and a Dan Wesson 715. Both exceptionally accurate firearms.
One thing I discovered was that the large space inside the 38 Special cartridge made for inconsistent burn rates due to the powder being in the front or back of the case. Some powders were more or less position sensitive, but they all are to some extent or other. Thus the most accurate bullet profiles ended up being those that eliminated the position sensitivity issues and take up the most space in the case. Thus either the double ended wad cutter or the button nose wad cutter were the best bullet profiles for consistent repeatable accuracy.
As to powders, I tried many. Here’s a list:
VV320, Sport Pistol, W231, Bullseye, American Select, WSF, WST, Titegroup, 700x, 800x, HS-6, Clays, Unique, Red Dot, and Ramshot Competition, None were bad, but two stood out as exceptional.
I measured accuracy with at least three separate groups of 20 at 25 yards from a bench rest. Obviously this project took hundreds and hundreds of rounds.
Ultimately the most accurate powder was Ramshot Competition, followed closely by Clays. All the other powders would have flyers, or just couldn’t group the same.
Thought you guys would find this interesting.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
So I set out looking at different bullet profiles and powder combinations to see what was most accurate.
I used two different revolvers for the test. A S&W model 14 and a Dan Wesson 715. Both exceptionally accurate firearms.
One thing I discovered was that the large space inside the 38 Special cartridge made for inconsistent burn rates due to the powder being in the front or back of the case. Some powders were more or less position sensitive, but they all are to some extent or other. Thus the most accurate bullet profiles ended up being those that eliminated the position sensitivity issues and take up the most space in the case. Thus either the double ended wad cutter or the button nose wad cutter were the best bullet profiles for consistent repeatable accuracy.
As to powders, I tried many. Here’s a list:
VV320, Sport Pistol, W231, Bullseye, American Select, WSF, WST, Titegroup, 700x, 800x, HS-6, Clays, Unique, Red Dot, and Ramshot Competition, None were bad, but two stood out as exceptional.
I measured accuracy with at least three separate groups of 20 at 25 yards from a bench rest. Obviously this project took hundreds and hundreds of rounds.
Ultimately the most accurate powder was Ramshot Competition, followed closely by Clays. All the other powders would have flyers, or just couldn’t group the same.
Thought you guys would find this interesting.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Last edited: