What powders to use for 38

S

StripesDude

New member
I've ordered my dies to start loading 38/357. Of the following powders I have on hand, which are best for either 38 or 357?

Tightgroup
CFE Pistol
autocomp
Bullseye
Unique
Power Pistol
SR7625
800X
700X
 
Pretty hard to go wrong with Bullseye.

Try the classic "NRA Bullseye Load" of 2.7 gr Bullseye under a 148 gr Speer HBWC. Mild and very accurate.
 
which are best for either 38 or 357?
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Depends on your application.

Of the powders you listed, I have extensive experience with Bullseye, Unique, & Power Pistol.

Thanks for the replies. I have 8lb of unique so I'll probably start with that.
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Unique, although has a long and deserved reputation of being versatile, it still has a "sweet spot" where it runs best - just like any other powder.

In 38 Special, Unique is best for relatively potent loads with heavy bullets. Runs most clean and consistent with 158 grain bullets - lead, plated, or jacketed.

In 357 Magnum, the higher pressures increase its burn rate, and thus, is better suited for lighter bullets. It will serve you very well under 125 grain jacketed bullets. They won't be full-power, but will still be rather formidable in their own right.
 
My personal favorites are:

1) Wimpy target load for small groups:
38 special
2.6 ~ 2.9 gr Bullseye 148 gr hollow body wad cutter [HBWC] 1.180" OAL

2) Max load for big noise, big recoil, and big impact on target:
357 mag
16.7 gr H110 158 gr XTP JHP, 1.58" OAL, roll crimp into cannelure
 
I found 7625 to be very position sensitive in .357 brass with light bullets, but with heavier bullets and/or .38 brass, it works very well.
I've used a lot of Titegroup in the past, very good for light charges in 357 or 38 brass.
Hard to go wrong with Unique.
Haven't used the others.
 
I am curious about the SR-7625 myself. I have a bunch of it on hand. I have been contemplating loading it under a .358, 158gr. LSWC in a 357 mag case. I tried it for 38 spl. and had a lot of unburnt powder left in the case but it was accurate. Out of the powders you listed it is the only one I have any experience with. Just to add, I was also told by a respected member of another forum not to use it in 38 spl. because it's position sensitivity could be dangerous.
 
Of those you have listed, Unique will work the best for both .38 and .357. Unique is my go to powder for .38 other than W231/HP-38. For .357, for legitimate .357 mag loads I use H110/W296. Unique does just fine for medium velocity.
 
Anyone use W231? Just curious.
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Uhh, yeah. You could say so. Like hanno, it and Bullseye are my go-to propellants for 38 Special. Bullseye is the ultimate in consistent burns; but it's residuey. It's messy. Gets all over your hands from handling the revolver during reloading, etc. W231/HP-38 is much cleaner. But it's not quite as efficent, and can (rare) show some inconsistencies; especially in temperature extreme circumstances. And I personally find it persnickety pressure fluctuating in 357 Mag for some reason - so I cease using it in the application. But for the most part, it's awesome stuff. There are a lot of fellow loaders who are big fans of W231/HP-38 - and deservedly so.

W231-HP38_2015-03-23_zpsfj7hpj3i.jpg
 
(W231/HP-38) burns a little hot for lead
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I think it burns cooler than the energetic Bullseye. It's been my go-to for lead SWC's in 45 ACP for decades. My 1911 (Colt Series 80, circa 1984) spits them out by the hundreds with no leading to speak of. No gun/ammo combo that I own leads less than this one.
 
I agree, not too hot for lead in my uses either. I can't recall my exact load, but a lead 158 with, I think, around 3.3gr of HP38 has never caused leading issues for me. I cant say for my own cast bullets with ALOX, since those seem to lead no matter what, but when I purchased lubed cast, 148-158gr, I have never had leading with hp38/231. just my experience, maybe it's different with lighter bullets.
 
In my opinion:
38 special: Bullseye, Unique, or 700X

357 magnum: 800X, Power Pistol, Unique, or (surprisingly) Bullseye
 
357 magnum: . . . or (surprisingly) Bullseye.
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No surprise to me. The cavernous 357 case slows Bullseye's burn rate just enough to yield a manageable pressure curve in 357.

I've used Bullseye in 357 with 110 & 125gn bullets. They weren't fire breathing monsters, but they still had decent pop. I'd still shy away from the heavies though.
 
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