Top Three Powders for .38 Special

[bowfin]

123456

[felix]

5.0 grains Unique with Lyman 358477 or other Keith like 150 grainer is perhaps the best general purpose load for all revolters. If I were making loads for community of revolters, this would be the one. ... felix

[john hayslip]

2.8 grains of Bullseye behind a 148 grain wadcutter

[texassako]

Bullseye and Unique are the only 2 that I have used in .38 Spl, but all I have shot in the cartridge is 148 gr wadcutters.

[Shiloh]

Like you.

1. Bullseye
2. Unique

I may add Blue Dot or AA #7 as a third.

2.7-3.0 grs of Bullseye behind 148 gr WC is hard to beat.

Shiloh

[reg293]

3 grains of Bullseye behind a 148 grain hollow base wadcutter.
3 grains of 452AA behind a 148 grain hollow base wadcutter( Power is OLD but shoots good ).

[Moondawg]

Bullseye, H-Universal, H-Titegroup

[Wally]

I won't do a poll, as it would take 20 choices and I would still leave out somebody's favorite.

So tell me your favorite, you two favorites, or your three favorite powders for the .38 Special, and we will keep a running tab.

This thread will also be a good place for a newer reloader to start looking for loads.

1. Unique (3 votes)
2. Bullseye (2 vote)
3. ???

Red Dot or Promo....I used Unque and Bulleseye for years and found Red Dot is better. I wish I had tried it years ago.

[PS Paul]

bullseye,red dot then unique- in that order

[JohnnyFlake]

I really like the following and all are very accurate with a cast 158gn RNFP bullet. All three produce about 800fps out of a 4" barrel.

4.0gn of W231
4.5gn of Unique
8.0gn of 2400

[Kraschenbirn]

700X followed by HP38 followed by Bullseye.

[GLL]

I will join the crowd.

Bullseye and Unique !

Jerry

[Hardcast416taylor]

After consuming many pounds of each powder I vote for these. 1) HP-38, 2) Win. 231 and Alliant Red Dot.Robert

[Larry Gibson]

Bullseye and Unique......did I mention Bullseye?

That's my "top 3" for the .38 SPL.

Larry Gibson

[wild_weasel]

I have recently been doing a lot of experimentation with standard and +P 38 Special loads.

3.5 gr BullsEye with any 158 gr LSWC (Standard)
4.0 gr Unique with Lyman 200 gr LRN (Super Police)
6.0 gr Power Pistol with RimRock 158 gr LSWC-HP-GC (+P)#
10.0 gr 2400 with any 158 gr LSWC (38-44)*

# shoots to point of aim in both RHKP S&W M-10 and Saudi S&W M-49 Body Guard
* shot in Ruger GP-100 only

Given that Power Pistol is a newer powder there is not as much loading data compared to Bulls Eye, Unique, or 2400. However, the up side is that with Power Pistol the available data was developed with modern test equipment and techniques, giving me a high level of confidence that given loads for Power Pistol are at or under 17K PSI for standard loads or 20K PSI for +P loads.

While Power Pistol has significant muzzle flash at standard 38 Special pressures, I have noticed significantly reduced muzzle flash at +P pressure using 158gr LSWC-HP-GC bullets.

As you can surmise Power Pistol is now my preferred, over 2400, for +P loads while BullsEye remains my favorite powder for STANDARD loads.

Cheers,
W-W

[bowfin]

I'll let the votes roll in for the rest of the day and then sort them out.

[GBertolet]

Bullseye-3.7gr 158gr SWC & 2.8gr 148gr WC
231-3.6gr 148gr WC

[paul h]

Another vote for Bullseye and Unique, they are the only two powders I use for 38 sp.

[zxcvbob]

1) Red Dot or Promo -- the only real difference between 'em is whether you want to buy 8 pounds at a time or not.

2) American Select.

[KYCaster]

Hodgdon Clays.

I can't believe it hasn't been mentioned already.

Jerry

[imashooter2]

Winchester Super Target.

[fecmech]

Bullseye as the top dog followed by Unique. I could load .38 spl completely with BE and no other powder.

[swheeler]

Win 231 4.3 grs with 158 RNFP

[Shiloh]

Bullseye as the top dog followed by Unique. I could load .38 spl completely with BE and no other powder.

I could to.
But for heavier boolits or faster velocities, I like Unique.
I'm well into a pound of Unique since July.

Shiloh

[GRid.1569]

B/E.... maybe tite group... watch this space...

[geargnasher]

Bullseye with full-wadcutters, Unique with the rest. HP38/WW231 is ok if loaded hot enough to burn cleanly.

Gear

[historicfirearms]

Bullseye is a classic, but I like Titegroup better.

[sargenv]

Hmm...

1. Accurate Solo 1000
2. Hodgdon Universal
3. Alliant Red Dot

Mostly I like Solo 1000 since it is a single based powder. I know a lot of ppl like Bullseye or Titegroup, but when you fire up to 50 rounds in quick succession (ICORE competition) the gun gets really hot with BE and Titegroup and not so much with the Solo 1000.

[cuzinbruce]

Herco

[2shot]

Herco

Yep along with Bullseye.

2shot

[Houndog]

Uh!
Iffin I have to vote for 3 then it's:
1: UNIQUE
2: UNIQUE
3: UNIQUE
I concur with Felix! 5.0 of Unique under a 150SWC will do anything a 38 is capable of doing and then some.

[R.M.]

Hodgdon Clays.

I can't believe it hasn't been mentioned already.

Jerry

Same with Trail Boss.
I keep trying different powders, but keep coming back to Bullseye for my needs.

[btroj]

I have been lots of HP38 with Lee 158 swc lately. Works pretty darn well with 45/45/10 lube.

Have shot many others but is is the current go to powder.

[Sven]

Universal deserves another vote.

Herco is another favorite. I bought a goodly amount (and a bunch of other stuff I didn't need) from a good friend who had Alzheimer's, not knowing what I'd do with it. Made for some real nice .38 spl loads.

[9.3X62AL]

1) WW-231

2) Alliant Unique

3) Alliant Herco

[daniel lawecki]

1st clays 158 swc 3.2 grs 2nd 231 158 swc 3.5 grs

[35remington]

Unique, Bullseye, and W231.

If one had to go, it would be W231. The combo of Bullseye and Unique covers wadcutter to Plus P quite well. In my revolvers, W231 is a good single powder compromise, but when it gets right down to it it needs more powder to equal the wadcutter velocities of Bullseye and doesn't have quite the loading manual sanctioned "top end" of Unique.

Unique and Bullseye also have the longest history with this round, and past load data with 158's and Unique was 5.5 grains for a Plus P load. Some still advocate this as acceptable for +P loadings, but some of the more recent manuals stop at 5.0 to 5.3 grains. In my four inch Model 10 5.0 grains Unique and the Lee 158 TLSWC gets 965 fps, so that definitely qualifies, at least compared to factory load velocities, as Plus P.

About 860 fps in a two inch.

[Wal']

If were talking wadcutters.......WST for me, both in .38 & .32

[fishbones]

#1 titegroup 3.4 grains over 158 lswc

#2 bullseye 3.5 grains over 158 lswc

Both of these work great for me but I can get the Titegroup cheaper so its #1 in my book.

[1Shirt]

Unique then Bullseye in that order!
1Shirt!

[MT Gianni]

Bullseye and Unique then if I ran out of those two AA2.

[mtgrs737]

Red Dot, Green Dot, Unique, You choose the order they all work great. 3.5 grs of Red Dot, 4 grs. of Green Dot, 5.0 grs of Unique under a 148 gr. wad cutter or a 150 gr. SWC. All Alliant American made, all powders that are easy to load and do a good job of burning consistantly.

[evan price]

Titegroup. 3.5 grains and a 158 LSWC makes a sweet target load.

Other than that- whatever I can pour into a case and get reasonable data for approximation. 38 Spl is very forgiving. Promo, Win231, Clays etc. Was using SR7625 'cause I had some.

[StrawHat]

For me, Bullseye, Unique and then FFFg black powder. Those three get the job done in my 38 Specials.

I could be happy using any one of them and no other.

I am seeing a lot of Bullseye and Unique mentioned, followed by other more "modern"powders. Wonder if the age of the reloader has anything to do with the choice of powders or if it has to do with what you were shown or read about while developing loads? For me, I was shooting 38 Specials in competition and used 2.7 Bullseye as did nearly everyone else. I tried Unique for a different boolit and liked it for the 158 grain boolit. FFFg, I tried as a stunt, and liked it.

[Wayne Dobbs]

I'll jump in. My three favorites are, in no particular order, Bullseye, Unique and WW-231/HP-38. In fact, I can't recall using anything else for over 40 years in that caliber!

[EMC45]

bullseye,red dot then unique- in that order

This is what I was gonna say!

[fecmech]

I am seeing a lot of Bullseye and Unique mentioned, followed by other more "modern"powders. Wonder if the age of the reloader has anything to do with the choice of powders or if it has to do with what you were shown or read about while developing loads?

For me the BE loads came back when I owned a Ransom Rest and was doing a lot of testing. I did some work for a friend who was a commercial reloader and was using 231 because it was very cheap for him at the time ($2.50 vs $3.50 for BE per lb.) I had a few K-frames and a Colt Trooper as test beds for the ammo. With the mixed brass he was using the powder did not make much difference and his ammo was in the 4+" range at 50 yds. When cases were segregated and good quality bullets used, BE was generally slightly better for accuracy in the guns I was working with and accuracy(at 50 yds) was in the 2-2.5" range. It also held true in my .45 wad gun. What I did find with the Ransom was that the "holy grail" of 2.8/BE was not so holy with cast solid WC's like H&G #50 and Lyman 358495. The guns all liked 3.1-3.3/BE much better and I still shoot 3.3/BE today when using wadcutters. It is also the accuracy champ at 4.2 grs with my 158 rn running right at 900 fps. I started with it as a target powder only but in the .38 spl (at least according to the Lyman Cast bullet Handbook) You can safely match velocities with slower powders . That is why it's my "go to" powder for .38 spl.

[Char-Gar]

Another vote for Bullseye and Unique

[StrawHat]

For me the BE loads came back when I owned a Ransom Rest and was doing a lot of testing. I did some work for a friend who was a commercial reloader and was using 231 because it was very cheap for him at the time ($2.50 vs $3.50 for BE per lb.) I had a few K-frames and a Colt Trooper as test beds for the ammo. With the mixed brass he was using the powder did not make much difference and his ammo was in the 4+" range at 50 yds. When cases were segregated and good quality bullets used, BE was generally slightly better for accuracy in the guns I was working with and accuracy(at 50 yds) was in the 2-2.5" range. It also held true in my .45 wad gun. What I did find with the Ransom was that the "holy grail" of 2.8/BE was not so holy with cast solid WC's like H&G #50 and Lyman 358495. The guns all liked 3.1-3.3/BE much better and I still shoot 3.3/BE today when using wadcutters. It is also the accuracy champ at 4.2 grs with my 158 rn running right at 900 fps. I started with it as a target powder only but in the .38 spl (at least according to the Lyman Cast bullet Handbook) You can safely match velocities with slower powders . That is why it's my "go to" powder for .38 spl.

Thank you for the insight.

I never used a Ransom (or other mechanical rest) to test it. It just shot better than other powders I had seen used in competition based on scores. Re: 2.7, that is the recipe for HBWC. For a solid or DEWC, the charge does need to be adjusted upward. A harder cast DEWC propelled at about 900 fps is a wonderful hunting load, accurate and hard hitting.

[ShooterAZ]

Tite Group, Bullseye, and 231 are what I have been using with good results.

[Dan Cash]

Bullseye for target, Unique and 2400 for service. 52 years of satisfaction.

[Taylor]

Titegroup

[I'll Make Mine]

You've got it covered already -- Bullseye, Red Dot, and Unique. For .357 Magnum, I like slower powders (H-110 is top of that list, for me), but at low velocity and pressure, the fast burners are where it's at.

[0verkill]

In order

Bullseye
HS-6
Winchester 231

I'm surprised I hadn't saw HS-6 up there already. Bullseye gives "good" accuracy in every revolver I've tried. "My Load" is 3.5gr under 158gr RNFP, SWC or 173gr Kieth with whatever standard strength primer was on sale. Plenty of power yet mild and accurate, and I get 2,000 loads per pound.

[Char-Gar]

As a truly retro person, I am gratified to see Bulleye and Unique with such a strong lead over newer powders. These two have been doing the job in the 38 Special, 45 ACP and a few others for 100 years and still soldier on as the powders of choice. The old Hercules Powder Company did it right when they did it so many years ago.

[dagunnut]

I have only been loading 38 Special for the last 4 months but have had really good results with the Jeff Bartletts Russian surplus 700X. Mixed brass any small pistol primer Hornady 38cal 148gr HBWC 2.3-2.4gr 700X Russian surplus 1.160 COL. Light recoil, mild report, and accurate. At 2,916 loads per pound this powder will last along time.

[9.3X62AL]

Someone said it above........the 38 Special is a very forgiving caliber for the handloader. Very darn flexible, too. And ACCURATE.

Bullseye is a fine target fuel for sure, but I stopped using it due to its "reacting" with the plastic flask on my RCBS Duo-Measure. Flakes stick to the flask's sidewalls, and that is annoying. Some chemical element of the powder causes this, I suppose. No other powder has had this effect to date, and BE didn't do this 34 years ago when I first bought the tool--only in the last 10-12 years. GMBTA.

[HighHook]

+1+1+1 bullseye,red dot then unique- in that order

[PS Paul]

StrawHat brings up something VERY interesting: (to paraphrase) does the age of the reloader have anything to do with the choice of the older powders?

Maybe. I suppose if someone had a tried and true powder they've used for many years, they might stick with it out of "tradition"? I'm 44 years old and have been reloading for better than 25 years, but nobody showed me. I learned on my own and used Bullseye from reading manuals and published data. I consider Bullseye just a fine old "standard" for general-purpose/light loads for revolver cartridges. Unique is also something I've used since the beginning, but Red Dot is a powder I "discovered" maybe 15 years ago as a good alternative. maybe a little more "clean-burning" than Bullseye?

I guess for me, BE, Unique and Red Dot are not "cutting-edge", they simply "work". For .357 it's an entirely different story: 2400, 296, H-110, #9, Lil Gun, 4227(!) and Unique are powders I use frequently. More experimentation, I suppose. Perhaps "tradition" or even "nostalgia" have a lot to do with the powders in .38 spl. I like 4227 becasue it is more of a "push" than a "crack" in revolver loads. Plus, I LOVE the smell!!!

I am going to reflect on his comments and see if I have become "that older guy" who puts tradition ahead of substance (ha-ha)!!! This thread has turned out to be more fun than I anticipated.....

[Forrest r]

Good thread about a great caliber!!!

ww452
universal clays
2400

Those powders have gotten me from mild to wild with the 38spl. I used to use tones of unique & found that the universal clays does the same thing but cleaner.

[zxcvbob]

A powder that I discovered just as it was vanishing forever :( Rex-3. It was cheap and it worked great (especially in .38 Special) and it's a single based powder so you can leave it in the powder measure without it eating up the plastic hopper -- and I only bought 2.2 pounds. I went back to order a bunch more and it was gone (company went out of business)

[bowfin]

StrawHat brings up something VERY interesting: (to paraphrase) does the age of the reloader have anything to do with the choice of the older powders?

I think so. For example, have you seen many posters say much about the line of Ramshot powders? Too new, I am guessing. Besides, if one has a history of success with something like Unique or Bullseye, would it be prudent to load up hundreds of rounds in the hopes of finding something that works just as good?

[Hogdaddy]

#1 & 2 On the list ; ) PS Mostly Unique
H/D

[1874Sharps]

I have to say BULLSEYE times three for my three favorite 38 Special loads. Litterally I have loaded thousands and thousands of 38s with 3.4 grains of BULLSEYE and a 158 grain RCBS RFN Cowboy boolit. This load shoots very well in a variety of 38 and 357 Magnum pistols in which it has been tried over the years. Is it possible that some other powder I did not try years back would shoot any better? Perhaps so, but this load seems to shoot better than I can and I have no complaints. Also, you can sure get alot of loads from a pound of powder using this recipe!

[PS Paul]

Bowfin, I've considered ramshot enforcer for high-pressure .357 loads. Like I mentioned earlier, more experimentation in .357.....

Do you have experience with any of their faster pistol powders?

This whole thread has got me to thinking a lot about WHY I use the powders I do, and perhaps branch out into other powders for general-purpose loads rather than just experimenting with powdes on "the ragged edge" of velocities. The experimentaion factor is a lot of what drives me to cast and reload in the first place and I would hate to fall into a rut of not trying other components just becasue I've found some that work well...

[0verkill]

Aa a younger reloader I can say I've had no qualms about using newer powders. It seems to me it was harder to find Ramshot powders on the shelves until recently (last year or so). I figure age (or at least years spent reloading) AND stockpiling might have a little to do with it too. I've had less than a decade to catch items on sale and stock up. Why buy the new "best thing ever" when you bought 4 or 5 8-pound kegs of Unique on sale 19 years ago?

[StrawHat]

I mentioned the powders I used as Bullseye, Unique and GOEX. Looking at my powder locker, those are all I use for handgun powders!

[Cowboy T]

Another vote for Bullseye. I also use Titegroup as a backup.

[paul h]

I think so. For example, have you seen many posters say much about the line of Ramshot powders? Too new, I am guessing. Besides, if one has a history of success with something like Unique or Bullseye, would it be prudent to load up hundreds of rounds in the hopes of finding something that works just as good?

Not necessarily. I'm in my early 40's and have been loading for maybe a dozen years.

I just like things that work, and work consistantly. There were many powders introduced the same time frame as bullseye and unique, but not all of them are still produced. The beauty of those powders is they work just as well today as they did back in the day, and there is alot of published data for their use.

Also with newer powders, you don't know if they'll be a fad, or produced over the long haul.

[GH1]

I gotta go with Bullseye, Trail Boss, then AA#2 My go to charge is 3.0 BE under a 158 gr SWC or RNFP. I thought about loading it a little hotter but I just don't see the need.
Great topic, lotsa great answers.
GH1

[marklyftogt]

4.3 grains of W231 158gr SWC for 38spl?????

That looks more like a 357 load.

Winchester has 3.7 for its never exceed for 38spl for 231. I use 3.4/3.5 and like it.

New loaders BEWARE and always check a couple manuals against these numbers!!!!!!!

[Char-Gar]

For me, Bullseye, Unique and then FFFg black powder. Those three get the job done in my 38 Specials.

I could be happy using any one of them and no other.

I am seeing a lot of Bullseye and Unique mentioned, followed by other more "modern"powders. Wonder if the age of the reloader has anything to do with the choice of powders or if it has to do with what you were shown or read about while developing loads? For me, I was shooting 38 Specials in competition and used 2.7 Bullseye as did nearly everyone else. I tried Unique for a different boolit and liked it for the 158 grain boolit. FFFg, I tried as a stunt, and liked it.

Perhaps it is the age of the shooter, but I have a different take on it.

I have seen men who go from woman to woman to woman to woman, looking for something they have not found or experienced before. Maybe it is just the thrill of something new or maybe they are looking for the one they like best, who knows.

If you have a good woman, don't go looking for something better. As time goes by, you will appreciate her more and more.

Bulleye and Unique, just plain work and work well. I can see no reason to go on the hunt for something that might, but probably won't be any better.

With women it is time to find the one you want, and start living.

With powder it is time to find the one that works for you, and start shooting.

[bowfin]

I agree that people will stick with what works for them.

We have a few posters here who have started with a powder other than Bullseye or Unique, it's working for them, so they will continue to use it. To those individuals, switching to Bullseye and Unique might not be so much a risk, as it would be duplicating time and effort to end up where they already are.

Honestly, I think many of us here start using a new powder because we saw some at a good price, so we took a chance. I have done that with some of the Accurate powders.

[btroj]

I am known to change powders quite often. I currently am using HP 38 because I bought 8 pounds of it. I previously used lotsof Unique because someone gave me 4 pounds for free.

I have used Bullesys, Red Dot, Clays, Unique, and who knows what else. I learned to load from my FIL and I can't about guarantee he loads more Unique in handguns that anythig else.

38 specials are so easy to load with many powders, is there a wrong choice?

[mdi]

1. W231
2. Unique
3. Bullseye

Those three have been working for me quite well for over 30 years (.38 Special is what I started reloading in 1969 with a Lee Loader). I've tried others, but always return to my "Big 3"...

[quasi]

1; 231
2; HP-38
3; RedDot

[PS Paul]

I like the "woman to woman to woman" analogy, Char-Gar! Makes perfectly simple and perfectly good sense....

[kmag]

For 38 special I haven't found anything better than Bullseye. Also use some Unique and 2400 when needed. Been working good for me for over a half century.

[Char-Gar]

Picked up my old copy of Handloader No. 3 and there was an article by Ken Waters on handloading for the 38 Special. He mentioned and agree with Kent Bellah that Bulleye, Unique and 2400 were the powders for the 38 Special.

Yep, this was some time ago and most of the powders on the market were yet to be formulated, but IMHO the information is still valid.

With the 148 or heavier grain bullet Bellah gave max charges as;

3.6/BE
6/Unique
12/2400

Waters wanted to tone those max charges down to;

3.5/BE
5.7/Unique
11/2400

I agree with Waters about these max loads for Smith K,J and similar size frames from other makers. If I wanted to go higher it would have to be in a good Smith N frame or similar large frame sixgun.

This is all from 1966, but I don't really see that anything has changed in the following 46 years.

[KYCaster]

This is all from 1966, but I don't really see that anything has changed in the following 46 years.




What has changed in the last 46 years is the development of powders that don't leave nearly as much soot on the gun, your hands, your face, your glasses, the bench, the sand bags, etc.

Powders like Clays, Universal and Enforcer. They do the job just as well as BE, Unique and 2400 and make my shooting experience a little more pleasant.

If you're happy with your choice of powder, that's fine with me, but just because they've been working for fifty years doesn't mean I can't find something I like better.

To each his own.........:violin:

Jerry

[Char-Gar]

Ah yes..Today's shooters don't like to clean their guns or wash their hands. How silly of me, I forget they have become delicate in these days.

[PS Paul]

I kinda like leaving the range with soot all over me! kinda like a "badge of honor", my loved ones can always tell when I've been shootin' by the racoon-face I sport when i return. ha-ha!!

4227 is one of my favorites in high-pressure loads, but I always have unburnt granules in my hair and all over. Doesn't bother me too much because I like the performance and LOVE the smell!!!
Paul

[Dave C.]

#1 Bullseye
#2 Bullseye
#3 Bullseye

[KYCaster]

Ah yes..Today's shooters don't like to clean their guns or wash their hands. How silly of me, I forget they have become delicate in these days.



I don't recall ever seeing Marshall Dillon or Wyatt Earp or Gene or Roy with dirt on their face!!!

Just tryin' to carry on the tradition. :bigsmyl2:


Jerry

[Char-Gar]

I have been at this shooting business for almost 60 years now, and I have never had powder residue/dirt on my face or looked like a racoon.

[gbrown]

If you're happy with your choice of powder, that's fine with me, but just because they've been working for fifty years doesn't mean I can't find something I like better.
Jerry

(Originally Posted by Char-Gar
This is all from 1966, but I don't really see that anything has changed in the following 46 years.)

I was always told, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Bulleye is my goto powder for the .38. Also for a couple of other calibers. Has been a workhorse and proven performer. May be a little dirty, but I've never come away from the range with a lot soot on my hands, maybe a little dirty, but usually that is dirt from the ground picking up brass.

[avogunner]

#1 Bullseye
#2 IMR 700X
#3 Red Dot

[PS Paul]

I sometimes wipe my face while shootin and fail to look in the mirror. That is where the "racoon-face" would come from. Just a little humor. Very little, I guess....

[PS Paul]

I thought for a minute and felt some of you might actually find this funny. It is to me....
Three weeks ago, I go to the range. It's getting hot, so I want to keep it within two or three hours. I shot 250 rds. 45 Colt, 200 rds. .357, all with various powders, loads. As I shoot, it gets hotter and I find myself startin' to sweat. I get around to shootin' up some loads with 4227, leaving unburned granules in my hair and on my face. So I start wipin' to remove it.

When it is all shot up, I jump in the car and race home because my wife and kids are waiting for me to take them out shopping (good times...).I run in the front door and there they are, sitting down waiting for me. My boy jumps up from the sofa and yells, "Dad, you look like a RACCOON!!"

I go in the restroom and see I am COVERED with black soot; some dried and caked and some smeared all over, mixed with sweat.

So I gotta say, it was a pretty funny moment and I get a little laugh each time I think of the look on the boy's face when he saw me!!

So, racoon-faced, coated in goop and pretty humiliated, it was a banner moment and since then, I have placed a towel in the car on my past two trips to the range. Goin' again tomorrow, so it's back to the reloading bench to load up some .357 with bullseye, red dot and unique. I'll save the 4227 for another time!

[Casting Timmy]

I really like Bullseye, I prefer fast powders with revolvers.

[Char-Gar]

I really like Bullseye, I prefer fast powders with revolvers.

Bullseye, Unique and 2400 all have their place in sixgun shooting. It all depends on the velocity and size of the cartridge.

In the 38 Special 2400 will produce top velocities with acceptable pressure. When your try to push the same bullet in the same handgun at those 2400 velocities with Bulleye or Unique you will hit the pressure red line before you get there.

Bullseye gets very touchy if you go above service velocity. It only takes a fraction of a grain to get you into pressure trouble.

I use BE in the 38 Special and 45 ACP rounds as the powder of choice at velocities to about 850 fps. In the larger cases like the 357 Mag, 44 Spl and Mag and 45 Colt, Unique is the powder unless I want to go above 1,100 fps and then it is 2400 all the way.

[tonyjones]

I use Solo 1000 with wad cutters and Universal Clays for everything else. In a confined space, as with a flush seated wad cutter, S 1000 burns about as cleanly as it gets. BE is my favorite powder for 3/4 ounce charges in a 12 gauge.

Regards,

Tony

[jnovotny]

#1 Bullseye
#2 Bullseye
#3 Bullseye

I'm with you Dace C. best I've found for the 38 special.

[1874Sharps]

A couple of thoughts: Even though Bullseye (my favorite 38 Special powder) has been around a long time and I use it exclusively for the 158 grain RCBS Cowboy mold boolit, I am glad there are a wide number of other powders out there that are as good or better. The willingness to experiment and build a better mouse trap is a cog in the machine of innovation -- and make no mistake, the folks on this forum are innovators. I like CHAR-GAR's experiment with BP in 38 Special. The power of a full load of BP in a large capacity case should not be discounted. Before the 357 Magnum came out in 1935 the 45 Colt BP load was the most powerful conventional cartridge around. And, in a pinch BP can be made at home while making smokeless propellent would be much more difficult.

[I'll Make Mine]

And, in a pinch BP can be made at home while making smokeless propellent would be much more difficult.

Not to mention much more hazardous -- concentrated nitric acid isn't anything I want to be around if I can help it.

[Lefty SRH]

Most accurate load I ever found for .38spl was HS-6 with a Lyman 358311, but it doesn't burn completely and can bind the cylinder.
MY current match load is HP-38 and the same 358311.
I'm hoping to find a good load with Clays for the same boolit.

I like all 3 of these powders.

[Old Kid]

3.2 grains of Bullseye with a Lee 105 grain SWC. Makes a great plinking load and allows me to really concentrate on trigger control. I've been able to use this load to help some novice shooters get over flinching and really enjoy shooting.

Also have used 2400 with 158 grain gas checked SWC's with some success.

[Hamish]

For me it's 10B101, for the wife it's 700X.

[MasS&W]

Bullseye, unique, herco. The holy trinity.

[BD]

As always, a different point of view.
#1 HPC-18 (surplus 231)
#2 Unique
#3 WC-820

Some time around 15 pounds of powder from now, or whenever Bullseye gets down to $5/lb, I may reconsider #1. Meantime I'll just keep shooting the cheap stuff, as it's bulkier and and more accurate :)
BD

[M-Tecs]

Bullseye, Unique & 231

[jimb16]

1. Bullseye
2. Unique

[TXBRILL]

I actually like Red Dot or Promo the best but too many problems with squibs and a powder measure so Bullseye for me 99% of the time

[henry-ctc]

Hi everyone. New here.
Unique for 158 LSWC and BE for 148 HBWC.
Anyone came across Vectan BA10?. Slightly faster than BE but very clean burning and easy to deal with when metering. I use it for 32 sw long and 38 spcl. Also working up for a 9mm luger 122 LTC at 2.8 grains.

[FergusonTO35]

Accurate #5 is my all time favorite powder. Short or long barrel I always get the best velocity over others I've tried. You can make it work well in pretty much any handgun cartridge although it may not be the best choice overall for a particular one. Very clean burning too. My favorite load is 5.7 grains under a 158 grain LFP for 875 fps out of my S&W 10-5 with 4" barrel. Thats actually moving faster than the old +P SWC loads from Remington and Federal but according to the data this is a middle of the range standard pressure load.

[brghp]

1. Bullseye
2. Unique
3. 231

[Grmps]

I kind of like 6 grn HS-S -w- 148 gr WC
4.6 gr Unique - 158 grn

[Outpost75]

Bullseye
231
WST

[farmerjim]

Herco for boolits
Bullseye for shot loads

[telebasher]

Bullseye, Unique, 2400 have been my go to powders for 40+ years but a year or so ago when powders were hard to come by I found some HS-6 and began playing with that in the 44 SPL. It has become my go to in that caliber with any bullet. Loaded up some with the Lee TL SWC in a 38 case and it will do any thing I need a 38 Spl for. I really like this powder !

[youngmman]

5.5 grns Blue Dot with the H&G #43 bullet. It's the Keith 173 grn bullet.

[Jack Stanley]

Bullseye , Unique and 700X if I have it .

Jack

[jrmartin1964]

No.1 choice for .38 Special: Bullseye
No.2 choice for .38 Special: See No.1
No.3 choice for .38 Special: See No.1 & No.2

[Geezer in NH]

Bullseye
Red Dot
Unique

I have never used much more except for Clays a small amount but it disappeared before much use.

[Texas by God]

Bullseye, Unique, and FFFG for giggles but I intend to try Red Dot soon.

[P Flados]

This is really too easy for many to deal with.

It is not a "Top 3" question. It is more like a "top 33" question.

For most shooting, the fastest powders available will work. Faster powders get the job done with smaller charges but some (like BE) cost a lot more per pound. The Red dot to BE range are plenty fast and have lots of 38 load data and lots of feedback from satisfied customers.

If you are trying to maximize what a 38 special will do, or maximize load density, you can go a lot slower. I have tried some of the slower powders, but was never impressed at all. Typically much "dirtier".

I am now quite happy using Titegroup & Promo.

I used Promo for years and it is really good until I get to minimum charges where it does not meter as good. I also went through a good amount of 700x with near identical results.

Titegroup meters great, is ok for low load density, it has a good range (mild to hot) and is good when you crunch the numbers for $/round. The biggest reason not to use it is that it does leave a lot of empty space. I do not use a progressive press so I feel ok with Titegroup. I am confident in my visual check of 50 rounds in a loading block. My loads are also well below max (why push 38s for killing paper?), and most of my guns could handle the very very unlikely double charge.

Look at where they fall in the list of the powders below. Promo is in the first 1/3rd, Titegroup in right near the middle. I included the fastest available and stopped about where the powder is really too slow but you can use it anyway. Actually the next 6 slower are still Ok, but I just see using them as silly unless it has nothing to do with "good for the job".

Winchester WAALite
Vihta Vuori N310
Accurate Arms Nitro 100
Alliant e3
Hodgdon TITEWAD
Ramshot Competition
Alliant Red Dot
Alliant Promo
Hodgdon CLAYS
Alliant Clay Dot
Hodgdon Hi-Skor 700-X
Alliant Bullseye
Hodgdon TITEGROUP
Alliant American Select
Accurate Arms Solo 1000
Alliant Green Dot
Winchester WST
Hodgdon Trail Boss
Winchester Super Handicap
Hodgdon INTERNATIONAL
Accurate Arms Solo 1250
Hodgdon PB
VihtaVuori N320
Accurate Arms No. 2
Ramshot Zip
IMR Co SR 7625
Hodgdon HP-38
Winchester 231
Alliant 20/28
Alliant Unique
Hodgdon UNIVERSAL
Alliant Power Pistol

[Low Budget Shooter]

I was using W231/HP38 for 38 Special, until I ran out during the powder drought. The only thing available was Red Dot in an 8-pound jug. So I've used it now for a few years, and it does great for me. It is very close in in performance to Bullseye. In my Dillon, metering is pretty consistent all the way down to 2.5 grains or so.

[arlon]

Shot a lot of 148gr DEWC out of a S&W model 27 using 4.5g of Unique. Dirty but very accurate in that gun.

[pworley1]

Bullseye then Unique

[saleen322]

First, if you want to load 38 Special to just to go out and shoot, most all fast to medium speed pistol powders will work okay. When I was shooting matches I did a lot of accuracy testing of target loads with 38s at 50 yards. Specifically S&W models 14, 27, and 52; Dan Wesson 15, and Ruger Blackhawk. The bullets were mostly 148 WC and 158s in both round nose and SWC. These were mostly target loads with the best accuracy usually at or under 800 FPS. These are the powders that performed the best in order:
WST (Consistently the best with all bullets)
Clays
Power Pistol (Best powder for higher velocity loads)
Zip
Bullseye
W231

I tried others that included Unique, Titegroup, etc but none did as well as the ones above. YMMV

[oldhenry]

I started reloading in '62 (.38 Spec.) & finances were slim. I used BE because it allowed more loads/lb. with. hand cast 158 SWC. I was happy. Then I tried Dupont P5066 & I switched. It was cleaner burning & bulkier & I felt safer with the slightly more powerful loads. Like everything else in life: P5066 was so good that it was discontinued, so I started using Unique. Unique didn't burn as clean as P5055. but we (my son & I) could use it in shot shells also (a plus). In '77 a deal ($2.00/can) on PB was available (bought a case). It looked like P5066, was clean burning like P5066 & shot better than I did. I was getting into IPSC @ that time & on night matches we noticed much reduced muzzle flash (an advantage). In '81 my shooting buddy finished 14th. in the IPSC Nationals (made the "shoot off") using my cast bullets & PB. Everyone asked what kind of load was he using & he replied "5.5 gr. of Martha White". PB apparently has passed into history (I guess it just worked too well) because I can't find any.

During the "Clinton years" I got 8 lbs. of Unique & it's still in my closet (unopened).

During the Obama "powder/primer shortage years" I was able to get HP-38 & used it for .38 Spec., .45 Colt & .45ACP. It was OK. By accident I came to own 8 lbs. of WST & I love it. It's bulkier than HP-38/WW231 and burns cleaner. It occupies more space inside the case than an equal charge of HP-38/WW231. I use it only for the .38 Spec. & .45ACP

I used Red Dot in the .45 Colt & it works fine in the .38 Spec. also. For the .38 Spec......... my vote:
1. WST
2. Red Dot
3. HP-38/WW231

Incidentally, I lucked into some Alcan powders many years ago (discontinued long ago). AL-5 is a good .38 Spec. powder (I have 3 lbs. left). AL-8 is my all time favorite .357 Mag. powder & unfortunately I've used all of mine. 2400 is excellent for heavy .38 Spec. & .357 Mag. loads: but......I can't find any........is it now discontinued?

I did not mean to ramble.

Henry
__________________________________________________ ________________________________________

A real sport involves either gasoline or gun powder.........anything else is just a game.

[Hi-Speed]

WW231 158gr LSWC 38 Spl (or if I can find it, Bullseye)
Power Pistol 158gr LSWC 38 Spl +P

[rbuck351]

W231, Univerdal Clays and Clays

[Walks]

1. Bullseye
2. Unique

3a. W231
3b. Titegroup
3c. Clays

From 140gr WC - 200gr RN

[TNsailorman]

Bullseye, clays, w231. My favorite at one time was the 4756 but it is no longer available. james

[1006]

Red Dot with the 148WC
W231 with most anything
HS-6 for heavy loads

[smkummer]

Bullseye ( goes a long way these days) for wadcutter, cowboy action and standard, 231 for standard pressure, unique and Win 540 for plus P. I have a bunch of surplus 700X and it works like bullseye but doesn’t meter well less than about 3.6 grains.

1. Bullseye
2. 231
3. Unique

[Rapier]

old Henry, you ever run into Carlton Shy over there in GA? One hell of a cast bullet guy.

I also started reloading in 62 with the Lyman nut cracker. Right now I use 231 in the 38 Spl with SWCs and JHPs. I save my 452 AA for the 45 but as the forerunner of WST, WST works well in the 45, 38 or 9mm. I do not shoot much 38 ammo anymore, just easier for me to shoot 357. 231 target loads really do not care about 357 or 38 Spl cases. Same load either case with the same bullet. Of course HP-38 is the same as 231. Like saying you have H-110 and 296.

[Eddie Southgate]

Red Dot
Bullseye
Herco - .38 S&W

Currently playing with 135 grain Gold Dot SB and Longshot .

[Eddie Southgate]

123456

?????

[Eddie Southgate]

I have been at this shooting business for almost 60 years now, and I have never had powder residue/dirt on my face or looked like a racoon.

+1 with the exception of when shooting black powder revolvers.