H4227 & the .38 SPL.

[336A]

How well does the .38 SPL respond with this powder.? I've never used it myself and don't see much talk about being used in other pistol calibers either. So is it woth while or is 2400 a tad bit better.?

[Ghugly]

I'm sure there are plenty of people here who can answer that question better than I can. I've never used H4227 in the .38 Special. That said, there are plenty of loads listed for it. My guess is that it's working for somebody. .38 Special is a pretty friendly round to load, I've loaded a ton of them with Blue Dot and they worked well.

[S.R.Custom]

I'm sure there are plenty of people here who can answer that question better than I can. I've never used H4227 in the .38 Special. That said, there are plenty of loads listed for it. My guess is that it's working for somebody. .38 Special is a pretty friendly round to load, I've loaded a ton of them with Blue Dot and they worked well.

Having experimented with H4227 in everything from the 9mm to the .445 SuperMag, I can tell you from experience that H4227 is more suited to high pressure cartridges. If you don't mind, however, in loading the .38 Spl and .44 Spl to levels that are on the high end of the acceptable scale, H4227 does yield highly satisfying results.

I would not, however, under any circumstances experiment with such loads in a precious, favorite black powder vintage weapon.

[9.3X62AL]

Ditto to Super Mag's text. IMR- or H-4227 is at its best in 38 or 44 Special with +P loads using standard weight or heavy-for-caliber boolits. It is better as a magnum revolver powder, though (just my opinion--free info, and possibly worth it too).

For full-value or +P 38 Special loads, I've been using Herco with good results for several years. WW-231 normally gets my target and standard pressure work. Both are more economical in terms of powder weight per round, and their burn rate is better adapted to the roles I use them for. 38 Special is a VERY user-friendly and flexible caliber, and is adaptable to a relatively wide range of powders.

[336A]

Thanks for your insight guys. I have not used anything other Unique for my .38 SPL reloads yet. The main reason for my question is I'm going to try my hand with some 190gr WFN bullets. I was thinking that one of the 4227 powders might yield better results than Unique with this bullet. I was think about 2400 for this purpose as well. However I think that 9.5gr of that powder that I've seen in one manual might be to much for my S&W M10-14.

[leftiye]

HS7 in a 38 will yield mild 357 velocities at moderate pressures. Look at starting loads for 357 that show pressure test data and then decide what you think. Had a 38 spec Colt officer's model once (got stolen) and this was a fast and accurate loading.

Better still, use Alcan 5 (I think) unbelieveable velocities for the pressures produced! Not been on the market for 30 years or more. If you've got some you want to sell, let me know!

[S.R.Custom]

...I'm going to try my hand with some 190gr WFN bullets. I was thinking that one of the 4227 powders might yield better results than Unique with this bullet. I was think about 2400 for this purpose as well.

Either will work well for that bullet at max load levels, but in my experience, the accuracy edge will go to the 2400, all else being equal.

[shooting on a shoestring]

Just checked my load notes and I have only one page concerning H4227 in .38 spl. My notes show I ran 9.0 to 10.0 gr with standard primers, 358156 without gas check. Fired in Mod 60 with 1.875" barrel, saw velocities 619 to 734 respectively. I also show there was about 100 fps difference between muzzle up before firing and muzzle down before firing, and lots of powder kernals left in barrel.

I have used H4227 in .357s and .45 Colts and in .22 Hornet. However, its never been the top velocity leader, nor the best precision. Of course its never been the worst (except in a short barrel .38).

Even for heavy boolits I would first look at 2400, Blue Dot, Herco even Unique should do fine with them. You might also be suprised how well Bullseye will do with heavies.