.38 Super/ RCBS 9mm-124-RN

[dahermit]

My favorite cast bullet for the .38 Super is the RCBS gas check design, 9mm-124-RN. However, shooting today with 11.5 grains of #9 loads, the chamber got dirty (the brass is pockmarked typical of dirty chamber), I got some failure to completely extract. So I am looking for a different powder to use with that bullet...something moderate for informal falling plates (something that will not beat the heck out of the gun).

The powders I have available are: Bullseye, Blue Dot, Unique, Clays, Red Dot, and Vihtavuori Oy 3 N 37, and N 340. I wish to hold the Vihtavuori Oy powders in reserve for use with hotter loads down the road.
I am looking for something with my Clays...I have a lot of it and it was very clean burning in 12 gauge target loads.

The loading data books indicate Power Pistol is good for .38 Super, but do not suggest that inasmuch as it will be a long time before I will be going into a Sport Shop...in short, not available.

So anyone have any good loads using that RCBS gas checked bullet and the powders I have listed?https://uniim1.shutterfly.com/ng/services/mediarender/THISLIFE/021052613876/media/1687805691298727/medium/1609617016/enhance

[RJM52]

6.0 grains of Unique works for me for everything from a 100 grain Berry's plated to 140 grain SAECO 383...

124s will be going in the 1250 fps range...knocks plates down easily... I used to use 7.0 for years and even 8.0 for SD loads but find that 6.0 does the job just fine...

Don't know anything about CLAYS but should be an excellent powder for target loads...

[rintinglen]

These are for your exact boolit and are from the RCBS Cast Bullet Manual #1 I have never owned a 38 super, though I have loaded some for a dear friend, they were with 147 grain boolits.

Red Dot 4.8 grain start 1062 FPS Max 5.3 grain 1194 fps
Bullseye 4.8 grain start 1052 FPS Max 5.3 grain 1164 fps
Unique 5.0 grain start 960 fps Max 5.5 grain 1085 fps

I would try Clays, starting at 3.8 grains and work up to a max of 4.2 grains.

[BC17A]

38 Superb is one of my favorites. Haven't found anything better than 8.4gn BlueDot behind a Lee 125-2R. They'll average 1285fps and are extremely accurate. I bet that same load would be great behind the RCBS 124RN also.


275116

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I stumbled into a bunch of vintage Win 540 (now obsolete), but Hodgdon says it's identical to HS-6.
I was also told it's a real good powder for 38 super.
I worked up a load for my RIA 1911, the load I worked up to is a 7.5gr (about 1200fps) for a NOE 130gr SWC. Most all the loads shot well enough and all were clean burning. I chose this load, because that load is where the gun was ejecting the brass the most consistent distances ;)