Top Three Powders for .38 Special

[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.