158gr/SWCHP. .38SPCL

My mainstay for the 38 special has always been Unique lately I have been using Trailboss. Lately I decided to delve into +P for my carry revolvers and went with Power Pistol. It shoots well out of all 3 of my 38's, the Ruger LCRX in the 1 7/8" and 3" and the Taurus M85 Poly Protector. I like it better in the 3" though.
Alliant Powder - Reloader's Guide

Long ago I was shooting Speer 158gr LSWC loaded in 357 cases to 38SPL +P levels using Bullseye. I imagine you could do the same with 38SPL cases.

Western has a load listed for 38SPL 158gr LSWC using Ramshot Silhouette with velocities of 972 - 1046fps. I have been playing with this powder in 380 and 9mm and really like what I've been finding.

CFE Pistol and HS-6 will give you those speeds without going into +P levels at 158 gr 38 spls.

Peacemakr40 said:

CFE Pistol and HS-6 will give you those speeds without going into +P levels at 158 gr 38 spls.

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I saw that in my manuals, but I've never used either of those powders. I'm guessing you use them in similar lead loads? I used 800X one a long time ago, and didn't like it for my target loads. Filthy dirty.

I'll take a look in my data books at these two and see what minimums are listed as well for my target loads. I typically stay away from rock bottom minimums, because I find them to be dirty. I'm taking a hard look at Unique.

If I was going to use what I have on hand I'd use Universal. If I was going to buy a powder, I'd get CFE Pistol. I've never used it, but from what I've read I'd like to try it. It's obvious the powder market is changing and I think it's important to keep up. One day these "new" powders will take over and the "old" powders will fall by the wayside. Not that they are "better" necessarily (maybe they are though?) but cheaper to produce. As the new powders take market share from the old powders I'm betting that the powder companies will jack up the prices on the old stuff to force conversion.

Look at Power Pistol and HS-6. Both will give you the neighborhood you're looking for.

Bullseye. Burns clean at lower pressure. Has a very wide range of applications.

I use it in .38 Special, light .357 Magnum, and .40 S&W.

I've tried Unique and Universal at .38 Special pressures and was not happy with the burn.

All the Best,
D. White

Load Data « Accurate Powders look at page 10. Silhouette overlaps with AA#5 in many ways but is a good bit less dense than AA#5 and also looks to produce a little higher velocity with equal charge. I have it loaded in both 380 and 9mm right now and it burns completely and very cleanly in both at all load levels from start to max. My 380 Witness is loving this stuff.

dwhite said:

Bullseye. Burns clean at lower pressure. Has a very wide range of applications.

I use it in .38 Special, light .357 Magnum, and .40 S&W.

I've tried Unique and Universal at .38 Special pressures and was not happy with the burn.

All the Best,
D. White

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Yes D.W.,. I'm leaning that direction as well. I was just looking at HP-38,. A little faster than many of the suggested powders, and likely cleaner. I agree with your thought line.

I've loaded both 38 spl and 357 mag with 158 gr lead using CFE Pistol. the 38 burns fine, the 357, don't make the mistake I did with the 357 and use standard SPPs. it does not burn completely under fuller loads.

I bought a pound of CFE Pistol and CFE Black. I have not cracked the seal on them yet, but looking forward to trying them. I have started using CFE223 in my 223 loads for my AR and also in the 6.5 Grendel. I like it. I am thinkine the CFE powders are good stuff.

SixFalls said:

I typically lost TrailBoss on my 158gr lead loads aiming for between 700-800 fps for paper targets. However, I'd like to load up some lead HP loads at 900+ fps. I was looking at mimicking Winchester 158grSWCHP, +P. It appears however, I can get pretty close that velocity, close enough for me, with a slower powder.

Has anyone tried loading this bullet at higher velocities? If so, what powders have you tried? Thoughts?

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For safety concerns, the data I'm posting from the Lyman Cast Bullet manual use 160 gr. cast lead bullet data in +P loads since your bullets are heavier than my 155 gr. HP I normally use.

+P loads

Bullseye 4.1 grs.. 936 fps.

HP-38 / Win. 231 5.2 grs. 956 fps.

Unique 5.3 grs. 982 fps.

The HP-38 is also good powder. It's what I've been using in my 9mm loads and has done very well. Even the reduced loads are burning clean.

HP-38/W231 would work. For a decade or so my standard range load was 4.0 gr W231 with a 158gr SWC. You might need to up that a bit to get what you're looking for. The powder meters well and runs clean.

Most all my 38 Spl and 380 loads use either Hp-38 (win 231) or unique.
HS-6 or Accurate #5 handles the others 9 MM, 38 Super, 10 MM and 45 acp.

olfarhors said:

Most all my 38 Spl and 380 loads use either Hp-38 (win 231) or unique.
HS-6 or Accurate #5 handles the others 9 MM, 38 Super, 10 MM and 45 acp.

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I haven't been able to produce good results with the HP-38 in 380 using a 100gr plated bullet but I love it in the 9mm. Just now starting to try the AA#5. I have about 6 loads, 3 each, for the 380 and the 9mm to test fire but it may be a few more weeks before I am physically capable to get out and do it.

What bullet are you using in the 380 with the HP-38?

kmw1954 said:

I haven't been able to produce good results with the HP-38 in 380 using a 100gr plated bullet but I love it in the 9mm. Just now starting to try the AA#5. I have about 6 loads, 3 each, for the 380 and the 9mm to test fire but it may be a few more weeks before I am physically capable to get out and do it.

What bullet are you using in the 380 with the HP-38?

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I use a 95gr cast LRN that has a shoulder. The vendor is out of business now but it's the same as the SNS Casting 95gr LRN, except the SNS is coated and mine are plain lead. Loaded with 3.2 gr of W231 and a taper crimp. In three different guns this load easily outshoots every factory hardball load I've tried.

Hp-38 it is, I'll pick some up after New Years

For my short barreled guns like my Ruger LCR I load an Alberts Swaged 158gn SWCHP over Bullseye. I have Unique, W231/HP38, Hodgdon Clays for my other 38 spl loads in my 4 inch guns.