recommend powder for 380 and 38

ozarkkawi · February 10, 2009, 10:17 PM

The wife and i are getting our ccp.I have picked up a S&W 642 and a bersa 380 (maybe a 9mm in the future) I have loaded for my rifles for years but never for handguns.Can you suggest a powder that would work well for both calibers.also any pet loads you might have for either ,both target and CCW
Thanks

joneb · February 10, 2009, 11:49 PM

I have had very good results with W-231 for .38spl and 9x18 Makarov, but I have had very good results for both with Bullseye as well. I think either of these powders will work well.

scsov509 · February 11, 2009, 12:51 AM

+ 1 with both Bullseye and W231, and I'd add AA#5 as a good option as well.

zxcvbob · February 11, 2009, 01:02 AM

I've run some simulations in Quickload, and Unique is the second highest performance powder there is for .380 (#1 is an expensive and hard-to-find Vhitavouri Oy powder, N330.) Unique also works very well in .38 Special -- that's what I use in my HD load.

231 is also good in both cartridges and is easier to measure.

And you can't go wrong with Bullseye.

scsov509 · February 11, 2009, 01:22 AM

Quote:

I've run some simulations in Quickload, and Unique is the second highest performance powder there is for .380 (#1 is an expensive and hard-to-find Vhitavouri Oy powder, N330.)

How's AA#5 look since it's right between Unique and N330 as far as burn rate?

DBotkin · February 11, 2009, 01:26 AM

I use Unique for both. But, hey, I use Unique for every pistol caliber I shoot. I have to clean the guns after shooting no matter what, so what's the diff?

zxcvbob · February 11, 2009, 01:37 AM

Quote:

How's AA#5 look since it's right between Unique and N330 as far as burn rate?

Surprisingly far down the list, but certainly usable:

Code:

Cartridge          : .380 Auto (9mm Kurz)
Bullet             : .355, 100, Hornady FMJ/ENC 35527
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 0.980 inch or 24.89 mm
Barrel Length      : 3.5 inch or 88.9 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.

Matching Maximum Pressure: 18500 psi, or 127 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 105 %

These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

Powder type          Filling/Loading Ratio  Charge    Charge   Vel. Prop.Burnt P max  P muzz  B_Time
                                      %     Grains    Gramm   fps     %       psi     psi    ms
---------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------
Vihtavuori N330                     92.7      3.5     0.23     961    91.8    18500    3606   0.462  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant UNIQUE                      98.3      3.7     0.24     950    82.2    18500    3734   0.476  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Universal                   90.0      3.4     0.22     946    91.3    18500    3591   0.482  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N320                     87.6      3.0     0.19     940    97.7    18500    3232   0.469  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant POWER PISTOL                96.6      4.4     0.29     938    61.7    18500    3662   0.468  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori 3N37                     99.6      4.5     0.29     936    71.5    18500    3542   0.467  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant BULLSEYE                    81.1      3.1     0.20     932    83.2    18500    3454   0.473  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N350                    102.2      4.3     0.28     926    71.3    18500    3405   0.465  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Silhouette                  77.4      3.9     0.26     924    78.1    18500    3392   0.472  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester WAP                      78.5      4.0     0.26     922    77.6    18500    3375   0.472  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N340                     94.1      3.6     0.23     922    82.0    18500    3325   0.473  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant GREEN DOT                   88.9      2.9     0.19     920    96.8    18500    3177   0.489  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate Solo 1250                  93.7      3.2     0.21     919    89.7    18500    3187   0.471  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon International               84.4      2.9     0.18     917    96.7    18500    3140   0.489  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant RED DOT                     89.3      2.6     0.17     917    99.6    18500    2996   0.489  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Zip                         64.3      3.2     0.21     916    91.7    18500    3170   0.476  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester 231                      73.4      3.2     0.21     916    91.7    18500    3170   0.476  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon HP38                        71.4      3.2     0.20     914    92.7    18500    3130   0.477  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester 540                      72.4      4.3     0.28     913    71.4    18500    3314   0.474  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot True Blue                   72.5      4.3     0.28     913    71.2    18500    3309   0.474  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon HS-6                        78.5      4.5     0.29     910    68.2    18500    3303   0.474  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate No.7                       95.5      6.0     0.39     909    49.1    18500    3373   0.469  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate Nitro 100                  84.1      2.5     0.16     908    96.5    18500    3008   0.480  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate No.5                       71.3      4.7     0.30     903    58.9    18500    3274   0.476  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon TiteGroup                   58.8      2.8     0.18     902    98.3    18500    2878   0.482  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate Solo 1000                  83.4      2.7     0.17     898    97.3    18500    2867   0.482  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N310                     68.8      2.3     0.15     893   100.0    18500    2460   0.481  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant HERCO                      105.0      3.8     0.25     893    74.4    16099    3435   0.509
Accurate No.2                       67.4      3.3     0.21     883    77.3    18500    2945   0.479  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate No.9                      102.3      6.4     0.41     871    42.6    18500    2964   0.476  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Clays                       73.6      2.0     0.13     843   100.0    18500    2108   0.494  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori 3N38                    105.0      5.0     0.32     811    48.7    14209    2725   0.527
Alliant BLUE DOT                   105.0      5.0     0.32     775    43.5    12863    2572   0.559
Alliant 2400                       105.0      5.8     0.37     751    34.1    12412    2376   0.566
Vihtavuori N105                    105.0      4.8     0.31     719    39.3    11084    2129   0.592
Ramshot Enforcer                   105.0      6.2     0.40     715    30.4    11808    2089   0.584

joneb · February 11, 2009, 01:45 AM

I use AA#5 for .38spl 158gr lead and jacketed works great, I use #5 for .357 mag. plated bullets and for .45 acp and 9x18 Makarov again with very good results. Good stuff and meters excellently

scsov509 · February 11, 2009, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Surprisingly far down the list, but certainly usable:

Interesting, since I would have thought it much higher up the list. Just goes to show that burn rate alone doesn't tell you a ton about a given powder. I'm thinking that I'm going to have to break down and get Quickload sooner or later since every time someone posts Quickload info I get deeply fascinated.

So as to not hijack the thread, I also notice that Power Pistol is up there at the top of your Quickload list. I'll tell you that I'm liking Power Pistol more and more since I started using it a while back in .40

.

ozarkkawi · February 11, 2009, 07:41 AM

Wow I post a ? and the next morning I have a page full of helpful answers.Unique and 231 were at the top of the velocity charts in my speer handbook.The test gun for 380was a walther but the 38 was a 6" S&W.You mentioned easier to measure and cleaner.I am interested in this as well as price as that is the reason for using the same powder for both guns.I also assume you want as much velocity as possible to expand a PD bullet.Accuracy would also be a factor.I realize the nature of these two guns do not lean toward that.The 642 has been what I expected ,but the bersa really surprised me.Thanks again

Don P · February 11, 2009, 08:07 AM

Personal choice is Hodgdons Titegroup. I find it burns MUCH cleaner than the Alliant powders. I was using Unique, DIRTY burning and as a benifit you will use less Titegroup as a comparison per round

February 11, 2009, 01:02 AM	#4
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	I've run some simulations in Quickload, and Unique is the second highest performance powder there is for .380 (#1 is an expensive and hard-to-find Vhitavouri Oy powder, N330.) Unique also works very well in .38 Special -- that's what I use in my HD load. 231 is also good in both cartridges and is easier to measure. And you can't go wrong with Bullseye. __________________ "Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth

February 11, 2009, 08:07 AM	#11
Don P Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2005 Location: Swamp dweller Posts: 6,187	Personal choice is Hodgdons Titegroup. I find it burns MUCH cleaner than the Alliant powders. I was using Unique, DIRTY burning and as a benifit you will use less Titegroup as a comparison per round __________________ *NRA Life Member, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Pistol Instructor,, USPSA & Steel Challange NROI Range Officer, ICORE Range Officer, ,MAG 40 Graduate* *As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be.*

February 10, 2009, 10:17 PM	#1
ozarkkawi Junior Member Join Date: February 10, 2009 Location: central mo Posts: 6	recommend powder for 380 and 38 The wife and i are getting our ccp.I have picked up a S&W 642 and a bersa 380 (maybe a 9mm in the future) I have loaded for my rifles for years but never for handguns.Can you suggest a powder that would work well for both calibers.also any pet loads you might have for either ,both target and CCW Thanks

February 10, 2009, 11:49 PM	#2
joneb Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2005 Location: Central , OR Posts: 1,888	I have had very good results with W-231 for .38spl and 9x18 Makarov, but I have had very good results for both with Bullseye as well. I think either of these powders will work well.

February 11, 2009, 12:51 AM	#3
scsov509 Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2006 Posts: 819	+ 1 with both Bullseye and W231, and I'd add AA#5 as a good option as well.

February 11, 2009, 01:26 AM	#6
DBotkin Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2006 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 302	I use Unique for both. But, hey, I use Unique for every pistol caliber I shoot. I have to clean the guns after shooting no matter what, so what's the diff?

February 11, 2009, 01:45 AM	#8
joneb Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2005 Location: Central , OR Posts: 1,888	I use AA#5 for .38spl 158gr lead and jacketed works great, I use #5 for .357 mag. plated bullets and for .45 acp and 9x18 Makarov again with very good results. Good stuff and meters excellently

February 11, 2009, 07:41 AM	#10
ozarkkawi Junior Member Join Date: February 10, 2009 Location: central mo Posts: 6	Wow I post a ? and the next morning I have a page full of helpful answers.Unique and 231 were at the top of the velocity charts in my speer handbook.The test gun for 380was a walther but the 38 was a 6" S&W.You mentioned easier to measure and cleaner.I am interested in this as well as price as that is the reason for using the same powder for both guns.I also assume you want as much velocity as possible to expand a PD bullet.Accuracy would also be a factor.I realize the nature of these two guns do not lean toward that.The 642 has been what I expected ,but the bersa really surprised me.Thanks again