Clean powder for light-moderate 38spl and 44spl loads

mj246 · March 11, 2013, 02:43 AM

Hi all. My question is just as the title says. My brother and I just started reloading a couple months ago and are currently using Accurate #5 for our 38spl and 44spl target loads. while we are finding the power levels, recoil, and accuracy to be satisfactory, it is burning quite dirtily in both our firearms. Most every shot leaves unburnt powder in both the barrel and the ends of the chambers.

What would be a good powder to make both light and moderate 38spl and 44spl target loads that burn cleanly and don't leave significant amounts of unburnt powder inside our revolvers?

Viper225 · March 11, 2013, 06:33 AM

My guess is you are running pretty light loads with AA#5 if it is burning dirty.
You might try AA#2, and save the #5 for heavier loads.

Bob

**Mike Irwin** · March 11, 2013, 06:56 AM

The .44 Special is a problem because of the large case size and the small amounts of powder needed.

I switched to Trail Boss because the loading density was much higher and it is VERY clean burning.

Viper225 · March 11, 2013, 07:07 AM

Mike
I am glad you thought about Trail Boss. That slipped my mind totally.

Bob

hardworker · March 11, 2013, 07:18 AM

HP38 works pretty well. No unburnt powder. Maybe a little soot around the barrel or outside the cylinder

**Mike Irwin** · March 11, 2013, 08:36 AM

Trail Boss is a fantastic powder for .44 Special, and is really good in a lot of other cartridges as well.

Top velocities are kind of low in .38 Special, but it works.

mjes92 · March 11, 2013, 08:46 AM

Try "Clays"
Loading .38 Special I cast Lee 158 grain .358" SWC tumble lube,
3.0 grs. Clays (I started at 2.8 grs.)
CCI small pistol primers

Please note: My cast bullet lead is considerably harder than any purchased Lead cast bullets. For that reason I may be losing velocity. Clean burning and low recoil.

10 Spot Terminator · March 11, 2013, 08:52 AM

For the .38 special for clean burning and good mid range performance Hogdon Clays gets my vote. Do not mistake this for Universal Clays or International Clays. They are all different.

10 Spot

Old 454 · March 11, 2013, 08:59 AM

If you are loading lead bullets the lube will burn also and make your powder appear dutier then it really is

CADILLAC HOOSIER · March 11, 2013, 12:27 PM

I've been using vvn320 for 38 special. Seems pretty clean. Burns fast.

57K · March 11, 2013, 05:36 PM

Ramshot ZIP is similar to W231/HP38 but burns cleaner. www.ramshot.com for data.

bedlamite · March 11, 2013, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjes92

Try "Clays"
Loading .38 Special I cast Lee 158 grain .358" SWC tumble lube,
3.0 grs. Clays (I started at 2.8 grs.)
CCI small pistol primers

I've shot thousands of that load. Works great and it's very consistent.

March 11, 2013, 02:43 AM	#1
mj246 Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 2010 Location: PA Posts: 282	Clean powder for light-moderate 38spl and 44spl loads Hi all. My question is just as the title says. My brother and I just started reloading a couple months ago and are currently using Accurate #5 for our 38spl and 44spl target loads. while we are finding the power levels, recoil, and accuracy to be satisfactory, it is burning quite dirtily in both our firearms. Most every shot leaves unburnt powder in both the barrel and the ends of the chambers. What would be a good powder to make both light and moderate 38spl and 44spl target loads that burn cleanly and don't leave significant amounts of unburnt powder inside our revolvers?

March 11, 2013, 06:56 AM	#3
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,379	The .44 Special is a problem because of the large case size and the small amounts of powder needed. I switched to Trail Boss because the loading density was much higher and it is VERY clean burning. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

March 11, 2013, 08:36 AM	#6
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,379	Trail Boss is a fantastic powder for .44 Special, and is really good in a lot of other cartridges as well. Top velocities are kind of low in .38 Special, but it works. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

March 11, 2013, 08:46 AM	#7
mjes92 Senior Member Join Date: January 28, 2013 Location: Land of 10,000 taxes Posts: 211	Try "Clays" Loading .38 Special I cast Lee 158 grain .358" SWC tumble lube, 3.0 grs. Clays (I started at 2.8 grs.) CCI small pistol primers Please note: My cast bullet lead is considerably harder than any purchased Lead cast bullets. For that reason I may be losing velocity. Clean burning and low recoil. __________________ Dad !!! "It's only going to be perfect if you do it yourself." - my teenage daughter Dad !!! "I'm not scared" My Cancer fighting daughter." Cancer Sucks NRA - Life Member

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March 11, 2013, 06:33 AM	#2
Viper225 Senior Member Join Date: September 20, 2009 Location: SC Missouri Posts: 663	My guess is you are running pretty light loads with AA#5 if it is burning dirty. You might try AA#2, and save the #5 for heavier loads. Bob

March 11, 2013, 07:07 AM	#4
Viper225 Senior Member Join Date: September 20, 2009 Location: SC Missouri Posts: 663	Mike I am glad you thought about Trail Boss. That slipped my mind totally. Bob

March 11, 2013, 07:18 AM	#5
hardworker Senior Member Join Date: August 4, 2010 Posts: 820	HP38 works pretty well. No unburnt powder. Maybe a little soot around the barrel or outside the cylinder

March 11, 2013, 08:52 AM	#8
10 Spot Terminator Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2008 Location: Central Oregon Posts: 348	For the .38 special for clean burning and good mid range performance Hogdon Clays gets my vote. Do not mistake this for Universal Clays or International Clays. They are all different. 10 Spot

March 11, 2013, 08:59 AM	#9
Old 454 Senior Member Join Date: August 15, 2011 Location: Chesterton Ind. Posts: 822	If you are loading lead bullets the lube will burn also and make your powder appear dutier then it really is

March 11, 2013, 12:27 PM	#10
CADILLAC HOOSIER Member Join Date: August 28, 2010 Location: INDIANA Posts: 62	I've been using vvn320 for 38 special. Seems pretty clean. Burns fast.

March 11, 2013, 05:36 PM	#11
57K Junior member Join Date: March 2, 2013 Location: Heart of Texas Posts: 788	Ramshot ZIP is similar to W231/HP38 but burns cleaner. www.ramshot.com for data.