Powders for shorter barrels---

Prince55 · January 30, 2008, 12:06 AM

Anyone have any suggestions on a good powder for 2-4 inch barrels that
doesn't have much muzzle flash but gets some really good velocity in
that length of barrels for the .38/.357 ---158-160 gr bullets.

Thanks

Jim Watson · January 30, 2008, 12:29 AM

There was an article about that a number of years ago. The author settled on Blue Dot. He said the slow powders still gave the highest velocity in short barrels, but you paid for it with a lot of blast and flash. There might be something better of similar burning rate these days, but that is a place to start looking.

joneb · January 30, 2008, 01:32 AM

I like AA#9 in my 2.75" Ruger Sec. Six for 158 and 180gr jacketed bullets with CCI 500 or WSP, my cases are trimmed to 1.280 and I apply a heavy crimp. Blue Dot works well for me in mid-range loadings with the same primers, but does not meter well in my powder throw.

WESHOOT2 · January 30, 2008, 09:19 AM

Vihtavuori Oy N350 and 3N37; can also test N110.

January 30, 2008, 12:06 AM	#1
Prince55 Senior Member Join Date: June 22, 2007 Posts: 472	Powders for shorter barrels--- Anyone have any suggestions on a good powder for 2-4 inch barrels that doesn't have much muzzle flash but gets some really good velocity in that length of barrels for the .38/.357 ---158-160 gr bullets. Thanks

January 30, 2008, 01:32 AM	#3
joneb Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2005 Location: Central , OR Posts: 1,888	I like AA#9 in my 2.75" Ruger Sec. Six for 158 and 180gr jacketed bullets with CCI 500 or WSP, my cases are trimmed to 1.280 and I apply a heavy crimp. Blue Dot works well for me in mid-range loadings with the same primers, but does not meter well in my powder throw. Last edited by joneb; January 30, 2008 at 10:47 AM.

January 30, 2008, 09:19 AM	#4
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	yep Vihtavuori Oy N350 and 3N37; can also test N110.

January 30, 2008, 12:29 AM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 19,164	There was an article about that a number of years ago. The author settled on Blue Dot. He said the slow powders still gave the highest velocity in short barrels, but you paid for it with a lot of blast and flash. There might be something better of similar burning rate these days, but that is a place to start looking.