Need Help with 38 Super Powder Choice?

raybo · December 4, 2008, 04:09 PM

have LRN 145gr, 135&130gr plated bullets. plan to use unique for the lead and 2400 for the plated, because i have these on hand. looking for a clean powder with minimal flash. open to all suggestions. tia

joneb · December 4, 2008, 08:05 PM

http://www.eabco.com/VihtaVuori01.pdf
I don't load for 38 super but if I were I'd try VV N340 or AA#7, 2400 may be to slow ? And Unique will work, and I hear it tastes like chicken

Loader9 · December 4, 2008, 08:09 PM

I use HS-6 with the 124gr HPs in my Colt Special Combat 38 Super. It burns so clean the inside of the brass is still shiny as is the barrel. Unique is dirty out of mine and while it shoots decent groups, it isn't worth all of the extra cleaning you'll have to do. I haven't tried 2400 in a 38 Super.

Usaro4 · December 5, 2008, 12:00 AM

I'm using AA#7 with a 130gr Lee TL lead bullet. Very clean burning. I havn't chronoed them myself but the data says they should be pushing 1300fps. I know they feel like they are really zinging out there, much stronger than the avg 9mm.

Jim Watson · December 5, 2008, 12:14 AM

If you have got Unique, load Unique. It won't be "clean" but you should clean your gun anyhow. Save the 2400 for .357 Magnum, it is just too slow for .38 Super.

Johnny Guest · December 6, 2008, 09:31 AM

Expanding on what Jim Watson wrote:

Unique has worked fine for reloading .38 ACP and Super .38 for over 75 years. It is the most consistent powder I've tried and it gives good results with both plated and jacketed bullets.

The "dirty" part is mostly just soot, and cleans up with a dry patch and toothbrush. The combination of ANY powder with lead bullets is somewhat more difficult, especially with soft lead and the hotter loads.

Best of luck to you.

45Marlin carbine · December 6, 2008, 09:46 AM

2400 is too slow. Unique will do fine but IMO Bullseye is better for cast slugs (fairly light 'practice' loads)
231 is clean burning and low flash for medium loads w/jacketed slugs.

MidwestShooter · December 7, 2008, 12:46 PM

What are you shooting? Stock gun? open race gun? All of this matters.

December 4, 2008, 04:09 PM	#1
raybo Junior Member Join Date: December 4, 2008 Posts: 3	Need Help with 38 Super Powder Choice? have LRN 145gr, 135&130gr plated bullets. plan to use unique for the lead and 2400 for the plated, because i have these on hand. looking for a clean powder with minimal flash. open to all suggestions. tia

December 6, 2008, 09:31 AM	#6
Johnny Guest Moderator in Memoriam Join Date: August 28, 1999 Location: North Texas Posts: 4,123	Why overcomplicate things? Expanding on what Jim Watson wrote: Unique has worked fine for reloading .38 ACP and Super .38 for over 75 years. It is the most consistent powder I've tried and it gives good results with both plated and jacketed bullets. The "dirty" part is mostly just soot, and cleans up with a dry patch and toothbrush. The combination of ANY powder with lead bullets is somewhat more difficult, especially with soft lead and the hotter loads. Best of luck to you.

December 7, 2008, 12:46 PM	#8
MidwestShooter Junior Member Join Date: November 30, 2008 Location: Chicago Burb, Illinois Posts: 12	38 Super out of what? What are you shooting? Stock gun? open race gun? All of this matters.

December 4, 2008, 08:05 PM	#2
joneb Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2005 Location: Central , OR Posts: 1,888	http://www.eabco.com/VihtaVuori01.pdf I don't load for 38 super but if I were I'd try VV N340 or AA#7, 2400 may be to slow ? And Unique will work, and I hear it tastes like chicken

December 4, 2008, 08:09 PM	#3
Loader9 Senior Member Join Date: July 29, 2008 Posts: 949	I use HS-6 with the 124gr HPs in my Colt Special Combat 38 Super. It burns so clean the inside of the brass is still shiny as is the barrel. Unique is dirty out of mine and while it shoots decent groups, it isn't worth all of the extra cleaning you'll have to do. I haven't tried 2400 in a 38 Super.

December 5, 2008, 12:00 AM	#4
Usaro4 Member Join Date: January 28, 2005 Location: middle TN. Posts: 50	I'm using AA#7 with a 130gr Lee TL lead bullet. Very clean burning. I havn't chronoed them myself but the data says they should be pushing 1300fps. I know they feel like they are really zinging out there, much stronger than the avg 9mm.

December 5, 2008, 12:14 AM	#5
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	If you have got Unique, load Unique. It won't be "clean" but you should clean your gun anyhow. Save the 2400 for .357 Magnum, it is just too slow for .38 Super.

December 6, 2008, 09:46 AM	#7
45Marlin carbine Junior member Join Date: January 26, 2007 Location: South-Western North Carolina Posts: 1,124	2400 is too slow. Unique will do fine but IMO Bullseye is better for cast slugs (fairly light 'practice' loads) 231 is clean burning and low flash for medium loads w/jacketed slugs.