Which .38spl powder - Page 2

valleyforge.1777 · May 28, 2012, 11:18 AM

Mikld, even though you actually quoted my post in its entirety, you obviously did not bother to read what i had written.

Marco Califo · May 28, 2012, 12:00 PM

Billions and Billions of rounds served, according to Alliant.
I have found it to burn clean in 9mm. I don't load 38/357 anymore, but if I did it would be plated HBWC and BE.
I have always believed dirty hands were due to revolver design and the inherent gap between the cylinder and barrel, compounded by using bare lead bullets. Suggestion: Wear disposable gloves, or buy an auto. Or both.

mikld · May 29, 2012, 04:32 PM

"Anyway, the point I am making (there is actually a point to be made) is that since I stop to get food that I will eat with my hands, I am usually acutely aware of the state of my hands at the end of a range session. "

Your point is you don't want to eat with dirty hands? My point is WASH THEM, don't change gunpowder so you can eat after a range session!

valleyforge.1777 · May 29, 2012, 06:22 PM

Win 231 is clean.

ljnowell · May 29, 2012, 08:52 PM

I load my DEWCs in 38 cases at 2.9gr of AA#2. It burns pretty clean, leaves my hands not blackened, and it also meters like fine sand through a powder measure. Whats not to like?

Misssissippi Dave · May 29, 2012, 09:42 PM

AA5 works well in both calibers. I recently bought some AA2 to try out for both calibers as well. I expect the recoil to be a little less with the AA2 and still be clean burning. AA5 will work for .357 Mag. as well, but AA7 is a better powder for .357. I like the way AA powders measure through my powder measure and how clean they burn.

I have used W231. Unless you are running it above mid range it tends to be a little dirty burning. Working up a load with W231 I found as soon as the groups start to tighten up .2 grains more powder generally keeps the groups tight and the powder starts to burn cleaner too. W231 is a fast burning powder similar to AA2.

For pistol loading, powder is the cheapest component. Find the powder you like and don't put too much into the cost of the powder. An exception might be the VV powders. They are expensive here but they do work well.

Roland Thunder · May 30, 2012, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikld

Yep. (and not trying to be a butt) but the Micky Dees I've seen have a restroom with a sink, running water, and soap. Most have paper towels too.
Both the indoor ranges and the outdoor shooting ranges I've been to have restrooms. When I'm done shooting at the close-to-home indoor range I have to blow my nose several times 'cause of the dust stirred up by my .44s. Not a complaint, but some things are part of shooting. If I want to stay "Operating Room" clean, I won't go shooting at all, or I'd wear a hazmat suit. My boots get pretty dirty/dusty or even muddy (depending on time of year), when I walk out to the 100 yard line/target stand. My glasses get pretty dusty from shooting my handguns. So, a little soot from so called "dirty" powder ain't no big thang...

Thanks for the tip, now, how does that answer the question that was posed?

mikld · May 30, 2012, 08:24 PM

"Thanks for the tip, now, how does that answer the question that was posed? "

Greg, read my previous posts. Seems one should have all the info before criticizing...

Miata Mike · May 30, 2012, 08:58 PM

Another vote for Red dot. Nice and accurate of the three powders I have tried so far. HP38 and Tightgroup might be next to try.

7624452 · May 30, 2012, 11:40 PM

I find Accurate #2 to be cleaner. The last light loads I worked up were 2.6gr behind a cast 148gr dewc. Although I believe this to be less dirty than other powder, it still generates enough black stuff to soil your hands and practically stop the cylinder from turning after a couple hundred rounds - is this not normal?

joneb · May 31, 2012, 01:47 AM

Quote:

The last light loads I worked up were 2.6gr behind a cast 148gr dewc.

Keep working up, AA#2 will be cleaner at a higher pressure. For cast WC's I use 3.2-3.4gr of Bullseye

WESHOOT2 · June 1, 2012, 06:08 AM

Quote:

...I've never had a gun fail because of "dirty" powder...

I have. Bullseye, 45 ACP, custom Caspian 1911. Unique, 357 Magnum and 38 Special, 4" Security Six(es).

'Clean' 38 Special 'target load' choices include N310 and N320, WST, AA2, 700X, and Nitro 100. 700X and Nitro 100 meter fer-crap.
I mostly use W231, because while by no stretch 'clean', its fouling does NOT impair gun function.

excelerater · June 1, 2012, 07:08 AM

now that I think about it
what wont work in a 38SPL ?

I think just about any normal pistol powder will

joneb · June 1, 2012, 11:56 PM

Quote:

I mostly use W231, because while by no stretch 'clean', its fouling does NOT impair gun function.

I agree.
And AA powders will (impair gun function) if the pressure is not adequate.

May 28, 2012, 12:00 PM	#27
Marco Califo Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2011 Location: LA (Greater Los Angeles Area) Posts: 2,596	Bullseye Billions and Billions of rounds served, according to Alliant. I have found it to burn clean in 9mm. I don't load 38/357 anymore, but if I did it would be plated HBWC and BE. I have always believed dirty hands were due to revolver design and the inherent gap between the cylinder and barrel, compounded by using bare lead bullets. Suggestion: Wear disposable gloves, or buy an auto. Or both. __________________ ............ Last edited by Marco Califo; May 28, 2012 at 12:07 PM.

May 29, 2012, 04:32 PM	#28
mikld Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Southern Oregon! Posts: 2,891	"Anyway, the point I am making (there is actually a point to be made) is that since I stop to get food that I will eat with my hands, I am usually acutely aware of the state of my hands at the end of a range session. " Your point is you don't want to eat with dirty hands? My point is WASH THEM, don't change gunpowder so you can eat after a range session! __________________ My Anchor is holding fast! I've learned how to stand on my own two knees...

May 29, 2012, 06:22 PM	#29
valleyforge.1777 Senior Member Join Date: June 2, 2011 Posts: 177	Win 231 is clean. Win 231 is clean.

May 30, 2012, 08:24 PM	#33
mikld Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Southern Oregon! Posts: 2,891	"Thanks for the tip, now, how does that answer the question that was posed? " Greg, read my previous posts. Seems one should have all the info before criticizing... __________________ My Anchor is holding fast! I've learned how to stand on my own two knees...

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May 28, 2012, 11:18 AM	#26
valleyforge.1777 Senior Member Join Date: June 2, 2011 Posts: 177	Mikld, even though you actually quoted my post in its entirety, you obviously did not bother to read what i had written.

May 29, 2012, 08:52 PM	#30
ljnowell Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Posts: 274	I load my DEWCs in 38 cases at 2.9gr of AA#2. It burns pretty clean, leaves my hands not blackened, and it also meters like fine sand through a powder measure. Whats not to like?

May 29, 2012, 09:42 PM	#31
Misssissippi Dave Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2009 Posts: 1,411	AA5 works well in both calibers. I recently bought some AA2 to try out for both calibers as well. I expect the recoil to be a little less with the AA2 and still be clean burning. AA5 will work for .357 Mag. as well, but AA7 is a better powder for .357. I like the way AA powders measure through my powder measure and how clean they burn. I have used W231. Unless you are running it above mid range it tends to be a little dirty burning. Working up a load with W231 I found as soon as the groups start to tighten up .2 grains more powder generally keeps the groups tight and the powder starts to burn cleaner too. W231 is a fast burning powder similar to AA2. For pistol loading, powder is the cheapest component. Find the powder you like and don't put too much into the cost of the powder. An exception might be the VV powders. They are expensive here but they do work well.

May 30, 2012, 08:58 PM	#34
Miata Mike Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2010 Location: North East WI Posts: 418	Another vote for Red dot. Nice and accurate of the three powders I have tried so far. HP38 and Tightgroup might be next to try.

May 30, 2012, 11:40 PM	#35
7624452 Junior Member Join Date: January 25, 2012 Posts: 3	I find Accurate #2 to be cleaner. The last light loads I worked up were 2.6gr behind a cast 148gr dewc. Although I believe this to be less dirty than other powder, it still generates enough black stuff to soil your hands and practically stop the cylinder from turning after a couple hundred rounds - is this not normal?

June 1, 2012, 07:08 AM	#38
excelerater Junior member Join Date: June 27, 2011 Location: Memphis TN Posts: 694	now that I think about it what wont work in a 38SPL ? I think just about any normal pistol powder will