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March 11, 2013, 02:43 AM | #1 |
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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, 06:33 AM | #2 |
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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, 06:56 AM | #3 |
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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.
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March 11, 2013, 07:07 AM | #4 |
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Mike
I am glad you thought about Trail Boss. That slipped my mind totally. Bob |
March 11, 2013, 07:18 AM | #5 |
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HP38 works pretty well. No unburnt powder. Maybe a little soot around the barrel or outside the cylinder
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March 11, 2013, 08:36 AM | #6 |
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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.
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March 11, 2013, 08:46 AM | #7 |
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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.
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March 11, 2013, 08:52 AM | #8 |
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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.
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March 11, 2013, 08:59 AM | #9 |
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If you are loading lead bullets the lube will burn also and make your powder appear dutier then it really is
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March 11, 2013, 12:27 PM | #10 |
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I've been using vvn320 for 38 special. Seems pretty clean. Burns fast.
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March 11, 2013, 05:36 PM | #11 |
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Ramshot ZIP is similar to W231/HP38 but burns cleaner. www.ramshot.com for data.
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March 11, 2013, 05:42 PM | #12 | |
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Quote:
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