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Old February 16, 2006, 12:43 AM   #1
T-Bear
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Good powder for .38 snubnose

I recieved a .38 snubnose Colt dective special, what a wonder gun in fact. I loaded up 5.5gr Unique with 126gr fp rainer bullets. And man what a muzzle flash. The reason I used is because it was that or Tightgroup and TG did not fill up the case too good and Unique was ok.
So my question is what is good fast buring powder for .38 special snubnose.
I would really hate to keep buying up powders by the pound just to find one out. The loads will be for target only.

Thanks for your help.

Last edited by T-Bear; February 16, 2006 at 09:44 PM.
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Old February 16, 2006, 01:03 AM   #2
JJB2
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i like to use 3-3.2 grs. of bullseye under a 150 gr. homecast swc bullet in the spousal units colt snubbie.... you could try that........
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Old February 16, 2006, 01:30 AM   #3
T-Bear
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That is what I have read in my manuals about bullseye and the .38special. That or tightwad. Both are very fast powders, I just want to make sure it will perform well in the subnose.

Thanks.
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Old February 16, 2006, 06:26 AM   #4
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lower flash

HS6
Power Pistol
Universal Clays
3N37
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Old February 16, 2006, 11:15 AM   #5
Edward429451
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Quote:
Power Pistol
So how's the power pistol workin out for you? Do you load it under any lead or just jacketed?
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Old February 16, 2006, 03:18 PM   #6
knightkrawler00
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I've been loading Tightgroup under a 158gr. LSWC. No leading in my Smith J-frame. Flash hasn't been an issue, well, compared to my 357 loads with h-110 out of a 4" model 66.
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Old February 16, 2006, 08:15 PM   #7
PDshooter
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231 works for me.
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Old February 16, 2006, 08:46 PM   #8
Nortonics
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Bullseye or TightGroup - both are among the fastest powders available. I can imagine you get a flash out of that snub using a slower burner such as Unique.

Here's a burn rate chart at Hodgdon:

http://www.hodgdon.com/data/rel_burnrate.htm
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Old February 16, 2006, 09:55 PM   #9
T-Bear
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I'm gonna pickup some bullseye tomorrow. The reason I used the unique over TG was because of the flakes. I should not have used the unique because of the burning rate in a snub.

Again thanks for all your inputs.
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Old February 16, 2006, 10:28 PM   #10
Barr
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Might try American Select from Alliant. Very clean and burns very fast. One of the fastest powders on the market.
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Old February 19, 2006, 09:29 PM   #11
T-Bear
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I just wanted to post an update on your help. I went with bullseye for the snub.
125gr rainer fp
4.0gr bullseye
OAL 1.450
cci500

1 1/2" group at 7 yards w 6 rounds, I know it's kind of far for a snub but this is just awesome. I;ll run the numbers when I get a chance to go outside.

Thanks for your help
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Old February 20, 2006, 06:42 AM   #12
MADISON
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Good powder for .38 snubnose ?

I don't think there is one we can buy.
Because of the velocity loss...30 to 50 feet per second for each inch of barrel, you need a 110 or 125 in a .38 Special.
My recommendation is a good .357 Magnum. Then you can up or down load the gun to get the velocity you want. Remember that 350 foot pounds of muzzle energy is the old standard.
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Old February 20, 2006, 10:26 AM   #13
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utterly totally completely serious social ammo

Wife's gun (we've been together here since '92 and she's had the only 'need-a-gun' we've had here):

S&W M38 Airweight Bodyguard (IMO, the 'best' snub)
140g XTP-HP
non-magnum primer
3N37

I mean, it's for my wife; know what I mean?
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