.357 Mag & .38 Spec powder - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Pit Man · 05-02-2008, 03:20 PM

Anyone recomend a powder for .357 mag and .38 special. I am looking at H110, H4227, and HS-6 for the 357 leaning towards the HS-6 seems to be a more universal powder. As for the 38 not sure what to use. Any input is welcome.

deputyvaughn · 05-02-2008, 03:31 PM

I use Winchester 231 for all my pistol calibers.

Scott

fredj338 · 05-02-2008, 04:54 PM

Of those, the HS6 will do for std. to +P 38sp & midrange 357mags. For full power 357mags, you need to go to slower powders like 2400, H110, 4227 or W296, but none of those really run well in the 38sp IMO.

invssgt · 05-02-2008, 05:19 PM

Hi Pit,

I decided about a year ago that I was going to cut my reloading way down. Among the 'keeper' guns here are a short .357 & 1911/.45 auto, soon to be joined by a 454 Casull.

Here's the way to sort this all out so it makes sense- there are no ".38 Special, .44 Mag, or any other cartridge-specific pistol powders.

There are however pistol powders that work well for specific tasks, regardless of the pistol cartridge they're used in.

There are what I like to call 'zero to sixty' powders that work well in almost any pistol cartridge, like W231, HP38, Universal and Unique. They will do anything from 600 fps pest loads, to building midrange magnum revolver loads like the .357/.44 Mag Silvertips. I personally like the ball powders because they meter so much nicer. I have had such good luck with W231, in so many handgun loads, that it is main go-to powder.

The '40 to 80' powders are HS6, Blue Dot, 800X, Herco, etc. These are optional IMO.

Finally you get into the true magnum powders like H110, W296, 2400 & Lil' Gun. If you want all the performance your magnum can offer (hunting loads, etc,) you grab these.

After a little over 30 years of reloading, I have decided that W231 and W296 will cover everything I'm going to do with a handgun. You can substitute others if you prefer them, but they sure cover a wide spectrum of pistol and revolver loads.

WyoXD · 05-02-2008, 05:39 PM

I love H110 for my 357 loads with 125 gr. Hornady XTP's. Darn accurate and around 1500 fps if I remember right.

For plinkers I like Titegroup with 125gr leads in 38 spl.--I use Hodgdon's published cowboy action loads. Kicks like a 22, cheap, accurate, fun for me and the kids!

Jack the Toad · 05-03-2008, 03:15 PM

I like Accurate #9 in my .41. I'll bet it is good in the .357 too. I've also used 2400 (a little dirty and has a lot of flash) and been happy with it. 296 and H110 are both really good too. For my midrange loads I like Unique. It would probably do well in the .38 and midrange .357 loads. AA#7 and #5 are good too.

actionflies · 05-03-2008, 11:56 PM

I use 7.4gr of Unique for 158gr JHP Win bullet for my 357 magnum.

05-02-2008, 03:20 PM	#1
Pit Man XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Aurora, CO Posts: 134	.357 Mag & .38 Spec powder Anyone recomend a powder for .357 mag and .38 special. I am looking at H110, H4227, and HS-6 for the 357 leaning towards the HS-6 seems to be a more universal powder. As for the 38 not sure what to use. Any input is welcome. __________________ XD-40 Service XD-45 Tactical

05-02-2008, 03:31 PM	#2
deputyvaughn XDTalk Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 49	I use Winchester 231 for all my pistol calibers. Scott __________________ Always Remember: A firearm is only an instrument. It contains no evil, no conscience, and no ability. It is strictly the intent, competence, and character of its user that decide the outcome of any and all actions taken with it. (I don't know who to credit but I like the quote.)

05-02-2008, 04:54 PM	#3
fredj338 XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,065	Of those, the HS6 will do for std. to +P 38sp & midrange 357mags. For full power 357mags, you need to go to slower powders like 2400, H110, 4227 or W296, but none of those really run well in the 38sp IMO. __________________ EVERY GOOD SHOOTER SHOULD BE A HANDLOADER!

05-02-2008, 05:19 PM	#4
invssgt XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,142	Hi Pit, I decided about a year ago that I was going to cut my reloading way down. Among the 'keeper' guns here are a short .357 & 1911/.45 auto, soon to be joined by a 454 Casull. Here's the way to sort this all out so it makes sense- there are no ".38 Special, .44 Mag, or any other cartridge-specific pistol powders. There are however pistol powders that work well for specific tasks, regardless of the pistol cartridge they're used in. There are what I like to call 'zero to sixty' powders that work well in almost any pistol cartridge, like W231, HP38, Universal and Unique. They will do anything from 600 fps pest loads, to building midrange magnum revolver loads like the .357/.44 Mag Silvertips. I personally like the ball powders because they meter so much nicer. I have had such good luck with W231, in so many handgun loads, that it is main go-to powder. The '40 to 80' powders are HS6, Blue Dot, 800X, Herco, etc. These are optional IMO. Finally you get into the true magnum powders like H110, W296, 2400 & Lil' Gun. If you want all the performance your magnum can offer (hunting loads, etc,) you grab these. After a little over 30 years of reloading, I have decided that W231 and W296 will cover everything I'm going to do with a handgun. You can substitute others if you prefer them, but they sure cover a wide spectrum of pistol and revolver loads. __________________ It ain't personal. Nothing contained herein is intended is to offend the immature, retarded, hyper-sensitive, emotionally/hormonally unstable, or otherwise easily-offended. But if it does- don't cry to me. I don't care. "Sarge" www.thesixgunjournal.net http://sargesrollcall.blogspot.com/ LOCK & LOAD the VOTE! Last edited by invssgt : 05-04-2008 at 07:05 AM.

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05-02-2008, 05:39 PM	#5
WyoXD XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Laramie, Wy Posts: 203	I love H110 for my 357 loads with 125 gr. Hornady XTP's. Darn accurate and around 1500 fps if I remember right. For plinkers I like Titegroup with 125gr leads in 38 spl.--I use Hodgdon's published cowboy action loads. Kicks like a 22, cheap, accurate, fun for me and the kids!

05-03-2008, 03:15 PM	#6
Jack the Toad XDTalk Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 80	I like Accurate #9 in my .41. I'll bet it is good in the .357 too. I've also used 2400 (a little dirty and has a lot of flash) and been happy with it. 296 and H110 are both really good too. For my midrange loads I like Unique. It would probably do well in the .38 and midrange .357 loads. AA#7 and #5 are good too.

05-03-2008, 11:56 PM	#7
actionflies XDTalk Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 58	I use 7.4gr of Unique for 158gr JHP Win bullet for my 357 magnum.