Powder for .38 wadcutter loads

[03RN]

I know the go to is bullseye but let's go with what's available.

What are a few more wadcutter friendly powders?

[Spartan1980]

WST works well.

[OlongJohnson]

Fast stuff, generally.

HP-38/Win231, Titegroup to start.

https://hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-data-center?rdc=true&type=53

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/recipedetail.aspx?gtypeid=1&weight=148&shellid=26&bulletid=29

https://www.accuratepowder.com/load-data/

Should be some options in there.

[WDR]

I use W-231 for my wadcutter loads. Seems accurate, if not exactly clean with loads around 3.0gr under a HBWC. The few DEWC loads i've tried so far, loaded a little hotter (3.5ish) seem to burn a little cleaner.

I think Unique might be okay, particularly if you are going for more of a "full charge" wadcutter load, but I have not used it myself.

[Duelist]

I usually do use Bullseye, and just bought another pound - for a touch over $30. They also had an 8# canister. I decided that I could not justify that at this time (would have been pushing $250), but fear that I may come to regret not grabbing one.

Clays works very well. Trail Boss, Unique, and others should work fine.

[revchuck38]

Just FYI, 2.8 grains of Bullseye under a Zero DEWC chronographed within about 5 fps of Federal Gold Medal Match.

If I were looking for a dedicated wadcutter powder, I'd try Sport Pistol. I haven't used it, but it's supposedly cooler- and cleaner-burning than traditional picks while being about the same burn rate.

[Norville]

Bullseye is the classic, but the other options work fine too. I used 231 or WST back when I reloaded.

At one point a local club had a candle pin shoot (only in Massachusetts) where a hard cast DE wadcutter in a magnum case with a healthy dose of Unique worked wonders.

[Jim Watson]

I have used W231 or HP38 ever since my old CH proved unable to reliably deliver a light load of the 700X I was buying by the keg for trap loads.

[Wise_A]

I have always used Bullseye as my go-to fast powder, but lately I think I'm going to standardize on Accurate powders for all things pistol. AA#2 should do very nicely for .38.

[KevH]

Hercules/Alliant Red Dot or its cheaper cousin Promo.

Red Dot is my all time favorite pistol powder. It works well for 9mm, 38 Special and 45 ACP. It's a nice fast powder.

[Borderland]

I use Alliant American Select for 38 Spl. and 45 ACP. It's a great sub for Bullseye. Burns clean and loads up with about the same charge. The only problem is it's a flake powder so a little harder to throw an accurate weight.

[LtDave]

Another one worth trying would be Vihtavuori N310.

[Bruce Cartwright]

03RN:

In addition to Bullseye, I have used Winchester 231 and 700X and am particularly fond of 700X. I have seen 700X for sale in the $158/8 pound keg range recently, which is just under $20 per pound.

Bruce

[OlongJohnson]

03RN:

In addition to Bullseye, I have used Winchester 231 and 700X and am particularly fond of 700X. I have seen 700X for sale in the $158/8 pound keg range recently, which is just under $20 per pound.

Bruce

That's enough to load something like 18,000 wadcutters. Should last awhile.

[03RN]

That's enough to load something like 18,000 wadcutters. Should last awhile.

Well, my son is 3. I gotta build up a reserve before he starts shooting.

[Brian T]

2.8-3grs of Red Dot with a 148gr HBWC is a super nice load.

You can do good work with Green Dot and .38spec as well.

[dmiculek]

@ 50 yds 231 out shot BE from a ransom rest in my 14-6. WST is supposed to an excellent choice as well. Just scored 5K Remington HBWC today. Time to load some up and try some different powders.

[Jared]

I’ve always used Win 231 or Hodgdon HP-38 with HBWC loads. It’s a bit dirtier than I’d really like, but it isn’t terrible either.

Honestly, I could probably load everything for every pistol I own with 231 or HP38 (they’re the exact same powder in different cans).

[revolvergeek]

Hercules/Alliant Red Dot or its cheaper cousin Promo.

Red Dot is my all time favorite pistol powder. It works well for 9mm, 38 Special and 45 ACP. It's a nice fast powder.

Same here. For years I was loading every handgun caliber that I shot with it. Can be somewhat smoky though.

If you want more of a full power wadcutter Unique has worked well for me.

[03RN]

231 it is.

Brownells has it in stock. Thanks for all the tips guys. I don't even plan on shooting it. I'm just filling ammo cans for my kids.

I normally get my bullets from rimrock but I think I want to try coated bullets this time

[rkittine]

I have been using Red Dot for .38 Wad Cutters for decades.

Bob

[revchuck38]

231 it is.

Brownells has it in stock. Thanks for all the tips guys. I don't even plan on shooting it. I'm just filling ammo cans for my kids.

I normally get my bullets from rimrock but I think I want to try coated bullets this time

3.1 grains should be a factory duplication load.

Good call on going with coated bullets. I recently switched myself and they’re a lot easier to handle while loading and smoke less when shooting. I haven’t noticed any difference in accuracy.

[camsdaddy]

3.1 grains should be a factory duplication load.

Good call on going with coated bullets. I recently switched myself and they’re a lot easier to handle while loading and smoke less when shooting. I haven’t noticed any difference in accuracy.

Are you using DEWC?
What brand are you using?

[revchuck38]

Are you using DEWC?
What brand are you using?

I haven’t loaded these in a while, just going from memory. I’ve had good luck with Brazos Bullets, though I haven’t tried their wadcutters.

[Bruce Cartwright]

231 it is.

Brownells has it in stock. Thanks for all the tips guys. I don't even plan on shooting it. I'm just filling ammo cans for my kids.

I normally get my bullets from rimrock but I think I want to try coated bullets this time

03RN:

I just started powder coating cast bullets and the early results are promising. Essentially you get he benefits of jacketed/plated bullets for less expense. I am not seeing any downsides so far.

Bruce

[Salamander]

With HBWC I've used Bullseye and W231. Not long ago I tried BE-86 with coated DEWC for a mid-range load in both 38sp seated flush and 38SC seated long and it worked well enough to deserve some follow-up.

[revolvergeek]

I had excellent results recently with Bayou Bullets 138 grain button nose wadcutters (solid base) seated to crimp in the crimp groove over 2.7 grains of Red Dot. Grouped well in everything and was pleasant in airweights.

[jtcarm]

Shooters World Clean Shot (I believe it’s aka Lovex D032.)

It’s a ball powder that’s about a grain-for-grain substitute for BE and has given me great accuracy behind .38 WCs