Smith&Wessonfan

I've been using lately lots of Hodgdon HS-6 but it is one dirty powder.

Today, after 100 round of drills with my 637, the cylinder became hard to turn. It was only noticeable when the cylinder was open and did not affect function.

It turned out to be carbon residue built up in the cylinder's front bearing where the yoke goes into the cylinder. It is apparent that normal combustion product leakeage around the forcing cone gap was depositing this in the bearing (which is right under the gap). A good scrubbing with CLP and all was right again in S&W-land.

But I would like some recommendations on cleaner burning powders for 38 Special loaded with 158 gr hard cast lead bullets at 850 to 900 fps. My local suppliers have a good selection of IMR, Hodgdon, and Alliant products.

Thanks.

P95Carry

Altho a fast powder Bullseye has always seemed fairly clean - but Viht N-310 is better still - almost identical burn rate but pricey. Both can do well for a lighter type load but because fast - care with charge weight - see manuals for loads.

I have started using Solo 1000 - very economical and altho a flake powder, it seems to meter OK. Got an 8# jug for shotshells but it goes a long way with .38 spl loadings. Does not seem too bad for crud altho I have always found some mess just from Alox type lube residue on hardcasts.

There are plenty of powders that do work fine with .38 spl but not sure other than Viht what is cleanest overall - maybe Bullseye worth a try.

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Chris - P95
NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member.

"To own a gun and assume that you are armed
is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!."

If a BG dies as the result of pointing a gun at me, then he has merely succumbed to an occupational hazard of being a thug

Bud White

Bullseye

unique

work well and burn pretty clean

LastManOut

I have been reloading .38 S&W Special with Bullseye for a few months now, about 1000 rounds total (400 during a training weekend without cleaning) through my 642 without a problem.

Smith&Wessonfan

Thanks. I remembered I have a jar of Hodgdon Clays for my very infrequent shotgun reloading. Any experience? I do know Clays burns pretty clean in shotguns, which is why it is a fav of semi auto shooters.

P95Carry

Lee 2nd edition gives this for Clays - with 158 cast ....... 2.8 (812 fps) to max of 3.1 (871 fps). Strikes me this will be similar loadings to Bullseye charges.

Lyman #47 OTOH mentions Clays for 158 JHP 2.8 to 3.2 max but quotes very low velocities.

__________________
Chris - P95
NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member.

"To own a gun and assume that you are armed
is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!."

If a BG dies as the result of pointing a gun at me, then he has merely succumbed to an occupational hazard of being a thug

Smith&Wessonfan

Good. Being so fast burning, looks like Clays will leave a lot less junk in the 2" barrel of my gun.

P95Carry

Just be sure to work up loads anyways - usual - start 10% down. Best to play safe particularly with faster powders.

__________________
Chris - P95
NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member.

"To own a gun and assume that you are armed
is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!."

If a BG dies as the result of pointing a gun at me, then he has merely succumbed to an occupational hazard of being a thug

flagflyfish

Here's what I do to keep my reloads clean. That "junk" in the barrel is unburnt powder, when I work up a load, I decide what is best for the bullet I'm using (velocity,CUP, etc.) and load 20. go to the range with a clean gun, and shoot a few. Check the barrel, anything in there is unburnt powder. On the next 20, reduce your powder measure by 1-2/10ths of a grain. repeat until you find no unburnt powder in the barrel. A chrono helps a lot as velocity vs. powder proportions will vary from gun to gun.
My "pet" load for my 38's is: 148gr lead wadcutter, 3.2 gr HP 38 powder, the velocity is +/- 768fps w/ CUP of 15900

I have found that anything over 800fps on that bullet makes it unstable in flight JMHO Rex

__________________
"These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier
and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the
service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the
love and thanks of man and woman."

-- Thomas Paine (The American Crisis, No. 1, 19 December 1776)

bmcgilvray

I've used a moderate charge of Unique beneath a 158 grain SWC since the mid-70's. Another favored load is Bullseye beneath a 148 grain hollow base wadcutter.

Never worried about clean versus dirty powders. I clean the guns afterwards.