Is Power Pistol or Unique a good powder for 38 Spl 158 grain SWCHP in a snub nose? - Page 1

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Is Power Pistol or Unique a good powder for 38 Spl 158 grain SWCHP in a snub nose?

Posted: 1/30/2020 9:20:39 PM EDT

I've used 2.8-3.5 grains of Bullseye for target loads but am wanting to get higher velocity for 158 grain SWCHP..

Bullseye, Unique, Power Pistol and Blue Dot are the pistol powders I have.

Thanks.

Posted: 1/30/2020 9:44:38 PM EDT

[#1]

Unique is a great pistol powder I use often. I mostly use Bullseye too.

Posted: 1/30/2020 9:47:32 PM EDT

[#2]

Quote History

Quoted:
Unique is a great pistol powder I use often. I mostly use Bullseye too.

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I know it's a great powder. I'm just wondering if it's the best choice of the powders I listed; for this particular application.

Posted: 1/30/2020 9:52:28 PM EDT

[#3]

Are you willing to go into +P territory? You could probably exceed 900fps if so using Power Pistol or Blue Dot.

Posted: 1/30/2020 9:57:43 PM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:
I've used 2.8-3.5 grains of Bullseye for target loads but am wanting to get higher velocity for 158 grain SWCHP..

Bullseye, Unique, Power Pistol and Blue Dot are the pistol powders I have.

Thanks.

View Quote

yes

Data from my 642 snubbie

158gr LEE RNFP 5.2 unique 857fps

158SNS 6.0 power pistol 870fps

Posted: 1/30/2020 10:08:36 PM EDT

[#5]

Quote History

Quoted:

yes

Data from my 642 snubbie

158gr LEE RNFP 5.2 unique 857fps

158SNS 6.0 power pistol 870fps

View Quote

Thanks.

Really appreciate it!

How's the muzzle flash and controllability with those loads?

Posted: 1/30/2020 10:14:07 PM EDT

[#6]

Quote History

Quoted:

Thanks.

Really appreciate it!

How's the muzzle flash and controllability with those loads?

View Quote

stout from a 642

Power pistol always has a lot of flash

I didn't notice unique's

S&W 642 draw from concealment

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_v-U5Y24co

Posted: 1/31/2020 3:00:07 AM EDT

[#7]

unique will be good power pistol no. Power pistol has way to much blast in a short barrel IMHO. And the slower burning rate is more suited for a longer barrel.

Posted: 1/31/2020 8:17:45 AM EDT

[#8]

Power Pistol will give you lots of flash and blast, but it will also often give you higher velocity than most other powders without going over max.

5.7 grains under a 158gr LSWC gave me 954 fps in my 4" revolver.

Posted: 1/31/2020 9:21:48 AM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:
I've used 2.8-3.5 grains of Bullseye for target loads but am wanting to get higher velocity for 158 grain SWCHP..

Bullseye, Unique, Power Pistol and Blue Dot are the pistol powders I have.

Thanks.

View Quote

Go with published load data. I didn't see in your post if you're using a cast or jacketed bullet. That makes a difference. I've never found a jacketed bullet in any handgun chambering that offers any advantage over a cast bullet that fits properly and is of the right alloy mix for the load. However, if you don't have a "good" cast bullet, go with jacketed as they are more forgiving to work with. I'd probably try all your powders, shooting groups from a benchrest at 25 yards, even if that is beyond the distance you will practice. Shooting groups at shorter distances will only tell you that everything (even a mediocre load) is accurate.

Don't put too much emphasis on +P or muzzle velocity. Go with what's most accurate and what you shoot best. This includes things like muzzle blast, flash, quick recovery from recoil, and bullet point of impact in relationship to point of aim. Far more important factors than high bullet speed.

Posted: 1/31/2020 11:59:12 AM EDT

[#10]

Loaded a ton of .38 special rounds with unique, red dot, and 231. All were kinda dirty, but shot well. Red dot being my favorite.

Posted: 2/8/2020 9:36:54 PM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:
unique will be good power pistol no. Power pistol has way to much blast in a short barrel IMHO. And the slower burning rate is more suited for a longer barrel.

View Quote

I'm going to load up some using both powders.

I even bought a pound of BE 86 to try.

Posted: 2/8/2020 10:42:02 PM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:
I've used 2.8-3.5 grains of Bullseye for target loads but am wanting to get higher velocity for 158 grain SWCHP..

Bullseye, Unique, Power Pistol and Blue Dot are the pistol powders I have.

Thanks.

View Quote

Bullseye is the fastest burning powder your listed. I doubt that is the one you want if more velocity is your goal. Unique and Power Pistol have close burn rates. It appears that either one will give you similar velocity. Alliant Blue Dot is the slowest powder you mentioned. That would be the first one I would try if you want more velocity.

kwg

Posted: 2/9/2020 7:47:16 AM EDT

[#13]

I've only used Bullseye, Unique and Blue Dot for handgun loading (from your list).

I use Unique for .38 special.

Blue Dot doesn't meter consistently from my Uniflow or the Lyman 55B. I don't like to get up near max pressure loads with a powder that can vary one charge to the next. While I use Blue Dot for my pistols I use a Hornady electronic powder measure/scale. Exact same powder charge every time.

Alliant's web site shows 814 fps as the max. velocity for Bullseye and 815 fps as the max. velocity for Unique - with the 158 grain LSWC and .38 Special loads.

For .38 Special +P loads they show 919 fps for Unique as the max. load and 874 fps for Bullseye as the max. load.

Posted: 2/9/2020 6:37:18 PM EDT

[#14]

I tried 4.5 grains Unique. It was ok. Also a little dirty.

I also tried 5.8 grains Power Pistol. Wasn't really any less accurate but recoil considerably more. Didn't notice any flash but it was daytime. Probably lots of flash in the dark.

Now I'm trying 4.9 grains Unique, 5.3 grains Power Pistol and 5.1 grains BE-86. (10 rounds each)

I'm using 158 grain Zero Brand SWCHP bullets, seated to 1.475, using Winchester Primers.

Hopefully I can try them out next weekend.

Posted: 2/14/2020 11:34:46 PM EDT

[#15]

I use Unique for all 38 Sp 158gr bullet loads and save Power Pistol for 357.

Posted: 2/15/2020 9:16:21 PM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:
I use Unique for all 38 Sp 158gr bullet loads and save Power Pistol for 357.

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I'm trying to get as much velocity as I can, using a 158 grain LSWCHP out of a 38 SPL 2 inch snub nose; so that it has a chance of expanding..

Basically I'm trying to duplicate the old FBI Load with the powders I have. ( Unique, Power Pistol BE-86)

Posted: 2/16/2020 4:15:24 AM EDT

[#17]

Quoted:
I've used 2.8-3.5 grains of Bullseye for target loads but am wanting to get higher velocity for 158 grain SWCHP..

Bullseye, Unique, Power Pistol and Blue Dot are the pistol powders I have.

Thanks.

View Quote

Here are some .38 loads I've chronographed over the years that are close to the velocities you're seeking. These all use cast bullets. Velocities vary from one revolver to another because of barrel length (obviously), but also because of differences in B/C gap.

Bullseye- 4.2 grs.

Rossi Model 68 .38 Special' 3" bbl.-

160 gr. SWC- 845 fps (Note- This load is shown as a maximum "standard" load in with some 155-160 gr. bullets, then slightly under maximum +P with others)

Unique- 5.0 grs.-

Charter Arms .38 Special; 2" bbl.-

152 gr. SWCHP- 860 fps

Rossi Model 68 .38 Special; 3" bbl.-
150 gr. SWCHP- 855

152 gr. SWCHP- 840 fps

Colt Police Positive .38 Special; 4" bbl-

152 gr. SWCHP- 893 fps

Unique- 5.2 grs.(+P)-

Charter Arms .38 Special; 2" bbl.-

152 gr. SWCHP- 880 fps

S&W Model 10-5; 4" bbl-

167 gr. SWCHP- 932 fps

Blue Dot- 6.7 grs-

Colt Police Positive .38 Special; 4" bbl-

152 gr. SWCHP- 920 fps

170 gr. SWC - 878 fps

Blue Dot- 7.0 grs-

Ruger Police Service Six; 4" bbl-

158 gr. SWC- 885 fps

Posted: 2/16/2020 6:39:11 AM EDT

[#18]

I like Titegroup for that bullet weight.

Posted: 2/16/2020 8:21:45 PM EDT

[#19]

Thanks for the replies.

I've tried several powders with different charge weights and I'm liking BE-86 the best.

I've narrowed it down to 5.6 -5.7 grains.

Power Pistol works good but has too much blast and flash.

Unique would be my second choice.

Don't want to use Blue Dot because it has WAY too much flash.

Posted: 2/16/2020 11:31:09 PM EDT

[#20]

Quote History

Quoted:
Thanks for the replies.

I've tried several powders with different charge weights and I'm liking BE-86 the best.

I've narrowed it down to 5.6 -5.7 grains.

Power Pistol works good but has too much blast and flash.

Unique would be my second choice.

Don't want to use Blue Dot because it has WAY too much flash.

View Quote

BE-86 works well for me too.

I can say it is snappy as hell with a +P load but doesn't shoot a huge fireball.

It is flash suppressed.

Posted: 2/17/2020 10:40:32 AM EDT

[#21]

Quote History

Quoted:

I'm going to load up some using both powders.

I even bought a pound of BE 86 to try.

View Quote

Should be a good choice. It has flash retardants.

Posted: 2/17/2020 10:50:40 AM EDT

[#22]

The flash would be sweet with Power Pistol.

Posted: 2/18/2020 10:13:59 PM EDT

[#23]

5.2gr unique is my go to load.

Posted: 2/18/2020 10:44:04 PM EDT

[#24]

Used bullseye,231,and titegroup for practice loads.

did not really expect high velocity with those !!

Used Blue Dot and Power Pistol for HV loads (flame thower effect,will scare away bad guys !!)

Later

John

Posted: 2/18/2020 11:13:09 PM EDT

[#25]

Quote History

Quoted:

Thanks.

Really appreciate it!

How's the muzzle flash and controllability with those loads?

View Quote

PP has a reputation for bright muzzle flash.

Posted: 2/19/2020 8:11:02 AM EDT

[#26]

Unique is a very good powder for 38 special, and will get you into +P, as well as low end 357. I have used it to load 45 acp and 9X18 makarov as well. My current favorite 38 special practice load is 5.1 gr unique with a coated 158 gr lswc. I shoot this out of a S&W 649, and a Taurus 605.

Posted: 2/19/2020 2:03:34 PM EDT

[#27]

Quote History

Quoted:

PP has a reputation for bright muzzle flash.

View Quote

I found that out.

That's why I'm going to use BE-86.

Posted: 2/19/2020 2:05:49 PM EDT

[#28]

Quote History

Quoted:
Unique is a very good powder for 38 special, and will get you into +P, as well as low end 357. I have used it to load 45 acp and 9X18 makarov as well. My current favorite 38 special practice load is 5.1 gr unique with a coated 158 gr lswc. I shoot this out of a S&W 649, and a Taurus 605.

View Quote

I tried 4.9 grains of Unique the other day. Shot pretty good.

I still think BE-86 is better for higher velocity at lower pressure; without lots of flash.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Is Power Pistol or Unique a good powder for 38 Spl 158 grain SWCHP in a snub nose?

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