38 Special Bullseye loads, HP38, Tightgroup or???

For 25/50 yards Bullseye shooting in 38 special what would be the better powder choice?  

Can't find Bullseye, Unique or the other Alliant powders, VV is hens teeth in my area- it's mostly Hodgdon/IMR.

Thoughts?

Hp38/ww231are pretty darn good.

Titegroup or WST are some of my preferred 38spl powders

If I remember correctly, Jerry Keefer preferred WST for 38.

have great luck with HP38/231  4.8gr 3.8gr gives 725-750 fps  with a 148gr
HBWC

L. Boscoe wrote:have great luck with HP38/231  4.8gr gives 725-750 fps  with a 148gr
HBWC

 

That looks more like a .45 LSWC 50 yard load.

you are right-it should be 3.8gr of 231.  Apologies.

3.8 still seems a bit high!

works well for me using HBWC

3.1 ww231, 148 Remington HBWC

Great replies thanks!

on my SW Model 52 with flush seated Speer and Hornady 148gn double end wad cutters:
....i've been very pleased with the groups i'm obtaining from WST 2.7 and 2.8 gn loads
 (as well as with 3.7gn of VV N320).

Where are you guys finding WST?

Bass Pro Shops is one source. Ship to your local store with no shipping/HAZMAT but still expensive.

https://www.powdervalley.com/product/winchester-super-target-wst/?attribute_pa_size=1

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2900249979?pid=999479&utm_medium=shopping&utm_source=ammoseek&utm_campaign=999479


https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/00034wst1/winchester-wst-smokeless-powder-1-lb?Tk=DFPO

Winchester 244 is another powder to consider. BE-86 if you can find it.

and see this link:

https://www.shootingtimes.com/editorial/new-38special-wadcutter-powder/498967

2.9 TG works very well in my Smith 52. for what its worth.

I use HP-38 when I can't find Bullseye.

S148 wrote:Winchester 244 is another powder to consider.  BE-86 if you can find it.

and see this link:

https://www.shootingtimes.com/editorial/new-38special-wadcutter-powder/498967

Excellent accuracy with HBWC in Starline cases. Who knew?

jwax wrote:

S148 wrote:Winchester 244 is another powder to consider.  BE-86 if you can find it.

and see this link:

https://www.shootingtimes.com/editorial/new-38special-wadcutter-powder/498967

Excellent accuracy with HBWC in Starline cases. Who knew?

Testing is only at 25, but still reasonable even if you use the 2.5x factor for 50yd approximation.

Interesting that they used a 38 super sizing die.

Winchester 231 and HP 38 are identical powders. Stay close to Mr. Chapman's load or the equivalent and avoid anything hotter. I was competing in the NRA Harry Reeves Revolver competition one year at Perry. When we went down to score, a competitor near my point had too many hits on his target. He fired the correct amount of rounds (10). Nobody cross fired on his target. He had loaded up his .38 SPL 148 gr. HBWC ammo with too much powder and some of the skirts of the bullets blew off the rest of the bullet. Some made it onto his target. He might have been more than embarrassed and disappointed had one of those skirts stuck in his barrel and he fired subsequent rounds.

My best results with .38 spl 148 gr HBWC loads

BE 2.7 - 2.8
W231 3.1 - 3.2
WST 2.7 - 2.8

WST, Bullseye, and VN310