Powder question

[metalman]

A friend at the gun club was asking me what powder would be best for a short barrel (2") 38 Special revolver. I am new to reloading and told him I have no clue. I asked what type and weight bullets he planned to use and that's up in the air also.:dontgetit: I know he just wants to make target rounds but I would guess plain lead verses jacket and weight of the bullet, shape, etc. all come into consideration.
His concern was the short barrel. What would you suggest or do we need more specific information? What would be the concern about such a short barrel as opposed to longer?

[Frostback]

Any of the faster powders will do, especially if he is using cast boolits from 130gr to 158gr to defend himself against paper men, steel plates, tin cans etc. WST, 231, HP38, Bullseye, even Trail boss will work. I use the same load in my 2-1/2" S&W 19 as in my 8-3/8" S&W 586 (3.9gr WST behind a 130gr cast RNFP boolit).

You lose a bit of speed with the shorter barrel, but if they are just target rounds, accuracy is the main consideration.

Frosty

[Brass Nazi]

Any of the faster powders will do, especially if he is using cast boolits from 130gr to 158gr to defend himself against paper men, steel plates, tin cans etc. WST, 231, HP38, Bullseye, even Trail boss will work. I use the same load in my 2-1/2" S&W 19 as in my 8-3/8" S&W 586 (3.9gr WST behind a 130gr cast RNFP boolit).

You lose a bit of speed with the shorter barrel, but if they are just target rounds, accuracy is the main consideration.

Frosty

This is a good post. All if the fast powders will work well. I would try a few and stick with what gives the best accuracy. A hundred fps isn't gonna matter.

[John]

i just begun reloading for a 38 snubby and have been using titegroup it produces minimal flash at night and is clean burning. it also doesnt take quite as much powder as hp 38 or some others and seems to a tad cheaper

[BigSlick]

Depending upon the gun in question, the sights may be regulated to 158gr or 125 gr bullets.

2" revolvers aren't exactly target guns, but if the sights are set for POI to be closest to POA with a 158gr bullet, it'll be easier to go with a 158 to start with.

Like Frosty says, a fast powder is going to be a good start, and for just target shooting, a 158 in a cast bullet will be as good as any.

Any will work in a pinch for SD, but some will be better than others.

If the revolver is rated for +P, then I'd give the Speer Gold Dot bullets a hard look and load them to +P levels for SD.

Don't let the +P scare you (in .38 Special) as loads at that level are still within SAAMI specs and (usually) won't beat you or the gun up too much.

You don't want to use +P level loads in a revolver that isn't rated for it.

I can't speak for others, but, I know a Ruger LCR, SP101 and a 638 Smith all shoot well with a 158gr bullet right out of the box.

I've used Red Dot, TG and #2 in several load workups and find I like Red Dot over the others for the most part. Any will work, but, you're best bet is to work with one or two powders and see what loads the gun likes.

When you find one, do a thorough workup with several bullets and see what you get.

I have no experience with Rossi, Taurus or Charter Arms 2" revolvers, so the above info regarding 158gr bullets may not apply if using one of those :dunno:

[John]

my smith 642 likes 158 grain bullets the best but does aight with 130 or 125's.