Favorite Powders and loads for 9mm, 38sp, 357mag, 45 colt (ruger only)
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Favorite Powders and loads for 9mm, 38sp, 357mag, 45 colt (ruger only)
Curious to know what everyone's favorite powder and load is for each of these calibers (not one powder for all). What powder, primer, and bullet do you use and what load data.
my style of shooting is: when I want to shoot my:
autos = 9mm
Mild recoil = 38sp
medium recoil = 357mag
heavy recoil = 45 colt (out of ruger blackhawk)
For example if I have my son, wife, or new shooter i will pull out some 38sp for low power. If I want something with a lot of "bang and kick" I go for the 45 colt Ruger Blackhawk. If I want something in the middle I will shoot my 357s. So I tend to load all of each caliber the same way (all 38sp mild, 357 medium, 45 colt heavy).
Of course accuracy is important in all of them. I am up for any suggestions as far as bullet wieght and styles go, although I much prefer lead cast for cost savings. 9mm 38 and 357 I have no preference in bullet weight. In 45 colt I am looking for heavy recoil so I guess a 250 or 300 gr lead SWC may be my best bet, but If someone has some suggestions in lower weights that would be great.
And I know if I want recoil I should just get a 454 casull or 500, but I am not in a position to buy another gun right now.
So any suggestions? thanks!
my style of shooting is: when I want to shoot my:
autos = 9mm
Mild recoil = 38sp
medium recoil = 357mag
heavy recoil = 45 colt (out of ruger blackhawk)
For example if I have my son, wife, or new shooter i will pull out some 38sp for low power. If I want something with a lot of "bang and kick" I go for the 45 colt Ruger Blackhawk. If I want something in the middle I will shoot my 357s. So I tend to load all of each caliber the same way (all 38sp mild, 357 medium, 45 colt heavy).
Of course accuracy is important in all of them. I am up for any suggestions as far as bullet wieght and styles go, although I much prefer lead cast for cost savings. 9mm 38 and 357 I have no preference in bullet weight. In 45 colt I am looking for heavy recoil so I guess a 250 or 300 gr lead SWC may be my best bet, but If someone has some suggestions in lower weights that would be great.
And I know if I want recoil I should just get a 454 casull or 500, but I am not in a position to buy another gun right now.
So any suggestions? thanks!

Tennjed- Veteran Poster

- Posts: 196
Join date: 2011-03-18
Re: Favorite Powders and loads for 9mm, 38sp, 357mag, 45 colt (ruger only)
i have reloaded way to many 38's lately lol
My 38 is a 6inch heavy barrel comp gun so i load mine to meet a certian power level.
147gr swc with 3.9gr of 231(this is a +p load) makes 130'ish pf
147gr wc 3.0gr of bullseye(makes about 120'ish pf)
147gr swc with 4.3gr of trailboss makes 127pf(i like this load over 231)
158gr rn 3.8gr of bullseye(starting to get warm.. 135pf)
158gr rn 4.5gr of 231...(this is as high as i will go even in my gun(stiff)
147gr swc 5gr of autocomp(+P)
158gr JHP nosler custom
5.5gr of N350 856fps(135pf)
MAX 6.3gr of N350 1010fps (160fps)
i would use that to hunt with in 38 or 357
On a side note i can make MAJOR with a 160gr bullet with a max charge of N350 = )
I dont do 9mm and i dont do colt.. cant help there
My 38 is a 6inch heavy barrel comp gun so i load mine to meet a certian power level.
147gr swc with 3.9gr of 231(this is a +p load) makes 130'ish pf
147gr wc 3.0gr of bullseye(makes about 120'ish pf)
147gr swc with 4.3gr of trailboss makes 127pf(i like this load over 231)
158gr rn 3.8gr of bullseye(starting to get warm.. 135pf)
158gr rn 4.5gr of 231...(this is as high as i will go even in my gun(stiff)
147gr swc 5gr of autocomp(+P)
158gr JHP nosler custom
5.5gr of N350 856fps(135pf)
MAX 6.3gr of N350 1010fps (160fps)
i would use that to hunt with in 38 or 357
On a side note i can make MAJOR with a 160gr bullet with a max charge of N350 = )
I dont do 9mm and i dont do colt.. cant help there
Re: Favorite Powders and loads for 9mm, 38sp, 357mag, 45 colt (ruger only)
I was thinking about just posting a whole handgun caliber section out of the Lee book 
That's a lot of loads...I load em all...can't post 411 now

That's a lot of loads...I load em all...can't post 411 now

msredneck- Contributing Member

- Posts: 13028
Join date: 2009-04-20
Age: 53
Location: Clinton, MS
Re: Favorite Powders and loads for 9mm, 38sp, 357mag, 45 colt (ruger only)
Per this guy I know: (Niki Temple)
3.8gr of TiteGroup for .38spl and 158gr @ little warm for competition. Can says 850 fps.
I bought 4 lbs of the stuff.
i am gonna try some of Beladrans loads now that I have my own press.
3.8gr of TiteGroup for .38spl and 158gr @ little warm for competition. Can says 850 fps.
I bought 4 lbs of the stuff.
i am gonna try some of Beladrans loads now that I have my own press.
pinetor- Contributing Member

- Posts: 1100
Join date: 2010-07-23
Age: 49
Location: Clinton MS
Re: Favorite Powders and loads for 9mm, 38sp, 357mag, 45 colt (ruger only)
850 would get you a 135 PF which is were you wanna be for comp shooting.. one weekend i could come up to jackson and do some load devo with you = ) I wanna do some more testing with powerpistol, N350, and autocomp.
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