Lucky Year

Rex

Active Member
This must be my lucky year, I was gifted a pound of Bullseye powder. The can is unopened and the price on it is marked $7.59. I mostly use Unique and HP38 in my 38 special loads so this is a bit new to me. I'm going to load a 150 grain 358477 bullet and think I'll try 4 grains of the Bullseye. I've been reading some positive comments on that load. They will be run through a 4" 686 Smith.
 

Petrol & Powder

Well-Known Member
I have burned more WW231 [HP-38] in 38 Special casings than any other powder but I switched over to Bullseye a few years ago. I have been very happy with Bullseye in 38 Special.
Bullseye is a very useful handgun powder ! It has been with us for a long time because it works so well.
I run a SAECO #382 bullet, which is similar to your 358477 but maybe slightly heavier and I put 3.5 grains of Bullseye behind it. I could go a little more on the powder but I'm just ringing steel or punching holes in paper.
Bullseye is a bit more economical than HP-38 simply because you can use lower powder weights to get equivlent velocity.

An L-frame like the 686 has strength to spare when you are dealing with 38 Special loads.
 

Jeff H

NW Ohio
I'd be able to "survive" just fine if all I had for handguns (and most my rifle cast loads) if all I had were 2400, Unique and Bullseye.

I think Bullseye has become an unduly overlooked powder these last couple decades, in deference to new stuff with cooler names. No flies on Bullseye AT ALL.

W23/HP38 and Unique do a LOT of service in my cast loads for pistol and rifle, but a pound of Bullseye would just add to the flexibility.
 

Rick

Moderator
Staff member
Had a Marlin 357 Cowboy that loved the SAECO #382 (150 gr), I also have SAECO #388 (160 gr) and never did get it to shoot worth a hoot. The top two are #382, #388 on the bottom.

SAECO # 382 150 Gr PB.JPG SAECO - 382 35 Cal PBGC 150 Gr-9.jpg

SAECO 388-small.jpg
 
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Petrol & Powder

Well-Known Member
My SAECO # 382 bullets run a little over 160 grains with my alloy and they are GREAT bullets.

Jeff H - I agree that Bullseye is a bit overlooked and maybe even a bit underrated these days. I stockpiled a fair amount before the last panic set in and I'm glad I did. While I still keep a little WW231 and Unique on hand for certain loads, I could easily switch over to Bullseye for most, if not all, of my handgun loads.
 

Rick

Moderator
Staff member
My #382 cast right at 149 gr with CWW +2% Sn. The #388 at 161 gr. Both of these molds are pre-Redding.

Just noticed in my previous post I had 180 gr listed. Oopsie, 160 gr. Fixed it.
 

dale2242

Well-Known Member
I finally cast some Saeco #281s from a mold I bought back in the 80s for 7TCU contenders when I was shooting IHMSA.
I bought the mould and quit shooting silhouettes.
We bought the granddaughter a Savage Axis in 7MM-08.
I cast some from a WW/lino 50/50 alloy.
The load was 20 gr. IMR 4198 1gr Dacron.
It shot a small ragged hole at 50 yds.
This load needs to be shot at 100 yds .