Re: .38 Super Favorite Receipies
.38 Super -- very gun-specific.
Obviously with .38 Super still dominating the USPSA/IPSC Open class, there are many recipes available.
I would suggest you check out the advice on Brian Enos's site to see what all is happening.
http://www.brianenos.com/forums/ For me, I am an Open shooter and shoot 50K .38 SuperComp (rimless) per year or so. But, keep in mind I'm shooting a customized STI with Trubore comp (slightly enlarged) + two barrel holes so I basically need to push pressures higher than if you're shooting out of a standard, non-comp'd 1911.
But, my current favorite is 7.2 gr. of IMR 7625 pushing a MontanaGold 124 gr. JHP (WSR, Starline or Armscor brass). Clean burning, fairly inexpensive powder, little flash, readily available, etc.
In fact, many of the top shooters use this basic recipe tweaked for their specific gun(s).
This chronos right at 170 pf through my Open guns (124 gr JHP x 1370 fps = 170000).
I shot VV for years (N350, 3N38) but the cost/availability was a problem for awhile -- good recoil impulse though although you tend to get more flash.
Disclaimer: again, I would check the IMR reloading guides though for a good starting charge if you're not shooting through a comp'd, supported chamber racegun.