Load Suggestions for 38 Special w/ unique powder

[highnoon]

HI.

I'm new to this board and to reloading in general. I am looking to re-load 38 special with 158 grain LSWC bullets and Unique powder. I am wanting to load more for accuracy than ultimate power. I will be shooting a Ruger Gp100 with a 6" barrel.

If any of you have any pet loads you would care to share, I would sure appreciate it.

Thanks

[jcren]

I only have a snub in 38 spl, but it loves 4.2 grains of unique under 158 grain Sam's. I have used lighter loads for the girls, and much heavier loads to play with, but that is the sweet spot for that gun.

[rexherring]

My 4 inch likes 4 grains the best.

[jeepyj]

I couldn't begin to say how many Lyman 358477 150 grain SWC over 5 grains of Unique I've shot. Out of everything I load its in the top three. It just plain shoots good and is very accurate.
Welcome aboard & good luck.
jeepyj

[hicard]

I like 4.5 grs of Unique with that boolit.

[Low Budget Shooter]

Since you're shooting a heavy gun, I recommend 5.0 grains.

[fast ronnie]

I've been shooting 4.0 grains unique with 158. you need a decent crimp so the powder will burn better. Light loads don't seem to burn all the powder and leaves a lot of soot in my 4" S&W. Best accuracy will probably be around 750-850 fps but will vary with each gun.

[highnoon]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I think I'll start with 4 grains and work up from there.

[Mtnfolk75]

5 grains of Unique under a 158 Grain SWC has worked for all my .38/.257's for over 40 years. I tend to not mess too much with success. I have been working with 5.5 under a Barnes 140 Grain XPB, looks promising ....

[DrCaveman]

5 grains, lee 158 RNFP. Sweet load, maybe into +p territory, but is a pussycat from any 357 revolver. Out of my 6" gp100 it is a great double action quick fire round because the recoil is so mellow, very easy to stay on target. Packs a decent punch on target, i get about 960 fps from my gun

The swc should be awfully close

[jeepyj]

5 grains, lee 158 RNFP. Sweet load, maybe into +p territory, but is a pussycat from any 357 revolver. Out of my 6" gp100 it is a great double action quick fire round because the recoil is so mellow, very easy to stay on target. Packs a decent punch on target, i get about 960 fps from my gun

The swc should be awfully close

Last time I tested 358477 loaded with 5 grains out of a Ruger SBH 6.5" I got 997 average.
jeepyj

[duckey]

Look up the reloading pages of MD Smith, there are several recipes using unique on his site with the boolit you mentioned.

[highnoon]

It looks like the general consensus is around 5 grains. I think I'll load some at 4.5 and some at 5 and see how it goes. Thanks for all the help.


I have a second question for those of you using Unique. I am experiencing a drop variation of +/- 0.1 grains from my Lee powder drop. Will this be a problem, and should I load a little light and use my powder dribbler to even out the loads?

Thanks again

[Jack Stanley]

I'd put it on target first and see what the accuracy is before I reached for the dribbler .

Jack

[rexherring]

Even though I like a lighter load of 4 grains, as stated above it's a little dirtier and seems to start burning better at about 4.5 grains or more. I don't mind the sooty cases or cleaning the gun so I still shoot light.

[35remington]

Try over the chronograph with powder forward and powder rearward. You will then realize a tenth grain variation is piddling compared to variations in velocity with powder position in the case.

Anything over 4.7 grains is Plus P.

[Char-Gar]

4.5 grains of Unique will get you where you want to be.

[dubber123]

4.5 to 5 grains will equal or likely exceed a factory 158 gr. .38 Spl loading. I have fired many thousands loaded just like that. I'd expect it to be in the 850-900 fps. range. What particular 158 SWC are you loading?

[jeepyj]

For target loads shooting steel and such I would set the powder dump up and load em up. If your trying to cloverleaf some paper than trickle a few for the testing purposes.
Jeepyj

It looks like the general consensus is around 5 grains. I think I'll load some at 4.5 and some at 5 and see how it goes. Thanks for all the help.


I have a second question for those of you using Unique. I am experiencing a drop variation of +/- 0.1 grains from my Lee powder drop. Will this be a problem, and should I load a little light and use my powder dribbler to even out the loads?

Thanks again

[jeepyj]

Seems like a good reference. Thank you for posting
jeepyj

Look up the reloading pages of MD Smith, there are several recipes using unique on his site with the boolit you mentioned.