38 Special loads for carbine and pistol use +p

[Wireman134]

About to hit the loading bench. My boolits are weighing in at 165. I have a box full of sized and primed (with small rifle primers) 38 special brass and am going to run 5.7 HS6, 6.0 HS6, 6.3 HS6 and 6.6 HS6. Will post results.

What happened? Did it blow up?

[bluejay75]

What happened? Did it blow up?

Results were erratic in ALL of my pistols. Like couldn’t hold to a pie plate at 7 yards erratic. I settled on Unique.

But.....

In 44 Magnum 12.8-13.2 grains shot like magic in both my pistols and rifles with every boolit I tried. Accuracy and performance outpaced Unique.

[dg31872]

I am curious how Unique worked in the Handi Rifle?

[Wheelguns 1961]

I don’t know if you are still looking for a load, but I have the same pistol, and use 4.0gns of bullseye under the 359 hammer lg hp. It is a great load. I only shoot it at 10yds, but it is very accurate. My anti- personnel load for that weapon.

[RickinTN]

In a Rossi 357 Carbine, not a handgun. I recently tried 5.2 grains Unique under the Lee 158 RNFP in 357 cases which actually weighs about 162 grains, sized .360". Even with my old eyes accuracy was pretty good at 50 yards. I shoot a green front sight pretty well but I lose the dark front sight on the Rossi. Only a guess here, since I didn't chronograph, but thinking still subsonic.
Good Luck,
Rick

[sniper]

I use and have pressure tested 5.5 gr of Unique under the 358477, TL358-158 and the 358156 cast soft. They weight 155 - 162 gr. The pressure in a closed breach barrel with no cylinder throat (free bore) is just under or at the SAAMI MAP for +P 38 SPL.

Yup! what he said! many 100s shot in IPSC competitions and walking about, with no complaints. ~ 860 fps, 4" barrel. Good load!

[fecmech]

Only a guess here, since I didn't chronograph, but thinking still subsonic.

In my Rossi's (20 and 24") 5.1/Unique and various cast 158's run right at 1100fps.