Lyman 358429 38 Special High Velocity with Unique

[John Van Gelder]

xrider472

I have been using the 6 grn load in my GP100, it is just a good all around load. I haven't chronographed that load in my 4" GP100 but the 7 grn Unique load in .357 brass with the 358429, gives me 1150-1200 in my 4" GP100.

[David2011]

Another reason to use only .357 cases in a .357 is the carbon buildup ring. Someone I know loads even his powder puff loads in .357 cases to prevent building up carbon at the .38 mouth location. Powder puff loads build up carbon worse than hot loads.

[Hi-Speed]

great information, thank you

[xrider472]

John Van Gelder

My chronograph results have been between 1000 & 1050 fps with 6.0 grains in 38 Spcl brass. To duplicate that velocity in 357 brass, I use 6.5 grains. My GP100 has the 4" barrel also.

[John Van Gelder]

xrider472

That is a useful load, I like that load in .38 spl brass, because I can seat the bullet right at the crimp groove and use it in my mod 28 S&Ws.

[Hi-Speed]

Does anyone have the pressure associated with the 358429 in 38 Spl cases? 25-30k psi?

[John Van Gelder]

I do not have any specific pressure values, but, the .38-44 loadings are above the SAMMI specs., for .38+P and just slight below the current .357 Magnum pressures. Probably pretty close to 9mm standard pressure 35K. They should be just fine in any gun chambered for .357 magnum. I have used them in the Ruger SP101 in .38 spl, that gun is most commonly chambered in .357.

Probably not a good idea to use them in an "Air Weight" S&W..

[Hi-Speed]

Thank you John

[John Van Gelder]

Hi-Speed

You are welcome. That is a very useful load, a bit easier to control than full power .357 loads, but with good shot placement will work as well as the magnum loads. I like to load my "mid range" .357 stuff in .38 brass, it just makes it a bit easier to keep loads separated.

[Thin Man]

I enjoyed reading all the comments in this discussion about the 358429 mold pattern and loads. That got me thinking so I looked and discovered - that is a mold I don't have at this time. Well, imagine that. Looks like I need to go shopping!

[SvenLindquist]

Why would anyone use 38 spec cases in a 357 magnum ? Who shoots 44 Russians in their 44 magnum ? 45-70s in a 45-90 ?

[kenton]

I shoot 38 special in my 357 and I shoot 44 special in my 44 mag.

because I can

[15meter]

Why would anyone use 38 spec cases in a 357 magnum ? Who shoots 44 Russians in their 44 magnum ? 45-70s in a 45-90 ?

I used to shoot 45 Schofield in my 94 Trapper because it only fit 9 rounds of 45 Colt in the magazine.

When shooting Cowboy, I had two choices, load 9 rounds of 45 Colt and have to load a single round on the line to get my 10 rounds or load the Schofields and get 10 rounds in the magazine,

[John Van Gelder]

A video from the Military Arms Channel shows the presenter shooting .40 S&W in his 10mm semi auto and Ruger GP 100. Just as a guess I would venture there are more folks who shoot .38 spls in their magnums than those that don't. It has always been a selling point for the .357 that you can use .38 spl ammunition.

[Rex]

John, the 7 grain Unique load in the 357 case with any bullet that I cast has become my favorite also. The Arthritis in my lower thumb joints tolerate it and it is quite accurate. A bit over 1100 in my 4" 686. I've been playing with some loads in a 38 special case, 6 grains Unique and 11.5 grains 2400. My sore hands do not like Mr. Keith's loads. For "trigger time" I do use 3.2 grains Bullseye. It has to get above freezing with a little less wind before I do much testing though.

Rex

[John Van Gelder]

Rex

Any movement from the folks at Handloads.com..? Lots of stories about folks defending themselves from big predators and angry herbivores with the 9mm, the 6 grn load in the .357 is significantly above that, without the muzzle blast and recoil of full power magnum loads.

At the 3/4 century mark, I really enjoy shooting the lighter stuff and good shot placement is always better than more horsepower and poor shot placement.

[Rex]

John,
Haven't heard a thing about Handloads.com. The 6 grain load you speak of was in the .38 Spec. case wasn't it?

[John Van Gelder]

Rex

In .38 spl. cases, Those work well in my mod 28, it has a short cylinder and the Keith bullet is too long if seated at the crimp groove in .357 brass. You can get by seating the bullets in the crimp groove in .357 brass with the 19 and the L frame smith and the "L" frame Ruger (GP 100).

[Hi-Speed]

Rex, an old favorite of mine using 2400 is the 358311 (Lyman 2) and 11.0 grs of 2400 (from Lyman 44) - gets 1,100 FPS 6 inch barrel. But it is darn accurate.

[John Van Gelder]

6 gr of Unique a nice round number gives you a +P load in the 9mm (use at your own risk, a load I got from a friend in BC for woods carry) a high velocity .38 spl loading, a just above standard .44 spl., load a good target load in the .45ACP and a very pleasant load in the .45 Colt. One powder to do everything..well almost... j