Help!...Need load for 162gr. .38 cal flatbase SWC

[wyckkedblue]

I acquired some of these from a friend for nothing, so I figured I'd pull up some load data and see how they worked out. Turns out, I can't find much of anything on the net. SO...maybe you guys can help me out here. I'll be loading these in 38 and 357 cases, just to check results, and I'd prefer a fairly light load, as I'm just punching paper. I have red dot, Unique, and blue dot powder, and intend to use CCI primers... any advice?
Thanks

[HATCH]

You can use the data for 158's
4.5 grains unique is a light load with 5.5 grains being a 38sp +p+ or std 357 mag

[Rocky Raab]

Yes, you can use data for a 158-gr. Enough of that is published that I need not quote any, but RedDot is a great powder for light 38 loads.

[Beerd]

What Hatch said.
And welcome to CastBoolits!
..

[wyckkedblue]

thanks for the advice, guys...and the welcome... just started using lead...and it is a totally different world for me, so I expect I'll be asking a lot of questions. All your advice is appreciated.

[peerlesscowboy]

I'd try Unique....... 5 gr in the .38 spl cases, 6 gr in the .357 mag.

[Rangefinder]

In Red Dot I'm using 3gr. for 38's and 5gr. for 357. It's a good runner.

[Dframe]

My favorite plinking load for that bullet is 8 grains of 2400 (yes 2400). It was listed in an old Lyman manual as an accuracy load and I've used it for years.

[Mavrick]

Unique and Red Dot are 'top line' for .38s and large SWCs...RD for holes in paper or tin cans, and Unique for "gettin' it done." Part of that depends on the barrel-length, but a 4" gun, and a ton of RD will make you real happy.
Unique in a .357 will do the same...it's a carrying load for a LOT of people.
Blue Dot, on the other hand, is a little less powerful than 2400, and isn't recommended by Alliant. In a big .357, it can be OK, but only if you happen to have some. There are better ideas.
As an aside, I use a bunch in my .41 Mags, and it's not recommended THERE, either.
"Do as I say, not as I do." lol
Use 158gr data, start a little low, as you would with any work-up, and have fun.
They are prolly made from an alloy the contains more lead than the control-alloy for which the mold was made, therefor are a tad soft, so would be excellent for slower, mid-range paper-punchin'.
Have fun,
Gene

[357shooter]

The 158 data works well. 3.5 of 700X is my personal favorite with the 162.

[sniper]

5.5 gr. Unique, 357 maggie brass, 150, 158,162 gr. boolits; standard primers= 158/860 chronoed fps, 4 in. barrel .
Maybe not the lightest load, but very consistent and pleasant to shoot.