358429 in standard pressure .38 Special

[nicky4968]

I recently sold my last .357 (a Model 28) and only have a Model 10-5 and a 15-8 left. I wish to find a load to use up my 358429 173 gr Keiths, but do not want to duplicate the .38/44 loads.
What is a standard pressure load for this bullet using Unique powder?
Is there one with 2400 powder?
Many thanks

[USSR]

4.5gr of Unique will work for you - 5.0gr is a +P load. 2400 is too slow a powder for a standard pressure .38 Special load.

Don

[David LaPell]

I think I use 4.2 grains of Winchester 231 and that bullet, works great.

[nicky4968]

Many thanks

[fecmech]

Nicky--The Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook third edition lists 5.0/Unique as a max std pressure load at 860 FPS and 16500 CUP for 358429.

[bootsnthejeep]

I like 5.0 unique in my K38.

[subsonic]

My 2nd edition Lee loading manual lists 7.2gr @ 802fps and 7.6gr @ 850fps of 2400 behind a 160gr jacketed bullet yeilding 15900psi - this is a standard pressure .38 load.

They also list a 200gr Lead load with 2400 at +P pressure as follows:6.6gr = 834fps and 7.1gr = 890fps@17500psi.

I would think you could find a load with 2400 at around 6.5gr in that pressure range with your boolit - but at your own risk of course - and check for lots of unburnt powder in the bore after every cylinderful of loads. This is likely a very dirty load if that matters to you.

Lee also lists AA5 for both standard and +P .38 loads with that boolit as follows:

4.9gr@766fps is starting load, 5.4gr@870fps is top load with 16500psi for regular .38spl.

.38+P shows 5.0gr@792fps and 5.6gr@900fps/17900psi for max.

Hodgdon Longshot is probably a good powder for reaching top velocity at low pressure with this boolit in .38s, but I don't see any data for this particular combination.

5gr of Unique was a safe load when I tried it with this boolit, but I would not call it an accurate or good load.

[FN in MT]

5.0 of Unique and the #358429 was my Field load for 20+ years in .38's and .357 mag revolvers. If I recall correctly...The old Elmer Keith recommended load was 5.2 grs. Typical Elmer...push the limit a bit.

FN in MT