125 gr .38spl Hollow points using Unique?

[John in WI]

Can anyone recommend a dose of Unique for a 125gr .38spl? (+P is ok--it's a 1980's vintage Smith). I recently traded for some nice HPs, but I can't find any reloading data for CAST 125grs. For JHPs it looks like 5.6-6gr Unique gives around 1000fps using CCI primers.

I'd like something with some zip to help ensure expansion. I was told they were cast of stick on WW so should be really soft.

[HATCH]

5 grains is a nice load


sent from my mobile.

[Larry Gibson]

With the 125 jacketed HPs 6 gr Unique is a max load with 6.5 gr being max for +P level.

Larry Gibson

[John in WI]

Thanks for the info. I will load some up at 5gr Unique and see how they do. If 6.5gr is the max load for jacketed, would the max load for cast be lower than that?

I'm surprised I'm not finding more information on .38 special and 125gr cast in my books and some online resources.

[Jeb]

5 grains is a nice load

My favorite load for my 642 is 5gr unique behind a 125gr slug.

[John in WI]

Thanks--I'm still using a Lee Loader for my .38 loading, and made 6 at 5 grains and 6 at 5.5 grains. Hopefully I can get a chance to get them out tomorrow. I'd like to test them against some wet-pack phone books and see what kind of penetration they offer. So far I've been loading 148gr wad cutters and 158 grain SWCs. Cast from WW, these things really have amazing penetration (and virtually 0 expansion)

I did a little reading, and was surprised to learn that my 9x18 fires 95 grains at about 1000fps. So it was good to learn that these .38 HPs should be a good step up from that.

[Beagle333]

I'm really interested to hear how SOWW's do at 5 grains. I'm using 50/50 at 4.6 and they are fun and clean shooting, but I'd love to know I could use my SOWWs and go up to 5.

****************
(more heat and pressure with a softer boolit) :popcorn:
(not a safety issue, but a "how long's it gonna take me to clean this thing" issue.) ;)

[John in WI]

I'll let you know how they do. I think 5gr should be a good load. They are listing up to 6gr for the top end JHP load, so I'm certain I'm well within the safe pressure range. I'm hoping it's zippy enough to expand reliably.

[rexherring]

Soft lead like yours should expand at lower speeds. I would think even a 4 - 4.5 grain load will work just fine. i load 4 grs in my snubbie and up to 5.5 in my 4 inch.

[John in WI]

I think you're right Rex. These are soft, and I think out of the 4" Smith they will have plenty of speed at 5grains, but enough weight that recoil shouldn't be any problem. I was hoping to get out today and do a little shooting but it's still raining. Strange Dec. weather here in WI!

[mr.jake]

Im curious how they do also john. pm'd you.