View Full Version : .38 /.357 recipe for LEE 105 gr swc boolit and unique?
spocter72
06-17-2013, 09:59 PM
Hello All,
I was wondering if anyone has been using the 358-105-swc (LEE 105gr.) with unique? I would like to load some 357's and 38's with this boolit. Would be better to be toward the higher side with the loads,but fairly safe loads so I can keep everything in one piece. The reason I say on the higher side is because I had some loads before that just bounced off the side of a 55 gal drum. You know what I mean. Anyway, Thank you all so much for taking the time to read this. If you have a recipe for these,sure would appreciate it. Thanks again and have a great day...Len
spocter72
06-18-2013, 07:41 PM
Well, I've been Googling on this topic and have gotten 4.1gr, another4.5gr, and yet another 5.0gr. from different sites for 105 gr.swc and Unique. I realize Unique is not the best powder for this, but all I have is Unique and Herco with no available other powders to be had. Problem is I take alot of the other sites with a grain of salt. Could anyone confirm or deny any of these loads for 38 ? Thank you...Len
Larry Gibson
06-18-2013, 08:37 PM
You'll do much better with a faster powder equivelent to Bullseye with that weight bullet in either cartridge.
Larry Gibson
spocter72
06-18-2013, 09:14 PM
Thank you for the reply's. I know there are much better choices for powder,but in this day and age,around here anyway, nearly impossible to find so I will have to go with either the Herco or Unique that I have until I can get something better. Much appreciate your responses, and Thank You again....Len
Mlcompound
06-18-2013, 10:14 PM
I haven't tried unique with my 105 swc but I did a workup with bullseye and hp38. My model 60 3" preferred hp38 at 4.5. It also liked 4.0 bullseye but not as much as the hp38.
Caliber
Bullet
Case
Minimum OAL
(inches)
Bbl Length
Primer
Powder
Charge Weight
(grains)
Velocity
(fps)
Notes
38 Special 158 gr Speer LSWC Speer 1.44 6 CCI 500 Unique 4.7 815 -
38 Special 110 GR Speer GDHP Speer 1.455 6 CCI 500 Unique 5.8 1,065-
38 Special 125 gr Speer GDHP Speer 1.44 6 CCI 500 Unique 5.7 980 -
I don't know if this helps of not but I've used the the 110 load information and dropped the weight percentages. I haven't used Unique with this bullet but it might give you a starting point. Maybe 4.8 or lower?
spocter72
06-20-2013, 02:33 PM
Thank you very much
Artful
06-20-2013, 11:35 PM
I always like to start with the makers of the powder...
http://www.alliantpowder.com
38 Special max load - reduce by at least 10%
110 GR Speer GDHP Unique CCI 500 1.455 OAL 6" barrel CCI 500 Unique 5.8 gr 1,065 fps
357 Magnum - max load - reduce by at least 10% to start
110 gr Speer UCHP Unique CCI 500 1.575 OAL 6" barrel CCI 500 Unique 9.7 gr 1,447 fps
Remember they are using Jacketed bullets - your using plain base lead
- so you won't be able to push it as hard without possible leading
That said with water dropped weighweight mix alloy I have found this boolit to shoot very well for me
in 38 spl, +P, 357 mag, 9x19, 380 ACP and I've even used is as gallery load in 358 WCF rifle.
with out leading
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?105996-Lee-105-SWC-load-data
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?83154-Lee-105-SWC-38-357-Mold
Larry Gibson
06-21-2013, 01:48 AM
The little 105 gr SWC is not a jacketed bullet and offers little in the way of enertia in the cylinder and resistence in the bore. I have shot a lot of 105 and 110 gr cast both my own and commercial developing low end loads for Cowboy Action shooters/plinkers and for higher end loads for hunting small game. Unique is just too slow burning for good ignition and consistent burn. It takes a faster powder like Bullseye, WST, HP30, 700X, etc. About the slowest powder I got to work well was VV Tin Star (N32C) which is about half way in burning rate between Bullsey and Unique.
Larry Gibson
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