.38 /.357 recipe for LEE 105 gr swc boolit and unique?

[spocter72]

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]

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]

You'll do much better with a faster powder equivelent to Bullseye with that weight bullet in either cartridge.

Larry Gibson

[spocter72]

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]

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.

[RKJ]

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]

Thank you very much

[Artful]

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]

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