.357 + Unique?

[OKSaddletramp]

I have a new to me Lee 358-150SWC two cavity mold that I would like to try some middling fast plinking loads with in my 16" Contender. While I have plenty of Bullseye, I think this is too weak for the type of shooting I want to do. I might as well stick with .38's. HS6 would probably do well, but I'm running low at this time. I have oodles of Unique, however, and it should give me relatively decent velocity without the punishment of H110. I also don't need the full-bore velocity H110 gives.

My problem is I can find no load data for Unique with a 150g cast. My manuals all show 120g as the heaviest bullet to use Unique. I see plenty of loads for Unique in a wide range of bullet weights in other calibers, but not in 357. Is there a reason for this? Or can I get away with trying to work up my own data? I was thinking about starting with 7.0g and working up till I got decent accuracy or pressure signs, whichever came first.

If all else fails, I should be able to fall back on 9 to 10 grains of HS6, but I wanted to save that for my defense .38's

[Airman Basic]

Use 158 grain data. You'll be fine, 7 grains Unique is also a good load.

[Westwindmike]

The current online guide from Alliant shows 6.0 grain as a max load with the 158gr SWC and Unique.

[Wally]

I have used 8.0 grains with no problem, but agree with Airman Basic that 7.0 is probably as much as one should ever use.

Funny, but I have a very old Lyman manual... shows 6.8 grains of Unique with a 358494 (141 grain WC) in a .38 Special..Holy Cow! The same manual shows 8.0 Unique with a 150 grain RN (358430) in the .357 Magnum ..I would not suggest than anyone use such a load. The Manual has a plastic ring binder--binding I believe it is version 45, but the cover has fallen off.

[OKSaddletramp]

Thx for the quick replies. I will adjust my thinking, and start with 5.5g and SLOWLY work up. AB, My manuals don't show any Unique data for 158 either, as stated, nothing for Unique in bullets above 120g

[quilbilly]

I am using 8 gr of Unique in my T/C carbine 357 max as a fun load for plinking with the Lee 150 gr RN. MV is 1250. It is surprisingly accurate and no leading whatsoever. In your 357 mag I would start at 7 gr. then work up.

[Beagle333]

I have oodles of Unique, however[smilie=b:[smilie=b:[smilie=b:

Lucky dog, you!!!! :wink:

[Jr.]

One thing to remember is the heavier the bullet the less powder it takes to reach max pressure a lighter bullet exits the case faster with less pressure so if you find loads for bullets just heavier they are generally okay one thing I would not suggest is using a max load for a much lighter bullet good way to end up injured and lacking a firearm

[gon2shoot]

Check Alliant's web site for some data.

[Tim357]

The current online guide from Alliant shows 6.0 grain as a max load with the 158gr SWC and Unique.

That load has been around since at least Speer #10. The reason it is 6 grains is thats where best accuracy and least leading occurred with the swaged Speer SWC bullet. The old Hercules and later Alliant loads show a max of 6.8 Unique with a 158LSWC. I've used up to 8 grains with good results. I don't recommend this load, just passing along my experience.

[Outpost75]

With heavier.357 loads with Unique, when fired in revolvers, you will get accelerated forcing cone erosion. This is the reason Alliant dropped its maximum charges, it wasn't for pressure. I can tell you from personal experience, that 1000 rounds of 8 grains of Unique with Remington lead 158-gr. SWCs in R-P cases with Remington 5-1/2 primers at 1.58" OAL will erode the forcing cone on a Colt Python past the No-Go on the Browell's forcing cone gage, necessitating an EXPENSIVE factory repair!

[Ole]

I shot some 6.5gr Unique loads with 158gr SWC TL bullets through the chonograph a couple weeks ago.

They went 1100ish from a 4" revolver and 1350ish from an 18.5" Marlin 1894c.

It's a good medium power load that I'll probably use again.

[Mlcompound]

6 grains of unique is my goto for my r92 rossi. Unless I am going full power with 14.5 w296. Both are very accurate with my lee 358-158-swc.

[Jon K]

+1 for 7.0 gr Unique...GOOD LOAD.
I use it w/160gr RNFP.

Jon

[Larry Gibson]

Thx for the quick replies. I will adjust my thinking, and start with 5.5g and SLOWLY work up. AB, My manuals don't show any Unique data for 158 either, as stated, nothing for Unique in bullets above 120g


Good idea. Any revolver loads are probably going to be a bit much with that PB'd cast bullet in your 16" Contneder. Start at the 5.5 (or maybe even 5 gr and work up to 6.8 gr Unique). My experience with similar PB'd 150 gr cast in several 357 Mag Contenders is your best accuracy will be in the low end range. You might also reconsider Bullseye. I found it to be more accurate especially when the 150swere pushed along at 1050 - 1100 fps.

If you want top end performance of velocity and accuracy with your Contender barrel a GC'd cast bullet is best. I recommend he 358156 Lyman.

Larry Gibson

[OKSaddletramp]

Good idea. Any revolver loads are probably going to be a bit much with that PB'd cast bullet in your 16" Contneder. Start at the 5.5 (or maybe even 5 gr and work up to 6.8 gr Unique). My experience with similar PB'd 150 gr cast in several 357 Mag Contenders is your best accuracy will be in the low end range. You might also reconsider Bullseye. I found it to be more accurate especially when the 150swere pushed along at 1050 - 1100 fps.

If you want top end performance of velocity and accuracy with your Contender barrel a GC'd cast bullet is best. I recommend he 358156 Lyman.

Larry Gibson


My thanks, Mr Gibson; this is exactly what I was looking for. For full bore loads, since my barrel is actually an early factory .357Max, I used to shoot 158g Speer jacketed flat nose pushed with H110. I'm wanting to shoot something a little milder for 50 yard (maybe up to 100) recreational target shooting. If the Unique won't get me acceptable minute-of-tin can at these ranges, I'll try Bullseye.

Currently, I'm casting straight air cooled clip-on wheel weights for this boolit and the milder loads. I also will be loading it in my .38 Special Taurus with either Bullseye or mild loads of HS6 (WW540) for short range plinking. If I did want to beef up the power level with this boolit, would adding some bird shot to the mix (along with some solder or other source of tin) and water quenching, followed by powder coating, be acceptable for 1200 -1300 fps for shots out to and beyond 100 yards? A reminder: These will be shot with .357 Magnum cases, not Max. I have no more Max cases:(

[sniper]

I don't have a TC, but for years, 5.5 gr. Unique was my load for my 4" Smith for IPSC, and everything else. I shot the RCBS 150 gr. plain base, lubed with the red goo that used to come with the Lee size/lube kits, and a WW/50-50 bar solder mix that closely approximated #2 alloy, and commercially cast 158gr SWCs. Never a problem. Now, I am using 5.9gr. Unique, because that is what my measure will throw... with Hornady swaged 158 SWC, RCBS 150 & 162 gc, and commercial cast SWCs. I'm sure you will be happy with something close to the loads you are interested in trying. I've tried a few powders, but Unique always seems to keep returning!

[Airman Basic]

The current online guide from Alliant shows 6.0 grain as a max load with the 158gr SWC and Unique.
With a soft swaged SWC, yes. Otherwise, you'll lead the barrel like crazy. With a cast SWC hard as wheelweights, and a good lube, 7 grains will work fine.

[Rex]

7 grains Unique with a 164 grain 358665 bullet is my favorite mid-range .357........that is when I can find Unique. I get around 1100 fps out of my 4" 686 over my chrony.

[mikeym1a]

My Speer #8 shows a max of 6.0gr Unique with a 148gr swc @1041, and 5.5gr Unique with the 160gr swc @1015. My Ideal Handbook #38 (1951) lists Unique 5.4gr with a 158gr RN @1000fps. Once again, these are max loads in these manuals. mikey

[kenyerian]

I like Bullseye. http://castpics.net/project2/CastDataview.php?ReferenceNumber=2344
http://castpics.net/project2/CastDataview.php?ReferenceNumber=2344

Just Loaded up some tonight on my truline jr.

[LuckySavage]

From the Lyman 45th edition-

98957