Unique Loads in the .357 mag?

[Bula]

Hello all,
I've searched but not found much recent data on mid-level load data for .357 mag loads. I'd think the burn rate of Unique would be about perfect for 1000-1100 fps or so with 158g to 173g boolits. Even my Lyman cast Load manual doesn't have any load data? Neither does the Alliant website. Anyone out there in the interweb having success with any cast pills and Unique? My plan is start at 6g, 6.5g, 7g and 7.5g with some Lee 158g RNFP and go from there. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks,
Bula

[brassrat]

I think I like 7.4gr. with my new 9mm mould at 130 gr.

[telebasher]

I've been playing with 8-81/2 gr HS-6 in the 357. Meters great, shoots clean and very accurate. FYI

[jeepyj]

179028
There is 4 out of a older Lyman book. I've used several with great luck for that very reason. Mid range loads.
Hope this helps,
jeepyj

[Bula]

JeepYJ,

Perfect! Thanks brother. Much appreciated. Saving pic now...

[MaLar]

My fav load for the 357 and cast 158's is 6grs Unique. Out of my B92 I get 1125fps. shoots minute of grouse heads.
I once was in our LGS and told the fellas that I shoot fool hens with my 357. They laughed at me and asked if there was any thing left when I shot them, I told them I always shoot them in the head they just looked at with a disbelieving eye. I didn't tell that I was using a rifle.

[TCLouis]

I would do a web search for Skeeters loads in 357.

Somewhere and I have no idea where, there is a write up of several pages listing mild, medium and Magnum level loads.

The link has now been posted five posts below.

[Kraschenbirn]

Sunday afternoon I finished loading all my empty .357 brass (900+ pcs) with 158 gr. SWCs over 6.2 gr. Unique. Load chronos right at 1100 fps from my 4" GP-100 and 1156 fps from my 6" 586...6-shot string for both guns

Bill

[tsubaki]

Speer #11 lists Unique with a 158gr Semi-Wadcutter from 5.5gr (970fps) to 6.0gr (1034fps).
Test firearm was a 6" Ruger Security Six.

[1Hawkeye]

My pet 357 load is 6.1 grs of unique under a 158 gr LSWC . Very accurate and just enough recoil to be interesting.

[Bula]

Thanks All!

Looks like I'll be starting at 6g. Appreciate the help gentlemen.

Bula

[woodsie57]

I've been using my 0.7 cc Lee dipper for years w/ 158 gr SWC's- seems that is now considered a bit warm, as it translates to 6.4 gr. Unique- my rugers like 'em, though, and I'm staying with it.

[Thomas Traddles]

The Skeeter Article on the .357 which lists light, medium, and heavy loads can be found here:
http://www.darkcanyon.net/MyFriend_The357.htm

[bigted]

Awesome thread!!!!!

[VinceG]

4.5 grains of unique makes a nice target load for the .357 mag with 158 grain boolet.

[Shepherd2]

My standard .357 Magnum load is 6.0 grains of Unique and a 158 grain SWC.

[smkummer]

I am loading around 7 grains with Lee's 158 TLSWC for I believe 11-1150 FPS. It's my bulk loading .357 on a progressive press. I get a small amount of leading with the water dropped bullets that is easily cleaned. When I say bulk loading, I approximately 3/4 full a 30 cal. ammo can with .357 ammo. So that is about as fast as I want to run the bullet if I shoot box more than 50 at a time. I don't need almost twice the amount of powder like 2400 if I don't want to shoot faster.

[Bula]

Awesome thread!!!!!

Agreed! Thanks all!

[bigted]

Just bracket loaded with Unique this weekend ... Began with 4 grains (10 of these) followed by 4.5 also 10 ... 5 grain loads, 5.5 grains also 10 pieces. These loads are under the Lee 158 grain semi wad cutter lubed with Lee,s alox tumble lube.

Will shoot them thru my Colt SAA revolver with 5.5 inch barrel.

[PDshooter]

My standard .357 Magnum load is 6.0 grains of Unique and a 158 grain SWC.
Me too .

[Bula]

179512Loaded up some 158 rnfp, 358439 HP's and some standard 358429's over 6.3g. Ready for the range. Hurry up Sunday!

[375supermag]

Hi...

My preferred load for the .357Mag for many years has been 9.8grs of Blue Dot with a 158gr LSWC, somewhat under the maximum load according to the Lyman pistol and revolver reloading handbook. No chrony, but it should be at right about 1200fps. Enough power for a general purpose/plinking/target shooting load out of half a dozen .357mag revolvers I have.

I have several other loads that are closer to the book maximums that I use for hunting or hiking loads that are used in specific revolvers, but the above load has proven accurate in all of my revolvers out to 25-50 yards so I use it as my generic load in .357Mag. Not as powerful as some, not a ridiculous amount of muzzle blast and just enough recoil to get your attention...all in all, a good general purpose load.

[Bula]

Follow up on the 6.3 grain Unique load. They all shot great. Loads felt good, shot good and ran an average of 1085 from my 6" 686. I do believe I found a keeper! Thanks again everyone, all the advice is sincerely appreciated! My favorite was the 358429. Nothing wrong with a 173g boolit at just about 1100 fps. Easy on the shooter but felt just strong enough to remind me it was a .357 mag.

[Petrol & Powder]

Follow up on the 6.3 grain Unique load. They all shot great. Loads felt good, shot good and ran an average of 1085 from my 6" 686. I do believe I found a keeper! Thanks again everyone, all the advice is sincerely appreciated! My favorite was the 358429. Nothing wrong with a 173g boolit at just about 1100 fps. Easy on the shooter but felt just strong enough to remind me it was a .357 mag.

Excellent !!

Sounds like you found a winner. There's a LOT of usefulness in a good load below full magnum levels. I'm always a bit mystified by people that think one must always shoot full house loads all of the time. Unique seems to be a good powder for those mid-range loads.
I think because Unique is a little bulkier than some of the faster powders it really fills that niche when you're looking for that 900-1100 fps range in a magnum casing.

[2wheelDuke]

I'm not sure how I missed this thread for nearly 2 weeks. Unique is the first powder I ever loaded when my dad was teaching me. 357 is one of the first I ever loaded.

These days, my go-to is a Lee 158gr TL-SWC that's been powder coated over 6 grains of Unique. It's a great light load, not much recoil, but it hits steel with plenty of oomph.

[dverna]

It is one reason I like Unique. It does many things in many applications. I have two pistols and two rifles in .357; and a .38 Spl rifle; but being cheap I use .38 Spl cases in all of them. Loads are adjusted accordingly. I have 200 .357 cases that have never been loaded - saving them for deer loads if I ever have grandkids. One of the 1894 rifles has been cut down for my lady friend (12" LOP) and it will be the kids rifle.

Great thread folks. The .38/.357 is one of my favorite cartridges.

Don Verna

[bigted]

Went out and shot the bracket loads. All performed fair (2 inch 15 yd groups) with the 5.5 grain load getting better with just over an inch at the same yards.

Gonna continue as these are the cats meow thru the Colt SAA. Will begin with 6 grain loads and may go up to 7 or so to see where the sweet spot is.

As mentioned ... Great thread! Some reason i never used unique in the 357. Thanks for the inspiration.

[robg]

Used to use unique as mid power load ,couldn't fine any so I tried true blue ,cleaner Meters better and 7 gr works well with Lee 158swc pb boolits ,8.5 gr with 165gr swc for a bit more power.

[Denver]

My best ever load for my Marlin 1894C is the powder coated Lee 125gr RNFP sized to .358 over 6.7 grs of Unique. I regularly get 50 yard 5 shot groups that measure around 1 1/4 inch. Same boolit without PC shoots 2 inches or more.

[OS OK]

179512Loaded up some 158 rnfp, 358439 HP's and some standard 358429's over 6.3g. Ready for the range. Hurry up Sunday!

I'll bet that the RNFP hits like a freight train and cuts paper clean too!
What lead mix are you using?...on the HP's? That 358429 looks like the deep pin, is it?

[Bula]

I'll bet that the RNFP hits like a freight train and cuts paper clean too!
What lead mix are you using?...on the HP's? That 358429 looks like the deep pin, is it?

That big 'ol meplat does smack with authority for sure. The Hollow point is a factory 358439 and it is a deep pin. As for the alloy, its a mix of COWW, a little pure lead and sweetened with a little Lino. It casts pretty hard so I'm not sure how well that HP would open up or break apart.

[castgunner]

My favorite 357 midrange load is 6.0 - 6.3 gr. of unique with 168 gr Lyman #358429 seated and crimped in the crimp groove. Its over max length but it will work in s&w 686. It usually runs about 950 - 980 fps out of a 4 in. barrel.

[rond]

My Unique load is 7.5 gr. with 158 RNFP.

[hylander]

I know this is an old thread but I just found it.
I am going to load up some Unique starting at 5.8gr. and go up .2 to say 6.6gr. under some 158 Extreme plated
and Some 158 Poly coated lead for my GP-100

[308Jeff]

Glad this thread was brought back up. Saved me from doing it myself! Have a bunch of Unique, so I'm planning on using it for all my 9mm, 40 S&W, 38 Special, and 357 Mag loads.


That big 'ol meplat does smack with authority for sure. The Hollow point is a factory 358439 and it is a deep pin. As for the alloy, its a mix of COWW, a little pure lead and sweetened with a little Lino. It casts pretty hard so I'm not sure how well that HP would open up or break apart.

As someone who's yet to cast a single bullet (although that should change next weekend!) I'm confused by this alloy. Seems like the pure lead would soften the COWW, and then Lino was added to harden it back up? Edjumicate me.

[308Jeff]

179512Loaded up some 158 rnfp, 358439 HP's and some standard 358429's over 6.3g. Ready for the range. Hurry up Sunday!

And I gotta ask what mold is that RNFP? That is a great looking bullet.

[bluejay75]

It is one reason I like Unique. It does many things in many applications. I have two pistols and two rifles in .357; and a .38 Spl rifle; but being cheap I use .38 Spl cases in all of them. Loads are adjusted accordingly. I have 200 .357 cases that have never been loaded - saving them for deer loads if I ever have grandkids. One of the 1894 rifles has been cut down for my lady friend (12" LOP) and it will be the kids rifle.

Great thread folks. The .38/.357 is one of my favorite cartridges.

Don Verna

Don,

Please share your 38 SPL load data. Thanks in advance.

Bluejay

[Estacado]

Very timely thread for me. I purchased an eight pound jug of Unique recently. It really is a go to powder. I am loading a 158 grain PC SWC with 6-7 grains. Shoots great out of my Henry Steel rifle. I plan to use it in my 38-55 and 45-70 for light loads also.

[hylander]

Back from the range.
All loads shot at 25yds. benched.
All loads shot horrible, my new GP-100 is going back to Ruger today :-x
So far I have gone to the range 3 times with several different loads including factory
and the best I can get is a 3.5" group if you want to call it that. Most are shotgun patterns of 4.5" - 5.5"
It is not the nut behind the wheel a I can shoot my other revolvers into 2" all day long at 25yds.

[dverna]

Don,

Please share your 38 SPL load data. Thanks in advance.

Bluejay

I do not share load data that is not published due to liability issues. Please understand I am not trying to be a jerk...but it is a crazy world out there.

A Maximum load with the 158 gr bullet (Lyman source) is 5.1 gr in the .38 Spl. It is always wise to start lower...at say 4.0 gr and work up looking for signs of pressure. In a .357 Mag, it would be possible to go past 5.1 gr in the .38 case, again looking for signs of pressure. The danger in doing so is that if an overpressure load (for the .38) finds its way into a gun for .38 Spl only, it may be dangerous. The risk of mixing up loads may be minimized by marking the bottom of the cases with a felt tip marker...but only you will know its significance. So, generally the advice is to never load above the rated maximum for the case/caliber.

I believe there is no difference in the .38 or .357 case except for OAL. Therefore the case itself is safe at higher pressures. DO NOT use .357 Mag data in a .38 case as the reduced case capacity will spike pressure.

You have a low post count so I am not sure of your experience. Do not use any load data that you cannot verify in a loading manual or on the manufacturers web site...there are idiots out there. Forgive me if I had stated the obvious.

[Grmps]

And I gotta ask what mold is that RNFP? That is a great looking bullet.

that looks like lee's 358-158-RF

[Larry Gibson]

My Unique load is 7.5 gr. with 158 RNFP.

The SAAMI MAP (Maximum Average Pressure) for the 357 Magnum is 35,000 psi. I have measured the pressure in a Contender test barrel of 7.5 gr Alliant Unique under a 358477 (150 gr) in Winchester cases using WSP primers at 37,300 psi. I shot that load for years but now consider 7.2 gr Unique as a maximum load. Just food for thought.

Larry Gibson

[bluejay75]

I do not share load data that is not published due to liability issues. Please understand I am not trying to be a jerk...but it is a crazy world out there.

A Maximum load with the 158 gr bullet (Lyman source) is 5.1 gr in the .38 Spl. It is always wise to start lower...at say 4.0 gr and work up looking for signs of pressure. In a .357 Mag, it would be possible to go past 5.1 gr in the .38 case, again looking for signs of pressure. The danger in doing so is that if an overpressure load (for the .38) finds its way into a gun for .38 Spl only, it may be dangerous. The risk of mixing up loads may be minimized by marking the bottom of the cases with a felt tip marker...but only you will know its significance. So, generally the advice is to never load above the rated maximum for the case/caliber.

I believe there is no difference in the .38 or .357 case except for OAL. Therefore the case itself is safe at higher pressures. DO NOT use .357 Mag data in a .38 case as the reduced case capacity will spike pressure.

You have a low post count so I am not sure of your experience. Do not use any load data that you cannot verify in a loading manual or on the manufacturers web site...there are idiots out there. Forgive me if I had stated the obvious.

I have a low post count and I AM A ROOKIE RELOADER (less than 3 years)! And a more rookie of a caster (less than 1 year)!

I do know that Unique makes a very consistent load and with proper work-up and testing I should see what the MAX is in my gun.

I want to shoot the Lee 358-158 TL unsized and powdercoated in 38 special cases in a Chiappa Skinner Carbine with 6-6.5 grains of Unique if I get no pressure signs.

No offense taken, sir.

[bluejay75]

After an evening on the range to answer some questions from this thread, I learned a few things. Bullet Lee 358 158 SWC TL loaded in assorted 38 special cases with Unique powder and SPP.

1. I think I found my low charge weight, 22 lr replacement load.
2. Up to 6 grains of Unique wont flatten a small pistol primer.
3. Shooting charges from 4.5-6 grains, 5 grains was most accurate (10 shot group at 50 yards).
4. Shooting into freebore (rifle is rechambered to 357 MAX) bullet diameter should be as big as will chamber in your rifle.


Question: If Im not flattening primers, how do I know Im at max pressure?

195861
195862

[jetinteriorguy]

Another sign of over pressure in a revolver is difficulty in extracting cases from the cylinder.

[LAGS]

Today My Girlfriend shot up 100 rounds of .357 that I loaded for her Henry rifle that I bought her.
They were the Lee .358 Round Flat nose sized to .358 and Powdercoated with Smokes Traffic Orange and Signal Blue.
I used 5.5 and 6.0 of Unique and they wer both pretty accurate.

[Larry Gibson]

bluejay75

"Question: If Im not flattening primers, how do I know Im at max pressure?"

Odds are you won't know. Primers, even pistol primers don't really flatten until well over SAAMI MAPs. Same with "sticky cases....that happens well over SAAMI MAPs in most quality revolvers. Best to just stay within credible load data in newer manuals.

Larry Gibson

[Herb3]

For .357 Mag I have been using the Lyman 358430 (195 gr) over 5.5 gr of Unique here with good results in a 4" 686.

[Grmps]

.358-158-swc/358-158-RF: 38 special 4.6 gr unique, 357 mag. 6.4 gr unique = ages old recipee

[30ROUNDCLIPAZINE]

Glad this thread was brought back up. Saved me from doing it myself! Have a bunch of Unique, so I'm planning on using it for all my 9mm, 40 S&W, 38 Special, and 357 Mag loads.



As someone who's yet to cast a single bullet (although that should change next weekend!) I'm confused by this alloy. Seems like the pure lead would soften the COWW, and then Lino was added to harden it back up? Edjumicate me.

He's most likely using the soft lead to stretch out his WW supply and because he has it. The Lino was most likely added for its high tin content to help with mold fill out(least that's what I would've done), and yes to gain hardness back from using the soft lead. Usually the term "sweeten the pot" is referring to adding tin to your bullet alloy. FWIW I've shot full house 358429 loads out of my gp100 with straight coww with a little pewter for tin, powder coated and sized .001 over CYLINDER diameter with absolutely no signs of leading. Lino is hard stuff and completely overkill in any pistol rd IMHO even though lyman recommends it religiously.

[jonp]

Lee shows 5.3gr under a 158gr cast at 922fps with a max of 6.0gr

[Mr_Sheesh]

Minuteshaver -


If I shoot 100 rounds of 130 grain fmj Remington 38 special, and merely open cylinder and have them fall out on their own when I tip the muzzle up pressure is all good?

If I shoot standard factory federal jsp 357 magnum and need to use the extractor rod to get the empties out, that's bad?
Freely falling out = low pressure, which is OK.

Having to use reasonable finger pressure on the extractor rod is fine too.

BUT: If removing the cases from the cylinder requires use of a mallet on the extractor rod, loud screaming, a trip to the gunsmith or factory, or the like, you WILL want to back off on pressures! If you try to remove them and there is any doubt of being able to, the pressure is high. Think "If I was shooting back at people who were trying to shoot me, would I want extraction to be this hard?" if there's any doubt. Best to be easy on our firearms, too high of pressure is definitely bad.

(In case you haven't seen purple text before, we use it to be sure others know we're teasing / using humor. I do tease a LOT! Trying to get the idea across with a smile.)

[Kosh75287]

I reloaded 8.0/Unique/158gr. LSWC for a friend who owned a 5" S&W M27. It shot accurately and hit hard, even out to 100 yards, but leaded the barrel somewhat. We backed off to 7.8/Unique/158gr. LSWC, and lost very little. My Ruger Police Service Six and a friend's Ruger Blackhawk also digested these loads well, but I would be hesitant to use them in less robust revolvers. I finally settled on 7.6/Unique/158gr RNFP for a "general purpose" .357 load. From my 4" PS6, it delivers 1200 + 20 f/s, depending on whose RNFPs I use. Another powder to consider is Alliant Herco. It tends to give slightly better velocities in short (under 6") barrelled .357s than Unique, with charge weights that are 6 to 10% higher. Good luck!

[Walks]

I tried that 8.0grs of UNIQUE load once under a #358156GC cast of pure LINOTYPE. I was out of 2400.

Primers flattened in both a NM Blackhawk & a M27. Case extraction was a bit sticky. Never used that load again.
6.5grs of UNIQUE under the #358429 is my favorite
.357mag Target Load in every .357Mag Handgun I've ever owned except the M27/28.

And yes I've used pure LINOTYPE on every Gas Checked bullet for 60 YEARS. Never had a leading problem because I size according to each gun/cartridges needs.

I even used that #358156GC cast of pure LINOTYPE over a then max charge of 2400 to take a Cougar treed by hounds in 1970. The exit hole was the size of a quarter. He dropped out of that tree stone dead, limp as a dishrag.

And I use still UNIQUE for .38/44 loads in COLT SAA's & Official Police & M23's.

[curioushooter]

Thanks for chiming in Larry. 8 grains of Unique seemed definitely over pressure against today's standards with a 150 or heavier bullet.

7 grains seems to be about what a 158 seated to 1.590 would max at. Alliant has 7.7 grains as a max with a Gold Dot.

[Three44s]

With magnum revolvers when I want more horsepower than a mild medium load fueled with Unique produces, I reach for HS6.

HS6 is a spherical powder, it meters smoothly and consistently. Unique varies greatly in charges out of powder measures. If you are pushing the max pressure range with Unique and throwing those charges and not weighing them you are asking for trouble IMO.

Furthermore, HS6 is a somewhat slower powder than Unique. As such you will deliver more velocity at a lower pressure at the correct charge range than you can with Unique. Richard Lee wrote in his load manual about the strength of lead alloys and found that peak pressures in the mid 20k range fit our average lead alloy strengths better than trending into 30K plus do. When you push Unique, those loads run into that upper range pressure rather quickly.

I am still a big fan of Unique but as I raise the power level above where it works best I switch up to HS6. I use and have used HS6 in .38 Specials loaded for .357s, .41 and .44 Mag. I have used it similarly in the 480 Ruger and in all cases it has delivered good and consistent results.

I have had good performance from this powder in 9 mm Para and 7.62 X 25 mm as well.

Three44s

[gwpercle]

I've been using my 0.7 cc Lee dipper for years w/ 158 gr SWC's- seems that is now considered a bit warm, as it translates to 6.4 gr. Unique- my rugers like 'em, though, and I'm staying with it.

The 1970 Speer #8 manual , 357 magnum , with 158 gr. Speer LSWC / Unique , listed as a starting load 7.0 grains @ 1149 fps ...
with a max. of 8.0 grains @ 1257

Wanting to be a safe reloader, I loaded them with 7.5 grains Unique @ 1200 fps...or so I thought.
For the next 30 years I shot that load in a Ruger Blackhawk ... Thank Bill Ruger for making them on the stout side . But I never had any sticky extraction so assumed Speer knew what they were doing...Until I bought the RCBS Manual #1 and noticed the Max load was now only 7.0 grs. , the start load was now 6.5 grs. !!!!

That 6.4 grain load should be OK , at least according to Speer Manual #9 !
Gary

[gwpercle]

The Skeeter Article on the .357 which lists light, medium, and heavy loads can be found here:
http://www.darkcanyon.net/MyFriend_The357.htm

If you have any interest at all in the 357 magnum this is one of the best most informed articles you will ever read . Print the 8 pages and keep them with your reloading manuals . I have it somewhere but printing it again...you can't have too much good information when reloading .

Thanks Thomas....
Gary

[cowboy4evr]

I have tried many 357 magnum loads using the Lyman 358156 ( the Ray Thompson 2 groove swc) and the Keith 358429 . I have found 7.5grs of Winchester Super Field a really nice upper mid range load with the Thompson design bullet . It shoots very accurate and the brass is clean . I had Tom @ Accurate Molds make my molds plain base instead of gas checked . 9.5grs of HS6 gets use as does 10grs of Blue Dot . Regards, Paul

[Porous casting]

Dragging up an old thread ,new to casting, Have bought lee 105 swc and 125 rf.to use in gp100 357 6"and sti spartan 9mm.
have unique and wsf powders and a new bottle of aps350,
have been shooting with around 4g with wsf in the 9mm and unique with 38spcl .
wondering on loading up some stouter loads in 357 cases with the 125 rf (around 128g drop)
have been powder coating with Eastwood powders. But usualy spray with lanotec when I size them
I have been thinking about 6 or 7 grains of unique.(would like to get a 357 rifle also)

any help /pointers would be great.

[Bula]

Glad to see my old post getting some use!!

I also have the Lee 105 (drops about 112g) and the 125 RNFP (drops at about 130) both for a hodge podge alloy. I've only used both in .38 spl. That 125g should be nice at 7g of unique. That little 105-swc is my FAVORITE .38 spl bullet over small loads of bullseye, tack driver.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[sghart3578]

I like 6.8 gr if Unique in my 357 loads, revolver and rifle. But I don't remember loading 125 bullets even though I cast a lot of them.

With the Lee 158 gr RF bullet 6.8 gr of Unique is awesome.

Best of luck,

Steve in N CA

[robg]

i use 8gr true blue meters better and cleaner.similar burn rate.

[richhodg66]

You'd be safe to go as high as 8.5 grains of Unique with that bullet weight, but if it were me, I'd start at about seven grains and work up slowly until I found what I wanted.

[Porous casting]

Thanks for the replys.
Will load some starting at 6.5 and work up
I am using ww with a touch of tin.
258324
Here's a couple of 105s I recovered at the range.supprised at how well the ford blue stuck.
Guess I have to thank Elvis and fortune cookie on YouTube for there vids.

[sniper]

Dragging up an old thread ,new to casting, Have bought lee 105 swc and 125 rf.to use in gp100 357 6"and sti spartan 9mm.
have unique and wsf powders and a new bottle of aps350,
have been shooting with around 4g with wsf in the 9mm and unique with 38spcl .
wondering on loading up some stouter loads in 357 cases with the 125 rf (around 128g drop)
have been powder coating with Eastwood powders. But usualy spray with lanotec when I size them
I have been thinking about 6 or 7 grains of unique.(would like to get a 357 rifle also)

any help /pointers would be great.

For years, my IPSC and everything load from Smith & Wesson 586 and Ruger GP100 4" revolvers...5.5 Unique 150-158 gr. SWC. mostly the RCBS 150 K mould, 357 brass, standard primers...chrono'ed 860 fps, although I thought that may be a little low...Cast from what I hopefully thought of as Lyman #2...~15 BHN. Mine were probably somewhat softer, mixed on my Coleman camp stove, and TLAR (that looks about right) mixture..."O.K., got the wheelweights, now how much 50 50 solder?" lubed with the red goo Lee included with its sizing kit. Whatever, they worked great, little to no leading, accurate, pleasant to shoot. I have been tempted to go to 6 gr. of Unique, and one day I may. ;)

[Joel Chavez]

I've been loading 6.0gr of Unique using an Ideal 357446 mould sized to .358 for several years now with great success. I took my first ever pistol kill with it. Shot a javalina at 23yds right behind the ear. DRT son! If I recall correctly, my 6" M686 shoots this pills at about 1100fps. I can easily print a 1" group at 20yds with this load. It's very low recoil and a pleasure to shoot.