S&W 686 357 mag load using unique?

[barnabus]

I have a 150 grain Keith bullet mold for my 357 mag and was trying to find a starting point and max using Unique powder but the Lyman book shows nothing using the combo. Any help appreciated!

[Wild Bill 7]

Hercules load manual 1992 gives 158 lswc with Unique powder at 6.8 max. Reduce by 10% for start.

[Lloyd Smale]

I load a lot of them using 6 grains of unique. It isn't getting me absolute top end velocitys but that isn't a big concern with me when shooting cast out of a handgun anyway.

[Mr Pistole]

6.3 grains of Unique works well for me.

[Walt]

6.0 Unique is where I'd start.

[Wally]

My first reloading manual from Lyman from the 70's showed a max load of 8.0 grains of Unique with a 158 SWC cast bullet (358156). I don't suggest that you use that load. As I have trouble finding Unique powder, I use 6.0 of Titegroup with a 158 Cast bullet in the .357 Magnum.

[TCFAN]

Like some of the others I use 6.0 grs of Unique with a 158 gr. Lee TL SWC. This is a very pleasent load in my S&W model 28-2 4 inch.Also works very nice in my Marlin 94-C....

[rintinglen]

A load I shot a lot of was 5.5 grains of Unique with an RCBS 38-150 K SWC. This is a mild load, more of a 38 +P pressure wise, that was the starting load from an Old Speer Manual. In a Ruger Security Six or a S&W 19/66, it is very controllable and, thanks to the lower pressures, more conducive to long life.

[USSR]

Yep, 6.0gr of Unique is a nice mid-range load. If you want more oomph, I would suggest going to a slower burn rate powder rather than loading Unique up to maximum.

Don

[gwpercle]

RCBS Cast Bullet Manual #1
357 magnum, # 38-150-SWC , Unique Powder:

starting - 7.9 grs. @ 1259 fps

maximum - 8.4 grs. @ 1342 fps

These seem to be true magnum loads, My pet magnum load was 7.5 grains of Unique and that was plenty hot enough for me out of a Ruger Blackhawk.
Gary

[30calflash]

Some older manuals show maximum loads in the 8 grain range, more recent have been tamed down some. I'd stick with the current lower numbers at this point in time.

You didn't mention what revolver/ firearm you were using, it may make a difference.

[rond]

http://www.darkcanyon.net/MyFriend_The357.htm