Need data for 38 special 170 grain Keith Boolit hunting load

[clearwater]

Looking for a "bear" load for #358429 170 grain Keith style bullet. Lyman 49 lists two powders I have -Bullseye and Unique. I was wondering if anybody still uses slower powders with the heavier bullets? I have IMR 4227, 2400, 296.

Which powder would be the place to start. Unique? Anyone have modern data for the slower powders?

Gun can use +P.

[Larry Gibson]

Had 357 on mind.......my bad.....

[Grmps]

You didn't mention a rifle or handgun.

Lyman CB 4th

https://i.imgur.com/4rRO47E.png?1

[zymguy]

I like 10.5 of 2400 crimped over the drivingband in a 357 case, NOT load data but the similarities in case volumn suggest it'd work.

[2shot]

sorry bad post

[tazman]

The Hodgdon data site has load data for a 170 grain jacketed for +P 38 special using 4227. You might be able to figure something out from that

[Brassduck]

here is some old loads231125

[Beerd]

Posts number 3 and 7 above illustrate just why having an assortment of printed BOOKS is so handy at times.
..

[ddixie884]

The Lyman 45th gives that 10.5gr 2400 load as max seated to the groove with a good firm crimp. that should do the job......

That is with .38spl brass........
Lyman 45th used S&W M-14 6in........

[Orchard6]

Might be a bit late to the party but I’ve been loading 6 grains of Unique under a 173 grain 358429 with pretty decent accuracy. It’s plenty stout and not recommended for anything less than a heavy framed .38 or .357 though.

[zymguy]

The Lyman 45th gives that 10.5gr 2400 load as max seated to the groove with a good firm crimp. that should do the job......

may be too long for some cylinders. It fits in my dads Blackhawk but not my Colt
With 357 brass

[zymguy]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190102/15e3f2ba0a39d62ba955b7a3d8a42b3c.jpg




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Outpost75]

To the OP, it would help a GREAT deal to know what revolver you are shooting these in.

In my Ruger Blackhawk and Police Service Six .38 Special I crimp #359429 in the normal crimp groove and load 11 grs. of Alliant #2400 or 12.5 grs. of IMR4227. These loads exceed industry +P standard by 15-20% and are NOT something you want to shoot in a K-frame S&W if you want it to last...

If your revolver has a short cylinder and requires deep seating the bullet and crimping over the front band, DO NOT exceed 9 grains of Alliant #2400 or 10 grs. of IMR4227, in .38 Special brass which is full +P.

[clearwater]

To the OP, it would help a GREAT deal to know what revolver you are shooting these in.

In my Ruger Blackhawk and Police Service Six .38 Special I crimp #359429 in the normal crimp groove and load 11 grs. of Alliant #2400 or 12.5 grs. of IMR4227. These loads exceed industry +P standard by 15-20% and are NOT something you want to shoot in a K-frame S&W if you want it to last...

If your revolver has a short cylinder and requires deep seating the bullet and crimping over the front band, DO NOT exceed 9 grains of Alliant #2400 or 10 grs. of IMR4227, in .38 Special brass which is full +P.

Is that 10 grains of IMR 4227 the old Canadian version, cause that's what I have. Also this is an LCRX Ruger, so can take +p, tho won't be something I shoot in it regularly other than for load work up and sighting in . I have room in the cylinder for the bullet to be crimped in the crimp groove.

[clearwater]

Tried out some Unique 5 grains (originally posted 5.5 but that was another load in the box with lighter bullets) dropped with old powder drop and got velocities averaging in the low 900's. Didn't seem to kick a lot. This is in a 3" ruger LCRX. Does this sound okay for the gun? Probably a +P load? Managed to hit a tin can at 20 yards more often than not, but I am new to handguns so my aim is not what I hope it will be.

Want a load to shoot fool's hens for supper and deter wolves and cougars when I hike with my dog.

[Outpost75]

My IMR4227 is made in Australia.

[Michael J. Spangler]

here is some old loads231125

I shot a few of these hot 2400 loads under a 158 grain.
Boy they knew how to make them hot back then.
I would love to run some of these numbers through quickloads. I wouldn’t put a steady diet through a 38+p revolver.

[30calflash]

post deleted.

[curiousgeorge]

I've been shooting 5.0 grs Unique under the Keith 170 gr in 38 Special brass for 40 years. Ruger Blackhawk used mostly but have also used in S&W model 10 (no dash) with no problems. As heavy as I want in 38 special brass in case something happens to me and ammo winds up in someone elses guns.

[Hi-Speed]

Looking for a "bear" load for #358429 170 grain Keith style bullet. Lyman 49 lists two powders I have -Bullseye and Unique. I was wondering if anybody still uses slower powders with the heavier bullets? I have IMR 4227, 2400, 296.

Which powder would be the place to start. Unique? Anyone have modern data for the slower powders?

Gun can use +P.

My favorite load with the Keith 170 gr SWC is from Handloader. It is a 38-44 level load to be used only in 357 Mag large frame handguns. I use 6.0 grs Power Pistol...extremely accurate... but it is a good 1,000 FPS + load in 6 inch revolvers.

[cowboy4evr]

If I remember correctly , Elmer Keith used 5.0 grs of Unique in a 38 special case using his bullet . He felt the bullet might be too heavy but stuck with it . I have used loads of Unique from 5.0 - 5.8 grs in 38 special cases with the 173gr swc with great accuracy . All loads were shot from a 357 as I have no 38 special guns . Regards, Paul