38 Special (38-44) 158 gr SWC

[Hi-Speed]

Wonder if anyone uses 6.0 grs Unique behind standard cast 158 gr SWC for use in their 38-44 N frames or 357 Magnum revolvers? I have a bunch of 158 gr SWCs I found in my stash and want to use them in my Ruger B/H 4 5/8 inch over 6.0 grs Unique for a good 38-44 duplicate (not quite 357 Mag pressures, but I imagine that they are about 25k psi based on some searches here).

I’ll load some and chronograph this coming week.

My Little Dandy Rotor #12 throws a perfect 6.0 grs of Unique each time (unlike the lower numbers with smaller charge holes).

[RED BEAR]

Alliant list 5.4 unique as max for 158 grain bullet for 38 spec+p. I know ruger is a strong gun but why over load a cartridge? If you use 357 cases you can easily duplicate what you want.

[sniper]

After using 5.5 gr. Unique in 357 Magnum cases, standard primers, and 150-160 gr. boolits for years as my standard, IPSC, do-all load @~ 860 fps, I am going to increase the load to 6.0 gr. for velocity closer to 900 fps. Your Blackhawk will have no problem with the 6.0 gr. load. I recently shot some 357 Magnum Speer 135 gr. short barrel loads in my GP 100, alternated with my IPSC loads, and the recoil and POI were hardly diffferent from 18-25 yards. The Magnums' recoil was little more noticeable, but not a problem. I will buy more of the 357 Magnum ammo. I LIKE it!

[RED BEAR]

I have no doubt that 357 cases will handle this load and more i question using 38 spec cases.

[RJM52]

..not right this second but having tons .38 Special cases and lots of SWC bullets it is on my to reload list for my Pre-27 6.5". I prefer to use .38 Special cases for the 27 because of the short cylinder many SWC bullets will not make the max LOA if crimped in the standard crimp groove...

Going to load all .38/44 loads in nickel and all standard loads in brass and even if one .38/44 load gets mixed in it won't blow up a standard .38 Special...it's just that continued use will beat the gun to death...

Bob

[Martin Luber]

4.2 to 4.9 Unique is a nice accurate load for the 158 in 38 spl. Has a good feel to it as well