357, unique and 125gr lead load?

unique/357

My book shows a 125gr. lrn for Unique : 6.0 grs [769fps] to 7.8 grs [1290fps] I'd guest you may have trouble with barrel leading when using 7+ grs.
For just shooting targets why not try using 6.2 to 6.5?

Your Lyman books reads a whole lot different than mine does. For 121 grain bullets of several styles mine shows a min 4 and max 8.5 grains Unique. The upper charge weights are running velocities that almost guarantee problems with leading in short order. I'm going to agree with 3leggeddog here. That 6.2 - 6.5 grain load should shoot pretty nice and anything over 7 is likely to cause leading.

My book

My data was taken from the NEW "Lyman Pistol+ Revolver" 3rd Edition hand book. You may want to check your data against the powder manufacture!
Mold # 358093 125 gr. Linotype Aol 1.585"
He ask about a 125 gr LEAD bullet NOT a 121 !!!!

3leggeddog said:

My data was taken from the NEW "Lyman Pistol+ Revolver" 3rd Edition hand book. You may want to check your data against the powder manufacture!
Mold # 358093 125 gr. Linotype Aol 1.585"
He ask about a 125 gr LEAD bullet NOT a 121 !!!!

Click to expand...

And he was using data from a 120 grain, so what's your point?

Published data isn't always available for all possible load variations and sometimes you have to work something up. Guys that have been around reloading a while can usually do this pretty safely by starting with something close. I thought that's what we were doing here.

Snowbandit: You said " And he was using data from a 120 grain, so what's your point?

Published data isn't always available for all possible load variations and sometimes you have to work something up. Guys that have been around reloading a while can usually do this pretty safely by starting with something close. I thought that's what we were doing here. "
3leggeddog says:
My point is to post Correct data , the max for the 121 you posted Is a lot Higher than the 125 gr max! by the book. 125gr = max of 7.8. 120 gr max =9.1 for the lrn......

No offence ment, I didnt mean to be so hard on Snowbandit!

He ask about a 125 gr LEAD bullet NOT a 121 !!!!

Click to expand...

Lyman lists it's bullet weight "as cast".
That means before sizing and lubing.

Bullet lube will easily add the missing 4.0 grains, making the 121 grain "as cast" bullet weigh 125 or so after it is sized & lubed.

They are also talking about Linotype bullet alloy with that load data.
Linotype is very hard, and those bullets can be loaded much hotter without leading then typical commercial cast bullets made from softer alloy.

rc

The data in the op sounds about right for max 357 loads. My alliant flyer shows 6.0 of unique for std 38 spl loads for a 125 gr lead bullet. Most of the lead bullet data out there is for soft or swaged bullets, which will lead your bbl something fierce if they're pushed hard at all. If you're shooting a hard cast bullet with bhn of 15+ you'll blow the gun up before the bullet causes leading at least with Unique (undersized bullets/obstructed bore, etc will likely give you leading regardless of velocity).

Those 7.X loads should have you in the 1200 fps range, with the max around 1600, depending on bbl length.

I load 6.5g or Universal with 125g JHP bullets in my .357 for light target loads.

Now.......I know he asked about Unique and 125g wad cutters, so I'm only listing my load as another reference, since it is a light target load.

I'd think 7+ grains might be a little fast for a soft lead wadcutter. I'd try and find a 38 special load for the same bullet and start with the max load if loading it in a .357 case.

But that's just me.

Just remimber not all lead is the same if you have softer lead you need to slow them down some, if it's harder you can run them a lil hotter.