357 rainier and unique

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sappyg

sappyg

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I've tried my Speer manual, Hodgdon, and google foo. No luck.

I'm wanting to load Rainier 125 gr. HP in 357 cases. I need to use Unique and looking for a light load not exceeding 1000 fps. I've found powder charges as low as 5 gr. for 150 gr. lead bullets.
I'm sure I can hit the speed I'm looking for using 38 cases but would prefer to use 357 if possible.
Anyone tried Light loading Unique? Should I just use the 38 cases?
 
ColtPythonElite said:
I load 125's with 6.5 Unique for a very accurate and mild 1100fps.
Click to expand...

Sounds good. I'm apprehensive about 5 gr. of unique but I'm thinking 6 gr. should get me there or about. +100 fps wouldn't make much difference to me as long as it burns clean. I'm not big on cleaning. For some reason a dirty revolver drives me nuts.
 
I shoot that load outta one of my Pythons. I haven't cleaned it in about 2 years. I just wipe it off with an oily rag and roll on.
 
7.7 Grs of Unique and a Powerbond 125 Gr plated HP gave me 1240 FPS powder back and 1130 FS powder forward @ 86 degrees.

That is the closest thing I have. Sounds like somewhere around 6.0 Grs should get you what you want.
 
I have been using 6.9g of unique with the rainier 125g plated bullets for some time now. Have no idea what the velocity is but they are pretty mild and pretty accurate out of my GP100. I was reluctant to reduce this load as it appeared to be pretty light for 357mag as is.

KeithET
 
6.0 grs of Unique in a .38 spl case will send a 125gr JHP right around 1,050 fps chrono'd out of a 4" barrel S&W 66. Difference between a spl and a mag case is a minimal increase in case volume so a load of 5.5gr should meet your 1,000 fps or less criteria if shot from a 4" barrel. A longer 6" barrel may push it over the 1K fps mark by a bit.
 
I use 5.5 Unique in .357 brass with a 158 Rainier plated FP, I plan on using that as a starting point for the 125 grain plated.
It's amazing how clean Unique burns with plated bullets and magnum primers.
 
With 6.0 gr of Unique in .38 brass and 125 gr Berry's plated FP bullets, I get 975 fps average from my Model 66 with a 4" barrel and 1325 from my Rossi Model 92 with a 20" barrel. I consider it a strong +P load, about 100 fps faster than Remington +P hollow point green box ammo. YMMV but it works well in my guns.
 
Good advise. I'm tempted to start at 5.5 gr. and see how that plays out. My big concern is not creating a weird pressure spike or, not having enough pressure get the bullet to the target. This Unique sounds like good stuff.
 
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