148 cast db wc - Unique Powder - 38 spl?

[Lovesbeer99]

I have some 148gr double base wad cutters from Oregon Trail. I plan to use unique powder to load 38 spl. I believe the lowest level to start with is 3.1grains of powder and the most is 4.0, but I can't seem to find my book. It was in the Lyman Cast Bullet book. I have the regular lyman book which lists the 150 grain, but I can't find the other book.

'little help?

Thanks
Lovesbeer99

 

[bob40caliber]

I have used 3.5 gr. of Unique with excellent success.

Good luck and Enjoy

 

[cdrt]

The 45th Edition of the Lyman Reloading book has the following:
141 grain cast DEWC, 3.5 Unique to 6.8
150 grain cast DEWC 3.5 Unique to 5.5
Looks like you could use 3.5 as a starting load. It should be pretty pleasant since the 141 bullet is 739 fps and the 150 is 608 fps. They used a S&W model 14 (K38) as the test gun back then.

Navy Vet & SWIFT Boat OIC

 

[Lovesbeer99]

I have 3.1 grains and you guys state that 3.5 is the low. I need to find my book before I move foward.

 

[Steve C]

Try Alliants website for load data using Unique and your 148gr WC's.

 

[olywa]

Don't mean to hijack your thread here, but does anyone know if that bullet has the same hardness as the others in the Oregon Trail LaserCast line? I want to load it a little hotter in a 357 case and I'm wondering about leading.

 

[Lovesbeer99]

OK - I found the book and 3.1 was the starting level with Unique and I can go up to 4.7.

As for the hardness, You can call Oregon Trail or send an email to confirm, but I think they are all the same alloy. I have an email from Oregon Trail that that puts the hardness factor at 24 which is very hard according to my Lyman Book.

Shoot safe (I do)

Lovesbeer99

 

[olywa]

Thanks Lovesbeer99. I was hoping that they had the same hardness. I'd like to see if i can push them to about 1050 or 1100 out of my 3" SP101. As hard as they are, they should penetrate to beat the band. Hopefully with little or no leading. That's a nice wide meplat for a 357 bullet.

 

[sargenv]

Bear in mind that full wadcutters do not like to be pushed very hard and will generally keyhole (fly funny) when pushed to faster velocities... How do I know this? Well, I tried it and wow, square bullets printing on paper

Vince

 

[Lovesbeer99]

That's why Elmer Keith invented the Semi Wadcutter, 158gr.


By the way, when you call Oregon Trail ask for load data, and also check the Lyman Cast Loading Book. Both will provide many loads that will beat 1000 fps without leading. (I think)

 

[Sunray]

My Lyman Pistol & Revolver manual gives 3.1 to 4.6 for a 148 grain cast bullet. WC's are target bullets and they don't like going fast.