38 Short Colt & Unique

[jski]

I’m looking for a good charge for the 38 Short Colt using Unique. I’ve listened to FortuneCookie45LC’s series on loads for the 38 Short Colt. I’ve read different recipes on different forums but none that used Unique, which honestly is surprising.

What seems like a good starting point Is 4-1/2 grains of Unique using 158 grain bullets ... in my case Berry’s Bullets.

Comments? Questions? Suggestion?

 

[25-5]

I reload .38 S&W, not the same, but similar. I did a bit of research on the Colt short on the S&W forum.
3.7 grains of Unique was the max. Starting with 2 gr and working up.
You don't mention what pistol. Caution if it's a top break.

 

[Monac]

What top breaks are in 38 Short Colt? I guess a Schofield reproduction in 38 Special could fire it, but otherwise I am drawing a blank.

Also, I know that 38 LONG Colt used 130 grain bullets. 158 sounds a bit heavy for Short Colt, although I suppose they are widely available, which counts for a lot now.

 

[Mr_Flintstone]

I’m looking for a good charge for the 38 Short Colt using Unique. I’ve listened to FortuneCookie45LC’s series on loads for the 38 Short Colt. I’ve read different recipes on different forums but none that used Unique, which honestly is surprising.

What seems like a good starting point Is 4-1/2 grains of Unique using 158 grain bullets ... in my case Berry’s Bullets.

Comments? Questions? Suggestion?

Is this going to be shot from an original .38 Short Colt revolver, or a modern .38 Special or .357 Magnum? For the older original .38 SC revolvers, you’re going to want to stay less than 8,000 CUP pressure. Modern guns can be loaded much hotter, but you’re not likely to find measured pressure for modern loads hotter than what would be safe in originals.

 

[jski]

I reload .38 S&W, not the same, but similar. I did a bit of research on the Colt short on the S&W forum.
3.7 grains of Unique was the max. Starting with 2 gr and working up.
You don't mention what pistol. Caution if it's a top break.

It’s my brand spanking new S&W K-frame Carry Comp 357.

 

[Mr_Flintstone]

Well, then. Somebody fact check me, but I think .357 magnum and 9mm Luger are both 35,000 PSI max. 38 SC and 9mm Luger both have the same volume. So I believe a 9mm load in a 38 SC case “should” be safe in a .357 Magnum. Maybe the brass would be the limiting factor. Starting loads of 9mm would “probably” be OK, but I’d load with .38 S&W data. It should be safe in any modern gun.

 

[Monac]

How old is that reloading manual page, Mr._Flintstone? The graphics remind me of the 1950's. (I mean that as a compliment. )

 

[Mr_Flintstone]

How old is that reloading manual page, Mr._Flintstone? The graphics remind me of the 1950's. (I mean that as a compliment. )

Lyman #44.... whenever that was. I’ll have to check.

Edit....1967.

 

[Mr_Flintstone]

Aw, crap. Now I’m going to have to load some more 38 Short Colts. This thread has made me miss those little guys.

 

[mcb]

Well, then. Somebody fact check me, but I think .357 magnum and 9mm Luger are both 35,000 PSI max. 38 SC and 9mm Luger both have the same volume. So I believe a 9mm load in a 38 SC case “should” be safe in a .357 Magnum. Maybe the brass would be the limiting factor. Starting loads of 9mm would “probably” be OK, but I’d load with .38 S&W data. It should be safe in any modern gun.

View attachment 944367

Yeah 9mm starting loads can be a good starting place. Although for 38 Short Colt I am shooting 160gr bullets loaded to a longer OAL than 9mm. That helps keep pressure down a bit, but I am not trying to push them too fast, just enough to make Minor power factor for USPSA Revolver division and to be decently accurate. My current load is 160gr coated lead RN bullet going 870 fps pushed by Titegroup. I would like to try a different powder when this batch is go as the Titegroup is causing just a little bit of flame cutting with this load for some reason.

 

[jski]

I believe FortuneCookie45LC was loading his 38 SCs with 4.4 grains of W231 and seating 158 grain bullets. And he saw no signs of excessive pressure. He wasn’t pleased with the accuracy so was intending to push those bullets harder.

Oh yeah and BTW, he was using a 357 for testing.

 

[mcb]

I believe FortuneCookie45LC was loading his 38 SCs with 4.4 grains of W231 and seating 158 grain bullets. And he saw no signs of excessive pressure. He wasn’t pleased with the accuracy so was intending to push those bullets harder.

Oh yeah and BTW, he was using a 357 for testing.

Yeah I had mine loaded down to ~800 fps at one point (that just make Minor Power Factor) but the accuracy was really bad. I pushed it up to ~870 fps and the groups size got much smaller.

 

[jski]

In this application, how comparable is Unique to W231?

 

[TTv2]

I wouldn't use Unique in these short cases, this is where a fast powder like Bullseye is better. My theory is due to the long jump in the cylinder these already low pressure loads will lose even more pressure as gas blows by it in the chamber and can lead to a squib.

I say this as weeks ago I was shooting .32 ACP in a .327 and the Bullseye loads were leaving the barrel (at 350 fps) while the first Unique load didn't.

 

[fxvr5]

I say this as weeks ago I was shooting .32 ACP in a .327 and the Bullseye loads were leaving the barrel (at 350 fps) while the first Unique load didn't.

What was your load data?

 

[TTv2]

What was your load data?

Bullseye it was 2grains, Unique I can't remember. Maybe 2.8, it was near max.