Finally, bear with me here

[ANATION]

So through my shooting life I own or have owned:


Bolt Action: Win Model 70 243, Win Model 70 270, Win Model 70 30-06, Win Model 70 22-250, Win Model 70 7mm-08, three times, Win Model 70 264 Win Mag, Win Model 70 6.5 Creedmoore; Win Model 70 22-250 Coyote Light. Rem SPS 223 Var, Rem BDL 338 Ultra Mag, Rem ADL 7mm Rem mag, Rem SPS tactical 308. Sav 223 Hog Hunter, Sav 223 Walking Varminter, Sav 22-250 110 Varmint, Sav .223 light. Ruger American 22-250, Rug Hawkeye .223. Mosin Nagant. (I might be forgetting a couple.).


Semiauto rifle: Norinco AK, Polytech M-14, Colt SP1 Carbine, Colt 6520, SKS (2)


Shotgun: Model 12 16 gauge, probably will never buy another shotgun. This is the perfect upland gun for me and I don't spring turkey hunt.


Lever Action: Pre64 30-30, Marlin Guide Gun 45-70


Semiauto pistols: Glock 19 2nd gen, Glock 19 3rd gen, Glock 42 (2), Beretta M9, Walther P22 (3 of these.) Ruger MK IV


NFA Items: PS MAC 45, PS MAC 9MM, SWD M-11, Registered Sten Tube, Registered Uzi Bolt, Registered Mini Uzi, AC 556 (My A-Team dreams). Gemtech Trek, Gemtech Trinty, AAC Mini 4, Coastal MAC Can, Coastal .22, AAC Jager, and Colt 6933.



Revolver.......Colt Cobra, May 9, 2020. Love it. After one range session I am hooked. I keep trying to post a pic but my file won't load. Anyway, I love this little gun and am really impressed with its accuracy. (In single action that is. I need a lot more practice in double action.).

Should I load for it? I ask because I've been loading for rifles for the past 20 years but the 38 ammo I'm coming across is relatively cheap. If I do decide to reload, does anyone have any suggestion on the best powder? Unique?

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Unique gets my vote

 

[1KPerDay]

HP-38/W231 is another good one.

 

[Pat Riot]

Unique is an excellent choice. I use Universal. I switched from Unique to Universal when powder was hard to get. Universal loads very similarly to Unique. I think Universal burns cleaner as well.

I used Unique for 12 years before switching. Both powders are great and very versatile.

 

[DR505]

I’m with Pat. Universal and Unique.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

As to should you reload .38spl? Clearly, based on your ownership history, being ammunition frugal doesnt seem to be a major concern, so I say if you have time, sure, why not? Have fun!

I dont reload for any of my pistol calbers, but I have been saving up .32-20 brass, just in case........

 

[357 Terms]

Another vote for Universal.

I use it in all my plinking rounds.
9mm
38spc
357
40
44
45acp
Versatile, burns clean. Used it for years now.

 

[sabbfan]

HP38/w231 or titegroup are what I recommend for 38 special, I find they meter a lot better than unique in my powder measure. I reload more 38 special than any other, I use coated lead from Acme or Bayou Bullets.

 

[ontarget]

I reload all of my revolver ammo. The only time my wheel guns see factory ammo is for CCW and if I need to stock up on brass(might as well shoot it to get new brass).
In the past I used Bullseye for my .38s but have since switched to Unique.

 

[entropy]

Another vote for bearing with you and Unique.

 

[375supermag]

Hi...
I have used Bullseye for decades to load .38Spl with excellent results.
Never found a reason to experiment with other powders. Maybe some day...

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

On the rare occasion these days that I load Smokeless Powder, Unique is my favorite. It was my favorite back before I was loading Black Powder too.

One thing I really like about Unique is moderate loads will bulk up more in the case and leave less airspace than some other powders. This is really important to me because an accidental double charge will be much more visibly obvious than with some other powders that do not use as much of a charge for a similar velocity. Yes, Unique tends to be a little bit dirty, but I always say a revolver is not going to bind up with a few unburnt flakes of powder in the chamber. Can't always say that for a Semi-Auto.

My standard 38 Special load is 4.0 grains of Unique under a 158 grain semi-wadcutter bullet. A relatively mild load. Be sure to verify this load against a published loading manual.

I don't know what sort of press you are using with all those rifle cartridges, but I found out a long time ago that for me it was best to use a progressive press when loading revolver ammunition. You go through a whole lot more revolver ammo than you do rifle ammo, and the money spent over the time saved with a progressive was well worth it to me. I load all my 38 Special ammo on a Hornady Lock and Load AP. Others like the presses made by Dillon, and the less expensive presses made by Lee.

Interestingly enough, I have never bought any new 38 Special brass. I have a couple of buckets full of once fired 38 Special brass that I saved over 20 or so years of shooting 38 Special before I started loading it. I knew I would need all that brass some day. If I was going to buy new 38 Special brass I would buy it from Starline. That is where I buy all my other brass.

 

[bannockburn]

I have had very good performance reloading the .38 Special with either Unique or W231.

 

[Old Stumpy]

Universal is superior to Unique. Used Unique for many years in .45 Colt, .45 ACP, .455 Colt, .44 Special loads in .44 Magnum.
Tried Universal and never went back to Unique. Cleaner metering. Cleaner burning. Same performance.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I love reloading for revolvers. Usually really simple, brass last a long time, I don't have to go hunting and picking it all up after a shooting session, etc, etc.

Yes, you should reload for it. Can load .38's for much cheaper than you can buy them these days.

 

[Up North]

38 sp. And lead bullets go together like hand in glove. Much cheaper than factory and you will be able to get a lot of the double action practice you are looking for

 

[Riomouse911]

Another .38 Spl. reloader here.

I've used Unique, TiteGroup (I had bad data, I no likee TG), Bullseye, HP-38 etc... My standbys are Unique for almost everything and Bullseye for 148 gr wadcutter loads.

Acme, Eggleston and Missouri Bullet Co. coated, Berrys and Extreme plated, almost anyone's lead bullets... I've loaded lots of them here and there and love that round more than any other centerfire for plinking, serious target shooting, teaching "real gun" (Not a .22 lr rimfire) shooting to newer shooters, etc.

I also bought a Cobra 2" and LOVE that gun, too. It's much smoother and has sights that make it easier to shoot than my J-frames and blows the SP-101 away relating to feel and trigger.

Stay safe.