Reloading 38 with Unique

[RAVEN1]

I'm reloading 38 special with Unique and lead 125gr swc. I looked at a number of books, but I'm am not getting a clear thought on what the load should be. One says 5 grains and another says to start with 3.8. Any suggestions.

 

[Nate1778]

I believe that Alliant calls of 5.7 grains on a 125g GDHP. I would say start at 4.8 and move up in increments to 5.4 or there abouts. See which one you like the most. If your shooting it from a .357 there is a bit of margin of error. Unique burns dirty at lower pressures.

 

[243winxb]

Start with 3.8 gr Unique I would use the 4.7gr as maximum listed on Alliants site for the Speer 158gr. lswc. Start low, work up.

 

[rcmodel]

I would use 5.0 grains, for about 900 FPS & 12,000 PSI or so.

Unique will not burn properly at lower pressure.

If you want very light plinking loads, you need to switch to a faster burning powder like Bullseye, 700X, or Clays.

rc

 

[Steve C]

I looked at a number of books, but I'm am not getting a clear thought on what the load should be. One says 5 grains and another says to start with 3.8.

5 gr of Unique would be a starting load for a jacketed bullet. 3.8 would be a starting load for a relatively soft swagged or cast lead bullet in cowboy shooting target load.

If you're looking for velocity for varmint hunting and your bullet is hard cast then the 5.0 gr load would be OK.