Unique in 38 special

[jrkirby]

I found a recipe in the 4th edition hornady handbook. 158gr xtp. unique 3.9 grains min, 4.7 grains max listed as +p. OAL of 1.455. How does this compare with your 38 reloads?

 

[gunlaw]

Looks good to me. I have used a lot of unique for 38 spl. No complaints at all.

 

[mbopp]

4.3gr of Unique behind a 148gr cast DEWC works well in my M-19.

 

[jrkirby]

Before I found this load I was seeing loads for 158 grain lead rounds. I backed the charge off a bit and came up with 3.5 grains. I loaded up a couple rounds this way, so we'll see how they do. If I get any that don't clear the barrel I'll jump them up to 3.9 and work from there

 

[jrkirby]

This is my first time loading pistol, all my previous rounds have been rifle so it's a new experience for me

 

[Jim Watson]

I would not go below the 90% "starting load" with a jacketed bullet.
I saw a guy shoot the core out of a JSP and leave the jacket in the barrel with a powderpuff load. Then blow the jacket out with the next shot. It didn't bulge his barrel as much as a whole bullet would have, but it did bulge and ruin it.

 

[Maj Dad]

For years the only powders I used in my 38s (and 45s & 9mm, et al.) was Bullseye & Unique - they are still my mainstays, though I have added others. Wouldn't bat an eye at standardizing on them.

 

[GoWolfpack]

5.0 gr of Unique is my go-to load for 45, 40 and 38. 230, 180 and 135 gr bullets, respectively. Makes life so much easier all around.

 

[joed]

I found a recipe in the 4th edition hornady handbook. 158gr xtp. unique 3.9 grains min, 4.7 grains max listed as +p. OAL of 1.455. How does this compare with your 38 reloads?

Did Hornady drop the load again? I'd swear my book shows 5.0 gr as max.

 

[Patocazador]

Unique is so versatile that I use it for lots of different pistol rounds.. from .32 auto up to .44 mag and .45 Colt cast bullets. You can use it in shotgun loads too.

 

[rcmodel]

I backed the charge off a bit and came up with 3.5 grains.

Don't do that.
Don't try to outguess the ballistics labs who developed the data.

A recommended starting load is a recommended starting load for a reason.

Anyway, Unique won't burn worth a hoot at very low pressure.

If you want mouse fart loads, use a faster powder like Bullseye.

rc

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Jacketed bullets, the 38 special and light Unique loads are a bad combination. You going to stick a bullet if you keep that up.

I tend to go heavy with Unique and get great results. My normal load is 5 grns of Unique with a Lead 158 SWC. Works great.

 

[788Ham]

joed,

My 7th edition reload Hornady book shows:

158 gr. FP- XTP - HP XTP

Unique: 5.1 gr. as a +P load, its in the RED section of the powder used, you use at your own discretion! I read that RED section as a MAX load!

Test firearm _ S&W model #15

 

[Salmoneye]

I use the Red Dot data from that page...

 

[rfwobbly]

I especially like Unique in 38 Spcl because it fills the case so well.