Unique powder 38/357

[savagelover]

Wondering if unique is a good powder to use for cast bullets for deer hunting or is 2400 a better choice? I also have 2 lbs of imr 4227 on hand. This will be 357 carbine with 158 gr cast with gas checks. I know there are other powder to be recommend,but this is what I have on hand to use. Thanks...

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Unique is a great powder for .357.

 

[LaneP]

If it were me I'd be working with 2400 so long as it is grouping to satisfaction. It's going to give a better velocities within working pressures than Unique will.

 

[Ironicaintit]

I use unique in 357 all the time and it works great!
But I'm only shooting revolvers...

if I had a 357 carbine, I'd be tempted to try out the 4227. I wasn't happy with it in short barrels (unburnt powder flakes) but in a carbine, I bet it'd work sweet.

 

[.38 Special]

Unique won't give top velocity in the .357, especially in a rifle. I personally would use 2400. (I have no experience with 4227 in a rifle chambered for .357.)

 

[Mr_Flintstone]

Unique will give you a max of about 1300-1400 fps with cast bullets from a .357 Mag carbine/rifle depending on twist and barrel length. IMR 4227 will push that same bullet to about 1600 fps, and 2400 maybe just a touch faster. H110 will give you better velocity but you have to look around for cast bullet data. With what you have on hand, I’d use the 4227. Data doesn’t have to be specific to a rifle, but you need to look at some sources that give you rifle data to compare rifle velocities.

I don’t know if it’s still up, but http://marvinstuart.com/firearm/Manuals/Reloading/Reloading Manuals/ had some good data sources, and I think you have to click on caliber specific loads, and there should be a .357 Magnum load manual with rifle data.

 

[N555]

Unique is ideal for 357mag especially with cast bullets.
If you use slower powder and load the rounds hotter you just get more leading.

 

[Shooterbob]

Top end loads can be shot with cast bullets. I do it all the time . make sure they fit well larger is better than too small. Powder coat works very well .

 

[Mr_Flintstone]

The OP said gas checked 158 gr cast. I wouldn’t think there would be any leading issue with those; assuming a proper fit. That said, you can get close to 1800 fps with jacketed bullets and H110, and 1700 fps with 4227. My hunting load for .357 rifle is a close to max H110 load and a 158 gr Sierra JSP running over 1700 fps from my Henry.

 

[AJC1]

My preference is 2400 and #9. In the carbine with srp that 4227 will work good but you may not get the velocity. Unique is my pistol choice at 7.0 grains for target. If I need more go on the bullet I shift powders. Testing both is the best answer because shooting and load development is my favorite part.

 

[.38 Special]

The OP said gas checked 158 gr cast. I wouldn’t think there would be any leading issue with those; assuming a proper fit.

Yes, the gas check covers all manner of sins, including foolishly hard alloys and minor-to-moderate imperfections in fit. I've driven the 358156 cast from straight wheelweights to a bit over 1500 FPS without leading.

 

[.45Coltguy]

Hmm. OP could try 2400 or Universal. Both are outstanding in a lever gun in .357. My loads are 11.5gr 2400/180gr coated rnfp bullet[avg is 1400 MV] and very accurate in my Henry with 20" barrel. With 158 coated rnfp, 6.0gr Universal is also very accurate in same rifle.

 

[Archie]

Unique works well in most everything. Including the .38 Special (standard and +p). With some years - and it's introduction - I like Power Pistol for these calibers as well.
For the heavier game hunting loads, I'd have to go along with the use of 2400 or something similar. Before I sold off my .357 Magnum carbine (Marlin) I just shot the Unique in it as that's what I already had and didn't want to fool with two loads of the same cartridge for two arms at the same time.

 

[.308 Norma]

foolishly hard alloys

"Foolishly hard alloys" - I wish there was a way I could have clicked "Like" about 10 times for those three words.
The fact is, I've been thinking about posting, "Cast bullets have to say 'hard cast' on the box or they'll lead your barrel" over in that "untrue gun myths that irritate you the most" thread.

Top end loads can be shot with cast bullets. I do it all the time .

+1 (many times over)

 

[Barbaroja]

"Foolishly hard alloys" - I wish there was a way I could have clicked "Like" about 10 times for those three words.
The fact is, I've been thinking about posting, "Cast bullets have to say 'hard cast' on the box or they'll lead your barrel" over in that "untrue gun myths that irritate you the most" thread.

+ many times over

Here we go, a couple of fellas that know why they’re talking about! Keep it up boys

 

[skfullen]

I only use Unique for .38/.357.

 

[Charlie98]

Unique will be fine for plinking and paper punching, but if I were going hunting with a .357 Carbine, I'd use some of your IMR4227 or 2400. Although I understand the 92 action is quite strong, you would have to redline the Unique load (using published data) to get the performance those slower powders can deliver with ease. I love Unique, don't get me wrong, but it has it's place.

I have quite a bit of experience with both IMR4227 and 2400 in pistol cartridge rifles, primarily .41MAG and .45 Colt, but I would think .357 would be the same.

 

[savagelover]

Try it tomorrow,maybe.

 

[.308 Norma]

2400 in pistol cartridge rifles, primarily .41MAG and .45 Colt, but I would think .357 would be the same.

It would. I mostly use just two powders (Unique and 2400) in all of my revolvers - 38 Specials, 357 Mags, 41 Mag, 44 Mags and 45 Colt. The Unique is for medium loads, and the 2400 is for full power loads - including full power loads with cast bullets.

 

[Charlie98]

It would. I mostly use just two powders (Unique and 2400) in all of my revolvers - 38 Specials, 357 Mags, 41 Mag, 44 Mags and 45 Colt. The Unique is for medium loads, and the 2400 is for full power loads - including full power loads with cast bullets.

That's what I do... but with Unique and IMR4227. Unique for the pistols and mid-range for the rifles, IMR4227 for full-house cast. I've also got a can of H110... but that's for full-house jacketed, which I don't shoot a lot of.

Back Home, Years Ago... when the world was young... I used to push Unique very hard. This was before I acknowledged that there was even other powders besides Unique. It works, and Unique is pretty forgiving... (actually, very forgiving...) but there is a better mousetrap, and particularly for rifles.

 

[derek45]

Unique for warm loads

H110/win296 or 2400 for hot loads.

 

[Obturation]

I burn a lot of 2400, it meters well and gives great performance . unique is ok but like everyone else said, you'll be pushing its limits to get what 2400 can do without much fuss. I do have a 357 carbine but I can't comment on the use of 4227 in it, haven't tried but I've got some and don't care for it from even a 6" revolver. My carbine doesn't shoot most cast bullets very well though- it'll do well with the 180 wfn bullets but the bolt is tough to close if seated at the crimp groove .

I mostly load a 158 grain xtp over h110 for my carbine and that's an excellent combo that I can get very good accuracy with and it's reasonably powerful. Stinks having specific cartridges intended just for the carbine but my revolvers do fine with that load too if I need to have ammo compatibility. Otherwise it's just 158 swc over 14 grains of 2400 (older manuals list that charge but some modern manuals list max at 13.5 grains, I've used 14 grains for years and it's fine in my guns) I load those by the hundreds , easily my most fired load and has been for a while.

 

[AJC1]

I burn a lot of 2400, it meters well and gives great performance . unique is ok but like everyone else said, you'll be pushing its limits to get what 2400 can do without much fuss. I do have a 357 carbine but I can't comment on the use of 4227 in it, haven't tried but I've got some and don't care for it from even a 6" revolver. My carbine doesn't shoot most cast bullets very well though- it'll do well with the 180 wfn bullets but the bolt is tough to close if seated at the crimp groove .

I mostly load a 158 grain xtp over h110 for my carbine and that's an excellent combo that I can get very good accuracy with and it's reasonably powerful. Stinks having specific cartridges intended just for the carbine but my revolvers do fine with that load too if I need to have ammo compatibility. Otherwise it's just 158 swc over 14 grains of 2400 (older manuals list that charge but some modern manuals list max at 13.5 grains, I've used 14 grains for years and it's fine in my guns) I load those by the hundreds , easily my most fired load and has been for a while.

I don't understand the difference between the 158 and the 160. There is a huge difference

 

[Mr_Flintstone]

I don't understand the difference between the 158 and the 160. There is a huge difference View attachment 1092112

Off hand I’d say that the difference is seating depth. Some bullets take up more case volume (if seated to the crimp groove) which increases the pressure. Maybe someone else will chime in, but that’s my best guess.

 

[derek45]