"Universal" 38/357 mag load.

[fourtycal]

I am trying to come up with a universal load combo for 38/357 mag. I will be using 140 grain Horn xtp bullets that are suitable for both loads. My question is will Unique powder by ok for both? (Any other suggestions are welcome.) I am trying to keep my inventory for handgun (bullets/powder) to a min. I wont even consider reloading for my Glock 23 until I get more experienced in handgun loads.(My life might depend on it ) Am I asking too much and is this even feasible?

Thanks

BTW: I am new to handgun reloading but have been loading 22-250 for years.

 

[340PD]

I use Unique in my 38sp, .357, and my light .357 loads. I have no issues with it at all. Unique works very well in a very large variety if pistol calibers. Great powder.

 

[P5 Guy]

Unique

Unique is a good all around powder. I use it for 44spl, 38spl and light 357mag loads.

 

[JASmith]

I used to br a Unique user -- until I used in a stainless steel revolver (S&W Model 64). I don't know why, but the fouling from Unique plates on the cylinder and makes it hard to rotate.

Worked well for blue-steel and stainless 1911.

Universal might make a good substitute.

 

[Quoheleth]

Titegroup will get you across the spectrum from mild .38s to fairly stout .357 Magnums. It won't load quite as soft as Unique in .38s, but it'll give you more velocity if you're looking for more zip.

Universal would be another good choice. Again,it can't go quite as soft as TG or Unique - at least, not without lots of unburned flakes in my experience - but it will get you near TG's top end in .357 Magnum.

If I needed a "one powder for all" application, including 9mm and .45ACP, Universal would probably be my #1 choice. TG is also good but uses small charges, like Bullseye, and you have to watch for double charges.

Q

 

[Walkalong]

Unique will work great. It won't give you max loads with .357, but will give as much velocity as I want in .357. If you want full load .357 stuff, you will need some H110, W296, N110, AA #9, 2400 etc.

Welcome to THR

 

[fourtycal]

Is Tightgroup cleaner than "newer" Unique? If so i might consider it. I remember guys having powder on thier hand safter shooting Unique. That was years ago and I heard it is much cleaner now.

I am new to revolvers so educate me.

Thanks

 

[Sunray]

"...universal load combo..." No such thing. You can certainly work up a .38 and .357 load using Unique though. They just won't be the same load for both.
Bullseye has the same kind of versatility. Use it for everything except .41 AE. Don't load the AE much though. .410" cast bullets are extremely difficult to get and jacketed bullets are too expensive.

 

[JASmith]

Is Tightgroup cleaner than "newer" Unique? If so i might consider it. I remember guys having powder on thier hand safter shooting Unique. That was years ago and I heard it is much cleaner now.

I am new to revolvers so educate me.

Thanks

Titegroup is indeed cleaner than Unique. I have no problems in my stainless steel revolver with Titegroup, while Unique causes it to jam.

As far as a common load is concerned, it is possible, although the large case volume of the .357 will cause lower velocities than what you see in the .38 with the same bullet.

 

[Walkalong]

The "new" Unique has been very clean for me in .357. I am loading 125's at 1200 to 1250 FPS with it, so nothing real hot either. I like it.

 

[JASmith]

The "new" Unique has been very clean for me in .357. I am loading 125's at 1200 to 1250 FPS with it, so nothing real hot either. I like it.

Is your .357 a stainless steel model?

I've used Unique (1970's manufacture) in standard blue-steel revolvers as well as in stainless steel semiautos with no problems. The only time I've had a fouling challenge is when I used it in a stainless stell revolver.

 

[KosmicKrunch]

I use either Universal or HP38, although I shoot Mild-Midrange for the .38 spl and middle of the road for .357. For the .357, I just back the seating die about 1 1/4 turns.

For the 140gr XTP, a good .38 special load is 4.5 grains of Universal and same for HP38. For Tightgroup 4.1gr. I like mild to mid range loads of Universal in revolvers because it burns pretty clean for me.

My normal go to load for .38spl is mixed/clean/trimmed brass, CCI #500 SP Primers, 150gr LSWC #2 alloy- Kieth Style, 50/50 Alox/Bee's wax over 3.4 gr of Universal. This is a very clean, a little over mid-range and very accurate. Vel= 975, OAL is 1.160"

 

[GLOOB]

I wont even consider reloading for my Glock 23 until I get more experienced in handgun loads.(My life might depend on it ) Am I asking too much and is this even feasible?

I heard all the horror stories about the .40. Then when I received my order of pickup brass, I found a quarter of them had guppy bellies. And several has black stripes, indicating they'd been reloaded several times. That raised the level of concern. But they sized fine, without a special die. Even with max loads, the ejected brass looked great. No bulge at all. Actually, I've never seen my gen3 Glock bulge any factory ammo, either.

Unique? Works great for stout loads. I use it in both of those calibers, and in .45 ACP, as well. Hogdon Longshot would also give you some good, hot loads. If you want low recoil target ammo, you might want to look at Win 231 or Bullseye.

 

[Walkalong]

Is your .357 a stainless steel model?

Both. There is some normal fouling, and Unique isn't squeaky clean like some powders, but clean compared to a couple I have tried. Burns completely with no undue fouling on the guns at that power level. If you download it too far it gets a little dirty. Still works well, but just doesn't burn as clean. That can be said for many powders though. Perhaps clean, instead of very clean, but that is a subjective thing anyway.

 

[cfullgraf]

Unique is a good powder and versatile. I have used it in 380 ACP to 45 Colt. It is my primary powder for 20 and 28 gauge shotshells as well as 45 Colt (a grand old cartridge needs a grand old powder!). I always keep some on hand.

There are other powders that are as versatile. So, look in your loading books and pick one to try.

 

[JASmith]

Walkalong: Thanks! You've helped me with the Unique question. All my loads for the stainless steel Model 64 were minimal loads. I had earlier used them in a blue-steel S&W Model 29, but these were more middle of the road.

for fourtycal: I think you have your answer -- Unique can be used for both cartridges. Other powders will work well too. The main challenge will be making sure that the .357 charges don't find their way into the .38 brass.

 

[Walkalong]

For really light loads in .38 Spl/.357 (125's at 850 to 900 & slower-158's at 700 to 750) try Clays, WST, 700X, or Competition for really clean loads. Somewhere in the 3.5 to 4.0 Gr range for plated or jacketed. Check data and work up. Watch for stuck bullets on the low end as you work up.

I like 140 Gr bullets also. I wish someone made a cheap plated 140. AA #2 and 140's work real well for midrange loads.

 

[357 Terms]

Funny you said Universal. I use it for my plinking rounds 357, 40, 45 and in my SD 40 rounds. I dont load for the 38 but I imagine it to be well suited.