Reloading 38 sp with Unique - The Firearms Forum

Raven1 · 06-17-2009, 08:52 PM

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.

22WRF · 06-17-2009, 09:48 PM

From the Alliant 125 gr Speer GDHP load data 5.7 gr of Unique=980 fps.
I think 3.8 a bit puny.
I would start a 5 and work up
There is no data for SWC but we are still talking 125 gr

woolleyworm · 06-18-2009, 12:15 AM

I would agree with 22WRF in the aspect that I think 3.8 gr is a bit on the low side, but here's my take.

Start at 3.8 as published, what is loading 3-5 test rounds and working up a few tenths going to HURT?? Nothing; So my advice would be to work up from the published data and have some fun working up the load, who know's you may find that somewhere in the 4.5-4.9 range is perfect. When ever I'm "unsure"; I never jump right into the mid-max range on a load. Half the fun is having a great excuse to get to the range for testing.

Good Luck and Semper Fi !

carver · 06-18-2009, 02:27 AM

IMHO, one of the reasons for reloading is to save money. The less powder you use, the more you save. The first load listed is the one I use for my WC'ers. The next two loads are for SD in the home only. I don't carry them, use store bought stuff for that. This is a fast burning powder, so there is no muzzle flash.
.38 spc. 148 gr. DEWC 2.4 grains of AA#2 759fps, or 2.7grs. for 863fps.
SPR 140 JHP AA No.2 4.4, @ 775fps - No.2 4.9grs. @ 881 - 18,300psi
HDY 110 XTP AA No.2 5.2grs, @ 996fps - No.2 5.8, @1132fps - 17,800psi

220combat · 06-18-2009, 05:04 AM

I registered here just to chime in on this topic. I load 125 JFP in the 38 special with Unique, and I have found the perfect target load for plinking at 5.3 grains. I worked up from 4.2 as a start, they were just too weak. I wouldn't get above 5.5 or so grains with a cast bullet though.

mrkirker · 06-18-2009, 10:22 AM

Of consideration is the length of the barrel and the use intended. I usually load 3.8 in a K-38 6" for target work. Generally, cast bullets will 'lead' at speeds above 1,000 fps; although alloy blend is a factor.

The_Vigilante · 06-18-2009, 04:11 PM

Here are a couple of loads I found for Unique using 125g Oregon Trail lead TC which are just like SWC's:

Wt. Bullet Powder Manufacturer Powder Charge Velocity (FPS)
125 Truncated Cone Alliant Unique 4.1g 742fps
Remarks: starting load; minimum OAL: 1.450

125 Truncated Cone Alliant Unique 5.7g 1,012fps
Remarks: maximum load; minimum OAL: 1.450

(c) 2004 Loaddata.com

06-17-2009, 08:52 PM	#1
Raven1 Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Western N.Y. Posts: 19	Reloading 38 sp with Unique 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. -->

06-18-2009, 12:15 AM	#3
woolleyworm TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Fort Worth Contributor Posts: 4,888	Re: Reloading 38 sp with Unique I would agree with 22WRF in the aspect that I think 3.8 gr is a bit on the low side, but here's my take. Start at 3.8 as published, what is loading 3-5 test rounds and working up a few tenths going to HURT?? Nothing; So my advice would be to work up from the published data and have some fun working up the load, who know's you may find that somewhere in the 4.5-4.9 range is perfect. When ever I'm "unsure"; I never jump right into the mid-max range on a load. Half the fun is having a great excuse to get to the range for testing. Good Luck and Semper Fi !

06-18-2009, 02:27 AM	#4
carver TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: DAV, Deep in the Pineywoods of East Texas, just west of Shreveport, LA Contributor Posts: 11,542	Re: Reloading 38 sp with Unique IMHO, one of the reasons for reloading is to save money. The less powder you use, the more you save. The first load listed is the one I use for my WC'ers. The next two loads are for SD in the home only. I don't carry them, use store bought stuff for that. This is a fast burning powder, so there is no muzzle flash. .38 spc. 148 gr. DEWC 2.4 grains of AA#2 759fps, or 2.7grs. for 863fps. SPR 140 JHP AA No.2 4.4, @ 775fps - No.2 4.9grs. @ 881 - 18,300psi HDY 110 XTP AA No.2 5.2grs, @ 996fps - No.2 5.8, @1132fps - 17,800psi __________________ Y'all be safe now, ya hear! Lamentations Chapter 5: 1. Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach. 2. Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens. 3. We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers [are] as widows. 5. Our necks [are] under persecution: we labour, [and] have no rest. 16. The crown is fallen [from] our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned! 21. Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.

06-18-2009, 05:04 AM	#5
220combat Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 17	Re: Reloading 38 sp with Unique I registered here just to chime in on this topic. I load 125 JFP in the 38 special with Unique, and I have found the perfect target load for plinking at 5.3 grains. I worked up from 4.2 as a start, they were just too weak. I wouldn't get above 5.5 or so grains with a cast bullet though.

06-18-2009, 10:22 AM	#6
mrkirker Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,067	Re: Reloading 38 sp with Unique Of consideration is the length of the barrel and the use intended. I usually load 3.8 in a K-38 6" for target work. Generally, cast bullets will 'lead' at speeds above 1,000 fps; although alloy blend is a factor. __________________ *I don't know if dogs have a heaven, but there will be dogs in mine.*

06-17-2009, 09:48 PM	#2
22WRF Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pea Ridge, FL Contributor Posts: 4,270	Re: Reloading 38 sp with Unique From the Alliant 125 gr Speer GDHP load data 5.7 gr of Unique=980 fps. I think 3.8 a bit puny. I would start a 5 and work up There is no data for SWC but we are still talking 125 gr __________________ NRA GOA CCRKBA Happiness is a warm barrel

06-18-2009, 04:11 PM	#7
The_Vigilante V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: El Paso, Texas Posts: 123	Re: Reloading 38 sp with Unique Here are a couple of loads I found for Unique using 125g Oregon Trail lead TC which are just like SWC's: Wt. Bullet Powder Manufacturer Powder Charge Velocity (FPS) 125 Truncated Cone Alliant Unique 4.1g 742fps Remarks: starting load; minimum OAL: 1.450 125 Truncated Cone Alliant Unique 5.7g 1,012fps Remarks: maximum load; minimum OAL: 1.450 (c) 2004 Loaddata.com __________________ The_Vigilante "Keeping the streets safe." "A man can never own enough guns."