I know this may have been discussed before, so please forgive me.
The loads for .38 Spl. & .357 mag. with Unique seem to be all over the place. I always load the average--between minimum and maximum.
Some books I've looked at have the maximum as my average that are in other books.
I would like to have an average, safe load for:
.357 mag. 125 gr. JSP bullet and .38 spl. 110 gr. JHP bullet.
Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

MauserK98

I respect your good judgement. I would suggest you go to the Alliant web site and get the factory load data and work from there. My #2 would be Hodgdon's web site. Since .38 cases have been made for about 100 years and .357's for 80 years all over the world, and the variety of primers is huge, you just have to "plow through" and find something that "works for you." Lyman used to sell a bullet mold in .358 that had 2 crimp grooves, one for .38 Special length loads and another for the .357 case. Knew a man, gunsmith, who loaded .357 loads in military .38 Special cases for use in his Blackhawk... Told me he quit when his kid was old enough to shoot. Didn't want the ignorant youngster mixing something up and getting hurt. Then there is the super cheap buckshot (000) in the case over a tiny charge of powder. Great in the basement but can lead badly... Rats beware... Luck, happy trails.

Do you have access to a chronograph? That's the only way to really know what your loads are doing in your guns.

The reason you find such a wide range of loads for the 357 Mag is that the SAAMI pressures have been reduced twice since it was originally developed. S&W had problems with their guns coming apart when the pressure was 45000cup so they and a couple of their clone makers petitioned to have it dropped to 35000cup. SAAMI complied and they still got complaints so they dropped it again to 30000 which is where the SAAMI maximum is today.

I started loading my Ruger back in 1971 with loads that were 1/2 a grain off the max back then and I still use that load today. It is accurate and after over 40000 rounds the gun still prints 1" groups at 25 yards off hand for me.

I don't usually buck the maximum listed loads but this load is very accurate and when I talked to Sierra about the new loads and found out why they were dropped I asked if it was alright in my pistol - the guy told me that the history with my gun proved that a well built gun could handle the original loads. They brought back the higher loads in their fifth edition, 6th printing so maybe they finally got the message that the light loads for the weaker guns shouldn't penalize those of us who have well made guns.

Thanks everyone for the good advice.
I came across some load data notes from 15 years ago and a good friend had given me about 1/4 pound of Unique. The load he and I used was 6.3 gr. of Unique and it showed up at about 1300 fps on my Chrony. I think this is a good starting point.
Thanks Again.

Mauserk98

I used to load Unique / 7.0 behind the Lyman (Keith design) 358429 bullet as my general purpose load. Except for the S&W 19, this 168 g bullet was too long for most .357 cylinders if crimped in the crimping grooved (it was originally designed for the shorter .38 Spl case in the .38-4). So, one had to apply the crimp over the forward driving band (when sizing, I used to fill the crimping groove with grease), a small issue actually which didn't affect the marvelousq accuracy of my d load.

I dropped this pet load because of the ever increasing difficulty of finding Unique in this country (NB : ironically, PRB, a Belgian powder manufacturer is shipping to Alliant U.S. and, who knows, maybe Unique is a Belgian powder unavailable in its originating country...).

They are called starting loads for a reason.
Back in 1972, when I started loading, I twice found a starting load that had more recoil than factory ammo. After checking several more sources, I found that most sources showed that load as max or over max.
You start with the lowest starting load you can find. You don't guess and you don't start at mid-range. Sooner or later, it will bite you.

K98,
As stated in your heading "Unique" for 38 spl and 357mag?
Your choice for Unique in the 38 Spl is a very good one.
I've had much success and accuracy with Unique in both bullet weights you mention, I have found that 5.4 grains of Unique for the 125 grain JHP in 38 Special gives me small groups at close ranges [my buddy does 5.2gr] also I use 5.4 grains Unique for 124 grain 9mm with the same great results [these are maximum loads /+p]. I've shot many Rem 110 gr bullets (5.6gr Unique up to 5.9gr) in the 38 with excellent groups too but don't load 110's anymore at all. Unique in 357 maximum loads seems unpleasant to me but I do H110 with 158gr and they don't.

IMHO The 357magnum deserves nothing lighter than the 125gr.
My buddy and I use excellent Unique loads for 38, 9mm, 40 cal, 45 LC, and 45 ACP - its a good non magnum goto powder. "It's Safe" "It's Unique"

For medium and lighter 38 loads ya probably better with like Win 231, Tight-group whatever .....
Keep the 357 loads for killing.... lol.

If you have to pay for the bullets and the powder you might as well get the most bang outta your buck.

I use a lot of unique but it has been around for about 100 years and the loads to vary. The old lots of it smoke a lot (I like that for cowboy shooting); the past few years it burns a lot cleaner. I use it in 357, 38-40, 44 special, light 44mag loads, 45 lc. 44 Russian. I use a lot of it.

quote:

Originally posted by Sagebrush Burns:
Do you have access to a chronograph? That's the only way to really know what your loads are doing in your guns.

Exactly the reason I bought one. That, and how easy fired cases extract kind of removes all doubt.

Lads,

Just bought an 8# jug of Unique - had to share it w/a buddy who reloads in bulk. Paid $100 and thought it a good price. Supply must be easing up a bit.

Unique is used for so many loads/calibers that no wonder it is in short supply.

I have used Unique in 38/357 in 6" and 8" barrels and find a lot of flash and sharp recoil (always use a tad below recommended maximum). Just MHO, but I now use SR4756 for a lot of pistol loads w/good results.

Shoot well,
Mike