I have been using 5 grains of Unique with 158 grain bullets in .38 Special for quite awhile. Nothing has worn out or blown up in the process.
I tried this load in a Rossi 5 shot stainless steel model 88.
I just kept shooting and shooting expecting this inexpensive import gun to blow up from this plus p load.
Darn if I didn't run out of ammo and the gun was still in one piece.
I guess I will have to load some more and just keep shooting.

Seriously having started reloading in the 70's there are some loads which may be on the hot side listed in the old manuals.
Still, in a modern .38, five grains of Unique and a 158 grain bullet is not going to be the cause of a kaboom.

Bruce