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02-13-2013, 05:53 PM
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Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load?
Lyman cast manual did not test Unique. Looking for a load that is close to the Blue Dot load.
I do not need a 2400,H110 full house magnum load but want more that a 38+P
So all you Unique lovers out there what's a good, fairly stout load? How is 6.0 grs? is that still wimpy??
I have not used much Unique other than in 45 Colt, I have a bunch of it and want to use some of it up.
Thanks
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02-13-2013, 06:02 PM
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What type of gun are you using?
How long a barrel............K frame, N frame ?
My lowest amount of Unique that gave me accuracy was at 6.0grs of powder with a cci500 and medium crimp. I have used all the Alliant powders from Bull to Bluedot,each will work in it's pressure range.You should be happy with Unique for +p velositys around 1090 fps.
Last edited by Nevada Ed; 02-13-2013 at 06:46 PM.
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02-13-2013, 06:04 PM
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7.0 grs is the highest charge of Unique I have used in my 28. It's my woods carry load when not in bear woods. Not sure what the vel is.
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02-13-2013, 06:28 PM
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Rule
I went up to 6.8gr based on a old Lyman manual with a S&W 686. Check my Range Report 158 SWC & Unique thread started on 12/16/12
Doc 540 also did a lot of 357 testing recently using hard cast 158 gr swc's for 50yard silhouettes with Unique and 231. Check some of his threads too, from a couple of months ago. He does pictures too
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I'd like to agree with you BUT
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02-13-2013, 07:42 PM
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Lyman 45th Edition
Rule
just got home and checked Lyman 45th edition
it has a 158 gr cast (w/gas check) (#2 alloy)
Unique sug. starting grains 4.0 at 680 fps
and
max grains 8.0 at 1250 fps
Remington 5 1/2 primer
test gun S&W M27 w/5inch barrel
on my previous test I didn't get higher than 6.8 gr of Unique because I ran out of the bullets
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02-13-2013, 07:54 PM
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6.5 grains of Unique under a 158 gr. SWC in a .357 case is what I use in K, L, or N frames.
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02-13-2013, 08:32 PM
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Duh, I forgot to look in the old Nuclear Speer #8
It's odd the newer Lyman and their cast manual do not list Unique.??
When I had Blue Dot I was using 10 grs which was pretty stout. I do not need them that hot.
Looks like 6.5 to 7.0 grs should be a good load.
I have shot boatloads of HP38 loads and even though it is my favorite do anything powder it's not quite what I want for near full magnums.
Thanks for the recommendations
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02-13-2013, 09:32 PM
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Have you tried 296.
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02-13-2013, 09:51 PM
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For my (dare I mention it?) Colt SAA, I load a 158 LSWC over 4.7 grains of Unique. 900 FPS, basically 38 +P level.
Shoots exactly to POA and all into one bug hole.
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02-13-2013, 10:09 PM
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I load 6.5 gr Unique & 158 gr cast SWC. Shot in a 6" M19 and a 6" M686. Good accuracy with crisp but enjoyable recoil-you can tell it's not a .38.
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02-14-2013, 01:18 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by glider1
Have you tried 296.
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Yes, lots of it and it's twin H110. I still use it for major full magnums but I do not really like it.
It requires a magnum primer
You need to use a lot of it
And it can not be reduced by very much.
I like 2400 better but again it takes a lot of powder.
Blue Dot takes less powder but is flaming dirt unless you use a full charge
So that leads me to Unique even though it does not meter real well. For shooting a lot a snappy loads it seems to be the best option, plus I have a big jug of it.
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02-14-2013, 10:40 AM
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357 hand loads
I put this up a while back. You can reduce the loads for a weaker pistol. Mild to wild target loads.
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02-14-2013, 05:41 PM
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My S&W 6" mags would shoot BlueDot at a starting load of only 7.5grs with a cci500 promer for 1.5" groups at 25 yards and 8.0grs would shoot to POA.
Unique started at 5.7grs but 6.0grs gave me a 1.5" group.
6.5grs of Universal was a Med. Hvy. load but did give a +/- 27 ES and good accuracy .........it also had more "Energy" than Unique powder and can be backed off .5 grs to match unique, in my findings.
Last edited by Nevada Ed; 02-16-2013 at 01:18 PM.
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02-15-2013, 03:50 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rule3
I have shot boatloads of HP38 loads and even though it is my favorite do anything powder it's not quite what I want for near full magnums.
Thanks for the recommendations
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Well, if W231/HP-38 isn't exactly what you're looking for and you don't want full power W296/H110, that leaves only 1 powder left in my powder trinity. Need I say it? That would be HS-6... All kidding aside, when looking for a middle to middle hot .357 Magnum load, especially with lead bullets W540/HS-6 is your answer.
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02-15-2013, 04:24 AM
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Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fkimble
7.0 grs is the highest charge of Unique I have used in my 28. It's my woods carry load when not in bear woods. Not sure what the vel is.
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That's my 44mag pet load. I would not try that in my 28...
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