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Old 02-13-2013, 05:53 PM
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Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load?  
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Default 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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Old 02-13-2013, 06:02 PM
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Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load?  
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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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Old 02-13-2013, 06:04 PM
Fkimble Fkimble is offline
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Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load?  
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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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Old 02-13-2013, 06:28 PM
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Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load?  
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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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Old 02-13-2013, 07:42 PM
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Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load?  
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Default 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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Old 02-13-2013, 07:54 PM
John P. John P. is offline
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Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load?  
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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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Old 02-13-2013, 08:32 PM
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Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load?  
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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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Old 02-13-2013, 09:32 PM
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Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load?  
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Have you tried 296.
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Old 02-13-2013, 09:51 PM
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Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load?  
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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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Old 02-13-2013, 10:09 PM
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Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load?  
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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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Old 02-14-2013, 01:18 AM
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Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load?  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by glider1 View Post
Have you tried 296.
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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Old 02-14-2013, 10:40 AM
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Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load?  
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Talking 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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  #13  
Old 02-14-2013, 05:41 PM
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Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load?  
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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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Old 02-15-2013, 03:50 AM
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Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load?  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rule3 View Post
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
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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Old 02-15-2013, 04:24 AM
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Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load? Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load?  
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Default Unique and 158gr hard cast LSWC 357 Mag load?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fkimble View Post
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.
That's my 44mag pet load. I would not try that in my 28...
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