Hey everyone! I have some 158 grain LSWC-HPs with a gas check from Missouri Bullet Company, and I've been wondering what YOU GUYS think is the correct loading. I've put 5.0-5.2 grains of Unique under each and crimped at the crimp line. I have yet to test these rounds as I haven't had a chance to get to the range lately. I'm also using a K-frame model 10 snub, so I'm assuming that it can handle loads a little hotter than what a J-frame could handle. Thanks!

I like 5.5 of unique and your model will be just fine.

Speer has 5.2gr of Unique as a +P max load. So 5.5gr in a 38p case should be suspect in a 38sp platform. Maybe fine in a 357mag, but don't expect much case life.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

Me239 the load you stated is a +P load I would recommend caution on increasing that charge....Your model 10 is a good strong gun and should not have a problem with +P but there are limits.

That 5.5 load of Unique is listed by Alliant for the 158 Lead bullet and worked in my M19 K frame but it was too heavy a load for my J frame for a lot of shooting, at lease for me.....
but then you are talking a revolver that weighs in at two pounds vs a light weight at only 14oz or so. A lot of difference.

That load worked great for me with a 6" barrel K frame with regular 158 Lswc bullets, that shot at poa.

4.8 grains of Unique and a cast lead 158 grain bullet has been a staple .38 Special load here since the mid-1970s. Clocks 858 fps from a 4-inch barrel. If one needs less performance than what 4.8 grains of Unique gives then Unique is not what he's looking for in my view as it burns "dirty" and gives uneven velocities.

The old Lyman/Pacific and other manuals' standard maximum charge weight of 5.4 grains of Unique gives a pretty good imitation of the +P 158 grain .38 Special factory loading with velocities in the mid 900 fps range from a 4-inch barrel.

Thanks guys! I was just worried cause I saw so many different people referring to "4.2 grains as a +P" and that they use 3.8 for a "warm" load. I guess it's all preference :P

It isn't so much preference as data source......not that some sources are bad so much as different labs different component lots and different test criteria. For decades 5.0gr Unique with a 158grain lead bullet was a standard pressure .38 spl. load in multiple data sources. 5.4-5.5 was a common +p load with a few sources going higher. Then SAAMI standards got revised, piezo electric transducer testing supplanted copper crushers and a lot of .38 spl data went down slightly..... For a while ALLIANT"s data was so reduced as to make one wonder what had happened to Hercules powders with the change in ownership. Alliant's data is now Speer data and back in line with reality----------but the data developed between 1935 and 1985 didn't suddenly become "wrong". Nor is the new data wrong. Following current books is prudent but whatever the data yielded by current technology the old well established/tried and true loads worked and didn't destroy firearms. All of which is to say that just because a load is higher than listed in one data source doesn't make your revolver a hand grenade. NOR does a single old source that exceeds all others make for a prudent starting point. As for the "strength" of different frame sizes....J frames are technically stronger than K frame 38s.....but the little guns are painful to shoot with max loads and give their parts more wear from whiplash sooner.

I use a 158 gr. SWC bullet and 5 grs. of Unique in a M36 for myself. I have loaded 3.5 grs. for beginning shooters until they get used to the gun. Lary

In an article in Shooting Times magazine Skeeter Skelton stated that his standard .38 Special service load was a 158-160 gr. cast lead SWC bullet loaded over 5.0 gr. of Unique. I have with complete success used this load since about 1980. It is a very good load Using a HP bullet will only make it better.

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If it was good enough for Skeeter....

5.2grs of Unique is a heavy load in a J frame and I dropped
down to just 5.0 grs since the recoil is manageable and the load groups in half the size and hits at poa with only 32 fps difference and is still a +P rating.

Big difference with a mod 19 where 5.5grs just tickles.......

My all purpose Match load for 38 Special is 5.0 Unique/158 Round Nose. This load takes over steel well. Normally better than a 9mm. I have not noticed any early case problems with it.
I go to a reduced power load in airweight snubs using a 125 Round Nose and Clays.

From what I read AA#5 is a good short barrel choice. I have used AA5 for my replica 125 and 135 grain Speer Short Barrel Loads.

Bob

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ICORE MO2908

I load 5.0 gr of Unique for newer J frames and 4.5 gr in a keepsake M-36. Both with 158 gr cast SWC. No problem in a J frame and really no problem in a K frame.

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KMAG YOYO

I tried Unique in my M49 with the 125 and 135 Jhp bullets and in both cases, I had to go to a faster powder to get loads that were equal to Fac +P and good groups with a low ES.

Unique did win with the 110 Jhp in accuracy and with Alliant data got 998fps out of the snub nose...........and maximum fps with the "FBI" load but came in 3rd in accuracy.

Different story out of a 6" barrel !!