Just bought a pound of Universal powder today. I intend to use it in 38 Spl +P 158 gr lead loadings. I used it before but lost my records. I do remember Universal operates nicely at its upper reloading manual limits.

I'm using Speer's max loading of 5.0 grs behind Speer's 158 gr LSWC and CCI500 primers (they will be used as a general field load in my Ruger Blackhawk 4 5/8 inch 357 Magnum). My RCBS Little Dandy Rotor #9 throws a perfect 5.0 grs charge of Universal.

Speer's chronograph velocities of its 5.0 grs Universal loading is 971 fps from a six inch S&W 38 Special revolver - duplicates perfectly, at least in their revolver, Rem/Win/Fed 38 Spl +P 158 gr LHP loadings/chronograph data from this Forum and in my past experience.

Now have to get the chronograph and for the Nevada heat and winds to lighten up!

That's what I like about the " Speer " manuals . They use actual firearms not just a 10" test barrel . So you can get a pretty good idea of what to expect from your firearm . Yes , each gun is different but the speer manual gives you a better idea of performance than the powder co's data . I mean really , when was the last time you saw a 38spl revolver with a 10" barrel ?

As the ammunition and powder companies are concerned about manufacturing quality control and consistency rather than specific revolver muzzle velocities, they cannot use revolvers for MV testing. There is far too much variation in MV from revolver to revolver with identical loads, even with the same barrel length. Speer #9 contains a very good discussion on that topic.

I shoot only cast bullets in handguns and haven't used Universal in several years. However, and there may have been a couple of exceptions, I wasn't able to get quite the good accuracy from it that I got from Unique, but Universal goes through a measure better than Unique. Seems like powder charges of the two were fairly close together for similar velocities.

I load 4grs of Universal under a 158gr Lead bullet for my 66's and my 586.

We all know there is variation from firearm to firearm (as I previously mentioned ) but at least it gives us a better idea of what to expect than tests using a 10" test barrel . They use test barrels so there is NO cylinder/barrel gap and the test barrels are long to get the most velocity possible . Speer (my favorite manuals ) has been using firearms for many many yrs to write their load data manuals .

If you need to push that lead bullet............

in a 357 case, Universal will get 1315fps in my 686 6"

in a 38 case 4.7grs did 910fps with a cci 500 primer.......
and maxed out at 1051fps.

Safe loading.

The only thing that I think would be close would be a T/C Contender or Encore pistol. I really HATE the games that companies play to keep the end user from 'knowing too much'.

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