I am reloading 38spl for model 637. I loaded some 158 rn with 3.8gn of unique and seem a bit stout. The wife didnt care for the extra bang. Any suggestions for a good target round.

I am reloading 38spl for model 637. I loaded some 158 rn with 3.8gn of unique and seem a bit stout. The wife didnt care for the extra bang. Any suggestions for a good target round.

Is that a lead bullet?

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Still Running Against the Wind

Yes it is a lead bullet.

Speer #13 starts at 4 and tops out at 4.7. I've shot 158 L-SWC at 4.3 Unique for years in several Mod 10s. I find it accurate and mild. 3.8 sounds anemic. Maybe she needs a longer bbl. or better hearing protection.

Next time get some 105-125 gr lead bullets ,and some Bullseye 2.7 gr. Your load is already pretty light except for the heavy bullet.

A lighter bullet and a low to mid range charge would reduce the perceived recoil. A lighter bullet and a max charge would not.

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Regards
Ernie L

I shot the gun also and it hit pretty hard. We shot some factory ammo with same bullet and it was much lighter. This is my first time loading the 38 spl

Double-check the type of powder you used, and the setting on your powder measure.
I know this sounds far-fetched but I've been reloading for more than 35 years.
Years ago, the lock nut on my Ohaus powder measure loosened and I was loading 10 grs. of Unique under a 250 gr. lead bullet in the .45 Colt, by accident.
The intended load was 8 grains.
Luckily, this happened in a strong Ruger Blackhawk. Halfway into the box the louds became noticeably stouter.
I stopped shooting. Later, when I pulled the bullets, I found the overload.
If your factory load is a mild, .38 Special "Cowboy Action" load then, yeah, your loads would feel much stouter in a snubby.
The classic "158 gr. lead bullet at 800 fps" can feel stout in a lightweight snubnose.
Cowboy Action loads are loaded rather light, even if they have the same 158 gr. lead bullet.

I have setup my equipment in new area. I found my scale a beam type wasnt very level. I was actually loading 4.3 gn of unique. I have corrected the problem. Thank You all for your help. Gatofeo you sent me in right direction

How many people use Unique for full power magnum loads? This load came from my Sierra 1970 manual. It even beats Speer #8!. I'm not courageous enough to try it though.

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Common sense isn't so common.

John,

It's even hotter than it appears at first glance.Why?....Because the Sierra jsp of that weight seats deeper than the Speer bullet of that weight(when each is seated to the cannalure of the bullet).This,of course,raises pressure as well as velocity.

I generally use a great many Sierra bullets.They are excellent.However,this should be understood by some of the newer reloaders.A reduction in powder charge should be done when dealing with top end loads and using data for one bullet and switching to another.

To give an example....I have a favorite load in the 44 magnum that uses 23.0 of W296 behind the Sierra 240JHC but when I switch to the Speer 240 JHP,I increase the charge to 24.0 of the same powder and get about the same pressure and velocity.

I have the same 1970 Sierra manual and have used load data from it.There's no doubt about it being hot.

I just shot my 15-4, 2" 38 SPL today. The load was 3.5 gr Trail Boss and 158gr LSWC. I also shot a box of 3.0 gr T.B. The 3.5 gr load seemed to be a bit more accurate without much more recoil. I really couldn't much difference.

Recoil was not an issue. At 10-12 feet, I could shoot ragged holes all day. I was real surprized at the gun's capability at 25 feet.

That 1970 Speer reloading chart is quite interesting. I have both Speer and Sierra JHPs of that weight and my powder measure is presently set on 8 grains of Unique for my Mountain Gun's .45 Colt load. Now it appears I could use it a .357 Magnum load in my M-66. Two loads with out even changing the powder measure setting does have its up side. Might throw a few and see how they shoot.

I just posted that page because I thought it was interesting, not because I thought it was a good load. Compared to other manuals I have, I think it is way too hot. Even the infamous Speer #8 tops out at 7.5 gr Unique for a 160 gr jacketed bullet.

When I want full power magnums, I use 2400.

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Common sense isn't so common.

I load 158g LserCast LSWC with 3.5 grains of Unique for a 640-3. I seat the bullets per the Lyman book for OAL. The rounds chronograph at 581fps Mv - this is a mild round I use for practice and pluncking.

I do believe the 640 is a tad heavier than your 637.

Glad I could help.
For decades I've had my own little creed: The Obvious Escapes You.
Sometimes we all fail to notice the most obvious solution, or ask the most obvious question.
I've done it countless times, and still do occasionally.
Your problem -- and no slur against you -- was a good example.
If I had not had the same experience years ago, I might have overlooked the obvious in your own case.

John Galt - okay, thanks for the heads up on the load. You're right - there are other better .357 loads to try. Somewhere I have a can of Win 296. That's more the ticket IIRC.

Have shot a lot of Unique in .38 cases, Ruger Security Six, Blackhawk and Model 10 Smith. I load max of 6.0 for serious work, 5.0 for practice. Tried those in a Taurus 85, 5 shots, really stiff and loud. Traded for a SP101, no problem from then on. Just my .02 worth. Oh, I use 158gr swc mostly.

At least you made you first mistake on a light load. While the 4.3 gn load felt stiffer than you expected I would not think it anywhere near dangerous in you revolver. IN fact 4.3 gns of Unique is what I consider a practice loading in my 10-6.

Try 3.5 grains of unique. I collect the old revolvers, and that works great for me and my 1920's to 1950's pistols. Up to 25 yds, I get 3 to 4 inch groups off hand. Very little recoil.
Suggestion..have her wear a shooting glove to absorb some of the recoil,plus getting a tighter grip on the pistol. Good luck!!!

Why go hotter with leadcast bullets and unique powder?

I load leadcast with unique for practicing. At the end of my practice I throw down the normal standard jacketed loads. Firing the hotter jacketed load after any range time keeps my edge with my ccw loads.

Is it just me or this very scary? I mean, level or not, it needs to be zeroed! If it were so un-level that it couldn't be zeroed, than loading of any kind should have never happened at all.
This guy (and his wife) is VERY lucky...

OP, you need to slow way down, and read a whole lot more about this hobby before going on with hand loading ammo.

I load 4.5g Unique under a 160g cast and it is well within limits.

If you load any powder lower in its range it becomes inefficient - unburned powder, soot, etc.

They don't call it flammable dirt for nothing.

Try another, faster powder like W231/HP38 or bullseye.

3.5g Bullseye under a wadcutter is the classic load.

Try that and you'll be well pleased.