I want to load a light 38 special round with 4.7gr Unique and 125gr XTP's. Question is if this load will work for both 125gr XTP's in hollow points and also for flat points. How does the 4.7 grains of Unique sound as a starting point? I want to come up with a round that I can use to take my shooting that won't put her off. Think I'll leave the .357's at home when she goes!
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4.7gr Unique might even be a little light. According to Alliant the Max charge is 5.7gr so the starting charge would be 10% lees which is 5.1gr Unique. Just be sure to check the load before you take her out. You wouldn't want a squib load when she is shooting the revolver. From what I read too light a charge can cause the jacket to separate from the core of the bullet. The core leaves the barrel buy the jacket remains. (although I doubt your 4.7gr load is light enough to cause that but better safe than .....)

My favorite very light .38 Special load is made with a 148gr DEWC over 3.4gr W231/HP-38.

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SWCA #3437

The Lyman manual shows 4.0 gr Unique as min and 6gr max. Try the 4gr and work up. I know that 5gr is pretty stout. Why don't you have a good reloading manual?

2.9 Bullseye under a 125 gr lead rnfp is a very mild round ideal for getting women and children comfortable with center fire revolvers. Also works well to put 300-400 down range without aggravating the arthritis.

Loading data for the two bullets are interchangable, according to Hornady. And as dave b said, Lyman lists a start load of 4.0 grains for the 125 gr. XTP, so you should be good to go.

My only personal opinion on the matter would be, why waste good XTPs on a pile of dirt? Unless you can get them at the same price as lead, or want to do some intensive training with what you will be carrying, lead bullets are the best choice for range use. You get a lot more bangs for your buck.

Now that's a post I can agree with...

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SWCA #3437

Actually, I have two good loading manuals and two powder manufacturer's dope books that I've been consulting. The various replies here are what I've been finding in the manuals. So far, I have not run across anything with the bullet type/weight and powder combination I have. The closest I've seen is in the Hodgson & Lee books with 125gr XTP using Universal at 4.7 to 5.2gr. Seeing how Unique and Universal are supposed to be interchangeable in loads, I decided on the 4.7gr to start. I saw the Lyman load for a 125gr JHP with Unique at 4.0gr. Why such a difference? Is it due to the difference in bullet type (JHP vs XTP)?
RR

I would think 2 bullets of similar shape, size and material would use the same load. I believe that some book publishers actually test the loads and some don't. When in doubt, start at the low end, especially if you want a light load for your wife. I've used the Lyman manuals for 40+ years with good results.

Find a place that sells lead bullets for target practice, makes no sense to use XTP's for such work.

I have not seen the policy explained but for whatever reason, Lyman usually shows the lightest "starting load." Most sources take a 10% reduction from the maximum for a starting load but in this case Lyman goes down 33% from 6 to 4 grains Unique. It has been tested and is not likely to stick a bullet or jacket in the bore but will probably not be very consistent or "clean." Not a big problem for close range snubby practice, but not first class ammunition.

Actually, the JHP that Lyman is listing is the XTP, at least in some of the manuals I have. (Hornady product no. 35710) They just don't identify it by name.

As Jim stated, most manuals don't reduce very much for a starting load, which is a shame. Some powders, such as Unique and Bullseye, have very wide loading range potential for a given caliber, but most manuals will not show you just how versatile they are. They assume that the majority of shooters only want top end loads and save money (theirs) by only testing and printing the higher ends.

Well, straight from the Hornady Manual#8, Yes you use the same charge of Unique and the same COL (if your FP is the XTP FP)

For 125 XTP COL is 1.450 if your brass is the same. I just use the cannelure

Unique

5.1gr=800fps
5.3=850
5.6=900 (a plus +P load)
5.8=950 (a =P load and MAX load)

I agree with the others, why spend the money to shoot XTP's? Yes they are great bullets and very accurate but you can kill paper with lead or regular bulk plated or FMJ for less.

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