Back in another place and time there was a gun writer by the name of Sketer Skelton. I appreciated his perspective on guns and ammo. In an article on the .38 Special he suggested a all-round load that would meet just about all needs was a 158-160 gr. lead SWC over 5.0 gr. of Unique. Of course I tried it out. I liked it. Still do. It is a very useful full-power service load that has worked extremely well in every revolver I've ever owned.

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Just bumping this thread back to the top, as I am loading some 158gr swaged SWCHP over 4.0gr WW231. Using both HDY and Zero swaged bullets.

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Regards,

Tom

I have 2 loads for 38 special using 158 gr cast bullets . It can be a swc , a round nose etc . My long time load was 5.0 grs of Unique . As skeeter skelton called it " the working mans load " . I of recent have been loading 3.5 grs of Bullseye powder . I am very happy with my Bullseye loads as well . The 38 special is about the easiest caliber to reload . Regards Paul

If you have a K frame, 5-5.2 grs of Unique is a great full load
that is manageable and usually has good POA and accuracy
in a 4" barrel or longer.

If you have a little J frame, 5.0 grs of Unique is plenty for a light
weight 2" revolver , if you can get 861 fps, out of your load.

For target practice any load less than 740 fps can be shoot all day in a J frame and still let you pick up a fork, to eat your nightly meal.

The Skeeter loads work. Used them 30 years ago, now reloading again (found some Unique on the 'net), and they still shoot the same. Accurate and reliable. Got 1000 158gr SWC cast bullets back in the spring, and glad I did.

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Heavily armed old man.