38-44 load chrono data

[992B]

For at least 40 years I have used 5.0 grains of Unique with a 158 grain cast bullet as my standard 38 Special load and 5.5 grains of Unique as my 38/44 or +P load in 38 Special. All of my guns are Smiths or Rugers and no problems, damages, or repairs needed due to these loads. The heavier load is for my 38/44's or 357's. the lighter loads are for prewar k frame guns.

 

[Qc Pistolero]

For at least 40 years I have used 5.0 grains of Unique with a 158 grain cast bullet as my standard 38 Special load and 5.5 grains of Unique as my 38/44 or +P load in 38 Special. All of my guns are Smiths or Rugers and no problems, damages, or repairs needed due to these loads. The heavier load is for my 38/44's or 357's. the lighter loads are for prewar k frame guns.

And I don't think that you will damage any of your guns with that load.Unique has changed its composition lately so as to burn more cleanly but the burning rate hasn't changed.I use the same data(my SWC Keith bullet comes out at 154gr lubed)at 5.4gr and am going to proceed this winter with increases of .1 to .2gr increments.I shoot them in my heavy and light frames(N and K) .357.I think that since Unique hasn't changed the burning rate and the guns aren't made any weaker that the good ole times,I'm pretty safe with old data.

To me,a good Magnum load is around 1350FPS(with nominal weight for caliber bullet,be it .357,.41 or .44).A good .38Spl regular pressure load is around 900FPS(I've reached that with a 6'' bbl with previously mentionned bullet and 3.8gr Titegroup).
Next step is to get between about 1100 fps with same bullet and Unique.Lots of fun in perspective!!
Qc

 

[MSR_Gal]

HS-6 as 4756 replacement?

HS-6 looks to be closer to 4756 in burning rate than Unique is. I've seen normal +P data for HS-6. Has anyone here developed full 38/44 HV loads with HS-6?

Also, since full 38/44 loads approach the lower end of .357 Magnum pressures, what is the best small pistol primer for these loads?

 

[DWalt]

Also, since full 38/44 loads approach the lower end of .357 Magnum pressures, what is the best small pistol primer for these loads?

Most people would say small pistol primers are OK. Since I have use Small Rifle primers for all my .38 Special and .357 loads for many years, I'd say use Small Rifle.

 

[rockquarry]

Some recommend a magnum primer with HS-6 in the .38 Special. I've never seen a need, but if you have some, work up a load and try them.

If you have several different standard small pistol primers handy, try them as well and use a chronograph. I'd go with what was most accurate, but often the difference is so small as to be insignificant.

 

[sniper]

For years, my go-to load has been 5.5gr. Unique, 357 brass, CCI or Winchester Small Pistol standard primer, 150-158 Cast SWC, 4" barrel. Chronoed 860 fps. Not .38-44 level, which 6.0 should provide.

 

[Nevada Ed]

With a 158 gr lead bullet;

My M49 38 snub nose can handle 5.0 grs of Unique powder.

My M19-5 with a 38 case could handle 5.5 grs of Unique powder.
However, this K frame did better in accuracy with just 5.0 grs of powder.

I only push lead in my 357, when used as a hunting load, otherwise, I try
to keep them in the 900fps zone, and not doing 1320fps.