TTT for the new reloaders........
.38 spcl/158gr SWC/Unique--What's the real maximum standard load?
- Thread starter Ralph G. Briscoe
- Start date
A maximum, standard pressure ??
One has to realize that most of the 38 special load test were made with a K frame 38. These were built like a tank and could hold up to some pretty heavy loads.
Take a heavy standard K frame load and put it in a light J frame and you will have a load that may damage the gun or shooter. One reason that there are starting loads and maximum loads in manuals foe 38 special data.
A max load for my J frame snub is 5.0 grs of Unique while my K frame 6 inch likes 5.5grs of powder and is reading over 1010fps with a lead bullet, which for me is plenty for a 38 load.
I could shove in more powder but I would not be able to control the gun and recoil for placing good, accurate groups.
However if you want to impress the guys at the range there are always those maximum loads...............
One has to realize that most of the 38 special load test were made with a K frame 38. These were built like a tank and could hold up to some pretty heavy loads.
Take a heavy standard K frame load and put it in a light J frame and you will have a load that may damage the gun or shooter. One reason that there are starting loads and maximum loads in manuals foe 38 special data.
A max load for my J frame snub is 5.0 grs of Unique while my K frame 6 inch likes 5.5grs of powder and is reading over 1010fps with a lead bullet, which for me is plenty for a 38 load.
I could shove in more powder but I would not be able to control the gun and recoil for placing good, accurate groups.
However if you want to impress the guys at the range there are always those maximum loads...............
setxn
Member
Unique 4.5 gr & 158 gr SWC in the old and ladies revolvers,5.0 gr & 158 gr SWC in everything else.
T. McIntyre
Member
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Reviving an older thread..
Yesterday while burning up some wadcutter loads, I also shot a couple dozen 158 grain LSWCs pushed by 5.4 grains of Unique through my 4" Model 19-3.
They were quite manageable and accuracy seemed in line with the rest of my hand held groups. It looked like it would make a great SD/HD, hunting load for my 4" Model 15.
Yesterday while burning up some wadcutter loads, I also shot a couple dozen 158 grain LSWCs pushed by 5.4 grains of Unique through my 4" Model 19-3.
They were quite manageable and accuracy seemed in line with the rest of my hand held groups. It looked like it would make a great SD/HD, hunting load for my 4" Model 15.
Yes, great load in my 19-2. Hard cast 148s. A little too hot for me in my 642, where I stop at 5.0 grains Unique.
I keep a dipper for a particular....
Personally I think Lee would do well to make a set of about 50 dippers, when emphasis on the lower range. hey are molded plastic. How much more could manufacturing a larger set cost? So the price might be $5-10 more, but I would find them much more useful.
I make a dipper for my most common loads. If I want to try another powder throw that powder and weigh the results. See whatcha get with the same scoop, or one in the Lee set.
Lee includes a neat slide chart to tell how much of a particular powder each scoop will throw. It's a little conservative, for those who want to take their word that that is what they throw.
I use my digital scale a LOT to keep tabs on things. Max or near loads all get weighed. I have system the works for me. I set each empty cartridge on the scale, hit TARE, then charge the case. Put it back on the scale. Trickle the little extra that you need. (sometimes I add a 'pinch by hand' if it's off by only a couple tenths.)
Personally I think Lee would do well to make a set of about 50 dippers, when emphasis on the lower range. hey are molded plastic. How much more could manufacturing a larger set cost? So the price might be $5-10 more, but I would find them much more useful.
I make a dipper for my most common loads. If I want to try another powder throw that powder and weigh the results. See whatcha get with the same scoop, or one in the Lee set.
Lee includes a neat slide chart to tell how much of a particular powder each scoop will throw. It's a little conservative, for those who want to take their word that that is what they throw.
I use my digital scale a LOT to keep tabs on things. Max or near loads all get weighed. I have system the works for me. I set each empty cartridge on the scale, hit TARE, then charge the case. Put it back on the scale. Trickle the little extra that you need. (sometimes I add a 'pinch by hand' if it's off by only a couple tenths.)
Last edited:
nitesite
Member
I've been at 4.8-gr of Unique with a cast 158 LSWC for a long time. For +P I go with 5.2-gr of Unique with the same bullet.
hdwhit
Member
Before I answer the question about the starting load, let me point out that there can be some legal problems unique to using handloads in a self-defense shooting. Check out the legal section of one of these sites and see what real "briefcase toting attorneys" say on the matter.
Legal | The High Road
Law and Civil Rights - The Firing Line Forums
That said, if we ignore the data in the OP superseded in later editions of the manuals, there is more or less a consensus for a Maximum load of about 4.5 grains. This would indicate a Starting load of about 4.0 grains.
I actually dipped a 9mm this summer. I was loading into bags and found a single primer stuck in the feed after I emptied the hopper. Rather than refill the hopper, I just busted out a dipper--charge was right on the nose. So I can cross that off my reloading bucket list.
