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I'm having trouble finding published data for this powder using jacketed bullets. BTW, I don't care if it's 38 or 38+P.

Speer #7
160grn jacketed SP.
Unique- 4.5 to 5.6 grns.

Think I have some other manuals around that give some 38SPL/Unique data, but I'd have to do some digging.

Looks to me to be 4.0gr - 5.0gr of Unique with 158gr bullet to get you in the ball park.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/

http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp

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Global warming is junk science, but creationism should be taught in schools.
Proud union member 30+ years. ICWUC/UFCW
Single-actions, Double-actions, Lever-actions and Assorted Ruger Firearms.

I use 4.0 grains of Unique in .38 Special cases in my .357 Blackhawk.

I used 4,5 gr for my SP101

Depending on how much "thump" I need for the task at hand, something between 5.0-5.5 works for me.

DGW

Neither of these sites have a Unique load in 38 spl for a jacketed bullet. At least not that I could find. That's why I had to ask. Thanks anyway.

Thanks for all the help. I just want a plinker to load for my dad. Looks like I should be safe at 4.5 grs.

Try this link to the 38 spl page of MD Smith's reloading page. It shows 4.2-4.9 gr Unique I believe.

http://www.reloadammo.com/38loads.htm

He is very reliable and safe and you seldom cannot find something on his site that will answer your reload data question. I have used his site for years.

Louie

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louiethelump
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"Deeds; Not Words"

Lyman 49th lists,
Unique 38 spl
Starting load of 4.7 = 645fps
Max load of 5.0= 710fps.
Max +P load of 5.2= 761fps.
OAL 1.480 for Hornady JHP #35750 158gr bullet
Sal

FWIW, my Speer manual shows this;
158 Grn Speer JHP:
Starting load of Unique: 5.0 Grns. (837 FPS)
Maximum load of Unique: 5.3 Grns.(918 FPS)

I find it interesting that the max load shown for a heavier bullet (160 JSP), using the same powder, primer, and fired from the same gun (a Ruger 6" Security Six) is listed as being .2 more, at 5.5 Grns.(928 FPS).
Also rather interesting is that it only took 4.7 Grns of Unique to push a 158 (swaged)LSWC to within 21FPS of the hottest-recomended JHP load.

No pressure figures are given for any of the above loads, but mention was made that the "starting loads" should be considered as max for small and alloy revolvers, and the "max loads" are for medium and large frame revolvers.
That said though, There weren't no SP101-type, heavy-duty, hide-out revolvers being made back then.
All used Federal standard primers.
All testing was done with a Ruger Security-Six.

Also....everyone concerned should remember that all 158 bullets aint the same. Some have a different crimp-groove placement than others, which in turn places one bullet deeper into the case than a where a different bullet might sit, which in turn reduces case capacity, which in turn causes otherwise identical loads to operate at significantantly different pressures.
I myself seemwed to have forgotten that. Had I been thinking more clearly, I would not have recomended any sort of a load to the OP without first asking some rather-revelent questions.

My apologies to him and the group.

DGW

I'm using 158 gr Nosler JHP. I went with 4.5 grains. I fee pretty good about it. Also these are only going to be fired out of 357s. Dad just wants a good safe plinker and he has those components to work with. He'll be hapy. Thanks to all!

BTW, my Speer manual doesn't have a load listed. But it's kind of old (#12).

The 38 special like the 44 special and the 45 colt are low pressure handgun rounds. If you are using a newer gun or one in 357 magnum you really don't need to worry that much about small pressure differences between cast lead and jacketed data as any comparison of the two will show they are about the same. Loading 38 specials for a modern revolver is simply not that critical. Your 4.5gr puts you right in the middle of most of the data I have seen. Enjoy.

_________________
Global warming is junk science, but creationism should be taught in schools.
Proud union member 30+ years. ICWUC/UFCW
Single-actions, Double-actions, Lever-actions and Assorted Ruger Firearms.

nm

He might find that load just a bit too tame but it will run fine. If he wants a little more zip next time go up to around 5g.
Sal