Unique loads for 38 and 9mm??

[pizzlemata]

Hi,
Im hoping to find a decent pet load for 38 special and 9mm using Unique powder. Went through a few pounds of Bullseye and loved it for both calibers but now only have 4 lbs of Unique. I already worked up a light 357 using Unique (158gr plated X-treme RNFP and SWC over 7.0 gr of Unique) and love it.
Does anyone have a favorite 38 or 9mm load? I will be loading the same 158 gr plated bullets for 38 and 115 gr xtreme for 9mm. No chrono yet so I just compare recoil to a few factory loads.... I do like them to recoil a little less than factory loads.
38s will be shot out of a 686+ 4", Gp100 4", Model 19 6", Sp101, 442, model 60 (38 only) and Security Six 2 1/2"
9mm will be shot out of Glock 19, M&P 9c and Shield 9mm.
Any help is greatly appreciated! And of course, I will be checking my load data manuals when i get home to make sure its all safe!
Thanks

[bsumoba]

Don't remember my 38 special load with 158s, but I use 5.2gr unique with 124gr bullets. I suspect you can go 5.5-6 gr with 115s.

I had a bunnyload for 38 special with unique. The only problem is that I do get a bit of unburnt powder sometimes.

[noylj]

No pet loads with plated bullets--the few I tested sucked.
Have gone as low as 4.3gn with 115gn plated bullets and up to 5.3gn Unique and felt my shotgun could group as well at 25 yards. With good lead bullets, I have gone up to 5.7gn, but groups still weren't that good (but better than the plated bullets).
As much as I love Unique, I haven't found it very good in my 9x19s. However, when all you have is Unique, you make do.
Why would any one care about unburned powder if the groups are good?
Only .38 Spl I shoot are 148gn L-HBWCs.

[rsrocket1]

5g Unique under a 158g bullet is anywhere from max 38 special pressure to +P depending on the seating depth of the bullet but it is way below 357 pressure so you'll be well within the safety margin of your guns. It is my favorite load for my 4" Ruger Service Six. It averages in the mid 900's and makes it feel like you are shooting a "real" gun. Typical 38 special loads are closer to 4-4.5g Unique for MV's in the mid 700's to 800 fps. Ultra light recoil in the Ruger. You can go lower, but expect sooty cases, unburned flakes and not much power out of the gun. If you like a certain Bullseye load, try about 10% more Uniuqe for an equivalent load.

In 9mm, Unique is at it's limit in terms of bulkiness. You simply cannot get enough in the case to overload it unless you really compress it. Anywhere from 4.5g if you seat the bullet really deep out to 5.5g if you seat it long. You don't want to load the 9mm too light or it won't eject the round very far. The Shield needs just about as strong a load as the 9c because it has a much stronger recoil spring although you've probably already figured that out.

[09cs]

For 9mm with 115gr Plated Bullet, I used 4.8gr Unique
And 115gr FMJ bullet, 5.2gr Unique

[BigBronco]

4.2 gr. Unique with a 158 gr. home cast boolit. Light recoil and real accurate in the Python.

[DougJ]

I've had good results with xtreme bullets of all types. Recent loads have been in 100 gr 380, 115 gr and 124 gr 9mm. Pistol powder has been scarce, I have used Green Dot with good results in 45 ACP as a Unique replacement for quite a while. I used it in the 9mm as well. My wife scored a couple of pounds of Unique recently so I've been using it for 9mm and even .380, using xtreme bullets. I was out of 115's about the time I got the unique as I was switching to 124gr to replicate my carry load for my Shield, that load is as follows:

4.8 gr. Unique / 4.6 works well too.
xtreme 124gr plated RN
CCI SP primer, now Federal since I'm out of CCI's
1.153 OAL and .377 @ the crimp

These have run 100% and are quite accurate, I like the 4.6gr load a little better for practice in the Shield.

This has worked for me, do your own load development, use at your own risk/not my problem if you hurt yourself etc...

[pizzlemata]

Thanks everyone for your comments!
I was going to cranks out some rounds and test them out but still stuck at work . Going on 15 hours now.... owell. I guess ill just have to obsess about it till next weekend

[Paseclipse]

For 9mm, I've had good results using 5.7 grains of Unique, CCI Small Pistol Primers and MGB 115 gr FMJ.

[09cs]

For 9mm, I've had good results using 5.7 grains of Unique, CCI Small Pistol Primers and MGB 115 gr FMJ.

Wow! Even my 5.2 loads were nearly full cases. There can't be much room left with 5.7 grains

[Citadelgrad87]

5.1 over a 124gr jacketed bullet, iirc. Very mild in my dads lcr.

I want to introduce my daughter to something bigger than .22 but want it mild.

38 special of course. No idea of 9mm.

It makes a nice 44 spl load, too. Unique is my go to, mostly because I scored 9lbs from a fellow calgunner.

[pennstater]

4.2-4.5 is pretty good with Unique using a 158 swc. Very accurate, mild recoil/report. This is in my Ruger Blackhawk. I also run 5.0gr Unique for a +P load, same bullet, same pistol. Not nasty at all. BTW, the 5.0 load is the most accurate in my pistol. Work your load up and be safe. You really should buy a chronograph; they're a big help in load development.

[pizzlemata]

Thanks guys!
Currently shopping around for chronos... anyone know of any deals?
And I will start near min. load and work up on those 9s and 38s. Just gotta find the time

[pizzlemata]

Thanks guys!
Currently shopping around for chronos... anyone know of any deals?
And I will start near min. load and work up on those 9s and 38s. Just gotta find the time

[pizzlemata]

For 9mm, I've had good results using 5.7 grains of Unique, CCI Small Pistol Primers and MGB 115 gr FMJ.

Do you know if the bullet compacts the powder?
I have read that Unique is fluffy and it wouldn't hurt to pack it down and some like it more because double charges would spill out and be obvious. Just what I read... no experience with it yet since I have only loaded 9s with Bullseye