Help: Reloading 38 Special, with Unique

[TripleThreat]

I've been reloading for 5 years now, I'm reloading 38 Special today with a 124grs projectiles.

I'm using 5.5 grams of Unique (never used this before with 38's).

Anyway, the powder only take about 1/2 of the case, it's that normal? Says that 6.0 is maximum, I'm surprised there is so much room in the case with so much powder.

Thanks,

[bhilliker@comcast.net]

not a problem at all Unique is a soft hitting powder so you'll like that load

[Citadelgrad87]

Bunny fart load, very nice. I load for my dad to practice with, he loves that load.

[Divernhunter]

all is well with the amount of space it takes. Load up and enjoy shooting

[ironhorse1]

I'm using 5.5 grams of Unique (never used this before with 38's).


5.5 grams of powder! 84.876 grains I think that will fill many cases.

We know you mean grains.

Unique is a bit sooty so use a firm crimp and you will be fine.

irh

[ptmn]

Like others said, that should be a very nice shooting load.

Your fear about the excess case volume with 5.5gr is nothing to worry about. That is very normal when loading modern smokeless powder.

The reason for this is that 38 Special was originally a black powder round. BP is bulky and requires a large volume. It was a popular round, so when the switch was made to smokeless powder, the case stayed basically the same for all intents and purposes. That made weapons manufacturing a pretty easy transition.

[TripleThreat]

Great info.

Thanks people!

[tabascoz28]

I'm using 5.5 grams of Unique (never used this before with 38's).


5.5 grams of powder! 84.876 grains I think that will fill many cases.

We know you mean grains.

Unique is a bit sooty so use a firm crimp and you will be fine.

irh

Right, to reloaders, this is a huge detail that shouldn't be missed, but maybe because this is an ammo sub forum, we excuse and assume a typo? Maybe OP is also a drug de, I mean a cook.

[beerman]

I’ve been a unique lover for decades, a bit dirty, but very even burning. Ken Watters was a big fan of it.. that’s where I got a lot of load data. Your GTG OP.

[beerman]

[plinkr]

One word of warning - triple check the cases after dispensing powder, make sure there are no double charges.

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

[TomReloaded]

Check out WST load data for 38spl! Down to 2.5gr for some projectiles, and it's really not very bulky.

If there's factory data for it, it's safe. Even if it's weird and empty looking. Flash over is usually a problem with the magnum type powders, or rifle powders. Don't try loading down h110 or similar, but the fast pistol powders are just fine burning in a big empty case.

Just to ease your mind, check out the 308 pistol powder loads. Tiny bit of powder in a huge (relatively) 308 case. Toally safe.

[ysr_racer]

I


I'm using 5.5 grams of Unique (never used this before with 38's).

,

For the love of Christ do not use 5.5 grams of unique. You want 5.5 GRAINS !!

[G-forceJunkie]

I prefer to use powders that don't leave room for a double or triple charge. For light 38spl or 357 loads I like Trailboss.

[TripleThreat]

I prefer to use powders that don't leave room for a double or triple charge. For light 38spl or 357 loads I like Trailboss.

I've always used Trail Boss in my 38 loads, wanted to try something different. It's over 1/2 full, so it won't double charge.

Thanks!