Recipe for .38 special

[rockdogz]

I'm loading .38 special for the first time, and was starting out with 4 grains of Unique behind a 125 grain round nose FMJ bullet. I also loaded some with 4.5 grains of Unique. Out of my first 15 or so shots, I had two squibs. Has anyone used Unique with .38 and where should I be starting out with this load?
Thanks

[Batbunny]

According to Alliant's website, the starting load for .38 special (non plus p) is 5.7 grains with a 125 speer gdhp.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/recipedetail.aspx?gtypeid=1&weight=125&shellid=26&bulletid=28

I'm sure other reloading manuals will have something around that number, however I'm not sure if that is starting or max charge maybe someone with more knowledge will chime in.

[XDRoX]

I'm loading .38 special for the first time, and was starting out with 4 grains of Unique behind a 125 grain round nose FMJ bullet. I also loaded some with 4.5 grains of Unique. Out of my first 15 or so shots, I had two squibs. Has anyone used Unique with .38 and where should I be starting out with this load?
Thanks

With 125gr FMJ you should be using 5.7gr of Unique, no less, and in my opinion no more without a chrono. Loading jacketed bullets in 38slp is a tough game to play. I doubt you could even find heavier bullets that are jacketed in 38spl. If you could I wouldn't want to shoot them. The round really shines with lead bullets. I hate handling/using lead bullets, but with 38slp I use lead. I like 158gr lead round nose.

[rockdogz]

Thanks guys. I saw the load on the website, but I wasn't sure if that was a starting load or not. My Lyman manual has 4.0 as starting and 5.7 as maximum.

[XDRoX]

Thanks guys. I saw the load on the website, but I wasn't sure if that was a starting load or not. My Lyman manual has 4.0 as starting and 5.7 as maximum.

4.0
That's crazy, I can't believe they would print that. I'd get some lead bullets if I were you. You'll have much more fun loading them.

[rockdogz]

Well if I switch to lead then I'd have about 1,900 .38 125grain jacketed bullets to spare...

Which brings up another question - can I use these for 9mm? I know they are .002 difference size-wise but I've seen conflicting opinions on this topic...

[sargenv]

Before we go any further. You are loading 38 special.. what kind of gun are you firing these in? If you are firing these in a 357 magnum revolver, you can easily use +P data for your loaded ammo. Give us some idea of what model revolver you are using and likely we can give better advice.Unique tends to be a pretty slow powder choice for 38 spl. More people use faster burners for it, like Bullseye, Clays, Solo 1000, Red Dot, Green Dot, WW 231, Hodgdon HP38, and other similar fast burners.

[Beelzy]

I'm loading .38 special for the first time, and was starting out with 4 grains of Unique behind a 125 grain round nose FMJ bullet. I also loaded some with 4.5 grains of Unique. Out of my first 15 or so shots, I had two squibs. Has anyone used Unique with .38 and where should I be starting out with this load?
Thanks

That recipe is for LEAD Bullets.....not FMJ projos.

[rockdogz]

I do have Bullseye, Clays, and Green Dot, but currently only 1lb of each while I have an 8lb jug of Unique. I am shooting out of a GP100 and SP101, so both .357 revolvers.

[buffybuster]

Well if I switch to lead then I'd have about 1,900 .38 125grain jacketed bullets to spare...

Which brings up another question - can I use these for 9mm? I know they are .002 difference size-wise but I've seen conflicting opinions on this topic...

Those ".38 125grain jacketed bullets" can be used in a 9x19mm or in .357Magnum loads. The .38Spl is easiest to load with lead bullets and a faster powder or a case full (4.5gr) of Trailboss.

I do have Bullseye, Clays, and Green Dot, but currently only 1lb of each while I have an 8lb jug of Unique. I am shooting out of a GP100 and SP101, so both .357 revolvers.

Unique is one of the most versatile powders. It can used very successfully in 9x19mm and mid-range .357Magnum. In the .38Spl, Reddot, AA#2, W231, Bullseye, Clays will work very well, though I like Trailboss since it takes up all the volume and eliminates the possibility of a double charge.

[sargenv]

Since you are shooting these 38's in a 357 magnum revolver, you have more options than just shooting them at 38 Spl pressures. You can load them to +P and even +P+ since your GP100 and SP101 are rated for about 35,000 PSI, about double that of the standard 18,000 PSI of a 38 Spl.

Trailboss is a nice powder, but it is mainly reccomended as a lead bullet propellant. There are other good bulky powders that you can use in the .38 spl and if you load them so that a double charge overflows the case you should be out of any double charge danger.

If I were you, I would use the Max listed in your 38 spl case (5.7 Unique) since the max load for the 357 magnum is 9.6 gr according to the Alliant powder web page data site.

[Texas Boy]

I realize the OP has lots of FMJ bullets on hand, but anyone who would prefer to use lead bullets but doesn't want to handle bare lead, you might want to try Bear Creak's molly coated lead bullets. They have a very uniform molly coating that almost appears baked on. I would assume, though I don't know for certain, that the molly coating provides somewhat of a barrier to the lead. You should still thoroughly wash your hands after handling these bullets, just like with any ammunition.

[buffybuster]

Since you are shooting these 38's in a 357 magnum revolver, you have more options than just shooting them at 38 Spl pressures. You can load them to +P and even +P+ since your GP100 and SP101 are rated for about 35,000 PSI, about double that of the standard 18,000 PSI of a 38 Spl.

Trailboss is a nice powder, but it is mainly reccomended as a lead bullet propellant. There are other good bulky powders that you can use in the .38 spl and if you load them so that a double charge overflows the case you should be out of any double charge danger.

If I were you, I would use the Max listed in your 38 spl case (5.7 Unique) since the max load for the 357 magnum is 9.6 gr according to the Alliant powder web page data site.

I would be hesitant to recommend this (in bold). While it would seem safe at the moment, if in the future one of these rounds somehow finds its way into a small frame/older revolver .38Spl revolver that is not rated for anything beyond 18Kpsi and fired, the revolver could be damaged/injuries could occur.

It is certainly in the realm of possibility that you load some rounds and forget about them for a couple years. You rediscover them and since they're .38Spl's you take them out to plink with your friends/family to shoot in various revolvers........kaboom. Loading any cartridge significantly beyond the standard pressures should be avoided.

BTW I only recommended Trailboss for lead bullets.

[LGB Loader]

No offense, Feller's & OP but...

With the questions that the OP is asking and the recipe he is using, I strongly believe he should put down components and tools and pick up the book. I believe a much better comprehension and understanding of the process needs to be addressed. The best tool you can have with this process of assembling ammunition is KNOWLEDGE.

Dogz, There is no big rush to use up the rest of those 1900 pills. Go Back to the front of the book and read & read & read until you can quote it. Then, if you are not 100% sure about something, come back to the forums and ask. There is no room for assumption in Handloading, you have got to be certain. No short cuts either, you have to spend the time woodshedding. Once it's upstairs, no one can take it from you.

LGB

[XDRoX]

I agree that the OP should not load 38spl to +P unless his cases are headstamped +P. It seems to not be the best idea for reasons already mentioned. Plus, there is nothing wrong with loading to normal 38spl pressures.

It's just that the OP either got some bad load data or incorrectly mistook lead data for jacketed data. Just up the load to 5.7gr. It should work fine.

Once you get more comfortable then switch to a real powder like WST.

WST is taking over my loading. First I switched my 9mm loads to it, then my 45, and now my 38spl.