Noob question about bullet types

[CodyGT46]

So I have gotten a Lee classic reloading kit for .38 Special and finally have gotten enough materials to where I can start giving it a go. Now the load I'm going to try calls for a 125 grain "XTP" bullet over Unique powder, and I'm just curious if I have to use those or can I use any 125 grain hollowpoints that I have on hand?

Also I was looking up some loading information on the website that makes the powder I'm going to use and says to use CCI Primers, would it be okay for me to use the Winchester primers I already have or no?

Any info would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

[Bt Doctur]

Most times the bullet weight is used not the type of bullet. This chart was taken from my Hercules Reloader Guide 1991 listing various types of powder ,bullets.
See .44 for power types for each column. Almost positive these are the MAX load listings so work up to them carefully

[Bt Doctur]

Hornady Forth Edition Vol.1 list 125 Gr with 4.5 Grs Unique @ 800fps
4.7 @ 850
5.0 @ 900 fps designated as +P MAXIMUM load

[CEDaytonaRydr]

So I have gotten a Lee classic reloading kit for .38 Special and finally have gotten enough materials to where I can start giving it a go. Now the load I'm going to try calls for a 125 grain "XTP" bullet over Unique powder, and I'm just curious if I have to use those or can I use any 125 grain hollowpoints that I have on hand?

Generally speaking, you can use the same load data for a bullet of similar weight, provided that the projectiles in question are both jacketed, or both cast (or copper plated). In other words, don't use jacketed load data for lead cast bullets. There are some things to take into account, such as bearing surface and seating depth, so don't just start off at "Never Exceed" and think you're okay. I'm guessing this is for a wheel gun, so there's absolutely no reason to increase load data in order to get an autoloader to cycle. Just start somewhere near the bottom, and work up from there. If nothing else, you're saving even more money by using less powder in your reloads.

Also I was looking up some loading information on the website that makes the powder I'm going to use and says to use CCI Primers, would it be okay for me to use the Winchester primers I already have or no?

Totally fine. The only time you should alter your load data is if you plan on using magnum primers instead of regular primers. Then, you should back off your load data by 5-10%, and work up from there. If I used the brand of primers that a given recipe called for in the reloading manual every time, I'd never get anything done!

[stilly]

So I have gotten a Lee classic reloading kit for .38 Special and finally have gotten enough materials to where I can start giving it a go. Now the load I'm going to try calls for a 125 grain "XTP" bullet over Unique powder, and I'm just curious if I have to use those or can I use any 125 grain hollowpoints that I have on hand?

Also I was looking up some loading information on the website that makes the powder I'm going to use and says to use CCI Primers, would it be okay for me to use the Winchester primers I already have or no?

Any info would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

FIRST of all, if you have a Lee Die set and you have the XTP bullets, I forgot, do those have the little missle heads? Oh nevermind, I am thinking of the FTX. If you have the FTX bullets then you need to modify your Lee bullet seater else you will have bad bullets due to the tip screwing things up and the way the Lee dies are.

Pretty much you can use about any 125gr J-worded bullets or even lead, but check in a few places and see that the data is consistent.

As far as primers go, I personally think that CCI just paid to get used in everything. You will find that some of us prefer TULA and some federal or winchester. I prefer Tula, but really a primer is a primer when it comes down to it with ME. In my opinion, SP is SP...

[CodyGT46]

BT, CEDaytona, and stilly. Thank you so much!

[stilly]

BT, CEDaytona, and stilly. Thank you so much!

Oh HEY! Two more things. I forgot about this.

STAY AWAY FROM BLUE DOT POWDER with a 125gr BULLET.

I have not heard anything bad about Unique, but BLUE DOT is a NONO for less than 148gr in my book now. (really I only heard it was very kaboom bad for 125gr)

I heard VERY bad things happen, and once you pull the trigger you could be seeing dead people...

And as for ftx bullets, Lee says you can send the dies in to them to modify or you can just drill a little out the center I think of their bullet seater.

Anyways. Have fun loading it all up and blasting.

[CEDaytonaRydr]

BT, CEDaytona, and stilly. Thank you so much!

That's why we have this forum! Glad we could help...

Oh HEY! Two more things. I forgot about this.

STAY AWAY FROM BLUE DOT POWDER with a 125gr BULLET.

I have not heard anything bad about Unique, but BLUE DOT is a NONO for less than 148gr in my book now. (really I only heard it was very kaboom bad for 125gr)

I heard VERY bad things happen, and once you pull the trigger you could be seeing dead people...

And as for ftx bullets, Lee says you can send the dies in to them to modify or you can just drill a little out the center I think of their bullet seater.

Anyways. Have fun loading it all up and blasting.

I've heard this too, especially for 41 Mag. I didn't know that there was cross-talk on blue dot issues with 357, but now I do.

Blue Dot is a really good shotgun powder but for some applications, it's not well-suited. 41 Mag loaders will usually want it nowhere near their bench. We avoid it like the plague...