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Scharfschuetzer · February 22, 2012, 11:30 PM

Congrats on getting those very first hand loads downrange! You've definately moved up to a higher plane in the shooting sports.

I've never used Universal powder, but the post of above mine is probably correct in assuming a lower than necessary pressure for it. For mid range 38 Spacial loads I like to use Unique powder. It burns well under the 150 to 160 grain cast bullets that I like and it burns pretty clean for me.

Update: I checked the Hodgdon reloading site for 125 grain bullets and Universal powder. They show a starting weight of 4.7 grains behind a Hornady 125 grain bullet and a max load of 5.2 grains. Looks like your load is a tad above their recomended max load and is probably up in the +P 38 Special regime. So much for our lack of pressure guess.

Check the Hodgdon Web Site below for details on their data:

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

February 22, 2012, 11:30 PM	#4
Scharfschuetzer Senior Member Join Date: January 28, 2012 Location: Puget Sound Posts: 293	Congrats on getting those very first hand loads downrange! You've definately moved up to a higher plane in the shooting sports. I've never used Universal powder, but the post of above mine is probably correct in assuming a lower than necessary pressure for it. For mid range 38 Spacial loads I like to use Unique powder. It burns well under the 150 to 160 grain cast bullets that I like and it burns pretty clean for me. Update: I checked the Hodgdon reloading site for 125 grain bullets and Universal powder. They show a starting weight of 4.7 grains behind a Hornady 125 grain bullet and a max load of 5.2 grains. Looks like your load is a tad above their recomended max load and is probably up in the +P 38 Special regime. So much for our lack of pressure guess. Check the Hodgdon Web Site below for details on their data: http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp __________________ Scharfschuetzer US Army Distinguished Rifleman Washington State Distinguished Rifleman NRA Police Distinguished Expert Last edited by Scharfschuetzer; February 22, 2012 at 11:46 PM.