.38 special loads

[1chig]

anyone have a favorite load for a .38 special using unique powder and 125g. hp/xtp. ? I know to work up, im just wandering what everyone else is using and how they like it.

[zippy13]

6.0-gr of Unique provides an accurate load with most 125-gr jacket HPs. Be advised you'll be at, or closely approaching, +P pressures.

[Tanker6]

I use 5.7 grns of Unique under a 125 gn lead truncated cone bullet. Very nice accuracy in my .357 mag/6" barrel and not too snappy for my wife's .38 snubby. I don't always load with Unique on .38's, but if/when I do, that's my normal load.

[QuakertownRich]

Why waste the money on these bullets for 38spl? I only use lead bullets for 38spl. I use the XTP's, semi-jacketed HP's, Raniers, Berrys, etc. for 357 mag.

[1chig]

i got these bullets at a very good price and i shoot the .38 more than i do my 357

[rg1]

Hornady lists 5.8 grains as maximum and as a Plus-P load. I think it's a tad low and that 6.0 starts to get into +P pressures. I've shot Unique with heavier .38 Special cases, with CCI 500 primers up to 6.0 grains without any pressure problems. I'd say a load of Unique from 5.7-5.8 grains should do fine. Hornady's recommended overall length with 125 XTP-HP's is 1.450". They used Winchester SP primers in their tests with Hornady brass. My testing with Unique and AA#2 powder shows AA#2 to have more consistent velocity and a little higher velocity than using Unique, especially in shorter barreled 38's. A load using 4.9-5.2 works very well with 125 XTP-HP's. The only primers I've used are CCI 500's. Make sure your bullets are snug in the brass and use a good roll crimp.

[zippy13]

rg1,
I concur; but, the OP asked about Unique. With a 125-gr JHP, Unique works; however, it wouldn't be my "go-to" powder. Perhaps if he re-posted the question without a predetermined powder preference, the responses would be quite different.

[Qtiphky]

I load that bullet with 4.6 grains of Unique for my wifes Bodyguard 38. It shoots them very well and it is not hot. I ran a few up to 5.1 for a little more oomph and they were still manageable. At 5.6, they were definitely +p loads and hard for her to shoot due to recoil.

[k in AR]

My Speer manual says 5.7 for Unique and jacketed bullets of 125 gr and "Do Not Reduce"! For +p it gives a range of 5.7 to 6.0. Are XTP bullets made so that the jacket can not separate and stay in the barrel with lighter loads?

[AlaskaMike]

It's not that the jacket might separate, it's that the bullet is light enough that it might stick in the barrel in it's entirety. I wouldn't think that would be the case with a 125 grain XTP over less than 5.7 grains of Unique though.

However, Speer undoubtedly has done more far more testing with that combination than I have.

[mikejonestkd]

I've used 5.5 - 5.8 gr of unique under a 125 gr jacketed bullet with good results, I believe I had an OAL of 1.445" ? Shot well, but I almost exclusively use win 231 and trail boss in 38s nowadays.

[1chig]

hornady lists 5.1 as starting load and 5.8 for max with 5.6 being +p load, think i might just load them in som 357, which brings me to this question, anyone use this same combo in 357, using unique, or bullseye? Hornady does not list this powder and bullet for 357.

[QuakertownRich]

To be honest, you're going to have to break down and buy more than just two powders if serious about reloading. It sounds as if you want these two powder to cover all the bases and they just don't. Like I stated before, it's a waste to use XTP bullets in a 38spl. Velocity and expansion are not there for jacketed bullets in a 38spl. To optimize performance in these bullets, a slower burning powder like 296, H110, Acc #9 are your best bets in 357mag, IMO. I know you said you got a "good deal" on these bullets, but if you spent more than 5 cents a piece, it wasn't better than buying lead for 38spl applications.

[1chig]

I ask about these two powders, because i have a lot of both of them, and the only handguns i load for are a 9mm, .38 , and the 357. ( now rifle is a different story) Iv tried both these powders in the 9 and the .38 and they seem to work well. As for the 357 i have not tried them, but if it will work why not. At the start of this post i was just curious about the .38 and what load ( of this powder and bullet ) everyone else was using,,Now i am also curious about the 357, if i need to get a different powder thats fine, but if either of these two will work why not use them. Im sorry , i correct myself i should say i load for the 9 and .38 , and just starting on the 357. I have not been loading for long, only a little over 3 years, a little longer for my rifles so ill take all the help i can get. Also Quakertownrich, if the xtp are such a waste in the .38 , why does the hornady manuel list 6 different xtpbullets and loads and only 1 load for a lead bullet?

[QuakertownRich]

I'll quote directly from Speer Reloading Manual #13:
page 517
"Lead bullets are usually best for loading standard pressure 38 specials. They are easily propelled through the barrel by modest powder charges. Jacketed bullets create more resistance than lead bullets and can actually stick in the bore with charges that are too light."
page 522
"Many researchers still think the 158 grain lead hollow points beats any jacketed 38 load for expansion and penetration"

If you're question is why Hornady offers several loadings for the XTP over only one for lead...I dunno...maybe they are trying to sell their XTP bullets???

[warningshot]

I think Unique is the best powder to use in a 38 spl. when you want to jam un-burnt powder under the star rendering a reload useless as to give the creep(s) whom intend to immediately remove some or all of your vitals and other body parts, without proper medical certificatin and procedures, a fighting chance.

[pmeisel]

Hornady naturally wants to list loads for their products. Go to a Lyman manual and you'll see more lead loads.

Nothing wrong with the 125 grain XTP in 38 special if you like it. And nothing wrong with Unique, either, I use a lot of Unique in mid-range 357.....