unique for 357

deleterman · April 4, 2008, 09:31 PM

Back again; all u smart one's out there , i thought that i would try out some unique powder for my 38 ans 357 mag loads . so here goes -how does this sound? looking for about 1000 fps, ok in the 357 mag useing 158gr swc with 5.5gr of unique- in the sp cases -148gr wc -3.5 grs of unique. with 158 gr swc - 4.5 grs unique. hope this works out. i still have some bullseye to fall back on...this is for shooting out to 100' medal silouettes..so i don't want to use fmj loads..any ideas on this set up ? thanks . Howie

rg1 · April 5, 2008, 02:44 AM

No experience myself but the Midway LoadMap handbook says using several different 158gr SWC lead bullets in the .357 Magnum with Unique powder: starting load was 5.5 grains and with all the 158 SWC's tested they worked up to 5.7-5.8 grains of Unique for a good stop charge. Overall lengths they tested were 1.590".
Lyman's 3rd Edition Cast Bullet Handbook for .38 Special lists charges of Unique for 148 gr WC Linotype bullets (#35891) at 3.4-5.0 grains of Unique with a overall length of 1.317". They used Fed cases and CCI 500 primers in their test. Using the 158gr roundnose lead bullet they used 3.4-5.1 grains of Unique at 1.550" o.a.l. (with the bullet #358311) in the .38 special.
So I don't know how it'll work out but it seems your charges are safe starting charges.

DMZX · April 5, 2008, 07:44 AM

I have worked up several .357 mag loads with Unique, using 148 gr LBBWC's and 158 gr JHP's. The former is a light target load, the latter is a moderate mag' load. According to my notes, all are very accurate in both of my .357's.

The Lovemaster · April 5, 2008, 08:47 AM

Unique's good powder, but it's dirty as hell. It's accurate also.

I switched to Bullseye, it's a little cleaner.

Scorch · April 5, 2008, 01:06 PM

5.5 gr of Unique behing a 158 gr LSWC is the same load I shoot in my Python. Very accurate.

Yoosta B. Blue · April 5, 2008, 01:34 PM

The Lovemaster, I think you struck the pointed object right on its proverbial epicenter with your statement of "Unique's good powder, but it's dirty as hell."

I'm new to reloading and haven't yet shot with very many powders. But of those that I've loaded with, Unique wins the "Most Dirty and Messy Powder" award, hands down.

Yoosta B. Blue

Redneck with a 40 · April 5, 2008, 02:37 PM

The "new" unique is supposedly 50% cleaner than the old stuff. I run Unique in my 40 S&W and 357 mag target loads, because it works great. I run 6 grains Unique behind a 158 grain Ranier, its a good load, about like a 38 spl +P. I clean my guns after I shoot anyway, so the dirtiness doesn't really bother me.

Shooter 973 · April 5, 2008, 02:52 PM

What does it matter if Unique is "Dirty as Hell"? Your going to clean your gun anyway!

And most of the "dirt" just wipes right off with a rag anyway......

W. C. Quantrill · April 5, 2008, 03:25 PM

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/Index.htm

For the sure answer, go to the source. Before you load.

I use Unique for most everything. The new powder isnt any dirtier than any other. It depends on what you are wanting to achieve. It is bulkier than some others. I use Unique in my .45 target and hunting loads, but I use AA#2 in the snake loads. .45 ACP, .38, and .357 gets Unique. It is probably the most universal powder going.

Shooter973, I agree wholeheartedly.

The Lovemaster · April 7, 2008, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shooter 973

What does it matter if Unique is "Dirty as Hell"? Your going to clean your gun anyway! And most of the "dirt" just wipes right off with a rag anyway......

It matters when one has a stainless Python, the single greatest metallic creation in the history of man.

Sort of like seeing Cindy Crawford when she's kinda skunky vs. when she's all primped up. Sure, she's still beautiful, but a man prefers to have his best ho looking good.

April 4, 2008, 09:31 PM	#1
deleterman Member Join Date: March 18, 2008 Posts: 62	unique for 357 Back again; all u smart one's out there , i thought that i would try out some unique powder for my 38 ans 357 mag loads . so here goes -how does this sound? looking for about 1000 fps, ok in the 357 mag useing 158gr swc with 5.5gr of unique- in the sp cases -148gr wc -3.5 grs of unique. with 158 gr swc - 4.5 grs unique. hope this works out. i still have some bullseye to fall back on...this is for shooting out to 100' medal silouettes..so i don't want to use fmj loads..any ideas on this set up ? thanks . Howie

April 5, 2008, 01:06 PM	#5
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	5.5 gr of Unique behing a 158 gr LSWC is the same load I shoot in my Python. Very accurate. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

April 5, 2008, 02:52 PM	#8
Shooter 973 Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2001 Location: Home town of John M. Browning, Utah Posts: 499	Unique in 357....... What does it matter if Unique is "Dirty as Hell"? Your going to clean your gun anyway! And most of the "dirt" just wipes right off with a rag anyway...... __________________ The problem with America is stupidity. I'm not saying there should be capital punishment for stupidity, but why don't we just take the safety labels off of everything and let the problem solve itself?

April 5, 2008, 03:25 PM	#9
W. C. Quantrill Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2008 Location: No Man's Land Posts: 354	http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/Index.htm For the sure answer, go to the source. Before you load. I use Unique for most everything. The new powder isnt any dirtier than any other. It depends on what you are wanting to achieve. It is bulkier than some others. I use Unique in my .45 target and hunting loads, but I use AA#2 in the snake loads. .45 ACP, .38, and .357 gets Unique. It is probably the most universal powder going. Shooter973, I agree wholeheartedly. __________________ NRA Life Whittington Center Life

April 5, 2008, 02:44 AM	#2
rg1 Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2001 Posts: 1,125	No experience myself but the Midway LoadMap handbook says using several different 158gr SWC lead bullets in the .357 Magnum with Unique powder: starting load was 5.5 grains and with all the 158 SWC's tested they worked up to 5.7-5.8 grains of Unique for a good stop charge. Overall lengths they tested were 1.590". Lyman's 3rd Edition Cast Bullet Handbook for .38 Special lists charges of Unique for 148 gr WC Linotype bullets (#35891) at 3.4-5.0 grains of Unique with a overall length of 1.317". They used Fed cases and CCI 500 primers in their test. Using the 158gr roundnose lead bullet they used 3.4-5.1 grains of Unique at 1.550" o.a.l. (with the bullet #358311) in the .38 special. So I don't know how it'll work out but it seems your charges are safe starting charges.

April 5, 2008, 07:44 AM	#3
DMZX Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2007 Location: E. Oregon Posts: 563	I have worked up several .357 mag loads with Unique, using 148 gr LBBWC's and 158 gr JHP's. The former is a light target load, the latter is a moderate mag' load. According to my notes, all are very accurate in both of my .357's.

April 5, 2008, 08:47 AM	#4
The Lovemaster Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 416	Unique's good powder, but it's dirty as hell. It's accurate also. I switched to Bullseye, it's a little cleaner.

April 5, 2008, 01:34 PM	#6
Yoosta B. Blue Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2008 Location: Just a tad NE of the Alamo... Posts: 252	The Lovemaster, I think you struck the pointed object right on its proverbial epicenter with your statement of "Unique's good powder, but it's dirty as hell." I'm new to reloading and haven't yet shot with very many powders. But of those that I've loaded with, Unique wins the "Most Dirty and Messy Powder" award, hands down. Yoosta B. Blue

April 5, 2008, 02:37 PM	#7
Redneck with a 40 Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2006 Posts: 336	The "new" unique is supposedly 50% cleaner than the old stuff. I run Unique in my 40 S&W and 357 mag target loads, because it works great. I run 6 grains Unique behind a 158 grain Ranier, its a good load, about like a 38 spl +P. I clean my guns after I shoot anyway, so the dirtiness doesn't really bother me.