.38 Spcl Question for all you reloaders

[puma guy]

I have not reloaded in many, many years and don't have any of my old manuals. I have 200 rounds of .38 Spcl reloads given to me by a friend that are probably 30 years old. I don't have any problem with that, but the boxes are marked 7 grains Unique. The bullets are round nose lead, probably 140 to 150 grain. From my old memory 7 grains of Unique seems excessive for .38 or even .357, but I really don't know. He had a couple of rifles chambered for .357. A Marin 1894 and a Winchester, also. This is probably a dumb question but has Unique powder been altered or changed for burn rate last 30+ years? The major question is are they safe with 7 grains? I have a S&W Model 60, Model 19 and Model 27 I would try them in. Any help is appreciated.

[ghostrider]

That seems hot.

Looking at Alliant's web site I see:

158grs LSWC, 38spl +P: 5.2gr unique

158 gr Speer LSWC, 357 Magnum: 6.0gr


Even 110gr, 38sp +P data is only 6.3gr of unique.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/index.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[LTUME1978]

I think Unique's formulation is different now vs. 30-40 years ago. My reloading experience began in 1974 crafting practice ammo for a Ruger Security Six 357. I checked my old load from back then and it was 8 grains of Unique pushing a 150 grain lead SWC (still have part of a pound of powder from that time and it was made by Hercules - cost $6.25/pound). That was a mid range load for my 357 back then. I don't have any of my old reloading manuals from that time period to serve as a reference. You might try asking this question on a reloading site to see if anyone can confirm this (an old Lee manual from that time would have the information you need, that is what I had and used at the time). Hope this helps.

[puma guy]

I think Unique's formulation is different now vs. 30-40 years ago. My reloading experience began in 1974 crafting practice ammo for a Ruger Security Six 357. I checked my old load from back then and it was 8 grains of Unique pushing a 150 grain lead SWC (still have part of a pound of powder from that time and it was made by Hercules - cost $6.25/pound). That was a mid range load for my 357 back then. I don't have any of my old reloading manuals from that time period to serve as a reference. You might try asking this question on a reloading site to see if anyone can confirm this (an old Lee manual from that time would have the information you need, that is what I had and used at the time). Hope this helps.

Thanks. It does help. All my manuals were ruined in a flood so I don't have any reference. Hercules very well could be different then the Alliant version. different back then as you say. On the S&W forum everyone said don't shoot 'em. I also found some additional loadings he had ranging from 5.4 to 5.9 marked on an empty boxes. I'll try a reloading site.

[bagman45]

I wouldn't touch that load off in any of my guns... Just checked my Hornady reloading manual from 1980 (to get close to the vintage in question); it lists a MAX load of 4.8 grains of Unique under a 138 grain lead round nose slug @ 900fps.

[MoJo]

I looked the .38 special load for 158 gr cast bullets in my 1970 Lyman #45 loading manual. it lists 5.4 gr of Unique as a max load. .357 Magnum with the same bullet is showing a max of 8.0 gr of Unique. I used to shoot 7 gr of Unique in my .357 loads and it was HOT! For information, the the powder may be a little hotter than in the past. The starting load is the same but, it shows a slightly higher velocity.

I really doubt the formula for Unique has changed much or at all. There are just too many old recipes floating around to safely make the powder more powerful. Modern chronographs may play a part in the higher velocities.

[Jumping Frog]

Personally, I would never shoot someone else's old reloads, and even more so if I had serious, credible doubt about the load.

If it was me, I'd pull the bullets, dump the powder, and then reload the primed cases and pulled bullets with my own powder. Loading 200 .38 SP with $2-$3 of fresh powder versus possibly blowing up a gun? no brainer.

I understand you no longer have the equipment to do that. That is why I said, "if it was me".

Best of luck.

[puma guy]

Personally, I would never shoot someone else's old reloads, and even more so if I had serious, credible doubt about the load.

If it was me, I'd pull the bullets, dump the powder, and then reload the primed cases and pulled bullets with my own powder. Loading 200 .38 SP with $2-$3 of fresh powder versus possibly blowing up a gun? no brainer.

I understand you no longer have the equipment to do that. That is why I said, "if it was me".

Best of luck.

I understand your concern about using someone else's reloads. This person is someone I've know since 1966 and we used to shoot together. We both reloaded shot shells and metallics. I have a feeling he may have used these in his rifles, but he's in Ecuador now and it's difficult to get in touch with him. After getting the input here and on S&W I'll put them away with a warning not to use them. I would give them away for components away but I'd be worried someone would shoot them.

[xring]

My oldest manual a Speer number 10 shows top load of Unique for a 158 grain 38 spcl LRN is 4.7 gr for 357 6.0 gr. With Jacketed 158 grain 5.5 for 38 spcl and 8.2 for 357. I remember an article about reloading hot 38 specials for use in 38 44 heavy duty maybe this is what the loader was doing. I think I might be tempted to shoot them in the 27 but only tempted.

[Hamourkiller]

I would pull a couple of bullets and confirm the powder charge and visualy compare the powder to unique, If all looks good then I would shoot them out of a 357 magnum.

Have fun