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38 spcl help
- Thread starter grine_22
- Start date
I'm going to be accused of hijacking the thread but hope fully the OP won't mind and this information might be of value.
I've been shooting a Ruger GP-100 in .38 Sp/.357 Mag since the 70's. My .38 Special load was from Hornady Vol II, 1973 with a 125gr JHP and Unique 6.5gr (1000fps) with a max load of 7.3gr for 1100 fps. I have never had an issue with this load for at least 40 years.
But handloading always leads to expermentation, and I decided to try Hodgdon CFE Pistol powder, loading 6.0gr (max 6.3 = 1133 fps) from Hodgdon's website. It didn't shoot as accurately and when I compared the stats on both loads, I was totally surprised. The Alliant website lists the max load of Unique/125gr JHP at 5.7gr for 980fps!!!
So I rechecked my Hornady 1973 manual and sure enough, it lists Unique as noted above, max =7.3gr.
I checked other manuals I have that are newer:
Hornady 4th Ed., Vol 1 1991: lists Unique 5.0gr at 900fps as a +P load!!
Hodgdon No 27 manual, 1998, lists Unique 5.3gr = 1015 fps as max load and 5.6gr as a +P load
Lyman 50th Anniversary edition (newest one I have) lists max Unique at 6.0gr for 895 fps.
That gives me some comfort since it's the closest to the 6.5gr load I've been using. I should add that the .357 mag load I've been using with the 125gr JHP has been 17.0gr of 2400 powder and I'm guessing the pressure is greater than my .38 Special load and again, I've had no problems.
I'm interested in the thoughts you perhaps more experienced shooters might have.
I've been shooting a Ruger GP-100 in .38 Sp/.357 Mag since the 70's. My .38 Special load was from Hornady Vol II, 1973 with a 125gr JHP and Unique 6.5gr (1000fps) with a max load of 7.3gr for 1100 fps. I have never had an issue with this load for at least 40 years.
But handloading always leads to expermentation, and I decided to try Hodgdon CFE Pistol powder, loading 6.0gr (max 6.3 = 1133 fps) from Hodgdon's website. It didn't shoot as accurately and when I compared the stats on both loads, I was totally surprised. The Alliant website lists the max load of Unique/125gr JHP at 5.7gr for 980fps!!!
So I rechecked my Hornady 1973 manual and sure enough, it lists Unique as noted above, max =7.3gr.
I checked other manuals I have that are newer:
Hornady 4th Ed., Vol 1 1991: lists Unique 5.0gr at 900fps as a +P load!!
Hodgdon No 27 manual, 1998, lists Unique 5.3gr = 1015 fps as max load and 5.6gr as a +P load
Lyman 50th Anniversary edition (newest one I have) lists max Unique at 6.0gr for 895 fps.
That gives me some comfort since it's the closest to the 6.5gr load I've been using. I should add that the .357 mag load I've been using with the 125gr JHP has been 17.0gr of 2400 powder and I'm guessing the pressure is greater than my .38 Special load and again, I've had no problems.
I'm interested in the thoughts you perhaps more experienced shooters might have.
Sorry, its been a busy time with trying to get our fieldwork finished up and everything. Main use for these loads are just target practice, barrel lengths are 6 and 2 inch. I've got CFE pistol and titegroup for powders, I'll hafta experiment and see which ones a better use for this load
ShootistPRS
New member
In the past I used HP-38 (231) in the 38 special but I am phasing out the HP-38 and going to TiteGroup for the non-magnum pistol loads. I load 9mm, 38, and 45 colt and TiteGroup will work fine for all of them.