38 S&W, Unique, and .357 158gr HCast?

[Suka]

Loading for an Enfield No2 MKI. Using .357 158gr hardcast bullet, and thinking 1.9 to 2.1gr of Unique for a charge.

Thoughts?
Thanks.

 

[dinsdale]

Googling gives a 3.1 grain max for 158 grain hard cast and Unique.

Stolen from another forum:

I reload for the 38 s&w a lot, it can be a very accurate round. The 38 s&w was intorduced in 1877, it has been around a long time. There have been a wide range of guns chambered for it, some are very weak and some like the victory model very strong. The victory models were produced in 38 s&w between Oct. 1941 and May 1945. Approx. 571k were made in 38s&w or as the british called it, 38/200 British Service Revolver (S&W Caliber). I have a 5 inch victory model that is chambered in 38 s&w, i load a 200 grain bullet to duplicate the 38/200 round that it was designed for. I would recommend you slug your barrel as there can be a lot of variation. I ordered several molds from Mountain Molds, had them made to .362 then size to .361, even though it is a custom mold the price is not that bad less than $100 for a 2 cavity mold. Below is some data that I hope will help you, they are all max loads.

Bullet Make Powder Charge Muzzle K. E.
& Wt. (gr) Type (gr) Vel. (fps) (ft-lbs
148 Speer Alliant/Herc Herco 3.5M 746 182
148 Speer Alliant/Herc Unique 3.4M 747 183
148 Speer Alliant/Herc Bullseye 2.7M 748 183
148 Speer IMR SR-7625 3.1M 760 189
148 Speer Alliant/Herc Red-Dot 3.0M 797 208
150 Alliant/Herc Red-Dot 3.0M 740 182
150 Alliant/Herc Bullseye 2.9M 810 218
150 Alliant/Herc Unique 4.6M 973 315
158 Speer Winchester 231 2.6M 671 158
158 Speer Alliant/Herc Bullseye 2.4M 693 168
158 Speer Alliant/Herc Unique 3.1M 694 169
158 Speer Alliant/Herc Herco 3.2M 702 172
158 Cast Perfor… Accurate Nitro 100 2.3M 722 182
158 Alliant/Herc Red-Dot 2.6M 751 197
158 Speer IMR SR-7625 2.9M 752 198
158 Cast Perfor… Accurate AA-2 2.8M 754 199
158 Alliant/Herc Bullseye 2.5M 763 204
158 Speer Alliant/Herc Red-Dot 2.7M 765 205
158 Cast Perfor… Accurate AA-5 3.7M 767 206
158 lead Alliant/Herc Bullseye 2.5+P 800 224
158 Cast Ramshot Zip 2.9+P 800 224
158 Alliant/Herc Unique 4.0M 892 279
195 Mount Accurate AA-5 3.0M 613 162
195 Mount Accurate AA-2 2.3M 653 184
205 Lyman mold IMR 700-X 2.3M 625 177
205 Lyman mold Alliant/Herc Bullseye 2.3M 625 177

and another:

158 grain LEAD SWC or RN (Lyman #358311 .360" dia)
or .358" bullets for .38 Special.
Bullseye 1.8 gr. 545 (Break Top)
Bullseye 2.4 gr. 695 Maximum
Unique 2.8 gr. 619 (Break Top)
Unique 3.4 gr. 775 Maximum
W 231 2.2 gr. 580 (Break Top)
W 231 2.6 gr. 671 Maximum
AA No. 2 2.6 gr. 664
AA No. 2 2.8 gr. 754 Maximum
AA No. 5 3.3 gr. 675
AA No. 5 3.7 gr. 767 Maximum
AA N100 2.1 gr. 635
AA N100 2.3 gr. 722 Maximum

 

[saskgunowner101]

I think you'd be alright to start there. I've shot many 124 grain boolits loaded with 3 grains of Unique and the casings are still quite sooty. Data from the Lymann cast bullet handbook has loads with Unique/158 grain cast and shows minimum 3.2 to a max of 3.7. They also state the loads are intended for solid frame revolvers in good condition.

Of course, I tend to think when you read about wimpy top break revolvers on the internet they're not talking about the Enfield No2 MKI. I would suggest to start at 2 grains and work your way up making sure the bullets are exiting the barrel. This is just one guys opinion though, I'm not responsible if your revolver goes critical and grenades. (it won't)

 

[Suka]

Thanks guys, I've been able to find lot's of loads using bullseye, but almost none with unique. Just wanted some reassurance I'm in the right range.
Knew I'd be at the low end of the scale, but smarter to start there and as long as the bullets hit the pop cans, we're away.

 

[Ganderite]

I load 3 gr Unique & the 158. Pleasant to shoot and accurate.