Unique Powder for 38 LC

[warbucks16]

I am getting ready to load some .38 Long Colt Cases, using 158 Grain Bullet and 3.5 Grains of Unique Powder.

My question is, when I drop the powder there is a lot of extra space in the case, would I be wise to put a cardboard wad or a card board wad and wonder wad to fill the space and keep the powder close to the primer.

I read some place and I can't remember where,  that excessive space in the case can cause excess pressures to develop in the case.

Any help would be appreciated.

Warbucks 16

[Ranch 13]

 No don't add any fillers to that load. Fillers in those small cases can/will cause some rather nasty pressure spikes.
Excessive air space is generally only considered a bad thing with black powder loading.

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

I am getting ready to load some .38 Long Colt Cases, using 158 Grain Bullet and 3.5 Grains of Unique Powder.

My question is, when I drop the powder there is a lot of extra space in the case, would I be wise to put a cardboard wad or a card board wad and wonder wad to fill the space and keep the powder close to the primer.

I read some place and I can't remember where,  that excessive space in the case can cause excess pressures to develop in the case.

Any help would be appreciated.

Warbucks 16

         Unique is smokeless powder, you don't have to worry about space in the casing like you do with Black powder, just put in your correct amount of powder in and then put your bullet in, set the bullet to the right depth and crimp in the crimp groove, and your done, check the powder in your casings about every 10 rounds to make sure your powder measure is throwing the right amount of powder, this is important, and something you don't want to over look, I would Strongly suggest you get more than one loading manual and do some reading, most anything you could think of will be found in these manuals, only load what is in print in these manuals and you won't go wrong.

                                Enjoy your loading , and be safe

                                       Regards

                                 tEN wOLVES 

[warbucks16]

Thank you for the info, I did not think it was necessary, but I thought I had read about it someplace.

Must have been an article about Holy Black but I can't recall.

Again, thank you!

Warbucks16

[Dr. Bob]

Always check EVERY case to be sure that it has the right amount of powder.  With many smokeless powders you can put more than 1 charge of powder into the case.  I always check each case to be sure that the correct charge is in there!  No powder is also a big problem.  

[Singing Bear]

So long as the load you use is "published" data, you shouldn't experience any grief.  The problem you speak is usually related to rifle cases, IIRC.  What I can't remember is what kind of rifle case and what kind of powder and how much, but it causes "detonation".  Some believe it can happen in some larger pistol cartridges as well.  The debate continues on that one.     It's also related to BP, but it's more a danger in muzzleloading rifles when you short charge a projectile, leaving a pocket of air between the powder and ball.

I've gone as low as 2.5grs. of Bullseye in 38 Special cases.  No detonation, but really inconsistent ignition.  It's only good for watching your bullet drop to the ground half way to the target.    Minimum is 2.9 grs.     Hey, I was experimenting and I used a S&W 586.   

[Delmonico]

Singing Bear, this happens only wihen folks try to use a very slow burning powder with reduced loads in large bottle-neck cases.  Back to "if it isn't printed in a reliable loading manual, don't do it."

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

Singing Bear, this happens only wihen folks try to use a very slow burning powder with reduced loads in large bottle-neck cases.  Back to "if it isn't printed in a reliable loading manual, don't do it."

   +1   

           tEN wOLVES   

[Delmonico]

This is one of the best reads I've ever seen for a new reloader:

http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,5472.msg65620.html#msg65620

[Singing Bear]

Singing Bear, this happens only wihen folks try to use a very slow burning powder with reduced loads in large bottle-neck cases.  Back to "if it isn't printed in a reliable loading manual, don't do it."

Well, thank you Del.  I knew I read that somewhere.   

[Delmonico]

Well, thank you Del.  I knew I read that somewhere.   

It was a common thing back when there was a lot of surplus 4831 real cheap.  The cheap 4895 could be reduced almost half and was fine.  (No, still use a loading manual)

The story behind it, that most think was the small charges of 4831 would light, almost go out, then the bullet would lodge in the throat.  Then it would begain to burn again and the bullet could not get moving fast enough to relase the pressure at a safe level.  Never fully duplicated in a lab, but that is the most common theroy.

[BuckwheatJack]

I currently use 3.1 grains of Unique under a cast(Lee) 150 grain round nose for my SASS load. Seems to work great for me in pistols and Rossi 92SRC (1.5"OAL)