[Viss]

I have been reading everything about reloading I can get my hands on for the last couple weeks. Today I ordered a press kit with carbide dies in 38 spl. For my first attempt I am thinking about 158 grain cast swc with universal powder.

I went to Cabelas site to look at powder, they have universal clay, is this the same as universal that is listed on on Hodgdon Reloading Data Chart.

Thank you in advance for any help. Dave

 

[c pierce]

Re: Hodgkin Universal

Dave clays and universal have different burning rates. They are both put out by hodgdon. Please get your self several reloading mannuls and only use the powder specified.

 

[xtimberman]

I don't know why Hodgdon won't use the full name of their own powders! :evil: This frequently confuses both beginners and veteran reloaders!

Yes, Universal is short for Universal Clays in their reloading manual and online charts.

Hodgdon's Universal Clays is very similar in many ways to Alliant's Unique. It is a very versatile gunpowder.

xtm

 

[Viss]

Thank you xtimberman, I have local access to universal so I may start with it. Thanks again, Dave

 

[Guest]

Viss,

I see a couple of threads here about beginning reloading. When you get everything assembled ~ run your recipe by us. Let us know what primer, type and amount of powder, and bullet you are using. Always good to have another set of eyes on this.

The first time I reloaded was for .38 Special. I reloaded exactly 6 boolits Not trusting myself to do more.
I wanted a peppy round for steel plate shooting because I wansn't happy with the Winchester White box ammo at WalMart. Didn't hit the plates with enough authority. The load I used was from a friend. After I shot the 6 bullets and nothing went wrong, I gained enough confidence to load 24 more. Same great results...so I very carefully loaded 100 and went to the club that weekend. The loading hit the steel with plenty of authority at the proscribed less then 1000 fps. Finally I was knocking down the bigger pepper poppers every time. To this day, I still use that original load everyweek that I shoot at the club...

Nowadays, I even cast my own bullets. I get as much enjoyment out of reloading as shooting. It is a very relaxing hobby.

Good Luck,

giz

 

[Viss]

Gizamo, Thank you, I will post as soon as I get set up, I am gaining some confidence in knowing that good folks are willing to share their experience and knowledge. Thanks again

 

[parson45]

I'm a fan of Universal Clays and have burned bunches of it in cowboy shooting. It needs good bullet pull for burn well, so crimp firmly. You'll also find it burns better with heavier bullets. My CAS load is a 255 grain rnfp under 7.0 of Universal for my 45 Colt. It's very accurate and has fairly light recoil. For 38 special, use the 158 grain bullets and, as always, start low and work up on that load.