357 Mag, 158 gr plated, how much Unique are you using?

[PO2Hammer]

Went to the LGS today and much to my surprise the shelves were fully stocked with Alliant powders and some others. I grabbed 2 pounds of Unique @ $20 each. I'm switching to Unique because 4756 is being discontinued and Universal is nowhere to be seen.

I figure 7 grains is a safe max load, but I'm looking for a target load.

How much Unique are you guys using with 158 grain plated bullets for a practice/plinker/mid-range load?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

According to Alliant the max charge of Unique under a 158gr LSWC is 6.0gr. Since lead bullet data is usually used for plated bullets I would probably stick with 6.0gr as the max starting with 10% less.

 

[PO2Hammer]

I've been using jacketed data with plated bullets, revolver and auto. Max loads (6.5) of 4756 and 8.5 grains of HS-6 show no pressure signs or indication of bullet trouble in either of my revolvers.
Plated bullets behave much more like jacketed than cast IME.
I think light loads are more likely to cause trouble.

 

[Steve C]

Alliant is now part of the ATK group and uses Speer bullets to develop load data. Speers 158gr LSWC is a swaged bullet and can not be drive as fast as a hard cast bullet. The 2000 Alliant data for 158gr LSWC lists 6.8grs as maximum with a lead bullet and 7.8gr as maximum for a jacketed 158gr bullet.

I generally load hard cast and Berry's plated at 6.0 to 6.5grs of Unique for a practice or magnum load.