Universal
- Thread starter Rex
- Start date
Polkwright
Active Member
I've used it in .38 but wasn't terribly impressed. It was better at 5.0gr with a 158gr SWC in .357 which is sort of a mid-range .357 load. The best use I found for it is 6.5gr in a .41 Magnum with a 215gr LSWC.
| Caliber | Bullet | Powder | Weight | Velocity | PSI/CUP | OAL | Barrel | Primer | Case | Source |
| 38 Special | 125 | Universal | 5.2 | 1,019 | 17,000 | 1.445 | 8 | Win | Win | Hodgdon |
| 38 Special | 140 | Universal | 4.8 | 939 | 15,400 | 1.445 | 8 | Win | Win | Hodgdon |
| 38 Special | 148 | Universal | 3.8 | 940 | 15,600 | 1.160 | 8 | Win | Win | Hodgdon |
| 38 Special | 158 | Universal | 4.4 | 778 | 16,200 | 1.445 | 8 | Win | Win | Hodgdon |
Polkwright
Active Member
Universal isn't any easier to find. It's made in Australia by ADI and their production capacity is currently dedicated to French 155mm production for Ukraine. ADI makes Trail Boss too. I'm test driving CFE Pistol as a substitute. W244 might be another possibility. You can actually find those two.
Last edited:
I've not found an abundance of data for Universal powder in a 38 special so the boss gave me some time off....she didn't have any little chores. I am not fond of Hodgdon's test equipment so looked in my old Lyman's book and found that they called 4.8 grains Universal + Mr. Keith's 173 grain bullet a +P load. I loaded 4.6grains Universal and Mr. Keith's bullet in various 38 special cases and by golly it didn't kill me. Actually they shot quite good considering who was pulling the trigger. Everything looked normal and felt normal cases were clean. I will use this load some more. Shot from a S&W 686.
Last edited: