Unique powder in .45 ACP

I've been loading up a whole bunch of stuff using some old Unique. Right now I'm using it for all my loads but just bought some Rainier plated and want to use it for them also. Rainier web site says to use "lead load data" so that's pretty basic but I want to load some FMJ stuff too. I'm not too fond of going over 850 with lead or 900 with jacketed.

How would you rate these loads for pressure and speed?

All Loaded With Unique

200 Lead 5.6
230 lead 5.6
200 Rainier 5.6
230 Rainier 5.6
200 Jacketed 6.4
230 Jacketed 6.0

OAL 1.25 for everything.

I asked this on another forum but didn't get much response except that the loads looked to be light. My lead loads are at or over the Alliant recommended loads and my jacketed are under on purpose.

Any insights or advice will be appreciated.

(I've bought some of the new Unique formula to see if it's going to be cleaner after this is gone.)

Thanks

Well, a couple days ago I shot some 45acp, with 6.6gr Unique behind a 185gr JHP. I have a 5 rnd group (off a sandbag) inside 1.25" at 25yds with a Springfield GI. That load will definately shoot better than I can.

My pet load that I've been shooting out of my P-220's is 6.0gr of Unique and a Rainier 230gr FMJ bullet.

I load 6.2grs of Unique behind a 230gr Remington JRN and it chrono's at 850 fps from my Government models, your 6.0grs of Unique with a 230gr JRN should run around 830 to 840 fps from a Government model. The 5.6 with the Ranier 230 should be about the same.

A good load for 185gr JHP's is 7.7grs for around 1,050 fps.

A 200 gr LSWC wtih 5.0 gr.s of Unique gives me about 730 fps.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/RecipeDetail.aspx?title=Pistols%20and%20Revolvers&gtypeid=1&weight=200&shellid=1029&bulletid=97

Unique data

I have used 5.2 to 5.6 from lyman 47 for 200 Lswc
5.0 to 5.4 target load for 230LRN
I currently only use unique for jacketed loads. The reason is because I discovered Trailboss, which produces and accurate smoke and barrel leading free round at a target velocity. It also fills the case so much that there is no danger of a double charge.

A 200 gr LSWC wtih 5.0 gr.s of Unique is the same load I used before I started using bluedot.

I never chrono'd it but 5.4 grains of Unique under 230LRN seemed to work well for me in an M&P45, OAL 1.260".

That was on the light end of the load data as I recall but it felt and worked ok.

6.1 is what I used long ago, when loading for the 45.

I switched over to 231 for awhile. But Unique is a good powder has been around for a very long time.

I've been running 5.7 grains behind a 230 grain Precision Bullets RN moly coated.

The old mil-spec / factory duplication load is 6.5 grains Unique with a 230 FMJ-RN bullet. I've shot it for going on 45 years.

It will work just as well with Berry Plated, or hard-cast lead bullets.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/1224.gif
rcmodel

rcmodel,
Any idea what the pressure is with that load?

Mil-spec / is about as good as it gets for the functioning of the pistol that round was designed for I would think;)

I felt better about that amount of a proper burning and closer to capacity powder, then an accidental double up on some of the very fast burners.:uhoh:

I don't know what the pressure is but:
Speer #13 lists it as max.
Lyman lists it as the factory dup. load in all the older manuals.

All I know for sure is it piles the brass in the same place with GI hardball.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/1224.gif
rcmodel

My favorite loads for the Marlin Camp 45 is 7.5gr or Unique under a Nos 185 JHP with Fed 150s, this load shoots fine in my pistol but it is sooty.

The "New" Unique introduced a few years ago is much cleaner burning then the old stuff was. Same exact powder, but much cleaner.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/1224.gif
rcmodel

Thanks for all the feedback.

So far I think my loads of 5.6 grains for both 200 and 230 lead bullets are looking respectable at right near 850 fps.

Now I'm massaging the idea of going to 6.4 for both the 200 and 230 jacketed. This should keep me at or around 900 fps. for both.

This gives me just one recipe for lead and one for jacketed and simplifies matters when I'm reloading. With my memory that's a good thing.

Yes simply put, that is a good way to go, if it works for you that is what is important.

U-ni-que is my way of pronouncing it :D

your 230gr L load is exactly what i use. 5.6 grains. I like it :)

I use 230gr RN Lead Safe Rainer over 5.3gr of Unique OAL 1.265". Shoots just fine in my 1911's (micro, full size, commander) and my XD45. I tried lighter (4.8-5.0gr) and had some stove pipe problems. 5.3gr Unique is about a light as I can go with my pistols. YMMV

Tested some Unique this year in my Kimber Custom Classic. I thought I was going light starting at 6.0 grains, but my velocities chronographed at 900 fps. I don't like shooting 230's at that velocity. It is a lot easier on me and my pistol when I get velocities around 800 fps. Which is what I get with 4.5 grains Bullseye.

The long ejection distance is an indication to me that 6.0 grains Unique, and especially the 6.5 grains Unique, is too hot for me.


Maybe if I tried 5.0 or 5.5 grains I could recommend a load.

But for me, I am sticking with 4.5 grains Bullseye. Shoots great, functions the pistol nicely, and brass falls near my feet.



230 gr LRN Valiant 4.5 grs Bullseye Mixed Brass WLP
21-Jun-06 T = 97 °F OAL 1.250" taper crimp .469"

Ave Vel = 805.2
Std Dev =11.4
ES=54.08
High=836.9
Low=782.8
N =32


230 LRN Valiant 6.0 grs Unique lot UN387 6/21/93 Mixed brass WLP
OAL 1.250" taper crimped 0.469 "
18-Mar-07 T = 62 °F

Ave Vel = 898
Std Dev = 21.44
ES 75.58
High 944.3
Low 868.7
N = 25
accurate lots recoil, 15' foot ejection


230 LRN Valiant 6.5 grs Unique lot UN387 6/21/93 Mixed brass WLP
OAL 1.250" taper crimped 0.469 "
18-Mar-07 T = 62 °F

Ave Vel = 926.4
Std Dev = 16.64
ES 71.16
High 963.4
Low 892.3
N = 32

light leading accurate centered. Hard recoil, 20 foot ejection

Things are much different in my early-'80's edition manuals. Lyman, Speer and Hornady all show much stiffer charges of Unique. Funny thing is, the Lyman manual shows the same max charge of Unique for all bullet weights. Funny, that.