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Hondo 60

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Does it meter well for you?

What kind of powder measure are you using?

This is my first go-round with Unique & it's metering like crap! :(
It's varying .3 -.4 grains.

My usual go-to powder is Tite Group & it measures PERFECTLY in my Dillon powder measure.
 
Most throws are +/- .1, but a + .2 or - .2 is not uncommon. I can't see it on target at 50 yards and under. Maybe from a vise I could. Redding 10X.
 
If Unique was terrible, it wouldn't be one of the most sold powders we have to load with. ;)

Don't sweat it. :)
 
I have no problem with it.

I have three Lyman-Ideal #55 powder measures.

You might need an aquarium air pump taped to your measure hopper to vibrate it.
Or maybe a powder hopper baffle might help.


rc
 
I'm using a RCBS Uniflow. I experienced a similar variation in throws until I had run about a pound through it, it was brand new.

Not sure if it matters, but I also use the small micrometer cylinder and a baffle in mine.

I get about +/-.1 gr variation. Having the hopper 3/4 full or more helps me stay consistent also.
 
I use a RCBS powder measure. It takes me a while to get Unique settled in and throwing consistant. Once it's settled in it will throw, for me, a little over +-0.1, call it +-0.15. I don't shoot good enough to notice the variance. Maybe if I was a better shot I'd see the varaince.
 
I get consistent drops with a Lee PPM if I remember the following:

>Keep the hopper half full or more
>Use a consistent lever force
>When starting, ditch the first five and then go on a run with it
>If I stop dispensing for more than a minute, start over and ditch the first five again

On a bad day the drops will stay within +/- .2 and that works well with what I'm loading.
 
I get similar spread in my pistol charges. I have no problem with .3-.4 spread (+0.2 grains, extreme). My guns and targets don't know the difference, so this doesn't bother me in the least.

If you look at Alliant's data and google common charge weights as reported by users, you'll find in many cases that there's a huge range of charge weights that are commonly used. They all work. A difference of a few tenths isn't usually going to matter so long as you're starting with good data.

The important thing is that the variation isn't due to bridging. Unique flows great through my PPM. The measure is throwing the right volume. It's just the powder isn't very fine/regular. So I'd say it meters ok, it's just not very uniform in density. There's some variation, but it's a limited amount. You're not going to run into any serious trouble, unless you're shooting for 200 meter groups.
 
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I gave up trying to use it in my Lee auto disk with 380 loads. Plus or minus 0.2 gr variation is just not acceptable when the difference between starting and max loads is only 0.5 gr.
 
My Hornady LNL AP typically throws Unique in .1gr increments either side, occasionally there will be a .2 or .3gr difference. I'm usually not close enough to a max load and/or I'm not participating in a competition so I really don't care too much. However, were I close to a max load I'd probably check a lot more casings.
 
It meters close with my Lee Pro powder measures however I also weigh each charge even for target loads. I have a few though that meter better and some worse. For those that don't I use the dipper method.
 
Back before I switched toUniversal Clays, I used a lot of unique for pistol and 20 gauge. Both my MEC and RCBS Uniflow dropped it consistently all the time
 
I have RCBS and Hornady powder measures. All will keep Unique within +/- .1 grain.
 
My Hornady LNL AP typically throws Unique in .1gr increments either side, occasionally there will be a .2 or .3gr difference. I'm usually not close enough to a max load and/or I'm not participating in a competition so I really don't care too much. However, were I close to a max load I'd probably check a lot more casings.
What he said...
 
I've reloaded about 25 rounds so far, & still not getting what I would call consistent drops.
Target is 6.5 gr - I'm seeing 6.3 - 6.8 - weighing every charge on 2 scales to make sure.
A Lyman/Ohaus & a Pact BBKII.
My PM drops perfectly with finer powders like AA5 & Tite Group.
It also works perfectly with stick powders like Varget.

Makes for extremely slow reloading when I have to weigh EVERY charge.
 
When using Unique and my powder measures for single stage press loading (batch charging trays of cartridges), I get plus/minus 0.1 grain.

Not so good on the Hornady L-N-L progressive, but the charge weight creeps up. It is getting better as I learn what the set up of the powder measure on the progressive.

I get plus/minus 0.1 grain with 700-X on my Dillon SDBs. Have not run Unique through them yet.

I used an RCBS Little Dandy for a long time then switched to a Redding 10-X for single stage press loading of handgun cartridges.

I have switched the Hornady progressive over to a Redding 10-X and the variance is getting better.

For me and batch charging, I find the variances are less if I minimize the vibration of the powder measure. Of course, that is not an option on the progressive as it cycles through its process.

And, I use an electronic scale to weigh my charges.
 
Works great for me - I use a single stage press and have one of those auto dispensing scales :rolleyes:. I imagine it might be a pain in something that will work with a progressive loading setup though.
 
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Even with some variance like you are experiancing. Unique has always provided very accurate, consistant shooting loads.Just go with it and have fun. Try power pistol or AA5 next time, they meter better but accuracy is the same.
 
Its the only powder I use for pistols. My RCBS uniflow throws it and every powder +/- .1 which is close enough for me as I hardly ever get to max loads with anything.

Unique is the powder I began stocking up on over a year ago, so I am committed to it for the next few years.
 
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