Anyone use Unique powder very often?

D.B. Cooper said:

I am always amazed at how many people say Unique meters so well.

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I wouldn't say it meters particularly well, but in some applications, it is very forgiving. I find it quite accurate in 45 colt, but a couple tenths either way is less than 5% total variance, and that doesn't seem to change the POI.

GaryL said:

I wouldn't say it meters particularly well, but in some applications, it is very forgiving. I find it quite accurate in 45 colt, but a couple tenths either way is less than 5% total variance, and that doesn't seem to change the POI.

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That was my experience as well. It was essentially rookie-proof. I couldn't double charge a 44 Special case because it would overflow. However, it was extremely frustrating to get those consistently inconsistent powder drops. Plus, guys at the range always joked about me shooting black powder because it created so much smoke when I fired. When I switched to Clays, I got much more consistency in measurements, no smoke and I was amazed at how much less I had to clean the gun. I just really don't see any reason to use Unique for anything.

Some have mentioned the make/model of their powder measure and their Unique metering experience as good/bad - helpful info. Post #14 mentions very good metering on a Dillon. My Dillon measure (550C) was all over the board. I exchanged it for a Redding 3BR while loading Unique - consistently accurate.

We'll need a study to understand the metering inconsistencies. In my scenario I wouldn't be surprised if the combination of the flake powder and vibration of the Dillon measure contributes to inconsistent 1) filling of the cavity in the bar and/or 2) settling in the bottom of the hopper. The hopper was to the brim with Unique. I should have tried again after emptying all but the last inch.

GW Staar said:

Unique's dirty? Never noticed until the internet was invented, and all the new loaders said so.....

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Exactly. Further, when you clean your guns anyway, it doesn't matter. Some soot doesn't impact function in any way.

There are too many great loads with Unique to dismiss it.

I've always loved:

• Stephen Camp's 9x19mm load with 124 Gr XTP
• The classic 45 Colt 8.5 Gr of Unique and a 255 Gr lead bullet.

GW Staar said:

Unique's dirty? Never noticed until the internet was invented, and all the new loaders said so

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As the first powder I ever loaded with, I wouldn't have known dirty vs clean, or any in between. I liked it because it worked.

GaryL said:

I wouldn't say it meters particularly well, but in some applications, it is very forgiving. I find it quite accurate in 45 colt, but a couple tenths either way is less than 5% total variance, and that doesn't seem to change the POI.

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I used to be all anal about powder metering until I read a post about variances and percentages. I did the math... and now I don't really care. I say that a lot about Unique... 'it is very forgiving.' True that.

I like Unique for mildish loads for my 357 Vaquero and Win/Mir Model 73. I found 4.5 gr under a Penn 158 gr truncated cone projectile really accurate from both firearms. Out of the carbine they clock around 1100 fps,which is what I want for around the ranch with my arthritis I tried a few powders,Trail Boss,W231 and others trying to find a round that would work in both,never found a satisfactory load before Unique. I weigh each load on my 505 and find I can be quite accurate using a Lee dipper of the right size. I like the fact it works well in 45 ACP as well.

I've used Unique for many years and have no complaints. Use it for 9mm, 45acp and shotgun loads.

I use it for lighter recoiling 45 colt +p loads. I get 1080fps with 9.9 grains of it under a 255 LSWC. That's in a 3.75" blackhawk.

Unique does good in my 44

Charlie98 said:

I used to be all anal about powder metering until I read a post about variances and percentages. I did the math... and now I don't really care. I say that a lot about Unique... 'it is very forgiving.' True that.

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With some powders, I think you could make the argument that the case fill % causes more variance on POI than the range of charge weight.

IIR, Walkalong has done some testing with powder position in the case and how much that can change velocity and POI. A full case won't allow a change in powder position, but a fast powder in a large case allows for a large difference.

GaryL said:

IIR, Walkalong has done some testing with powder position in the case and how much that can change velocity and POI. A full case won't allow a change in powder position, but a fast powder in a large case allows for a large difference.

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I'm not sure the extent of Walkalong's results, but I get a 10 to 15 percent variance of velocity in my 45 Colt loads between powder against the primer vs powder against the bullet when using Unique powder.

While, it may make some effect if I was shooting in a bullseye competition, for general shooting and plinking, I really do not see any accuracy affects under normal shooting positions where I do not worry about the powder position in the case.

I like Unique and use it in a number of cartridges. I also use 700-X in 45 ACP and 44 Special, another "difficult to measure", "dirty" flake powder. But I have no ill feelings toward folks that would rather use a fine grain ball style powder for their handguns ammunition. It does make life easier.

Always like unique for mid range plinking loads in the 44mag.

Had a bunch of the Mihec 250gr 432-640 cast bullets laying around so I put together a bunch of 44mag loads & thru a scope on a contender and hit the range today. Sighted the 10" bbl'd contender in @ 50yds


While not the most accurate (1 1/4" 5-shot groups @ 50yds) nor a hot load (just over 1350fps) that unique load makes for a fun day of plinking clays on the 100yd berm.

44 mag-250gr lswc. With 10 grs. Unique, i get a variation of +/- 1/10 gr. between drops. I can live with that.

But not sure how to handle the weight difference between powder lots?

The newest, just opened powder is always the heaviest , by volume. Tested Unique, Bullseye and IMR4198.

Unique has always been one of my favorite powders for just about everything handgun related.
When the Obama powder shortage hit and I couldn't find any I dipped into my stash of Universal Clays which I used for shotgunning.
Found it not only metered better but provided similar performance with less powder. Haven't bought a can of Unique since.
By the way I've found that using the larger rifle metering screw in my uniflow eliminates much of the metering problems with Unique.

First pistol powder I ever used, and still do. Not as clean as BE 86, but isn't as dirty as loads get hotter. Not the best metering, but almost impossible to double load due to large volume.

Russellc

brutus51 said:

....I dipped into my stash of Universal Clays which I used for shotgunning.
Found it not only metered better but provided similar performance with less powder. Haven't bought a can of Unique since.

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I couldn't agree more. Everything that can be done with Unique, can be done with Universal. And, done with a bit less powder (Universal is just a sniff faster than Unique),and better metering.

I use Universal for all handgun loads that are less than Magnum, but more than 38 target wadcutters.

I use Universal for gallery/practice rifle loads.

I have never felt the need to use Unique.

After reading comments re: others' positive metering experiences with Unique, I decided to take another swing. My past variations were upwards of +/- .5 gr (on a 7.0 charge). I believe my shortcoming was inadequate settling in the bottom of the powder reservoir (550C res w/ fixed baffle in bottom). I noticed after 20 or so 'dummy cycles' (of powder being returned to the res) the powder level in the res dropped a solid .75 inches. My conclusion: 20 or so cycles are needed to reach maximum density in the bottom of the res. The more vibration in the system, the greater number of dummy cycles required before charging. Conversely, if a powder delivery system were vibration-free, it would be closer to 'pour-and-charge'.

Herman B said:

Some have mentioned the make/model of their powder measure and their Unique metering experience as good/bad - helpful info. Post #14 mentions very good metering on a Dillon. My Dillon measure (550C) was all over the board. I exchanged it for a Redding 3BR while loading Unique - consistently accurate.

We'll need a study to understand the metering inconsistencies. In my scenario I wouldn't be surprised if the combination of the flake powder and vibration of the Dillon measure contributes to inconsistent 1) filling of the cavity in the bar and/or 2) settling in the bottom of the hopper. The hopper was to the brim with Unique. I should have tried again after emptying all but the last inch.

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I recently bought a dillon 550. Nothing but problems with powder measure, and primer misfeeds. i think it's time for me to tree another progressive press. Any recommendations?

A single stage press.

Used Unique since the mid 1970's. Shotguns, handguns, even some reduced loads in 30-30. It works for me, every time.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

Jimmy Bruno said:

I recently bought a dillon 550. Nothing but problems with powder measure, and primer misfeeds. i think it's time for me to tree another progressive press. Any recommendations?

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You can get improve results with your Dillon 550 measures two ways.

The first is being consistent. Keep the hopper mostly full by refilling it often. Then focus on using the press at the same speed, and with the same force. This isn't to be underestimated.

Secondly, there are a number of small tweaks you can make to your measure to improve consistency:

1. Remove the plastic hopper, and polish the funnel with a dremel and a cratex bit, using polishing compound, so the powder flows more smoothly. You can get them shiny as tinfoil. You won't need to do this again.
2. Remove the powder bars and rub/color the outside of the bar with a pencil, where it touches the frame. The graphite will make it move more smoothly. Over time, you may want to do this again.
3. There are several cheap aftermarket micrometers available that make the powder setting screw adjustments repeatable and allow you to make fine-grained adjustments to the powder drop. I have two different styles. Both are also easier to use, and don't require a wrench to make the adjustment.
4. Be consistent in the tension of the powder rod. Not too tight, not loose.

I'm sure there are threads you can find here for these simple tricks.

For the Primer issues:

1. Keep the primer bar, and the surface it slides on clean.
2. Keep the cup that holds a new primer clean.
3. You can use masking tape on the primer cup to make a "half funnel" on the press side. Take 4 inches of tape, and fold an inch and 3/4" over, sticky side to sticky side. Attach the remaining sticky side to the primer collecting cup to for half a funnel, to collect any spent primers that may just miss the cup.
4. There is a tweak using a small magnet to ensure the part that holds the spent primer, and opens to drop it in the spent primer cup, works consistently. Sometimes the cotter pin that hold the door doesn't let it move freely. I've actually replaced the cotter pin with a sewing pin that has a ball on the dull side...and bent the sharp side to hold it in place. (Cut off any extra pin with a wire cutter.) The pins are smoother than the cotter pin.
5. Underneath the primer bar is a plate that the primer bar slides in. Don't oil it. Use a pencil and the graphite from it to make the primer bar slide smoothly. There is also a cheap replacement plate available, with a wheel/bearing on the left side that really makes the primer bar slide smoothly.

Hope this helps. Using these tweaks, you'll likely halve, or better, any variance you see.