40 S&W and Unique

[kyshootingguy]

I am looking for a new recipe for 165gr rainier flat nose 40 S&W with Unique. I am currently using 6 grains and wondering what everybody else is using. I am looking for a light recoil.

Thanks for the help.

 

[crracer_712]

I'll look tonight, was going to reply, but decided I better look as I was using Unique and Titegroup and don't want to give you data from the wrong powder....

 

[LiveLife]

I am looking for a new recipe for 165gr rainier flat nose 40 S&W with Unique. I am currently using 6 grains and wondering what everybody else is using.

Lyman #49 lists the following for 40S&W 165 gr Speer TMJ (plated bullet like Rainier plated bullet) and Unique:

165 gr Speer TMJ Unique OAL 1.120" Start 5.4 gr (952 fps) 19,300 CUP - Max 6.0 gr (1034 fps) 21,700 CUP

I am looking for a light recoil.

If you are looking for light recoil 40S&W load, you would need to use faster burning powder at target load range.

W231/HP-38 is faster burning than Unique and produces lighter/mild recoil loads that are accurate and cleaner burning. Rainier Ballistics recommends we use lead load data for their plated bullets. 1999 Winchester load data for 170 gr bullet (you can use load data for slightly heavier bullet for 165 gr bullet) shows start charge of 4.0 gr and max charge of 5.2 gr. For me, using Rainier/Berry's/PowerBond/X-Treme 165 gr plated TCFP bullets, 4.3-4.5 gr at 1.125" OAL will produce mild recoil yet accurate loads.

 

[rbernie]

I used to use Unique for my 40S&W cast loads (5.5gr behind a 180gr SWC) but I've moved to 231/HP-38/Zip and been much happier.

 

[squarles67]

I tried Unique in .40 S&W but ended up using HP-38 for target loads and Power Pistol for full power loads.

My results with Unique and the Berry 165 FP (WSP - OAL 1.12)

Charge     FPS      ES       SD
5.7          976    57.72    22.33
6.0         1007   169.7    48.07
6.5         1058   100.1    35.36

For whatever reason accuracy with Unique was horrible in my M&P fullsize

 

[rg1]

5.7 grains of Unique with IMI 165 fmj-fp's got around 960 fps in my G23 and cycled fine. 6.0 grains was at 1008 fps. Up to 6.6 grains showed 1070 fps. I'm new to loading the 40 S&W but Winchester Super Field had less felt snappy recoil than any of the powders I tested. Power Pistol did well but was snappier at the same velocity. Winchester WSF powder at 6.0 grains got 970, 6.3--1010--6.6-1060 fps. For a lighter load I'd try dropping Unique to about 5.7 or give WSF a try. It definitely was softer shooting than either Unique, AA#5, and Power Pistol. Overall lengths of my loads using 165 fmj-flat points was 1.125" using CCI 500 primers and Win cases.

 

[kyshootingguy]

Thanks for your help. I am thinking about getting some 231, I have yet to try it.