Another Unique Question

[steve4102]

I have a bunch of Unique that I use for my 20ga. Don't shoot as much as I used to, so I thought I would burn some of it up in my 40 S&Ws.

I will be using two bullets, 180gr Montana Gold JHP and 170gr Precision Black bullet, both seated to 1.125.

For the 180gr I was going to start with the Minimum charge according to Alliant/Speer of 6.0gr and work up, Max is at 6.7gr. Then I checked my Lyman 48-4.9-5.6gr and my Sierra #5 4.6-6.3gr. That got me ta thinkin, maybe my starting charge of 6.0gr is way to high? So, I came here for some advice before I start.

Anyone loading Unique in the 40 with 180gr and 170gr "Black" bullets willing to share some of their loads?

Thanks
Steve

 

[Steve C]

When unable to find data using the exact bullet make I will compare laods from various sources old and new. The Alliant data is now using Speer bullets and their data is the same as the Speer reloading manual. Previous 2000 Alliant data using generic not identified bullets list 6.4grs of Unique as max with a 180gr jacketed bullet with the loader being responsible to calculate the 10% reduction for a start load which would be 5.8grs. A 6.0gr load wouldn't be too hot but I'd drop to 5.8 for a start if I was doing the loading.

 

[rfwobbly]

The black bullets from Precision Bullets is going to load like lead. I don't see where Alliant suggests any loads for lead bullets.

 

[hans471]

If I compare the loads listed in my Lyman manual to ANY other source, Lyman is always, ALWAYS, way conservative. I think lawyers wrote the Lyman manual.

Any more I will do some searching in my own four manuals, plus look on-line, and get several opinions before I commit to a new load. I NEVER go with the heaviest load I find. I normally will start in the middle of the ranges I see. But then, middle using Lyman, is like the lowest recommended by most others.

 

[zxcvbob]

From Alliant's 2004 load book:

180 grain JHP bullet, 1.125" OAL, 6.4 grains Unique
180 grain LaserCast lead bullet, 1.125" OAL, 5.5 grains Unique​

 

[RVenick]

I use Unique in a 165g RNFP for my M&P 40 is a great powder for it. I use 6.5g and it is snappy you may want to start a little lower then the info posted by zxcvbob and work up.