Unique is without a doubt the most versatile powder I have used in the 44 Special. Shoots well with 180’s, 200 L, 240 lead and jacketed. As mentioned 7.5 grains Unique is a very powerful load with a 240/250 lead bullet, it is only appropriate for N frame revolvers and the Ruger Blackhawk. Much too powerful for a Charter Arms Bulldog.
Unique gives excellent accuracy from 6 ¼ grains all the way up. When I get tired of recoil I download to 6 ¼ to 6.5 grains. Shoots well.I tested a number of powders. When the in print crowd touted Universal as the next best thing, I tried that. It was clearly inferior in grouping compared to Unique. I have tired Bullseye, Red Dot, Blue Dot, 2400, AA452, AA#5, Green Dot, and I always end up with Unique. Unique has been by far the best powder in every one of my 44 Specials, which include S&W's, Taurus, Ruger, and USFA.
All of my charges are thrown on a Dillion 550B. The load of a 240/250 with 7.5 grains Unique is a classic Elmer Keith load, and Skeeter Skelton recommended it. It pushes a 240 lead bullet at 1000 fps in my Ruger Blackhawk, and that is plenty powerful, and very accurate. My Blackhawk is a very heavy and presumably, very strong pistol and I have no doubt that my load will not limit the lifetime of the firearm in any manner. But don't use this load in a Charter Arms Bulldog!.
4" M624
240 LSWC
5.0 grs Red Dot thrown, Mixed Brass CCI300
T = 64 °F 3-Mar-07
Ave Vel = 714.8
Std Dev = 24.35
ES = 95.28
Hign 778.4
Low = 683.1
N = 19
Accurate
240 LSWC
5.0 grs Bullseye Lot 6/20/05 Mixed Brass WLP
T = 64 °F 3-Mar-07
Ave Vel = 763.9
Std Dev = 16.18
ES = 60.94
High = 794.7
Low = 733.7
N = 28
very accurate, little powder residue
240 LSWC
6.6 grs Unique thrown, lot UN364 3/9/92 Mixed cases, Brass WLP
T = 70 °F 4-Apr-09
Ave Vel = 859.6
Std Dev = 21.7
ES = 77.85
High = 878.4
Low= 800
N = 10
240 LSWC
7.0 grains Unique, Midway cases, WLP (brass)
T= 45-50 °F 15 Dec 2002
Ave Vel = 902.8
std Dev = 21.49
ES = 81.76
Low = 859.8
High = 941.6
N = 33
240 LSWC
7.5 grs Unique thrown, lot UN364 3/9/92 Mixed cases, Brass WLP
T = 70 °F 4-Apr-09
Ave Vel = 965.8
Std Dev = 23.15
ES = 65.28
High = 986.3
Low= 921
N = 12
View attachment 855824
44 Spl Ruger Blackhawk 5.5"
240 LSWC
6.6 grs Unique thrown, lot UN364 3/9/92 Midway cases, Brass WLP
T ≈ 60-65 ° F 19-Apr-09
Ave Vel = 875.4
Std Dev = 25.94
ES = 109.6
High = 914.8
Low= 805.2
N = 25
240 LSWC
7.5 grs Unique thrown, lot UN364 3/9/92 Midway cases, Brass WLP
T ≈ 60-65 ° F 19-Apr-09
Ave Vel = 1001
Std Dev = 17.32
ES = 64.32
High = 1027
Low= 963
N = 27
View attachment 855825
View attachment 855826
View attachment 855827
View attachment 855828
View attachment 855829
I shoot with guys who can keep all shots in the black at 50 yards, Bullseye style, so this ain't nothing compared to them. But it is pretty good for me.
View attachment 855830