I had read how great a powder Unique is but that it meters lousy and bought a pound of 231 at the same time just in case. No biggie both will get used up quickly and I want to try them in some other calibers too.
While not as precise as 231, Unique meters ok from my RCBS Powder measure, within +/- .2 grains. While 231 will meter within +/- .1 grains.
Recently I clocked a 240 gr. LSWC @ 892 fps with 7.5 gr. of Unique in a 4" 629 with Magnum cases. 7.0 grains of 231 gave me 826 fps, I'm still fiddling with both powders and haven't settled on any accuracy loads yet. But one or the other will fit the bill for an plinker load.
I'm revisiting reloading for the .44 Magnum after an 18 year hiatus and have some Hercules 2400, H-110 and AA9 on hand, all at least 18 years old. I talked with Alliant and Accurate Arms and they both told me that if it was well stored and had not degraded that it should still be good and I can use current data. The powder has been sealed in the original containers in a cool, dry Colorado basement, the H2400 was in an unopened can.
I've had far more experienced hands then me tell me to use the old powder as fertilizer...they could be right, but I hate to waste powder.
19.5 grains of H2400 with a 250 gr. BTB WFNGC that really weighs 260 gr, clocked 1249 fps from the 4" 629.
19.5 grains of a fresh new pound of Alliant 2400, with the same bullet clocked 1153 fps....big difference.
The old AA9 produced 1179 fps with 17.5 grains and a BTB 280 gr. WFNGC, after working up from 16.0 gr. which produced 1111 fps.
At this point I'm reworking the 250/60 BTB WFNGC, A2400 loads at 19.5, 20.0 and 20.5 grains, then I'll be checking for accuracy.
I'm debating going with a fresh new pound of H110 or AA9, if I go with the H110 I'll definitely go with a new pound.
I have an old hand, a mentor of sorts who's suggesting Unique/A2400/H110 is all a guy needs for .44 Magnum, it's all he's used for the past 40 or so years.
However I'm impressed with the results of the old AA9 powder and I do like the flexibility verses H110/296 which of course requires a much more narrow working range. So I have a bit of work to do here and the AA9 can be used in 10mm which I load for as well. I've also read that if it's velocity I want at lower pressure then H110/296 is the way to go, verses AA9 or other powders.
My memory is getting bad, but if I recall correctly the H110 produced a bit of flash and blast in my old 6.5" 629 DX and I can do without it, even if it means sacrificing a few fps, I don't need to be blinded if I need to deal with Bullwinkle or Yogi at dawn or dusk or in the night.
I'm also going to try another bullet, a 250 gr. Ledhead Keith bullet is next.
My original goal is.
Plinker, practice load.
Bulk 240 gr. LSWC @ 850-1000 or so fps. Possibly two loads one mild, one warm.
Central to Northern Rocky Mountain Woods protection load.
250 gr. Kieth or LBT WFNGC @ 1200-1300 fps, for the Central Rockies.
280 gr. LBT WFNGC @ up to 1200 fps, or whatever the gun safely handles, without stressing it for the Northern Rockies, with possible Grizz. I've read that 300 grains is stressing the 4" 629 at any useful velocity.
I'm using CCI-300's for the above loads, and of course would go with 350's or WLP for any H110/296 loads.
Any and all suggestions if you have any experience with a 4" 629 that will do the above is greatly appreciated.
Disclaimer, the above loads worked safely in my gun and may not in yours and as usual your own reloading due diligence is required when reloading.