Old reloading books

[bomb dropper]

does anyone have a recipe book from way back when Hercules made unique. Im looking for a 45acp load with a 230 lead round rouse. hopefully someones knows

 

[243winxb]

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The High Road, nor the staff of THR assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.
45 acp - Old Lyman data, 225gr cast lead round nose, bullet nunber # 452374. Start 5.0gr Unique- 711 fps. 7.2gr -967fps. Start low work up with the powder charge.

 

[bomb dropper]

ive heard alot say that it hasn't changed. my buddy told me his magic load for his trp is 5grs of unique (Alliant)

 

[243winxb]

The new data lists Unique at a maximum of 5.8gr with a 230gr speer lrn. http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/default.aspx

 

[Ol` Joe]

Unique changed slightly when they went to the "new cleaner burning" formula. They claimed it was the same when it hit the market, but now simply offer slightly reduced loads in their new data. Or so I`ve heard from a few different sources, all not associated with the manufacture.

 

[Robert101]

My Speer Reloading Manual #10 (book is dated 1981) indicates the following:
.452", 230 gr. lead round nose Unique - 5.3 grains at 764 fps up to a max of 5.8 grains at 849 fps.

How that helps.

 

[Clark]

"Lyman 40th" 1955 45acp 230gr jacketed 7.7 gr Unique 880 fps

 

[James2]

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The High Road, nor the staff of THR assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.


Yes, my old Lyman book is from about 1958 vintage. Unique was made by Hercules then.

45 ACP 230 grain Jacketed bullet, Unique Max 7.7 suggested 6.5

45 ACP 225 grain lead #452374 Unique Max 7.2

Sorry, no load for 230 gr lead. Not exactly what you asked for, but hope this helps.

I am casting that same bullet, #452374 now, but have been putting 5 gr of W231 under it. I have only been casting this bullet for a short time and haven't tried unique with it.

 

[Steve C]

I've loaded .45 acp for over 30 years. I once took data from the late 70's edition of "Cartridges of the World" which had that 7.7grs of Unique listed and loaded up a box at 7.2grs using Remington 230gr FMJ. They kicked so hard I didn't shoot more than a single magazine. Did some more research and loaded with 6.0 grs that felt like factory loads from then on.

Once technology advanced far enough to provide affordable chronographs to the reloading public I ran some of those 6.0gr loads over my new chronograph and they averaged on the + side of 850 fps in both Government and Commander pistols. Pretty much right on published mill spec ammo velocity. Both the old and the "new" cleaner Unique produce the same results with this combination so I can say in my experience that there's absolutely no difference in the burn rate or pressure characteristics of the old vrs the new Unique.

If you want to push 7.0 grs or more of Unique behind a 230 gr bullet I'd suggest you get a heavier spring from Wolf Gunsprings or you will likely beat your pistol into a piece of junk in short order.

The file below is a scanned image of the data published by Hercules in 1983 in their free pamphlet.

 

[bomb dropper]

Thanks steve thats a lot of great info. i think im going to load some 5.0gr 5.5gr and 6.0gr and try them its going through my brand new unloading device (SA gi.45) so I think i may stay away from the 7 grain mark. plus at 5-6 gr i can still get 1000rds out of 1lb. thanks again everyone for your input i need to search around fleabay or something and find some old books

 

[Maj Dad]

I used to load a 230 lead with 7+ gr (!) of Unique per the old manuals, but it beat the crap out of my pistol. I should have had a heavier recoil spring, but I also should have backed off to about 6.5 gr. I don't chrony loads (don't have one yet; some day...) and am not trying to get max velocity out of every round, just good accuracy and moderate power. The old, trite and true adage about working up loads in your gun holds. By the way, I still have some Hercules Unique, Bullseye, Red Dot and Green Dot. It smells too good to get rid of...

 

[jim147]

Steve C posted the a page out of the same Hercules book I have. I use 5.3 grains of the old Unique for my target loads. I have about a pound left.

I prefer 4 grains of the old Reddot for target loads in both 45 ACP and .38 special.

If you look in Modern Reloading or the info that comes with the Lee .45 ACP dies all the Alliant powder loads are out of the old Hercules book. They have never been updated.

jim

 

[R.Clem]

From Lyman-Ideal handbook #39, page 86A. This is somewhere in the early 1950's. NOTE: #6 and 5066 do not refer to any powder currently produced. Hope this is helpful.

Ray

 

[LonGr]

Thanks for the pics of the old manuals. I really like looking at that kind of stuff. Here's a pic of some old Hercules cans somebody posted somewhere. (Thanks Somebody)


View attachment 121888

 

[tango2echo]

I've loaded and "unloaded' about 45,000 rounds of .45acp with 6.2gr of Unique under a 230gr LRN in a 1911a1 (with two barrels and rebuilds). It's really hot and hard on the pistol, and you need a heavy recoil spring for a steady diet of these. I usually get 930fps. 5.5 shows about 845-855fps and is much more friendly to both the gun and shooter. I would suggest staying under 6.0gr and working up cautiously from 4.8gr or so in .2 increments.

 

[rcmodel]

My standard load for .45 ACP for close to 50 years is 6.0 Unique / 230 LRN, or 6.5 Unique / 230 RN-FMJ.

Both loads stack the brass in the same pile with GI hardball or National Match factory loads, and shoot to the same sight settings out of all my 1911's.

If you need more power, you need a Magnum caliber gun.

rc