Unique for .44MAG?

[gwalchmai]

I've recenty started loading .44MAG (and I like it ). I've been pleased with 13-14gr of Blue Dot, but I've run out of that, so I've tried some others I had laying around -
(all 240gr RNFP Meister hard casts)

13-14gr of Blue Dot (very nice)

7 - 9gr of Win 231 (haven't fired these yet)

8 - 9gr of Titegroup (groups much larger than Blue Dot)

I also have some Bullseye and some Power Pistol, but from the sources I've seen they don't look better than 231 and TG.

What about Unique? Do any of you use it for medium (1000fps) loads under a 240gr .44?

Other suggestions are welcome. I've read good things about H110 and 2400, but these seem to be geared more toward atomic loads.

 

[Grumulkin]

I've used Unique in .44 Mag. with 240 grain lead bullets and it works OK. For my jacketed bullets I've used Blue Dot but am going to try some H110.

 

[oscar]

8.0 of Unique should get you real close to 1000fps.

 

[birddog]

Previous post deleted due to, well....a stupid comment by me.

Let's try again: I use Unique exclusively for .44 mag, both with 240 gr SJSP and 300 gr cast bullets.

 

[eagle24]

I've recently loaded 7.5gr Unique under 240gr LSWC. Nice load, probably in the high 800's fps. Unique is very versatile and a great powder except that I find it to be very dirty.

For full house loads try the H-110. To me it is a very smooth (not sharp) recoil with a big light show out of the barrel and either side of the cylinder. Looks real cool around sunset. I load 24gr H-110 under a 240gr Hornady XTP JHP. I've also found the H-110 the most accurate in my gun.

I loaded some mild bluedot loads under LSWC and also some full house loads with 2400 under the XTP, but haven't shot them yet.

CHECK YOUR DATA - the 24gr H-110 is pretty close to max. and not where you need to start.

 

[CSA 357]

i have loaded many 44 cast 240 gr over 8 gr they are accurate and easy on the gun and shooter , one of my favorite loads!*csa*

 

[andrew17]

My plinkin load is 8.5 gr of unique behind a 250 keith bullet and its accurate and plesent to shoot. It clocks from 970 to 1030 out of my 6in 629.
Starting load is 9gr btw.

 

[HankB]

I've found Unique to be dirty. I've had better luck with loads in the same class using SR-4756. Performance is similar, but loading data is not identical. Check your manual.

 

[Lennyjoe]

. . .

 

[Lennyjoe]

I know why I didn't have the unique numbers written down cause I found them in the safe, loaded ready to shoot. Haven't taken them out yet. Maybe tomorrow.

 

[bakert]

I load a 240gr cast LSWC over 8.5 grs of Universal Clays. Don't know the velocity but would guess close to 1000fps. Pretty easy shooting load and accurate in my Super Blackhawk. Data from the Hodgdon manual.

 

[Biggfoot44]

Unique in .44

With Magnum cases, settled on 9.2gr w/ 240 cast. Don't have old chronograph notes, but recall 900's in 7.5 in SBH.
Yes Unique may be somewhat dirty by 21st cen standards, but as long as I cleaned it every few hundred rounds never had problems. Current production of Unique is said by Alliant to be cleaner burning. If of great concern to you try Hogdon's Universal.

 

[mountainclmbr]

For 44mag I use H110 and W296 for hot loads and Unique for lighter loads. I do find Unique to be pretty dirty too.

 

[Bill T]

I have used 10.0 grains of Unique under a 240 gr. bullet in the .44 Magnum for years. It is a good medium range load. Bill T.

 

[wally]

Unique is great for reduced loads in .357 or .44 magnums, but is too fast to duplicate the full house factory loads. I use Blue Dot for the magnums and Unique for everything else (.380, .38, 9mm, .40 S&W, .45ACP .45LC) The "new" Unique is much cleaner that the old stuff was, it may be "dirty" but I find its a dirt that just wipes off easily.

--wally.

 

[Nhsport]

Unique will be sooty with the lighter loads but not so bad once you get up around 1000fps. You clean your guns don't you? I don't mind a little soot it comes right off.
I pretty much have simplyfied my 44 mag loads, I use only 240 cast plain base with 8 gr unique for a mid range load,and the same bullet with a full charge of 2400 (read your manual and work up to it yourself carefully) for the real deal magnum load. Both these loads work fine in my Ruger super Blackhawk, my two S&W 629's and my Marlin cowboy lever gun. The Marlin feeds semi wadcutters ok but I usually use 240 RN when I can find them as they are a little smoother feeding. If I was hunting I would stick with the flatnose.
Unique is great for about any cast bullet from .380acp to 45-70

 

[Bill T]

I have also found that since I started useing the Lee Factory Crimp Die on my .44 Mag loads Unique seems to burn much cleaner if I apply a heavy crimp, which I now do as standard practice on all of my revolver loads. I fall under the belief that good firm crimps result in more consistant handloads, be they light or heavy. Bill T.