Unique for a rifle round?

[Dambugg]

Just wondering if anybody uses unique powder for a rifle round? It is such a versatile powder that I was thinking about finding a rifle caliber it would be suitable for and working up a load. I am new to hand loading and am simply curious. This round would be for deer and smaller sized game with shots under 200 yards. Most shots would be less than 100 yards. I live in Southern Oregon where there is not a lot of open area. Thanks in advance, Damian

 

[rcmodel]

I use Unique in 25-20 & 32-20 WCF in Winchester lever actions.

It can be used with cast lead bullets at greatly reduced velocity in larger calibers.

Lyman #49 has a lot of data using Unique for cast bullet reduced loads.

It is not at all a suitable powder for full-power jacketed bullet hunting loads in the larger centerfires.

rc

 

[steveno]

I loaded 18 grains of Unique in a 270 Ruger #1A with the Nosler 140 grain Accubond just to see how they would shoot. at 50 yards three shots were touching. I think the velocity was in the 1,800 to 1,900 fps range. My favorite load in the 45-70 Ruger #1S is 18 grains of Unique and a 300 grain jacketed hp. this load does about 1,450 fps and will do 3 shots groups around 1.5 inches at 100 yards. it is a fun load to shoot also. as mentioned just don't try to get max velocity out of the loads using Unique.

 

[Dambugg]

No I am not a max velocity sort of guy. The round would basically be a ranch round for lack of a better term. Idealistically I'd cast my own bullets for it and it would be used for coyotes, raccoons, other various varmints and deer.

 

[Gadzooks Mike]

I use Unique in a 30-30 and a 303 Savage, both for plinking and for rabbit rounds. 115gr lead and 8gr Unique works fine for both rifles.

 

[joneb]

I've had good results with Unique in a 308 Win bolt action with a 125gr Nosler ballistic tips, but I have better results with Blue Dot for a reduced load.
A 30/30 lever action maybe a good choice ? There is plenty of data for 30/30win and cast bullets using Unique. I would stay clear of Marlin's micro grooved barrel it's not a good match for cast bullets.

 

[Jubjub]

My plinking load for my .35 Rem. Marlin lever gun is a 158 grain round nose pistol bullet over 10 grains of Unique.

 

[Mad Chemist]

I've been working up a 30-30 load with Missouri Bullets 165gr LFN. Started at 7gr Unique and now I'm getting ready to test a batch with 8gr. So far no leading.

 

[qajaq59]

For light loads with cast bullets in a 30-30 it is great. And cheap as dirt as well. I was going thru a 100 rounds a week for a while when I wanted to practice shooting off hand with my 94.