Unique in 44 Special Question

[TenDriver]

I generally load Titegroup or 700-X in my 44 Special loads, and almost always 240 gr plated bullets.

On hand, I have some Unique and 255-258gr PC cast boolits. I have found no recipe, but roundabout math from the 240 gr cast boolit 44 Russian load leads me to believe a 3.8 gr charge is going to be safe (240 gr starting load is 4.0 and has a pretty wide charge range).

My main concern is how Unique behaves at low charge weights. Anyone have experience with it? I've gone as low as 2.0 gr in a 44 Mag case with 700-X, but never played with Unique.

If you're curious, I did find a 44 Spl recipe but it is for a different boolit type. Mine appears to compress the powder when seated to where I thought it should be and makes me question whether the recipe should be used for my bullet type.

Thanks.

 

[Don McDowell]

start with 6 grs and work up to 7 grs.

 

[Bullseye]

I have loaded 6.2 grains of Unique in 44 spl with 258 gr. SWC and find it to be an enjoyable target load in a 3 in 44 spl revolver, an 8 3/8 in 44 mag and a 44 mag Henry Big Boy.

 

[rcmodel]

Unique is a poor choice for mouse fart loads.

Loaded down, it gets dirty, and will not provide good results.

It will work for very light loads.
But there are several faster burning powders that would be a better choice.


BTW: 'The .44 Skeet Skelton load' that has been the 'standard' for 50 years is a 240 Keith LSWC over 7.5 grains Unique.

Over current published standards.
But perfectly safe in any modern S&W or Colt.

rc

 

[Mad Chemist]

3.8gr Unique is way too light. I don't know if it will produce a squib but it might. It definitely won't be accurate. I'd start at 6gr and work up from there.

There is no way a properly seated 240-260gr bullet is compressing a 3.8gr charge of Unique. Even if it was it wouldn't matter. Unique is very tolerant of compression.

 

[TenDriver]

3.8gr Unique is way too light. I don't know if it will produce a squib but it might. It definitely won't be accurate. I'd start at 6gr and work up from there.



There is no way a properly seated 240-260gr bullet is compressing a 3.8gr charge of Unique. Even if it was it wouldn't matter. Unique is very tolerant of compression.

You're correct. It was 6.0 that was compressing it (not by much).

I'll up the charge. Thanks for the input, RCModel as well!

 

[TimSr]

Like most powders, Unique gets dirtier as it gets lighter, and for light loads its one of the dirtiest. For low end squeakers, the faster the powder the better. My own preference is Red Dot for light specials, or Bullseye.

 

[PapaG]

6 grains minimum, 7.5 maximum for my guns.

 

[Don McDowell]

You didn't say what gun you're shooting these out of. Anything with the 250 gr bullet out of one of the lite weight charters or other "trail" guns is going to be a handful.
I find little difference in accuracy between the 7 grs and the 7.5 grs behind the 429421 bullet cast from wheelweights, in any of my 44 specials, so sticking with 7 grs makes it a simple thing to rationalize 1 can of powder should yield you an even 1000 rounds.
231 is another powder that works well for standard 44 special loads.