Unique Powder for 9MM

[stodd]

Anyone out there reload 9MM using unique powder? I've got my hands on some unique powder the past couple of weeks now and getting ready to start testing out a few different loads.

I'm using Berry's plated 124 grain RN DS bullet. If anyone out there had unique and using the berry plated bullets please let me know what you are using for charges.

Thanks..
Stodd

 

[Wireman134]

Mild load safe for my use is 5.7gr. behind a Rainier plated 115gr. at OAL. of 1.140" . Get yourself a old Speer 11 manual off ebay cheap.

 

[TonyT]

My problem with Unique is that Alliant changes the recommended load data with every publication.

 

[Eb1]

My problem with Unique is that Alliant changes the recommended load data with every publication.

I think that is because it is hard to sell "nichy, new" powders when you got an old standby that does most everything well.


This is my opinion, and is just that "My Opinion". Please follow all powder load recommendations from the manufacturer.

 

[rbernie]

4.5-5gr Unique behind a 124gr-125gr cast bullet works quite well.

 

[Eb1]

5.0 has always been my call with a 125 grain Conical shaped cast bullet. Works great.

 

[stodd]

Hello.. question for you guys that load 9MM with unique powder.

I've just started trying to work up a starting load for my berry's 124 grain RN DS bullet using the unique powder. I've looked at the manuals and through posts on a few forums it looks like my starting load is going to be 5.2 grains of unique.

When i put the powder in the 9MM case it looks as if the bullet when i seat the berry's 124 grain bullet will be in contact with the powder. Is that a problem?

Are you guys that load unique powder for 9MM see that same thing? Just want to ask about this first since i know i've read that a few times in my manual about compressed powders.

Thanks.
Stodd

 

[Wahoo95]

I use 4.2gr Unique with 147gr FMJ's and never had a problem with compressed powder.

 

[stodd]

Wahoo,
does the 4.2 grains almost fill the case? and then when you seat the 147 fmj does it come close?

 

[noylj]

The powder is fluffy. You aren't really compressing it. If you want, get a long tube to dispense it through.
The only powder I have heard you shouldn't compress is Trail Boss and that is for their "universal" rifle loading technique.
Remember, we've been reloading with Unique since 1898 or somewhere like that.

 

[Wahoo95]

THe fluffy powder comes up pretty far in the case and the 147gr bullets are long. Still never a problem.

 

[BAE984]

I use it behind 147gr lead. Can't remember the charge weight off the top of my head, but they run ~925fps pretty consistently.

 

[ir3e971]

When I have loaded Unique in 9mm it fills the case up well. It also shot very well. My loads were with lead, not plated though.

 

[Eb1]

I would say that 5 grains of Unique in a 9mm is a very standard loading for the bullet weight you are using. My opinion is that you should go by the data in the books. If it calls for 5.2 grains starting load then you will be fine all things considering that you are doing the other steps correctly.

Like I was saying before I just went with 5 grains because it was a standard loading from what i could tell, and it worked out for me. The cartridges shot great.

 

[GooseGestapo]

About 4.5gr will be the minimum that will cycle your action. I've seen some go as high as 6.0gr with a 124gr Hornady XTP, but that's a hot load (1,200fps).

The 5.0-5.5gr range will work well with your bullet.

I've used a lot of Unique under the Rainier 115gr HP plated bullets and got decent accuracy at 5.6gr.

5.2 sounds about right.

 

[Slidelock Satch]

Get a reloading manual and follow it starting at the lower values and work up as needed.

I found that Power Pistol works very well with 9mm. I use 5.4 gn of Power Pistol and a 124 gn FMJ Precision Delta bullet.

Again get a manual or two to correlate load information for safety purposes. Unless I knew and absolutely trusted a source for a load I would not follow any info here. In fact do not use my load without verification!

Best,

Satch

 

[stodd]

I have the Lyman's reloading manual and there is no load data for plated bullets. That is the problem i'm finding and why started this thread.

I'm not able to find any load data for these berry's plated bullets in any manuals or powder company websites.

I just wanted to know if other people were seeing the Unique powder at about 5.0 grains almost filling the case to the top and if they had any problems with that.

 

[Duckdog]

You'll be fine with 5 grains of Unique. I use that load. I had data on plated bullets and it was to use lead data, and or reduce jacketed loads by 10%. The lead data always has worked for me.

 

[88 Cutlass]

I use 5.3 grains of Unique with a 115gr FMJ percision delta bullet and it seems to shoot and cycle very well.

 

[stodd]

Thanks... Duckdog and Cutlass..

I've loaded up a few round at each 4.8, 4.9 and 5.0 grains to start with and will see how that goes.

 

[rfwobbly]

In their FAQs, Berry says to use the data for jacketed, just watch your bullet velocities. So with the plated bullet you can use the JRN data from the starting numbers up to maybe 60 to 70% or so. Of course this is OK because you're just plinking, and your plinking loads (no matter what bullet you chose) was only going to mid-range anyway.

IMHO Unique is very "fluffy" and double charges are not anything you'll need to worry about when you use it. On the other hand, lower end loads tend to be very "smutty" on a level you may never have seen. The inside of your cases will be a sooty black, and the inside of your gun will be covered with soot and un-burned powder. I suggest you run your load up in 0.1 or 0.2gr increments until the inside of the case starts to turn gray or tan. That clean burn is telling you the pressure is "right" and the Unique is starting to perform as intended. That's the point you'll start liking Unique. Below that, forget it!

 

[Shawn Dodson]

My "standard" 9mm 124gr training load uses 5.8gr Unique, producing a 20 shot average velocity of 1189fps when chrono'd from my Glock 19. I've shot thousands of rounds without incident.

Cheers!

 

[stodd]

RFW,

Thanks for the info.. I just went to the range this afternoon and things went ok. I loaded 20 rounds at each 4.8 grains, 4.9 and 5.0 and they all cleared ok and the ejection was ok. no jams during ejection. The cases are landing about 3 or 4 feet from me on the ground so i think that is good too.

As for the bullets down range, well Lets just say that I'm getting use to the gun at this point in time lol. They are all over the place lol. Oh ya, I loaded them all at OAL of 1.124". I'll look at the cases and see what color they are inside and maybe go up .1 or .2 grains and see how that works.

Thanks for the help on this thou and also on the powder in the case. Was alittle scared at first to see the Unique powder almost fill the case and then when i started reading my manual a few months ago i remember it talking about compressing the powder.. Thanks again and any other info is always a great help.. I'm new to 9MM's and reloading 9MM's.

Stodd