Unique sure unique; .45acp question

[ku4hx]

I first stared using Unique in 1970 and have always found it to be a very good powder. In my various powder measures, its charge variations is somewhat greater than with ball powders but consistency in the process can mitigate that. And since I load only mid range loads, Unique's charge variations are not significant.

Every gun has its "sweet spot" with respect to bullet and powder combinations. In some guns that "spot" is quite wide with regard to powder choices and charge weights and accurate loads are easy to build. For some guns, the range of acceptable bullets and powder choices can be narrow and limited.

If Unique is not working for you at your chosen powder charge, vary it within published ranges and see if that helps. If not try different powders and different bullets.

 

[ljnowell]

OK, thanks guys, its got to be me then. Can't figure it though. 3 other powders, worked up loads for all of them, and found 3 sweet spots, cycling & accuracy. Unique, nada, and it just so happens, as stated, that seems to be my experience with Unique in anything I shoot. I'll try again with it, especially with the encouraging results you all have had with it.

It's not just you. I consider myself a fairly accomplished handloader and I can't stand it. I've tried it in several calibers and while it does many things well I've yet to find anything that it does great.

For example, in bullseye shooting I've found nothing works as good for me as AA#2 in HBWC loads for 38. In the same vein I find that WST works the absolute best in my 45 ACP SWC loads for competition.

There isn't a single application where I have found Unique to be the "best" or exceptional. What it does do is give you extreme versatility across many calibers. Kind of like the old saying "Jack of all trades, master of none."

 

[Rule3]

I never thought very highly of it either. About all I used it for was 45 Colt. I find HP38/Win231 will do anything i want in place of Unique. I think for me it was a metering thing. I am now trying to use it in 45 ACP as I have it and need to use it for something,

Some folks think it is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Guess that's what make the World go around.

 

[RussellC]

A bit of a hijack and i apologize:
Ive read that 4.6 grains of bullseye is the mil-spec load, but i was only getting barely 700 fps out of them in any of my 45s. It wasnt until 5 grains that I was over 800fps.
I had a ton of the 4.6 BE loads that I pulled and rebuilt, because they wouldnt even cycle the action on my FNP45.
Another time I read that 5 grains of BE was the mil-spec load.

I agree. I use 5.1 and a few here warned me...4.7 barely works my gun. Alliant seems to think max is 5.7 for 230 gr TMJ RN @ 1.26. (Bullseye)

Unique? 6.1 is very accurate for me for .45, ( 1.265 230 RN) more so than BE-86 for .45....Not so for 9mm, BE-86 is the stuff there, Although Unique is great with 9mm as well. I've reloaded 100 .45 @ 1.265 with 6.5 BE-86 230 RN, FMJ for a re-try. We'll see.

Russellc

 

[SDGlock23]

I like Unique but found out that, at least in my 550B, that it doesn't meter extremely well. I've seen it drop charges that vary up to .5-.7gr between rounds, which isn't cool and the only two squibs I've ever had were when I was using Unique. That much variance could account for accuracy that is somewhat less than great, but overall I've never been disappointed in it. For .45 I typically use 6.0gr seated under a 230gr FMJ set to ~1.240-1.250".

 

[Ironicaintit]

I still like Unique though. The groups arent the greatest, but the are certainly serviceable.
I appreciate the quality of the recoil it gives. Its not harsh, even when really zinging them out there, and so quick and accurate follow-ups arent too hard to manage.
I keep hearing its dirty, too....but i run it fairly hot and so ive never even noticed a problem as far as that goes.
As for metering, ive just resigned myself to weighing every charge. Doesnt bother me a bit! I enjoy handloading as much as actually shooting, so Unique and I (and extruded rifle powders) get along just fine.
Im up to $.06 now in this thread, so im finished.

 

[joneb]

I was frustrated with Unique, poor metering which was a issue when loading at the upper end mostly in small cases such as 380acp. When loading below a max charge the inconsistent throws were less of a issue but came with the price of a poor or dirty burn.
While I think Unique is a versatile powder I have moved away from it.

 

[wally]

While I think Unique is a versatile powder I have moved away from it.

I wish more people would, so I can find some more to buy

 

[ljnowell]

I wish more people would, so I can find some more to buy

You can have it all!!

 

[skeet028]

Unique Rifle Loads

Not certain buty look at the Lyman cast bullet handbook for Unique loads for rifle. I have used Unique with the 311041 cast boolit for years (Approx 10 gr) There are many loads even for the 222 if I remember correctly But all with cast. I have also seen unique loads in the past with jacketed bullets. Will have to find them..Much useless and esoteric data around here. I even bagged a nice eatin whitetail with that ol unique load. A fellow called me tis AM and he is bringing me an 8 lb Unique...this weekend. Yippee

 

[Dudedog]

Unique worked ok for me in 9mm, just ok. I purchased it because I could not find any Universal. Universal meters better, shots better and is cleaner IMO.

Dosen't meter well for me in my Pro Disk at 9mm charge sizes, better in .45 APC charge weights.

Would I buy it again? Yes if there was nothing else, otherwise I would use something else or try something new if there were listed loads for the something new.

 

[Patocazador]

Its never been that finicky for me. My biggest problem with it is not being able to find it.

That's because I bought it all.

 

[entropy]

The standard GI load used Bullseye not Unique.

I use 6.0 gr Unique with a 230 gr FMJ RN for general shooting . I am using it now as I have a bunch of it, but I prefer BE or HP 38.

Unique may be "finicky" in that it does not meter the best for some powder measures,

I use 6 gr. of Unique also- though my preferred powder for .45 ACP is AA#5. BUt I always have a pound of Unique or two around, so if I'm out of AA#5, I'll load up some with 6 gr. of Unique. Either way it's 230 FMJ.

 

[ljnowell]

I use 6 gr. of Unique also- though my preferred powder for .45 ACP is AA#5. BUt I always have a pound of Unique or two around, so if I'm out of AA#5, I'll load up some with 6 gr. of Unique. Either way it's 230 FMJ.

AA#5 is a great choice. I really like AA#2 also for 45 ACP.

 

[Toprudder]

I did not like the results I got with Unique in 45acp (200gn SWC). The best accuracy I've had in 45acp so far was with AA#5 with 230gn RN. Just wish I could find some more.

 

[mjsdwash]

someone has to say it. I do not like unique in 45 acp. Horrible consistency. some loads kick hard, some stovepipe, some brass stays chambered. The measure is very consistent, and i use a powder check die. I have seen this happen in 38 special as well, with unique leaving unburned powder in the barrel, or squibs near max load. I only use unique in 9mm now, with very good results. Very good velocity, accuracy in 9mm. Will not use it in a low pressure loading. The measure i use for 9 is the same as 45. It is not operator error that I am getting poor results. It is not contaminated powder. The 9mm performance verifies that. May be a bad batch of powder me and the OP got, but it is an issue.

 

[steelerdude99]

someone has to say it. I do not like unique in 45 acp. Horrible consistency. some loads kick hard, some stovepipe, some brass stays chambered. ...

The issue I think that many are experiencing with unique is not if a 6.0 vs 6.5g of unique for 45acp “is a good load”. It’s getting that value into the cartridge 100% of the time. I have proven it to myself a few years ago by after having erratic loads on 45acp by weighing each charge. A sample of 2 dozen 230g with 6.0 of unique performed well and consistently when weighed individually.

My next step (using the LEE autodisk) was to find out why 6.0g was not getting into the cartridge. I found that the powder through the die powder path was not being completely opened. Without the powder hopper, I looked and saw the metering hole was about 5-10% obstructed. It was like tiny shelf for powder to sit.

What I did was use a big counter sink bit to better taper the hole that flows into the cartridge. A dremel-tool should work too. I got the biggest autodisk disk size and made sure that no part of the disk’s metering hole was covered when it supposed to be throwing a charge. Make sure you don’t mar the flat surface; that may cause leakage. I smoothed the powder hole with 220 grit sandpaper when done. Now, I no longer have powder sitting on the edge of the metering hole. [ In the automotive world, it reminded me of making sure the manifold and carb. had a good smooth fuel path by smoothing the manifold edges. ]

Unique still does not generally meter all that well, but the path that the powder needs to flow needs to be 100% open with unique or any powder ... Unique works better on bigger charges (at least with the autodisk) as the powder flake size vs. hole size ratio “is better”. I have no issue with loading .357 charges for BlueDot (about the same flake size), but still get some inconsistencies when loading mild 38 special with unique even after verifying the powder hole is unobstructed.

Just my $0.02,
chuck

PS: Also with the auto-disk, make double sure the thumb screws are tight.

 

[Slamfire]

Unique is an excellent powder to use in the 45ACP. All of my rounds contain thrown charges, I loaded these on a Dillion 550B progressive. There is not much difference in extreme velocity spreads between Unique and AA#5, a ball powder, or Bullseye. Though Bullseye has always given me the lowest extreme spreads of any powder in the 45 ACP, which is one reason I am using it in Bullseye pistol competition.

I am so surprised by all the complaints about poor metering, I would agree that Unique does not meter as well as a ball powder, or Bullseye, but that does not make much of a difference over my chronograph.

[SIZE="3"][B]Kimber Custom Classic M1911[/B]

230 LRN 5.5 grs Unique lot UN331 1989 Mixed brass WLP (brass)
OAL 1.250" taper crimped 0.469"
	
16-May-09 high 83  °F
		
Ave Vel =827.4				
Std Dev =17.63	 	 		 
ES =	85.68				
High = 	871.6				
Low =	785.9				
N =	31				
				
			
230 LRN 6.0 grs Unique lot 6/21/1998 Mixed brass WLP (nickle)
OAL 1.250" taper crimped 0.469"
	
16-May-09	 high 83  °F
		
Ave Vel =885				
Std Dev =16.79	 	 		 
ES =	67.26				
High = 	917.8				
Low =	850.5				
N =	30				
			
accurate lots recoil, 15' foot ejection					
	
						
230 LRN  6.5 grs Unique lot UN387 6/21/93 Mixed brass WLP 		

OAL 1.250" taper crimped 0.469
	 			
18-Mar-07 T = 62 °F						
						
Ave Vel =926.4					
Std Dev =16.64					
ES	71.16					
High	963.4					
Low	892.3					
N =	32				
light leading accurate centered hard recoil20 foot ejection						

230 FMJ (R-P) 7.8 grs AA#5 Speer Once fired WLP (brass) 
                   OAL 1.250" taper crimped 0.469"
	
12-Dec-11  T =53  °F		
					
Ave Vel =847.1				
Std Dev =19.59	 	 	 	
ES =	86.17				
High = 	877.2				
Low =	791.1				
N =	14				
					
Accurate but high. 

230 gr LRN  4.5 grs Bullseye Mixed Brass WLP
                OAL 1.250" taper crimp .469"
		
21-Jun-06 T = 97  °F	
	
Ave Vel = 805.2		
Std Dev =11.4		
ES=54.08		
High=836.9		 
Low=782.8		 
N =32[/SIZE]

 

[orionengnr]

The good thing about Unique is that it is incredibly versatile. Works well in many pistol and rifle rounds.

The bad thing about Unique is that it "has some problems" metering consistently. When I use Unique, I hand dip and individually weigh each charge. That is based on prior experience.

Way too much of a pain in the ass. That means I use Unique in about 10-round batches, experimental only.

And one pound of Unique will likely be a lifetime supply for me. Too many other god powders out there.

 

[Iron Sight]

I am not going to quit using Unique but with past recent inconsistent metering experiences I also will now individually weigh each charge used.

 

[joneb]

Though Bullseye has always given me the lowest extreme spreads of any powder in the 45 ACP,

You may find better numbers with Accurate #2, it does quite well in 380 acp, 9x18 Mak and 38 spl. I wish I could find #2, haven't seen it in these parts for years

 

[beefyz]

From Steelerdude99 "The issue I think that many are experiencing with unique is not if a 6.0 vs 6.5g of unique for 45acp “is a good load”. It’s getting that value into the cartridge 100% of the time. I have proven it to myself a few years ago by after having erratic loads on 45acp by weighing each charge. A sample of 2 dozen 230g with 6.0 of unique performed well and consistently when weighed individually."

Bearing in mind all posts and especially the post above, I decided to give Unique another shot. Usually after I've set my drop charge, i'll individually weigh out the next 4-5 to make certain i'm getting a good drop. After that i'll drop 4-5, then weigh the next drop. I dropped and weighted 10 charges of Unique; and on 3 of them they came out .2-.3 lighter ! Don't know if that's going to make a significant difference in my groups, but I guess it could make for the lack of grouping that I've noticed when using Unique. Can't wait to try them out.

 

[steelerdude99]

beefyz
.25/6 = .41 which is 4.1% (assuming a 6g charge weight averaging the .2-.3g variance).

I would also think that getting a scoop and scale and putting exactly 6g of Unique in each case and making 15-20 rounds and seeing how they perform as a "control group". Yes, it will take a while. But without a good control group, you have to go from memory on how your last batch performed.

[ updated June 17 ]Alliant markets Unique as a shotgun powder and as secondary use, a pistol powder. I have never loaded shotgun shells, but I know that they take a lot more powder per shell than a handgun round. The Unique's "relatively large" powder flakes would hardly matter in the charge weights for 12 gauge shotgun shells. See http://www.alliantpowder.com/products/powder/unique_handgun.aspx

Principal Purpose: All-around shotshell powder, 12, 16, and 20 ga.
Secondary Uses: Handgun loads​

chuck

PS: good luck with your "test rounds".

 

[cheygriz]

For target loads, I've had better luck with Red Dot and 700X than Unique. 231, HP38, AAC2 and Bullseye are also excellent powders for powder-puff loads.

 

[beefyz]

I know I started thread about issues with Unique in the .45, but I had occasion to load up some .357s and note, as stated earlier , that Unique never seems to work for me in anything, including 38/357. Figured what heck, was reloading .357s anyway, tried a published supposed "cowboy load" and instead of dropping most charges, weighted EVERY charge to the proscribed amount, then dropped ten. To get 10 at that amount I had to drop 14 times; 4 charges being MUCH lighter. I fired the 10 and got the best results I have ever experienced with Unique. After I changed my shorts, went over all variables again. Everything remained the same except for 2 things. ALL charges were weighted and ... I started a new pound of Unique. Could it be I had some bad Unique. Have never seen/ smelled bad powder. The "old" 1 pounder was at the most 8 yrs old. Was in a different plastic container than the new one, but again, I don't see how it could be the powder composition. As suggested by many above, it just may be that Unique is the reloading jack of all trades but master of none, at least for some of us. As soon as I finish up with these 38s/357s, it will be back to the .45s, and I will carefully, WEIGHT out all charges as I re-test w/Unique.