OK to Use This "Hercules" Unique Powder?

[doc540]

Assuming it's been sealed and stored correctly, is "Hercules" Unique powder safe to reload with (even if it is "dirty")?

And can I use current Unique reload data for handgun practice ammo?

thnx

[Vulcan Bob]

If it smells ok (acrid sour smell if bad) and looks good why yes, yes it is. Use current data as well. Unique works and meters best when not used for lite loads. Medium and full house loads work best with it along with a firm crimp.

[Nevada Ed]

If it has never been open you might get more from it at an action. That is one of the golden oldies of the past.

You just have to deceide whats right................

[doc540]

Originally Posted by Vulcan Bob

If it smells ok (acrid sour smell if bad) and looks good why yes, yes it is. Use current data as well. Unique works and meters best when not used for lite loads. Medium and full house loads work best with it along with a firm crimp.

Thanks
Looks ok to me and has no detectible smell.

Local guy had it for sale, so I snagged it.

5lbs in a 4lb can

[harvester1]

I am working my way through a similar jug right now dated 1978.

[doc540]

Originally Posted by harvester1

I am working my way through a similar jug right now dated 1978.

Is this the "Unique" powder that got the reputation for being dirty?

[arjay]

The newer stuff is supposed to be cleaner,but I can't see any real difference.Maybe if we tested some old and new with jacketed bullets.

[kennyb]

its one of my favariot powders

[arjay]

It's been my most used powder except for whatever I was using for clay target loads way back when

Maybe 700x?

[max]

Why is there 5 pounds in a 4 pound can?

[Skip Sackett]

Originally Posted by max

Why is there 5 pounds in a 4 pound can?

A word to the wise: "NEVER buy a can of opened powder."

Some dufus' might have put a pound of something else on top of that 4lbs of Unique and that is why you got such a good deal on it!

Dump some of it out and post a picture of it. Something don't sound right!

[cjw3]

Originally Posted by arjay

The newer stuff is supposed to be cleaner,but I can't see any real difference.Maybe if we tested some old and new with jacketed bullets.

I can't either.

[gboling]

That old stuff will cause warts. Send it to me and I'll dispose of it.

[sps282]

You could always use it for fertilizer!

[125JHP]

I tested a few 250 LSWC 44 mag made with 7.5gr across the chrono. One batch was loaded with circa 1970 Unique and the other was from a brand new bottle. The difference was 55fps average with the older stuff being the slower of course. I have had similar results with tests of Herco and AA-5 from the 80's.

[doc540]

Originally Posted by Skip Sackett

A word to the wise: "NEVER buy a can of opened powder."

Some dufus' might have put a pound of something else on top of that 4lbs of Unique and that is why you got such a good deal on it!

Dump some of it out and post a picture of it. Something don't sound right!

He had a pound left in another can, so he added it to the 4lb can.

Looks the same as my new Unique.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...g/IMAG0875.jpg

[Skip Sackett]

Originally Posted by doc540

He had a pound left in another can, so he added it to the 4lb can.

Looks the same as my new Unique.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...g/IMAG0875.jpg

Okay, but, listen.......Mixing lots of the same KIND of powder CAN be just as dangerous as mixing powders. There is the lot code on the side, never mix ones that don't match. If you buy 1lb containers from the same place and around the same time, there is a good possibility that they are from the same lot and can be combined with no problem.

This is just as a word of caution, not scolding, be careful in the future about open containers of powder......

[doc540]

Originally Posted by Skip Sackett

Okay, but, listen.......Mixing lots of the same KIND of powder CAN be just as dangerous as mixing powders. There is the lot code on the side, never mix ones that don't match. If you buy 1lb containers from the same place and around the same time, there is a good possibility that they are from the same lot and can be combined with no problem.

This is just as a word of caution, not scolding, be careful in the future about open containers of powder......

I appreciate the sage advice.

Don't want to hurt my mitts or my Smiths

[blujax01]

There's a bar code on the label so it can't be that old.

Wait a minute - the 1980's does make it old, don't it?

Aw Hell - never mind....

[JohnK]

Old ?

Shoot, most of my hoard of Hercules powder, is still in the square, metal cans.

I consider it just fine.

[jtcarm]

Originally Posted by doc540

He had a pound left in another can, so he added it to the 4lb can.

Looks the same as my new Unique.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...g/IMAG0875.jpg

Danger Will Robinson

Mixing lot's of Unique is probably not real dangerous as long as you stay away from max loads, but how do you know for sure it's Unique he mixed in!

To someone else's about it being dirty: so what?

[doc540]

I'm pretty much loading .44 Special loads in .44 Mag brass.

And I watched him pour from one Unique can to the other.

We're good to go.

[rwsmith]

It's a kind of dirty that's easy to clean up. 'Ashy' I guess is a good term for it.

[Nevada Ed]

If a powder has good tight "Groups"..................

I don't care how DIRTY it is !!

You did good, Pilgrim.

[JenniferG]

I used that Unique in my 45acp loads with 230gr FMJ and JHP. My old shooting partner used it in his 38 special loads.