Shooter6br
Member
AKA "Flaming dirt"
But works well. i use Universal when i can find it.
But works well. i use Universal when i can find it.
Unique "smokeless powder" yeah right
- Thread starter Doug.38PR
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Maximumbob54
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tgd31968
Member
Other than the fact that it doesn't meter that great in my Dillon press, it works fine for me.
I get variation of -0.1 to +0.2 sometimes +0.3 grains and allow for that in my charge selection, but at the distances I shoot, 15-25 yards most of the time, I get great accuracy in 38 spl and 45 ACP.
It is a little smoky, but so what? I have considered going to 231 for metering reasons, but I have so much unique it won't be for a LONG time.
I get variation of -0.1 to +0.2 sometimes +0.3 grains and allow for that in my charge selection, but at the distances I shoot, 15-25 yards most of the time, I get great accuracy in 38 spl and 45 ACP.
It is a little smoky, but so what? I have considered going to 231 for metering reasons, but I have so much unique it won't be for a LONG time.
Well I hate Blue Dot! So there
Finally used up the last of a 1lb container.
Finally used up the last of a 1lb container.
I am currently loading 9mm with unique and there is no smoke what-so-ever, and excellent accuracy, and since it fills the case there is no chance of a double charge. 2400, and your other powder will not work at all for 9mm. So each powder has its correct application.
venomballistics
Member
Well I hate Blue Dot! So there
Finally used up the last of a 1lb container.
Huh ... whats wrong with blue dot?
Ive got some excellent cast 30-06 loads burning this stuff, between that and 12G buckshot and slugs I go though it like water
I don't know. I felt like hating something.
I don't like Unique either, only because of it's metering but I still use it.It's OK for full magnums, might be good for shotguns as you say but I don't load them. Spits out unburned particles in handgun loads.
venomballistics
Member
I don't know. I felt like hating something.
It's OK for full magnums, might be good for shotguns as you say but I don't load them. Spits out unburned particles in handgun loads.
yeah its at its best in heavy scattergun loads for sure, I never found a good place for blue dot in magnums as either unique or 2400 delivered the results I was looking for, so Ill give you that.
I was rather amazed to see it perform so admirably in the 06 lead project though.
Skip Sackett
US Veteran
For those that don't think that Unique CAN cause smoke, just look at these loads:
(Click to watch)
Blame it on the Unique if you want. It is what was causing the "burning" in these 9mm cartridges. Now, as far as the smoke, it was NOT what was causing that. What caused the smoke was too small of a bullet, too soft of a lube, and too light of a load in the WRONG gun. (I dearly loved that Sig P226 though!) Never could get that gun to shoot lead worth a hoot.
Earl, I didn't step out from behind the cloud, but it could have been quite possible that I might have shot better had I done that!
(Click to watch)
Blame it on the Unique if you want. It is what was causing the "burning" in these 9mm cartridges. Now, as far as the smoke, it was NOT what was causing that. What caused the smoke was too small of a bullet, too soft of a lube, and too light of a load in the WRONG gun. (I dearly loved that Sig P226 though!) Never could get that gun to shoot lead worth a hoot.
Earl, I didn't step out from behind the cloud, but it could have been quite possible that I might have shot better had I done that!
Located in the Ballistics Laboratory of Alliant Powder is a jug of water which contains a batch of Unique powder that was produced in 1899. Periodically, a small sample is withdrawn, dried and test fired. After 102 years, it still meets the current specifications for Unique.
One of the first "smokeless" powders available. How amazing is it that it is still the preferred powder for tens of thousands of reloaders! I think one of the reasons it is used across a broad spectrum of calibers and loads is that it has been tested for those 100 years in just about everything that shoots.
Too bad that some of the more modern powders have very limited published loads available. I don't think powder companies are willing to do the extensive testing that is required. Clays, E-3, and many other clean burning powders might be just as efficient if the right load research could be done by the manufacturers. Better them than risking blowing up your prized revolver for the sake of research.
One of the first "smokeless" powders available. How amazing is it that it is still the preferred powder for tens of thousands of reloaders! I think one of the reasons it is used across a broad spectrum of calibers and loads is that it has been tested for those 100 years in just about everything that shoots.
Too bad that some of the more modern powders have very limited published loads available. I don't think powder companies are willing to do the extensive testing that is required. Clays, E-3, and many other clean burning powders might be just as efficient if the right load research could be done by the manufacturers. Better them than risking blowing up your prized revolver for the sake of research.
Hobie1
Member
Like, ow my gaaash, this powder, like, really suuucks. I mean, like, really this is just, like, really dirty powder. Couldn't they, like, make a powder that, like, didn't, like pollute the air and dirty my, like, gun so much? I mean the, like, second hand ssmowke is, like, dangerous. This should be a, like, smoke-free powder.
OMG Becky, it's like so tubular....Hobie
venomballistics
Member
man if only there were a universal receiver test barrels and equipment priced for the common man.
Hook686
US Veteran
I try to keep it simple. I only have Unique and 2400 for .357 magnum, .44 magnum, .30 Carbine and 9mm. I cannot confuse the two powders and this simplifies my reloading experience. As others have said Unique is a vesatile powder. I use it for light magnum loadings, both the .357 and the .44.
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I'm in another camp. I feel since reloading is about making the most accurate ammo possible there's no reason not to use the powder best suited for the caliber instead of settling on only 2 powders. I understand those who do but it's not for me...
Skip Sackett
US Veteran
I am in another camp altogether! Yeah, you know!
Be that as it may, as a reloader, I want ammo, and lots of it that is adequately accurate. Something that can be mass produced and in a short amount of time. That will make the powder selection for you most of the time.
As a handloader though, I want the most accurate or my special ammo that is not available any other way, case in point: .358 WSSM. You cannot even buy that ammo. When I make it, I don't care if the powder is hard to measure because I am going to weigh each charge on a scale.
So, it kind of depends on what you are going to do with your ammo to. At times, that makes the powder selection for you.
FWIW
Be that as it may, as a reloader, I want ammo, and lots of it that is adequately accurate. Something that can be mass produced and in a short amount of time. That will make the powder selection for you most of the time.
As a handloader though, I want the most accurate or my special ammo that is not available any other way, case in point: .358 WSSM. You cannot even buy that ammo. When I make it, I don't care if the powder is hard to measure because I am going to weigh each charge on a scale.
So, it kind of depends on what you are going to do with your ammo to. At times, that makes the powder selection for you.
FWIW
Curt Blunt
Member
The other day I was loading 148 HBWC's in 357 mag cases with 3.5 grains of Red Dot. I wasn't till I had finished that I realized that I was looking at my four pound canister of Unigue, not my one pounder of Red Dot. Talk about brain fahrt!
Anyway, I took them to the range last night and I wasn't even aware of any smoke even at the reduced pressure. I think the smoke (and greasy film on the gun) people complain about is from the bullet lubricant. Just my experience.
Anyway, I took them to the range last night and I wasn't even aware of any smoke even at the reduced pressure. I think the smoke (and greasy film on the gun) people complain about is from the bullet lubricant. Just my experience.
M&P 15 Al
Member
I also find Unique dirty. It's a little better if you load on the hotter side. I only use it when I load hot rounds. Not too hot on the scale but hotter then I would load with W231. I also hated it at first because it didn't meter well at all for me.
Waldo
Member
I shot 50 rounds of .45ACP today. 230 grain lead round nose bullet. 6 grains of Unique. I did not notice any smoke. I use Unique in .357 mag., .44 Special,.45 Colt and .45 ACP and Auto Rim. I am very happy with it. I have never had a problem with smoke.
Jack Flash
Member
One thing I have not seen explicitly addressed in this thread:
Has anybody compared the "new improved" Unique to the older Unique? Is there that much difference?
In fact, is everyone talking about the same Unique, or are some comments about one and some comments about the other?
I have a can of the old stuff I'm trying to use up and an unopened can of the new stuff. I never thought the old stuff was all that dirty, especially if a good crimp is applied to each round.
Has anybody compared the "new improved" Unique to the older Unique? Is there that much difference?
In fact, is everyone talking about the same Unique, or are some comments about one and some comments about the other?
I have a can of the old stuff I'm trying to use up and an unopened can of the new stuff. I never thought the old stuff was all that dirty, especially if a good crimp is applied to each round.
