Unique Powder

[jimmyj]

Hi:
I find it difficult to get good metering with Unique Powder in a Ideal #55 Powder Measure ?

Opinions ?

Thanks,
Jimmy

 

[federali]

There are many powder measures available but they all operate pretty much the same way. I use Unique in my Dillon measure without issues. But then, I used to load quite a bit of rifle ammo with IMR 4350 powder on an RCBS Rockchucker and a Lyman powder measure. Once you've loaded 4350, pistol powders feel like you forgot to add powder to the measure.

Forgot to mention that it's always a good idea to settle the powder in the measure by re-cycling the first few throws before charging the cases. You'll get more uniform throws and it's easier to get the charge right using a powder scale.

 

[Eddietruett]

Unique does not meter well in my Dillon 650 so I've switched to Universal. Meters better, the load date is almost identical and to me it seems to shoot a little cleaner.

 

[Peak53]

I don't understand the drama with Unique. I load it and 4350 (30.06) in Lee measures with no issue. Of course, with the rifle powder I measure a bit low and trickle up. The trick with Unique is to (to me) eliminate the mythical bridging with a repeatable tap. Anywhere from 4.0 to 10.0 grains is reliable.

 

[arjay]

I've used it for years in an RCBS and rapped it twice with the handle up and again with it down.It was pretty consistent.Then I made a baffle for it and just work the handle now-works great

 

[rck281]

Rap the measure a couple of times to settle the powder. Then discard the first two throws. See if that helps.

 

[derek45auto]

My dillon powder measures are polished

Unique works well in my 550b and XL650

 

[BC38]

I've heard of people mounting an aquarium air pump on the side of their measure to act as a vibrator to get the powder to settle and flow evenly. Never tried it but others seemed pleased with the results.

 

[Benchrest1]

A while back I got a Harrell's Precision pistol powder measure. This thing will throw a perfect charge every time. It wasn't cheap, but will last a lifetime.

 

[6string]

Another option with Unique powder is to use one of the Lee Powder Measure Scoops, (aka Lee Powder Measure Kit). This is a set of the little yellow scoops that you find in the old Lee Loaders.

Decidedly a low-tech approach, they are fast (OK, maybe not progressive press fast) and have good repeatable accuracy, if you're consistent in your technique.

The 1.0cc scoop is one of my old favorites for throwing just the right charge of Unique for 44 Magnum or 45 Colt under a 250 gr. SWC.

Jim

 

[Regaj]

Unique certainly has more of a propensity to 'hang' frequently on the downstroke than finer powders, requiring you to dump the case and do it over. But that minor aggravation is more than made up for by the powder's strengths. It certainly isn't anything like an extruded rifle powder which requires trickling.

As others have mentioned, dump the first couple of charges. Then, tap the lever against its stop on the upstroke, and again on the downstroke. You ought to be able to get it to work for you.

One of the benefits of an RCBS ChargeMaster is that it eliminates such hassles. It's a tiny bit slower than throwing charges with a powder measure, but it weighs every charge. No more "was that bit of hang on the last downstroke hard enough that I should dump this charge" decisions.

If nothing else works, Win 231 is an able substitute, and it meters much more easily.

 

[scooter123]

As someone trained in the application of Statistical Process Controls many many years ago with any new powder I run a Capability Study on the metering properties of any powder I use. The Standard Deviation for Unique and Longshot in my RCBS Competition powder measure is 0.17 grains. Multiply that by 3 and you have the 6 Sigma range, which is +/- 0.5 grains. For me that is unacceptable for a Handgun load so I ALWAYS trickle EVERY SINGLE CHARGE when loading handgun with either of these powders. As you might imagine this is inconvenient enough that I don't use either very often for Handgun loads. My goto powders for Handgun loads were chosen based on their metering properties. For 38 special my choice is Vihtavouri 3N37 which meters superbly and is not measurably Position Sensitive. For Semi Auto calibers featuring smaller case capacities I use a powder that is a bit Position Sensitive but which also meters superbly, that being IMR SR7625. Unfortunately 7625 was discontinued several years back but I still have a good stock of this powder and when it runs out I will probably start using one of the Accurate Handgun powders such as #2 or #5.

BTW, if you are interested in shotgun shooting Unique is nearly ideal for Target 20 gage loads and with the much larger charge volume used the poor metering properties aren't significant. So, dont trade away your Unique, just use it in the application it was originally developed for. BTW, Longshot is also a Shotgun Powder but it's mainly used in rather powerful 12 gage Goose loads.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I started loading on a borrowed Lyman Spar-T press, a No. 55 measure, and a 5-0-5 Lyman/Ohas scale. I didn't know this was about as good as you could get in the 70's! I've bought lot of scales and powder drops over the years, some used, some new, and there is a marked difference!

If you use a Lyman No. 55 and any flake powder. especially with small charges of powder. There is a small metal object that is hinged to the front of the measure; Lyman calls it a "Hammer". It is flipped once or twice vigorously when the lever is up and again when the lever is down. This settles the powder when filling the charge and gets the last flakes out when empting the charge. This is the only way to get consistent loads on small cases like 32 Short and 25 ACP.

Also you must be patient, and not plan on 500 rounds an hour!

The Lyman No. 55 is sold in a couple configurations nowdays. A normal Smokeless version and a non-sparking Black Powder Version (which comes with a long drop tube, that is almost worthless). Spend the extra 5 or 10% and get the Black Powder version (buy once , cry once!) You will never need another powder drop.

The latest one I own is black hammer tone . They were orange for a while in the 80's and were grey before that. The No.55 is an updated version of the No. 50. The difference being the No. 50 was all cast iron, including the hopper! The No.55 has a glass/plastic/Lexan see thru hopper. The metering portion and the Hammer are the same (and the parts are interchangeable!). in the early 1900's, Harry Pope (of Pope Bullet fame) set many records that still stand with a No. 50 and H4227!

Ivan

 

[rockquarry]

I couldn't imagine resorting to air pumps and other gimmick fixes to make powder flow better. We currently have an incredible number of available powders. Many of these will ballistically duplicate others. A bit of experimentation will help locate one or more of these powders that will do everything Unique will, yet will go through a measure with consistency.

 

[shocker]

I will probably start using one of the Accurate Handgun powders such as #2 or #5.

This. Ball powders are just too easy. I haven't bought a stick or flake powder in years for either handgun or rifle cartridges.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Another option with Unique powder is to use one of the Lee Powder Measure Scoops, (aka Lee Powder Measure Kit). This is a set of the little yellow scoops that you find in the old Lee Loaders.

Decidedly a low-tech approach, they are fast (OK, maybe not progressive press fast) and have good repeatable accuracy, if you're consistent in your technique.

The 1.0cc scoop is one of my old favorites for throwing just the right charge of Unique for 44 Magnum or 45 Colt under a 250 gr. SWC.

Jim

If you ever scale weigh those scoop charges you'll throw those VERY far away.

 

[cowboy4evr]

The scoops are just as accurate as the person using them . They are a fixed volume . The variation comes from the person using them . I have 2 sets of scoops , the older red ones and the newer yellow one . Have used them for many many years with complete satisfaction .
I have the " LEE perfect powder measure " . It measures the flake powders just fine and no seepage (like with ball powders ) . I do tap the side of the drum twice each time to insure consistency . It might not be necessary , but it's the way I do it . It is not an expensive powder measure and I will keep one on my bench . Hope this helps , Paul

 

[mikld]

There are so many "types/shapes" of powders that one powder measure to work 100% accurately is very rare. The main thing in using a powder measure is consistency. Preform every throw exactly like the previous throw (same speed, same "throw length", same bumps, same position of yer tongue). Even humidity can affect powder charge weights.

The same tactic is used when using dippers; consistency. When I'm on a roll I can keep my dipper charges about the same as my powder measure charges. Some can't get the methods down for using dippers as there are different "styles" that can vary the powder charge (bottom first, bottom first and strike with a straight edge, mouth first, mouth first twice, depth of powder dish, etc.) and some don't try as dippers aren't "sophisticated" enough...

 

[tndrfttom]

Hi:
I find it difficult to get good metering with Unique Powder in a Ideal #55 Powder Measure ?

Opinions ?

Thanks,
Jimmy

In my experience it depends on the workmanship/quality of the fit of the drum inside the frame/hopper. I had an old (1960s/70s) Lyman #55 measure that was very smooth and threw accurate charges of Unique. The hole that the drum rotates in was bored and finished very smoothly which resulted in a close fit.

Years later I had another #55 that fake powder would get between the frame/hopper and bind the drum - charges thrown were undependable. The fit between the drum and the frame was sloppy and there were lots of tool marks - powder would get get gummed up in the machine marks and had to be brushed out with a stiff brush to get the drum to turn smoothly again. It was such a problem that I couldnt get through 50 cartridges without taking apart the measure to clean it.

I kept the #55 for a while but only used it for extruded stick powder and ball powder. Now I use a RCBS measure.

 

[gwpercle]

I've used it for years in an RCBS and rapped it twice with the handle up and again with it down.It was pretty consistent.Then I made a baffle for it and just work the handle now-works great

Do it just like arjay states , two taps up and two taps down and keep the hopper level at least half way filled.

All of this tapping fills the measure cavity and settles the powder in the cavity. It works better than the little "knocker" on the #55 .

Sit down and practice throwing charges, use the same amount of force on the upstroke taps and the down stroke taps , consistent taps , consistent handle operations and strokes. Do not operate the measure too quickly.

Big tip with the #55 , adjust the slides to give a narrow and deep opening ....not a shallow wide opening. The narrow deep opening gives more consistent charges .

After getting a deep & narrow opening set , then just sit and practice , consistent handle speed and consistent handle force along with two taps (you can do three , I started out doing 4) but two up and down works just fine....experiment and weigh your drops to get consistent.
I been using Unique and a #55 since 1967 and no longer have any problems using the above methods.
Gary