44 mag load with Unique

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anothergunnut2

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Asked this question on another forum but didn't get the kind of answers I was looking for so I will rephrase it here. I am looking for load data for 240 gr bullets using Unique in a 44 mag. My Lyman 49th edition shows a starting load of 10.0 and a max load of 11.7 grains. The Alliant website shows a max of 10.3 grains. Before checking the Alliant website I had tried up to 11.4 grains in my Model 29 with no pressure problems noted. What do other manuals show or what is other people's personal experience with Unique in the 44 mag? Thanks
 
My Alliant book from 1988 shows 11.8 gr Unique for a 240gr lead bullet as max.

For a 240 gr jacketed it shows 10.3 gr Unique

as max load

edit to add:

My 1978 Lyman book shows even stouter loads than these for both bullets.
 
Among the many reasons for different data from different sources is the difference in components as well as firearms used. For example Alliant lists the maximum charge of Unique with a cast bullet at 7 gr. Oregon Trail, which casts a harder bullet, lists a starting load of 10.8 and a maximum of 11.7 gr. In addition to the harder bullet, OTB tested the load in a Ruger Super Red Hawk. In my M29-2 I used a charge of 10 grains of Unique under an Oregon Trail 240 gr LCSWC and measured velocity at 1180 fps @ 10 feet.

The differences are even more significant if you look at some of the older manuals like Speer No. 8 which was printed before we became such a litigious society.

I hope that helps,

Frank
 
What bullet?240 grains is the weight but is it swaged,cast or jacketed?Naming the specific bullet is preferable(brand,mold number,etc)Also,what will it be used for(light plinking,etc)?
 
I think Unique makes a good stand-in propellant for decent full power .44 Magnum loads if it is all that is available to the hand loader but there are several other powders that will achieve significantly higher velocities, even at less than maximum charges. These propellants being: 2400, H 110, and Win 296.

My notes show that I have experimented with up to 12.0 grains of Unique with the Sierra 240 grain JHP in my Model 29 with 8 3/8-inch barrel. The load clocked 1246 fps from the long barrel with an extreme spread of 32 fps. Extraction was normal but primers were somewhat flattened.

A far better use for Unique in my long barreled Model 29 is 8.0 grains under a 245 grain lead SWC bullet. This very pleasant shooting load travels 949 fps, with an extreme spread of 39 fps and gives wonderful accuracy.
 
The bullet is from Bear Creek Supply. It is a 240 gr lead round nose that is moly coated. The intended application is for range shooting when I want a little more oomph behind the bullet. I know there are better powder choices (I'll have to get some 2400) but Unique is the most appropriate of what I have on hand. I normally shoot a lighter bullet with a light charge of Bullseye but some times I'm just looking for fun. Also, I just purchased a 629 power port with heavier loads in mind. I wanted to make sure I wasn't crazy for trying 11.4 grains of Unique but you guys have confirmed that it is a reasonable load.
 
I use Unique extensively in .44 magnum but I very seldom load for maximum velocity. Somebody wiser than me (Mel Tappan?) once observed, "If you are loading maximum handloads for your pistol, what you need is a larger caliber pistol".

10.0 grains with a 240 grain cast SWC will give around 1100 fps in most of my revolvers.
 
Originally posted by David LaPell:
My everyday .44 Magnum load is 250 grain casr #429421 bullet over 10.0 grains of Unique. Out of my 4-inch barreled M29-2 I average about 1050-1065 fps.
Click to expand...

This is my everyday load for my Smiths also, hits plenty hard, and will not shoot your old smith & wessons loose. Been shooting the same load for years without problems. For anything heavier that that I use my Rugers.
 
Thanks all for the responses. I loaded up a few rounds in 9.1, 10.1, 10.8 and 11.4 grains of Unique. I will give them a try as soon as I pick up my new 629. Perhaps when the powder situation is not so bad,I can pick up some 2400.
 
I used to load the 240 grain Hornady XTP bullet ahead of 12.0 Unique. It was an accurate load, and did 1200 FPS through the chronograph. If I still shot mag power loads, that would be it. Standard large Pistol primers, BTW.
 
bmcgilvray
Click to expand...
I think Unique makes a good stand-in propellant for decent full power .44 Magnum loads if it is all that is available to the hand loader but there are several other powders that will achieve significantly higher velocities, even at less than maximum charges. These propellants being: 2400, H 110, and Win 296.
Click to expand...

One footnote on H110 and 296, you really don't want to go below 3% of max load.

Mark
 
Originally posted by bmcgilvray:
If that was 97% I'd entertain your cautionary advice.
Click to expand...
icon_biggrin.gif
Well-put, Bryan!
 
I just checked my Lyman No 49 and I'm surprised at the 10.0 starting load for Unique with the 240gr cast bullet.

As others have stated, I use 8.5 gr Unique (old) with a 240gr cast bullet for a nice medium load. I forget which manuals has this load, maybe a Hornady.
 
Originally posted by R. Walter:
I just checked my Lyman No 49 and I'm surprised at the 10.0 starting load for Unique with the 240gr cast bullet.

As others have stated, I use 8.5 gr Unique (old) with a 240gr cast bullet for a nice medium load. I forget which manuals has this load, maybe a Hornady.
Click to expand...

The Hornady 7th Edition lists a starting load of 5.7 gr of unique and a maximum of 7.6 (1,000 fps). As was mentioned before, all of these are different due to differences in the bullets used. The Lyman starting load of 10.0 gr of Unique is based on a cast bullet made using Linotype which is harder than the swagged lead bullet used in the Hornady example.

I hope that helps,

Frank
 
Originally posted by FrankD45:
Originally posted by R. Walter:
I just checked my Lyman No 49 and I'm surprised at the 10.0 starting load for Unique with the 240gr cast bullet.

As others have stated, I use 8.5 gr Unique (old) with a 240gr cast bullet for a nice medium load. I forget which manuals has this load, maybe a Hornady.
Click to expand...

The Hornady 7th Edition lists a starting load of 5.7 gr of unique and a maximum of 7.6 (1,000 fps). As was mentioned before, all of these are different due to differences in the bullets used. The Lyman starting load of 10.0 gr of Unique is based on a cast bullet made using Linotype which is harder than the swagged lead bullet used in the Hornady example.

I hope that helps,

Frank
Click to expand...

Only in the last few years have I begun to cast my own lead bullets. I'm never very sure of the actual hardness. I do know the 8.5gr of Unique works really nice for a mid range load on the 240gr LSWC bullets that I do cast, what I call my Gila cast bullets.
 
I tried 7 grains of Unique with 240 gr swc bullets. They got out of the barrel and were very pleasant to shoot, but shot high. I suppose I'll bump that up to 8 or 8.5 grains and try again. To my surprise, this was a very clean load. In the 38 Special, Unique leaves a dirty, sooty mess.
 
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