retnavyshooter
US Veteran
Someone gave me a pound of Unique . I have never used this powder. Anyone have a good load for 9mm with 115gr plated bullets.
Thanks, Mick
Thanks, Mick
9MM and UNIQUE
- Thread starter retnavyshooter
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
gwpercle
Member
9 mm Luger - RCBS Manual #1
115 grain , plain base , cast lead or plated , RN or TC , sized - .357"
start load: 5.2 grs. Unique @ 1127 fps ( my pet 9mm load )
Maximum Load : 5.7 grs. Unique @ 1244 fps .
Unique works well in the 9mm Luger , do not light load ... 5.2 grs. develops enough pressure to burn completely and cleanly .
The 5.2 gr. Unique load is accurate and I discoved it by accident 40 + years ago ... I was trying to set powder measure to drop 5.0 ... but got it set on 5.2 grs . and decided to try it ... One ragged hole groups ...15 shots into 1 1/2" hole with 100% functioning (no failures to feed or eject ) and I was Happy-Happy !
Most 9mm lugers shoot this load well from the get go ... but do not reduce or some 9mm's will not give 100% functioning .
Hope this helps you ,
Load Safe
Gary
115 grain , plain base , cast lead or plated , RN or TC , sized - .357"
start load: 5.2 grs. Unique @ 1127 fps ( my pet 9mm load )
Maximum Load : 5.7 grs. Unique @ 1244 fps .
Unique works well in the 9mm Luger , do not light load ... 5.2 grs. develops enough pressure to burn completely and cleanly .
The 5.2 gr. Unique load is accurate and I discoved it by accident 40 + years ago ... I was trying to set powder measure to drop 5.0 ... but got it set on 5.2 grs . and decided to try it ... One ragged hole groups ...15 shots into 1 1/2" hole with 100% functioning (no failures to feed or eject ) and I was Happy-Happy !
Most 9mm lugers shoot this load well from the get go ... but do not reduce or some 9mm's will not give 100% functioning .
Hope this helps you ,
Load Safe
Gary
OP
retnavyshooter
US Veteran
Certified Cajun; Thanks for the info will give it a try. Could not find a load in my Lee Manual.
Mick
Mick
I have used Unique powder with a Xtreme 115 plated RN bullet in a 3.5" 9mm pistol.
My pistol feed rounds that were from 1.10" to a maximum of 1.14", with this bullet's length.
OAL can change the fps and pressure of a load, so use manual data.
My best starting load for feeding and accuracy, started at 5.0 grs of powder.
In my 3.5" barrel, 6.3 grs of Unique with the PRN bullet at 1.14", did 1263fps.
Reduce this maximum load with a JHP and work up, due to the shorter OAL, used for +P loads.
My pistol feed rounds that were from 1.10" to a maximum of 1.14", with this bullet's length.
OAL can change the fps and pressure of a load, so use manual data.
My best starting load for feeding and accuracy, started at 5.0 grs of powder.
In my 3.5" barrel, 6.3 grs of Unique with the PRN bullet at 1.14", did 1263fps.
Reduce this maximum load with a JHP and work up, due to the shorter OAL, used for +P loads.
My Lyman Reloading Handbooks have 9mm Unique loads (I do not post load data on forums, nor do I use any. 98% of my data comes from published reloading manuals with some powder manufacturer webpage data. Has worked quite well for me for over 40 years.). Alliant Powder - Reloader's Guide
Last edited:
STORMINORMAN
Member
It's called a "search" on the internet... Always a good idea to consider the source
Cheers!
P.S. Unfortunately, printed load data (so-called "published"?) also includes errors...
When you can't "find" anything it's a good idea to keep looking...
Alk8944
US Veteran
Just a suggestion, buy a REAL reloading manual! At the very least look at internet sources from the manufacturer of the propellant you want to use, in this case for Unique it will be Alliant. Here is a link to the Alliant Reloaders Guide data pages: Alliant Powder - Reloader's Guide
I own 20+reloading manuals and every one of them contains data for Unique with various bullets!
Last edited:
I agree with Alk8944, as good as the internet is for finding information, it's still hard to beat having some printed manuals. Besides, when the power goes out or the internet is down, those printed manuals still work as intended. I say the same thing about digital powder scales vs the old beam scales.
As for Unique in the 9x19mm, yes, it works and it can work quite well. It's not a powder that meters smoothly from many powder measures, especially with small charges, nor is it the cleanest burning powder, especially when loaded to well below maximum safe pressure, but it does work and it works across a huge number of handgun calibers. The key is to work up loads that are safe, reliable, and accurate in your handguns, not mine or anyone else's.
As for Unique in the 9x19mm, yes, it works and it can work quite well. It's not a powder that meters smoothly from many powder measures, especially with small charges, nor is it the cleanest burning powder, especially when loaded to well below maximum safe pressure, but it does work and it works across a huge number of handgun calibers. The key is to work up loads that are safe, reliable, and accurate in your handguns, not mine or anyone else's.
Model19man
Member
I don't have the Lee reloading manual but it must be pretty bad if it doesn't have 9MM data for Unique powder. Every other manual I have ever seen does.
I have noticed that 9mm data with Unique powder comes in all weights
fps and pressures.
If you do find data;
please notice what bullet is being used and the OAL, in their data.
Do to 9mm pressures, I very seldom load a round less than 1.10" in OAL.
Good loading.
fps and pressures.
If you do find data;
please notice what bullet is being used and the OAL, in their data.
Do to 9mm pressures, I very seldom load a round less than 1.10" in OAL.
Good loading.
GypsmJim
Member
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2009
- Messages
- 4,097
- Reaction score
- 7,216
Lots of good and bad info. You need to choose. Following is for 115 grain bullet and 9 mm Luger.
Lee Manual - indeed has data. 6.1 = 1185 fps.
Lyman #49 (my personal goto for everything) - 4.4= 996; 5.8 = max = 1233
1987 Hercules Manual (the old manufacturer) - 5.2 = 1210
Lee Manual - indeed has data. 6.1 = 1185 fps.
Lyman #49 (my personal goto for everything) - 4.4= 996; 5.8 = max = 1233
1987 Hercules Manual (the old manufacturer) - 5.2 = 1210
The Lyman #49 data of Unique at 4.4~ grs is a starting load.
Please note that not ALL pistols will cycle this load if the wrong spring is being used.
Use caution with both;
starting and maximum loads.
Last edited:
Just went to the range today with my Grand Daughter to shoot some 9mm and a few 357 magnums.
I don't know if I am getting older or just the lack of time to the indoor range, for a outting,
but my standard 9mm loads, seemed to have a little more recoil and noise, today, in "Our" pistols.
The 158 gr lead swc "Bear loads" seemed mellow in my 686 6" for my young lady. In fact she really enjoyed them.
I let her polish off a box of 38 special 158 lead swc, to learn the "Bounce"
of the barrel and weight of the revolver, to try to time her shots and get a feel
to lob shots into the poa area.
A great day in October for both of us.
Stay safe.
I don't know if I am getting older or just the lack of time to the indoor range, for a outting,
but my standard 9mm loads, seemed to have a little more recoil and noise, today, in "Our" pistols.
The 158 gr lead swc "Bear loads" seemed mellow in my 686 6" for my young lady. In fact she really enjoyed them.
I let her polish off a box of 38 special 158 lead swc, to learn the "Bounce"
of the barrel and weight of the revolver, to try to time her shots and get a feel
to lob shots into the poa area.
A great day in October for both of us.
Stay safe.
