Many years of Unique with a Lee disc measure and never a problem with accuracy.
Best metering powders for pistol
- Thread starter millrite
- Start date
Maximumbob54
Member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2010
- Messages
- 7,202
- Reaction score
- 1,928
Unique has made my only squib loads and my only double charged loads. Both were obvious (thank goodness) but I have been able to duplicate them both in powder measures from Lee, RCBS, and Lyman.
Win 231 / HP-38 flow like water in all of the above units.
Win 231 / HP-38 flow like water in all of the above units.
AABEN
Member
231 for 38S 9MM 32 380 45 Then Accurate #7 for 41M 44M 357
jimkim
Member
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2009
- Messages
- 121
- Reaction score
- 12
Yes, yes and yes. Bullseye meters real well also.
Where is the darn LIKE button?
When you find it let me know. AA#7 handles 38 spec,357 mag,9mm, 40 S&W, 44 Spec, 44 magnum, and 45 acp for me. It meters like nothing else I've encountered.
I've been meaning to try Power Pistol and it must be very popular because the LGS is usually sold out!
"To clarify the issue, I am loading for.... "
Please excuse my rudeness, I just feel there are enough variables in reloading with out adding assumptions and misunderstandings.
Mill, I can relate to your frustration with Unique, perhaps if I only had a dipper to measure powder and didn't have scale I would be happy with it.
I have a Redding model 3 powder throw with the micro-pistol meter, I have trouble metering large flake powders with it.
I have tried AA#5 which works well in warm loaded .38 spl, .44spl and .45 acp. But I can do all this with W-231. AA#5 is dense and not a good case filler. I have used AA#5 for down loaded .357 mag and .44 mag and it worked well, but I normally use AA#9 or 2400 for these cartridges.
I have been thinking of trying Universal, it's density and charge weights are similar to Unique and it is said to meter well.http://www.tacticoolproducts.com/powder.pdf
My other thought for a medium burn handgun power are VV N340.
Good luck
Please excuse my rudeness, I just feel there are enough variables in reloading with out adding assumptions and misunderstandings.
Mill, I can relate to your frustration with Unique, perhaps if I only had a dipper to measure powder and didn't have scale I would be happy with it.
I have a Redding model 3 powder throw with the micro-pistol meter, I have trouble metering large flake powders with it.
I have tried AA#5 which works well in warm loaded .38 spl, .44spl and .45 acp. But I can do all this with W-231. AA#5 is dense and not a good case filler. I have used AA#5 for down loaded .357 mag and .44 mag and it worked well, but I normally use AA#9 or 2400 for these cartridges.
I have been thinking of trying Universal, it's density and charge weights are similar to Unique and it is said to meter well.http://www.tacticoolproducts.com/powder.pdf
My other thought for a medium burn handgun power are VV N340.
Good luck
Maximumbob54
Member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2010
- Messages
- 7,202
- Reaction score
- 1,928
And I guess for a hundred and ten years consumers have been showing how stubborn they can be by continuing to buy this large flake binding bogging powder. I tried loading some 9mm Mak last night and thought I would use my Hornady LNL Autocharge to measure out some Unique instead of me having to hand measure it into the 505 scale. I'm trying to do a T/E on a new bullet mold and want to make sure the load data is very strictly adhered to and low and behold... The Autocharge would get it right to the end... Try to get that last little bit... and then
DUMP!!!
A large glob would fall out... I swear that once I use this last pound I will never buy this stuff again.
You guys are making me want to try AA#7 though.
DUMP!!!
A large glob would fall out... I swear that once I use this last pound I will never buy this stuff again.
You guys are making me want to try AA#7 though.
"I tried loading some 9mm Mak last night "
"You guys are making me want to try AA#7 though. "
AA#7 maybe to slow for 9x18 Mak ?, because of the blow back action.
I have had good results with Bullseye, W-231 and AA#5,
"You guys are making me want to try AA#7 though. "
AA#7 maybe to slow for 9x18 Mak ?, because of the blow back action.
I have had good results with Bullseye, W-231 and AA#5,
ChuckS1
US Veteran
When I meter Unique, I make sure my RCBS Uniflow has the baffle in it and I keep it at least 2/3 full, plus trying to be consistent on how I work the lever. Those three things will keep me +/- 1/10th of grain.
what is the baffle ? I don't think my rcbs powder measure has one. It is about 30 years old though.
jimkim
Member
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2009
- Messages
- 121
- Reaction score
- 12
A powder baffle fits in the bottom of the reservoir and helps equalize the pressure in the cavity.
Lyman Powder Baffle - Sinclair Intl
Redding powder measure baffel - Sinclair Intl
Uniflow Powder Measure Powder Baffle
They aren't that hard to make.
Moe Mentum
Member
There is nothing wrong with Unique, it just doesn't get along with powder measures. Most flake powders don't. Use a ball or spherical powder in your powder measure and your good to go....If you want to use Unique or any of the dot powders use a Lee dipper and a scale.
Knock on it.....
When your powder measure is in the 'fill' position, knock with the handle a couple of times, just do it consistently when you find what works best.
And I use the dipper and scale and trickler a lot. Practice makes it go faster.
When your powder measure is in the 'fill' position, knock with the handle a couple of times, just do it consistently when you find what works best.
And I use the dipper and scale and trickler a lot. Practice makes it go faster.
Last edited:
Collo Rosso
Member
I try to avoid the whole "will it meter" thing and just buy ball/spherical powders. Reloading is hard enough with ADD without watching throw weights go up and down.
I hear such good things about AA#5 I would like to try it for .45 hardball loads. Bullseye meters well, but is not case filling. Green Dot is case filling but meters terribly.
I think you will find that case filling powders are either very large flakes (meters poorly) or slow and requiring more powder, which is inefficient if you are not going for top velocity.
I think you will find that case filling powders are either very large flakes (meters poorly) or slow and requiring more powder, which is inefficient if you are not going for top velocity.
I prefer WSF for metering perfectly with a burn rate very close to Unique. A commercial reloader shared a number of his loads and discussed WSF vs Unique. After trying WSF I am a convert.
The best luck I have had with Unique was using the RCBS little dandy. The fixed rotor drums never changed or dumped inappropriate charges.
To the original question- what powder will work well and meter well for light charges in the cartridges listed?
Winchester 231, WST, WSF would all work well with the disclaimer that some of the loads will not be found in XYZ loading manual. (of course there are several new powders out that are not in manuals either..and people are getting great results with them..)
VVn320, 330 or 340 would work well too.
The greater question is which powders can you easily obtain and work with. Powder availability seems to vary more from state to state than S&W prices..Hope this helps
The best luck I have had with Unique was using the RCBS little dandy. The fixed rotor drums never changed or dumped inappropriate charges.
To the original question- what powder will work well and meter well for light charges in the cartridges listed?
Winchester 231, WST, WSF would all work well with the disclaimer that some of the loads will not be found in XYZ loading manual. (of course there are several new powders out that are not in manuals either..and people are getting great results with them..)
VVn320, 330 or 340 would work well too.
The greater question is which powders can you easily obtain and work with. Powder availability seems to vary more from state to state than S&W prices..Hope this helps
scooter123
Member
Powders that meter superbly.
1) Any of the Accurate Handgun powders, as in #2, #5, #7, and #9. If you can't find a suitable burn rate among those 4 you aren't loading a handgun.
2) IMR SR7625, a great choice for reduced recoil range loads. The one negative is that it's extremely position sensitive in the revolver calibers. However, it works great in 9mm, 40 S&W, and 45 ACP.
3) Vihtavouri 3N37. It's what I use in place of SR7625 in 38 special and a 6.7 grain charge will produce 800 fps from a 6 inch revolver with a 125 grain plated bullet. Based on what I've read the N320, N340, and N350 should also meter superbly.
4) Hodgdon H110. It is simply a FANTASTIC powder for full power 357 Magnums featuring a 140 grain or heavier bullet. The only potential downside is that it can be flashy and a real boomer out of a shorter barreled revolver. The upside is with a 6 inch revolver or any rifle it is a powder that produces excellent accuracy.
5) Hodgdon CFE Pistol. I recently picked up a few pounds for my reserve/new trials. Looking at the granule size and shape it's very similar to SR7625, so I expect it will meter superbly. However I haven't tried it out yet so there is a remote chance I could be wrong about the metering and the following is speculation. As for uses, looking at the load data it seems to be a bit or a tweener that falls in the Accurate #5 to Accurate #7 range. As a result it should be good for near full power loads from any of the major semi calibers, and the 38 and 44 specials. For a Magnum caliber it's a bit fast so it should work best with a light for the caliber bullet and should work fairly well out of a 3-4 inch barrel.
PS; those who are seeing "only" a 1/10 grain variation with Unique in a small sampling really should do some reading up on Statistics. I use an RCBS Competition and I've done a 50 piece Capability Study on Unique. Based on the results 93% of the thrown charges will be within 1/10 grain, 5% will exceed 2/10 grain, and 2% will have a variation up to 4/10 grain. IMO a 4/10 grain variation isn't acceptable even if it's only 2 out of 100.
1) Any of the Accurate Handgun powders, as in #2, #5, #7, and #9. If you can't find a suitable burn rate among those 4 you aren't loading a handgun.
2) IMR SR7625, a great choice for reduced recoil range loads. The one negative is that it's extremely position sensitive in the revolver calibers. However, it works great in 9mm, 40 S&W, and 45 ACP.
3) Vihtavouri 3N37. It's what I use in place of SR7625 in 38 special and a 6.7 grain charge will produce 800 fps from a 6 inch revolver with a 125 grain plated bullet. Based on what I've read the N320, N340, and N350 should also meter superbly.
4) Hodgdon H110. It is simply a FANTASTIC powder for full power 357 Magnums featuring a 140 grain or heavier bullet. The only potential downside is that it can be flashy and a real boomer out of a shorter barreled revolver. The upside is with a 6 inch revolver or any rifle it is a powder that produces excellent accuracy.
5) Hodgdon CFE Pistol. I recently picked up a few pounds for my reserve/new trials. Looking at the granule size and shape it's very similar to SR7625, so I expect it will meter superbly. However I haven't tried it out yet so there is a remote chance I could be wrong about the metering and the following is speculation. As for uses, looking at the load data it seems to be a bit or a tweener that falls in the Accurate #5 to Accurate #7 range. As a result it should be good for near full power loads from any of the major semi calibers, and the 38 and 44 specials. For a Magnum caliber it's a bit fast so it should work best with a light for the caliber bullet and should work fairly well out of a 3-4 inch barrel.
PS; those who are seeing "only" a 1/10 grain variation with Unique in a small sampling really should do some reading up on Statistics. I use an RCBS Competition and I've done a 50 piece Capability Study on Unique. Based on the results 93% of the thrown charges will be within 1/10 grain, 5% will exceed 2/10 grain, and 2% will have a variation up to 4/10 grain. IMO a 4/10 grain variation isn't acceptable even if it's only 2 out of 100.
Last edited:
thndrchiken
Member
I load W231/HP38 for standard loads and W296/H110 for magnum loads.
Similar threads
