There are other "Dirty" powders out there that might gum up a gun.
I Had a J frame freeze up with just one cylinder of IMR4227
when a flake or two, got under the extractor star.
I know.......
not the best powder for a 38, but "Things" do happen.
"Flaming dirt" ?? Unique......
- Thread starter Mbrgr1
- Start date
There are other "Dirty" powders out there that might gum up a gun.
I Had a J frame freeze up with just one cylinder of IMR4227
when a flake or two, got under the extractor star.
I know.......
not the best powder for a 38, but "Things" do happen.
My last thoughts on the subject; GSR is present with any smokeless gun powder, some powders leave more, some less. I have a habit of cleaning my guns after each shooting session, whether I fire 10 rounds or 100, just part of the sport. I don't slur anyone's choice of powders but it does get old reading disparaging remarks about perfectly good choices. In about 30+ years of using Unique almost exclusively, never had a gun get so dirty it wouldn't function. (I have switched over to Universal, but still on occasion use Unique.). There are very few "laws" for reloading and it is very personal, so if some want to use Unique, there is really no reason for any innuendos about his choice, and all are free to choose their own powder...
boatbum101
Member
Any propellant performs best within it's preferred pressure range . Double based powders with their higher nitro content / retardant coatings will simply not burn as complete as a single based powder . This also makes them hard to ignite . Because they are more energy dense more powder will fit in a case . All this is why most choose a double base powder for higher pressure loads or any time performance is hampered by case space with a single based powder .
Good that you don't like it..............Leaves more for me!
Heck. It might even be good sprinkled on sliced tomatoes........Might have to try it.
Also my last thoughts. There are plenty of powders "close" to unique for loading. I've used most of 'em but still rely on Unique . but if I run out of Unique I have most of the others too. Just hope we are able to continue the reloading game going forward!
LoboGunLeather
US Veteran
Unique is one of the oldest powders on the market for reloaders, and one of the most versatile.
I'm one of the oldest reloaders now, having been doing this for 50 years, and Unique is one of my standby regulars in multiple calibers.
My grandfather required that we clean the firearms after every use. Staff Sergeant Gilcrest reinforced that habit during Army basic training in 1968. If I use a firearm I expect that it will accumulate some powder residue and I will clean it before putting it away at the end of the day.
It is what it is; very good, very consistent, very reliable.
I'm one of the oldest reloaders now, having been doing this for 50 years, and Unique is one of my standby regulars in multiple calibers.
My grandfather required that we clean the firearms after every use. Staff Sergeant Gilcrest reinforced that habit during Army basic training in 1968. If I use a firearm I expect that it will accumulate some powder residue and I will clean it before putting it away at the end of the day.
It is what it is; very good, very consistent, very reliable.
SLT223
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Unique is not dirty. I think it gets this reputation because people like to talk about how flexible it is and then people download it and complain about filth. Like pretty much all powders ive used it performs best and cleanest toward the top of its range. I use no less than 8.5 with a 240 in 44RM brass. Do as you please, but you may notice it’s no dirtier than any other powder if you increase the charge weight and pressure. By the way, im no Unique fan boy. I actually believe there are much better options in that burn rate range.
I found out that if you load any powder too low, it can be dirty.
I found that even CFE-P & w231 can be dirty in a 9mm loading.
I found that even CFE-P & w231 can be dirty in a 9mm loading.
When I first started hand loading, I used universal in 45 colt and found unburnt powder all over everything.
Rosewood
bmcgilvray
Member
Yeah, but if one wishes to hear the most rich, resonant and harmonic "bang" and without any annoyingly dissonant tritones then it's Unique that provides that.
Besides which, Unique meters with all the fluidity of the rhythmic patterns of Mozart's Eine Klien Nachmusik in G Major.
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It does burn clean in my BIG BORE 12 & 20. And has caused lots of doves and quail to "fly" to the supper table.
venomballistics
Member
behind traditionally lubed cast lead ... I never really cared that it made more of a mess. I always felt the crud made it harder for leading to stick. And that's the thing you want to avoid.
