Help with Unique for .44 S&W Special

[Biker Bill]

I just picked up a pound of Unique for loading 240 gr LSWC rounds in .44 S&W Special.

As I have never used Unique before, I went to Alliant Powders web site for their recipe for this load. I was surprised to see that there was no minimum/starting charge or maximum charge listed.

The only charge listed was 6.3 gr with a velocity of 820 fps. Should I consider this to be the maximum and back off? If yes, how much should I reduce the charge by?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Bill

 

[Bugkiller99]

I don't load 44 spl.
But I'll quote Lyman Cast Bullet handbook for you.

240 gr cast bullet 5.8 -- 6.5 gr Unique.

YMMV

 

[Snapping Twig]

Just to be clear, it's all about what you're shooting it in.

Old 44Spl revolvers can not take modern charges. Old revolvers must be downloaded, loads like what you found in the manual.

That said, modern N frame S&W or Ruger SA's can take loads like... the Skeeter, which is 7.5g Unique behind that 240g bullet.

I personally enjoy the Snapper load, 6.5g W231/HP38 under that bullet. It's @ 50fps less than the Skeeter, but it's real nice.

Let us know what you're shooting it in.

 

[Biker Bill]

Bugkiller99 thanks for the quick response!

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

I use 6.5grs under a 240 plated bullet,I think you will like it.7grs is also good as well.

 

[Biker Bill]

Just to be clear, it's all about what you're shooting it in.

Old 44Spl revolvers can not take modern charges. Old revolvers must be downloaded, loads like what you found in the manual.

That said, modern N frame S&W or Ruger SA's can take loads like... the Skeeter, which is 7.5g Unique behind that 240g bullet.

I personally enjoy the Snapper load, 6.5g W231/HP38 under that bullet. It's @ 50fps less than the Skeeter, but it's real nice.

Let us know what you're shooting it in.

Snapping Twig, excellent point and I should have stated that in the OP. I will be shooting these rounds in a Model 29.

Bill

 

[jepp2]

As I have never used Unique before

Folks seem to love Unique or hate Unique. I am more on the love side. But the only way I really see Unique performing well is at the higher pressures. It is dirty and lots of unburned powder if you load lower pressure. So if you intend to use Unique and not some other powder, my suggestion would be to start at the Alliant listed load and adjust from there.

You didn't state what hardness your SWC are, but if the BHN is on the harder side, up the pressure for the best results.

My last suggestion would be to check and make sure your throats are larger than your groove diameter.

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

In a model 29 7.0gr and 7.5gr will be NO problem.

 

[tops]

240 gr. SWC, 6 1/2 in. .44 Spec. 6 grs. Unique=784FPS, 6.5 Unique=852FPS. The old charts listed a 246 gr. bullet at 755FPS so I shoot the 6 gr. load. It will shoot through both sides of a tin can or a cardboard box. Larry

 

[LoadEmUp]

As I recall Alliant lists max loads, and recommends you start 10% lower and work up.

Yup, my memory was correct.

Here is what they say at Alliant Powder - Reloader's Guide

"REDUCE RIFLE AND HANDGUN CHARGE WEIGHTS BY 10% TO ESTABLISH A STARTING LOAD.
The exceptions to this are the loads listed as "target" in the 38 Special and 45 ACP data tables."

 

[arjay]

Generally you deduct 10% and work your way up.Im a huge fan of unique for 44sp loads but I use magnum brass and start at 7 grs.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

As I recall Alliant lists max loads, and recommends you start 10% lower and work up.

Yup, my memory was correct.

Here is what they say at Alliant Powder - Reloader's Guide

"REDUCE RIFLE AND HANDGUN CHARGE WEIGHTS BY 10% TO ESTABLISH A STARTING LOAD.
The exceptions to this are the loads listed as "target" in the 38 Special and 45 ACP data tables."

Exactly... Alliant lists the Max charges for all their data and you need to reduce that charge by 10% to find the starting charge weight.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

44 Spcl +P

I tried 7.0/Unique but prefer 8.0/Unique in my 44 Spcl. loads. Handloader #236 - Brian Pearce, listed 250gr. LSWC & up to 8.5gr/Unique as a 22K psi or less load.

 

[MikeyB]

5.5-6gr Unique with a 240gr LSWC makes a great target load for my 1950 and 24-3's.

 

[Peak53]

I averaged the load noted as "most accurate" from a bunch of different sources and found it to run in a range from 790 - 820 FPS. Call it 800 FPS for ease of memory. I am getting excellent accuracy and very low recoil from both Unique and W231/HP38 using 240 grain lswc. This is in both pre-war and more modern guns. I haven't yet settled on the powder, but the testing continues! Like tops post, they shoot clean through my targets. For hunting I might speed em up, but that's what the 30.06 is for.

 

[mtgianni]

The main disadvantage to Unique and the other flake powders is a tendency to bridge and shortchange one charge while adding more to the next. Be sure that you are vigilante in checking cases for average powder height before seating. I like the 7 gr charge in a modern gun.

 

[gray wolf]

I hope I am wrong,
but don't you at least have a couple of loading books to a get a base line for a load.
Loads for Unique and the 44 special should be all over the place.

 

[Biker Bill]

Gray Wolf - I do have the Speer manual which does have a Unique recipe but I do like to have at least two sources for load data.

I do tend to give more credence to the web sites of the powder manufacturer because I believe ( either rightly or wrongly) that on-line recipes from the manufacturer are the most recent. Books MAY become outdated over time.

Thanks for your question and concern!

Bill

 

[gray wolf]

Gray Wolf - I do have the Speer manual which does have a Unique recipe but I do like to have at least two sources for load data.

I do tend to give more credence to the web sites of the powder manufacturer because I believe ( either rightly or wrongly) that on-line recipes from the manufacturer are the most recent. Books MAY become outdated over time.

Yes I agree with you on all those counts, lately I have found a lot of differences in the load books. Fact is the load book from alliant was printed many years ago, and never really updated, I found the same as you about there data being mostly Max. loads, had to read the fine print about the 10% reduction. I had been doing that anyway.
I may be wrong but i thought Alliant re did there web sight data and were including Min. and max. loads now. However I could be wrong on that.

GW

 

[Ben_hutcherson]

6.5gr under a 240gr Xtreme plated has worked well for me out of my 629 Mountain Gun.