Metering Unique

[duckloads]

I hate to gripe about Unique when it seems to be a real favorite. I,m new(ish) to metallic reloading, having only been through 5 lbs or so of various powders for 45 Colt and 460mag.

I can't seem to consistantly meter Unique out of my RCBS equipment. Just now, I loaded 50, 45 Colt rounds and my charges were 8gr +0.2 / -0.1gr. That's a 0.3 gr spread in the box. This is how all of my Unique loads are. Accuracy is not a problem, but I can tell when I touch off one of the heavy (+0.2gr) loads VS one of the light (0.1gr) loads.

I can measure H-110, A5744, and Trail Boss to within +/- the white line on my scale. These powders are very consistant.

What gives? Is this normal? Don't worry about it? Find anouther mid-range powder?

 

[duckloads]

I hate to gripe about Unique when it seems to be a real favorite. I,m new(ish) to metallic reloading, having only been through 5 lbs or so of various powders for 45 Colt and 460mag.

I can't seem to consistantly meter Unique out of my RCBS equipment. Just now, I loaded 50, 45 Colt rounds and my charges were 8gr +0.2 / -0.1gr. That's a 0.3 gr spread in the box. This is how all of my Unique loads are. Accuracy is not a problem, but I can tell when I touch off one of the heavy (+0.2gr) loads VS one of the light (0.1gr) loads.

I can measure H-110, A5744, and Trail Boss to within +/- the white line on my scale. These powders are very consistant.

What gives? Is this normal? Don't worry about it? Find anouther mid-range powder?

 

[Joni_Lynn]

I found the same problem with Unique and also other similar shaped powders.
For the rounds I use Unique in I use a pair of Pact auto dispenser/scale combo's and let the machines measure each one to what it should be.
That's the only way I found to get the amount I want within an acceptable range.
I use Unique in 45 Colt, 44 Special, light 44 mag lods and the occasional 45acp & 38 Special.

 

[Ridgway]

I love Unique. It is one of basically only two powders I use for handguns, the other being WW231/HP-38. But, as you say, it is tough to meter. But not impossible.

My favorite measure for Unique is the old Lyman #55, which allows you to adjust the shape of measuring chamber, i.e., you can make it narrow and deep, or wide and shallow, or somewhere in between. I opt for wide and shallow. But the most important aspect of the Lyman is the knocker. I always give it a flick to settle the charge with each throw. Last time I used the Lyman with these procedures, I ran 35 charges of 7.5 grs Unique with no variations over 1/10th.

I've also had suprisingly good luck using a Lee Classic Turret press with the Lee Pro-Auto disk measure. I think that having the measure mounted on top of the turret is the key here. It has to ride along through four stops and starts for every charge thrown, and I think that helps charges of Unique settle in and pack just like the knocker on the #55.

I love my old RCBS equipment, but the old Uni-Flow measure I have never really worked out for me with any pistol charges. I use it now for rifle where I can set it for say, approx. 57 grains of 4831 for a 58 grain charge and just trickle the rest in the pan.

Regards,
Ridge

 

[haggis]

I used Unique for 20 years, and the best thing I found was consistency in how you loaded. If you bump the handle of the measure the same way (I preferred multiple bumps) you can keep within 0.1 grain.

If you will consider changing powders, then Universal Clays will give almost grain for grain loads, and it meters much better.

Buck

 

[max]

I have used Unique in 41, 44 and 45 for years and don't worry about those small differences.

 

[Skip Sackett]

Unique is known for it's inability to meter well. In some instances it can even "bridge" in the measure, not allowing the right volume to drop, period. If it were me, and I had to use Unique,(which none of us HAVE to) I would use a Lyman #55 to drop it. The reason is you can adjust the upper portion of the slide mechanism to get your load, leaving the deeper area closed.

If a large flake powder has to fill a deep cavernous hole it isn't going to do that very consistently. I have done this same thing with other large flake powders with good success.

Like this:

 

[1x2]

I also had my +- 1/10gr issues with Unique and the Uni-flo, though in retrospect I don't think a tenth of a grain matters a hoot at 50 feet; it was more irritation than anything else. Nonetheless, I bought a Lyman 1200 DPS a few years ago and it puts out a consistent charge.

1x2

 

[BUFF]

I bought my RCBS Uni-Flow in 1975. There are two measuring cavities or 'drums' for it, one for throwing rifle charges and one for throwing pistol charges. Make sure you have the pistol drum in for Unique.

When first filling the hopper with powder, tap it on the side of the hopper a few times to 'settle' the powder supply. Then adjust to desired charge, then throw a dozen of them. Dump them back in the hopper. I raise and lower the handle very firmly, so that it comes to each stop with a good "thunk."

Consistency is important. Use the same amount of force for all throws. Keep the amount of powder in the hopper fairly consistent. Using Unique, I probably add more powder to the hopper after 50 charges are dumped.

I can't find any difference in the performance of individual charges of Unique in my guns. I don't think that, in charges from 5 grains to 10 grains, that 0.1 grain is going to have a measurable impact.

 

[K.38]

I've had good luck with the Dillon powder measure. When loading single stage I use the Dillon manually, mounted on a RCBS stand. Works well and as others have said stay consistant and you shouldn't have any problems.

 

[Kevin G]

Like Buff above,I have the pistol size rotor in my Uni-Flow,also use a powder baffle. I'm happy with the way Unique meters thru my unit.
Kevin

 

[jrplourde]

with Unique and others, +/- 0.2 gr is not to be taken lightly when operating at the upper end of the manual. This can increase pressure by as much as 3000 cup.

Bob

 

[Dale53]

Set up your powder measure with the scale alongside. Use a powder baffle in your measure. Keep the measure more than one third full. Operate the measure VERY consistently. I bump the handle at the top and bottom, ALWAYS consistently. The idea is to settle the powder uniformly. Do NOT bang the handle hard - just a consistent but distinct "bump".

Now, fill the measure and practice. Drop a charge and weigh it. Keep doing that until you get consistent operation. If I were a betting man, which I'm not

, I would bet that as you see what is happening, you will be able to adjust your "method" until it produces consistent results.

The secret with progressive presses is to operate them SMOOTHLY.

+OR-.1 grain is perfectly acceptable. If you are operating so close to the top end that .2 grain of powder puts you into trouble, you are already WAY to high. However, consistent results are ALWAYS desirable.

FWIW
Dale53