Unique and the Model 29

[StakeOut]

I load Bullseye and Unique for range loads that were recommend by Elmer Keith

Summers Enterprises Hard cast 240gr SWC/HI-TEK coated over
5.0gr of Bullseye
8.5gr of Unique
In 44 magnum cases
1.600" OAL

When I loaded 44spl cases I used 4.0gr of Trail Boss under the 240gr LSWC

 

[iPac]

There's so many powders option, it's almost too many to try them all.

I started out using Power Pistol and 2400 for all my handgun loads and been using it ever since. Although my range of calibers isn't all that wide.

I've considered trying some Unique and Bullseye for the lesser amounts needed, but just really like what PP and 2400 do for me, so why change. Maybe one day. Luckily powder is easily obtainable here due to a warehouse discounter.

 

[sturtyboy]

Unique does cover it all but it meters a little off more for me. I've loaded for 40 years and it has an aroma after being fired that takes me back. (who cares...huh?)

I seem to always go to Bullseye, 2400, or H110. They fill the bill for me in all my pistol shooting and meter well, from 9mm -.500 mag and everything in between.

 

[Gamecock]

Unique does cover it all but it meters a little off more me. I've loaded for 40 years and it has an aroma after being fired that takes me back. (who cares...huh?)

I seem to always go to Bullseye, 2400, or H110. They fill the bill for me in all my pistol shooting and meter well, from 9mm -.500 mag and everything in between.

I like Bullseye for light target loads. 2400 or H110 for heavy loads. Unique for everything in between.

 

[Skeet 028]

Rather than bullseye my three powders are Red Dot Unique and 2400..Why?? Because I had them. I was primarily a shotgun/rifle loader for many years..12 ga...Red Dot 20/28 ga....Unique...410 Bore...2400. I don't feel that Unique is all that dirty...especially with the newer formulation. And it throws powder charges that aren't all that bad. Especially for the mid range 357 41 44 and 45Colt. 2400 goes fast 'nuff for me in the magnum end of things. Even though I have lots of other powders

 

[Joe4d]

looking at my lyman books Unique looks pretty sad for hunting ammo. I mean I would probably use it for general blasting, bu for hunting Id prefer to step it up. Right now I am running through a few pounds of American select in my 44. Its a big fluffy powder that didnt work out in 40. Just using it up for light weight, 200gr cast target ammo at 800.
For hunting ammo though I like 2400 in my 5" H110 works well, but a bit more recoil and in the shorter barrel I get the same velocity with a bit less thump out of 2400.
Dang been forever since I chronoed this stuff, seems I got right at 1380 fps out of my 2400 under 240 gr XTP loads.

 

[Skeet 028]

Just have to say...hunting ammo is what most of us use the least. Heck a 100 rounds would last me a long time...even with sighting in and practice. So I don't even consider hunting ammo all that much...and since I think handgun hunting is a mostly short range proposition(cept for my Contenders) I load wayyy more unique than any others. I shot an elk at about 30 yards with a 9 gr load of Unique in 45 Colt.../just cause that is what I had at the time. 4 inch M-625. 3 rounds resting my hand on a rock. in approx 5 inch group. Good grouping...especially for me and while a bit ....excited! I mostly shoot wabbits and wocks with that load. I was up in the mountains cutting up some wood. Usually carry my 57 up there.. The 348 was "in the truck". Unique is still one of the most versatile powders made.

 

[moosedog]

I still use Unique and 2400, although I do have some others, they are my "go to" powders. My favorite 44 Special load is the old Skeeter load of 7.5 of Unique under a 240 cast SWC.

 

[apollo99]

Unique is a little dirty, but it does the job for me in .44 and .357. From mild to wild and every thing in between. I've been loading a lot of magnum cases in both calibers to .44 spl. and 38 spl. specs with coated lead SWC and having really good accuracy, and nice pleasant range days.

 

[Qc Pistolero]

After a few years now in ''retirement'',I've had time to test and chrono a few loads.Now,I mostly shoot handguns,aprox 15K/year and aprox 500rifle rds rifle/year.I shoot 100% cast in handguns and 75%cast in rifles(jacket in .223 and some in .303BR and 30-06).
I used to have over 75#of powder for my tests and now I'm ready to ''rationalize''.Here is what I will keep in stock from now on:

38Spl:700X
38Spl+power Pistol
9MM:231(or HP38)
357Mag+.41 Mag+.44 Mag:H110
.44 Mag reduced to 1200FPS:Unique
45Acp:700X for target and for full power Unique
.45 Colt:Unique
Cast bullets in Rifle
30-30/.308 Win/30-06/303 Br/38-55/-45-70
Whatever groups best but in all of them but for plinking at 100 yds:Unique
You might have found otherwise but in my guns,Unique works.And I'm a lazy guy;if it ain't broke,I ain't gonna try to fix it!
Qc

 

[zeke]

11.0 gns unique under a Rem 180 sjhp is a favorite load for about 1250 fps from 4 in 44 mag. Extremely accurate through appropriately sized cylinder throats.

10.0 grns unique under a Rem 210 sjhp another favorite vermin load.

 

[cowboy4evr]

I could easily cut down on pistol powders to WSF , WST , 700X and Blue Dot . For those times of magnum loads either 2400 or Ramshot Enforcer . I have 2 fast burners on my list , WST and 700X . I like both.
For my 30-30 loads in my Marlin shooting cast bullets , IMR 3031. In my original "94" in 38-55 (sold in 1897), Accurate Arms 5744 . I have thought about using black powder in the 94 , just haven't --yet .

 

[DWalt]

"Cast bullets in Rifle
30-30/.308 Win/30-06/303 Br/38-55/-45-70"

I have discovered that IMR (or H) 4227 makes an excellent cast bullet propellant for bottlenecked rifle cartridges for loads in the MV 1400-2000 ft/sec range. Works well for .44 Mag also. Have not tried it in .45-70, but I am sure it would work there just as well.

 

[Green Frog]

My first real experience with a S&W 44 Mag was back in the early '70s with an older gentleman who owned a 4" 5 screw he had bought right after they came out. He had replaced the original target grips with magnas (probably from a Mod 28) and a Tyler-T grip, just right for both his and my average or slightly larger sized hands. Anyway, for use on the range and just general plinking, he had long since settled on the Keith-type 429421 bullet by Ideal and IIRC 7.5 gr of Unique in 44 Mag cases and 6.5 gr in 44 Special cases. He had already been shooting that same load for well over a decade then and didn't seem to feel any need or desire to change. An interested aside to this is that he was part owner of a plumbing and heating company, so he had access to near limitless lead and tin. Therefore, he was one of the first folks I got to know who did a LOT of casting. I miss old George, may he RIP.

Froggie

 

[loc n load]

I use Unique in my 4" or shorter barrel 38's, 41's, 44 spl's, 44 mag's and 45 colts......been loading it since the 70's, it does not have the horrendous muzzle flash in the shorter barrels as does the slower burning powders. Unique coupled with the appropriate cast SWC has always done everything I wanted and continues to do so.

 

[brucev]

Anyone else have a do all powder for one revolver? I use Unique in all my pistol loading ... .38 Special, .357 S&W Magnum, .45ACP and .44 Special. I also use it in my .30-06 with cast lead bullets. I have done extremely well in club level vintage military rifle matches using Crackbaby ... a Remington 03 from WWII that has a stock w/ lots of repaired cracks. It has a gorgeous High Standard 1944 rebuild barrel installed. It is commonly fed 165 gr. bevel based flat nosed hard cast bullets from Hunters Supply loaded over 8.5-9.0 gr. of Unique in Winchester cases over Remington 9 1/2 primers. That load in the summer is a match winner. During the freezing days of winter ... it still win but with a twist. One winter match the velocity dropped to the point that the bullets were striking the target paper slightly sideways. I still was getting lots of 10's w/ a few X's. One of the men said, "He_ _! He's shooting "Sidewinder Missiles!" So, on my information card I identified my rifle as "Crackbaby" and my ammo as handloaded "Sidewinder Missiles." Have since bucked the load up a grain. Shoots like a little .22 LR rifle. Makes firing rapid in prone and sitting easy. Will say, for a bit more zap, I load the same bullet over 13 gr.of Red Dot. That is about the finest load I've found for my rifles using cast lead bullets at any range out to about 200 yds. Sincerely. bruce.

 

[Gamecock]

Anyone else have a do all powder for one revolver?

No, but I have one for my .38 Super pistols. VV N105. Full boat, kick 'em in the ***, super power. 125 gr bullets at over 1,400 fps. Not even max load.

.357 Magnum territory out of 1911s.

 

[bd629DX]

I could use Unique for everything but I don't because I don't have to as long as I can also buy WW296.

 

[Drm50]

I use Unique in 357-41-44sp-45acp & 45 Colt, for cast loads.
In 44 mg full power 2400 with Jackets, which I shoot with
Ruger SBH. Unique meters fine for me but can be dirty just as
2400.

 

[cowboy4evr]

I just don't understand the " dirty " thing about a powder . I always thought how well it performed was most important . For those that want " clean shooting " try Alliants BE-86 . It's right beside Unique on the burn rate charts , it meters better than unique and yes , " it burns clean " . Regards , Paul

 

[Dobermans]

I use Unique for 45 Colt, 45 ACP, 9mm, and 9x18 Makarov. For 32 ACP I use W231. Since I now stock W231 I started using it for 38 Special with very good results.