Unique Powder: What is it good for?

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G2240. I had forgotten about that burn rate chart. Thanks for the reminder. I have printed it out, and put it in my reloading binder.

According to that chart, Ron H is right on the money. Each burn rate has a numerical designation according to it's burn rate.
W-231 = #23
Unique = #25
AA#5 = #34 (much slower)
AA#7 = #41 (very slow in comparison)
AA#9 is #45 is what I use for my heavier bullet, higher velocity .44 mag loads.

Even though it is closest to W-231, it appears that there is still a huge difference in pressure and burn rate. I tend to follow the guide lines very closely when building up loads.

I think I will keep this jug of Unique unopened, and maybe buy another just experiment with to add data to my binder. It does seem to be quite versatile.

I wish it wasn't so darn cold out today, as I have a bunch of test loads to chronograph. The really cold temperatures lower the velocities of some powders significantly. If I adjust loads that have been chronoed when it's cold, they end up being too heavy come summertime.

Thanks for all the info folks. I may see what this stuff does with the .38 special 147 grain LWCHB heads that I have on hand.


WG840
 
Unique is good for duplicating full power loads in the calibers you listed.

I've used it in 9x19mm, .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .44 Special, and .45acp.

The last batch of .38 Special I loaded, I used Unique and 158gr. LSWCs.
 
With the exception of a half used can of W296 (does work good for .357 Magnum loads) all my handgun reloading is with Unique. Loads using four grains to eight grains of Unique covers my handgunning requirements.WG
 
Why I even read that it could cure cancer! :) (Just kidding!)

It will work fine in the calibers you have listed. It isn't going to be a favorite powder in any of them if you use new data though. It just won't work well at the "lawerized" loads that you will find in most manuals today.

Since FT has used it for so long maybe he would share some of the loads he has developed with you through PM's.

I know there are lots of folks that have used what would be considered +P+ loads with it safely for a long, long time.

I have limited experience with it. I have used it but find that there are better suited powders for each of my specific needs.

The mental image that I get when I hear "Unique" is one size fits all. Like back in the '60s when the MOOMOO dress came out. They surely would fit ALL but none well.

That is just my opinion, don't shoot me over it! ;)
 
unique? that stuff aint good for anything, send it to me and ill get rid of it for you, unique is my favorite powder i love it, i could get buy with it in all my handguns but i would miss 2400 and bullseye try it you will like it!
 
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Thanks Hook686.

I was able to find the site, but I was looking in the wrong section. Ron H and J. Galt set me straight by directing me to the shotshell section.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/Powder.aspx?powderid=3

It was there that they had all the info on Unique pistol loads. I printed everything out, and put it all into the reloading binder. Thanks for the imput.


WG840
 
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I started reloading with bullseye due to being cheap, but quickly figured out there was too much room for error with something that required such small amounts of powder. So I switched to unique. As I got a little more experience I started buying bullseye again and keep a can of each on the shelf.
 
flat top said:
After all the bad things I have heard about Unique on this forum (dirty, hard to throw, sensitive), I cant understand why anybody would use it..............But I always have (50 years worth), and always will and consider it to be one of the most versatile handgun powders ever made available to reloaders.....I guess thats why they called it "Unique"....because it is!
Click to expand...


Amen to every word of the above.I find all the complaints about it to be amusing.I have more of it stored than any other one powder.
 
Unique, huh, yeah
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Uh-huh

Unique, huh, yeah
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing
Say it again, y'all

Sorry, I couldn't resist the lyrics. Unique has the distinction of being used in almost every cartridge. I used it for many, many years. Just recently I quit using it. It is a dirty burning powder and the Dillon powder measure has problems with it. I have replaced it with Universal and I'll see how that does.
 
I used Unique when I first started reloading many moons ago. I thought new-fangled powders had to be better and didn't use it for many years. Of course it has its' adherants, so I thought I would give it a try again. I am amazed that shooters have had a powder this great for 100 years. I will always have a soft spot for this enduring product that is supremely versatile.

Shooters complain about it being dirty or difficult to meter, but when you have been at the top of the heap for so long, you will take some cuts. It is clean enough and meters good enough. In some cartridges and pressures it as clean as anything. The accuracy is why people love it.

Don't consider it a lead bullet powder for classic cartridges. It works great for jacketed bullets in modern chamberings. I took the Nosler manual advice for an indicated accurate load for 10MM. It is clean and extremly accurate in this cartridge.
 
Back when I started reloading, an early lesson on powder came from my grand father who cast and loaded his own (circa 1970). I could only afford one or two powders, his recommendation was Bullseye and Unique. I went with Unique and kept myself shooting for many years. It's a great powder and I still use it today. I use it in 44mag, 41mag, 38 special cast bullet loads running anywhere from 800 to 850 fps.
 
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My pet .38spl load is made with unique. Its the one powder i can buy anywhere. I load them very light...just fast enough to not keyhole at 25 yards...works well enough but it is very dirty.
 
Cool Hand Hodge said:
My pet .38spl load is made with unique. Its the one powder i can buy anywhere. I load them very light...just fast enough to not keyhole at 25 yards...works well enough but it is very dirty.
Click to expand...

Light loads with Unique will do that. I load .45 Colt and .44 Special with Unique and a medium to heavy crimp and don't have that problem.
 
You mean there are other powders? I use it for most everything in pistol and a couple rifles, mostly using my cast.

Say... I haven't been here in a while, what happened to the post count? Yee haa I'm young at last :)
 
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I use it a lot for both 38 and 357, like it a lot, meters just fine if I tap the Lee powder dispenser with the micrometer adjustable powder bar just before charging the case and I don't find it very dirty at all.
 
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