Unique Powder

[fredj338]

Hi:
I find it difficult to get good metering with Unique Powder in a Ideal #55 Powder Measure ?

Opinions ?

Thanks,
Jimmy

I think it's mostly technique when throwing charges with most flake powders. I tap once on the upstroke, twice on the down stroke. Works for me with the Duomeasure. I have no issues with it or most flake powders in the Dillon either. Set up the powder fail safe rod to be snug so you get a little snap when the bar comes forward. Now 800X, totally diff issue in any powder measure I have tried.

 

[nachogrande]

NOT THE BEST SHAPE FOR METERING.

Do you have a baffle in your powder hopper? You could always trickle it, or use a dipper. How accurate do you need? Going to camp Perry?

 

[Ole Joe Clark]

I have been using Unique for 40 plus years and never had a problem with it. I read all the negative posts about it and for the life of me can't figure it out. Almost all of my reloading problems with powder, or anything else, is operator error. I have some old Pacific and RCBS powder measures and they work for me. I do check the powder on a scale and trickle up for rifle loads, but that's a different powder. Unique is a great powder and I use it for shotgun and all of my pistol loads except for some hot .357's and 44 mags. I just can't find anything wrong with Unique powder.

Have a blessed day,

Leon

 

[max503]

Another option with Unique powder is to use one of the Lee Powder Measure Scoops, (aka Lee Powder Measure Kit). This is a set of the little yellow scoops that you find in the old Lee Loaders.

Decidedly a low-tech approach, they are fast (OK, maybe not progressive press fast) and have good repeatable accuracy, if you're consistent in your technique.

The 1.0cc scoop is one of my old favorites for throwing just the right charge of Unique for 44 Magnum or 45 Colt under a 250 gr. SWC.

Jim

Yes. That's my recipe for 44 magnum out of my Contender. Excellent 50 yard load.
I've gone to Unique for just about all my handgun loads. It meters well in my Dillion.

 

[H Richard]

If you want really accurate, consistent loads, I recommend any of several different powders, unless you use a trickler to top off the loads sit Unique.

 

[SMSgt]

As someone trained in the application of Statistical Process Controls many many years ago with any new powder I run a Capability Study on the metering properties of any powder I use. The Standard Deviation for Unique and Longshot in my RCBS Competition powder measure is 0.17 grains. Multiply that by 3 and you have the 6 Sigma range, which is +/- 0.5 grains. For me that is unacceptable for a Handgun load so I ALWAYS trickle EVERY SINGLE CHARGE when loading handgun with either of these powders. As you might imagine this is inconvenient enough that I don't use either very often for Handgun loads. My goto powders for Handgun loads were chosen based on their metering properties. For 38 special my choice is Vihtavouri 3N37 which meters superbly and is not measurably ***'tion Sensitive. For Semi Auto calibers featuring smaller case capacities I use a powder that is a bit Position Sensitive but which also meters superbly, that being IMR SR7625. Unfortunately 7625 was discontinued several years back but I still have a good stock of this powder and when it runs out I will probably start using one of the Accurate Handgun powders such as #2 or #5.

BTW, if you are interested in shotgun shooting Unique is nearly ideal for Target 20 gage loads and with the much larger charge volume used the poor metering properties aren't significant. So, dont trade away your Unique, just use it in the application it was originally developed for. BTW, Longshot is also a Shotgun Powder but it's mainly used in rather powerful 12 gage Goose loads.

Translation: Unique doesn't meter well.

 

[muddocktor]

jimmyj, I've been using a Lyman 55 since my Dad first bought one in the 60's. And the 2 things I've bought for mine (bought in the early 80's) that helped improve powder throws with flake powder are the powder baffle that goes in the reservoir and buying the large reservoir, which hold just about a full pound of powder. When I'm using Unique, I usually do the knocker 3 times on each charge and it throws pretty accurately, plus I keep a good supply of powder in the reservoir. I actually have more problems with it throwing accurate charges with Blue Dot than with Unique.

 

[Hasbeen1945]

A while back I got a Harrell's Precision pistol powder measure. This thing will throw a perfect charge every time. It wasn't cheap, but will last a lifetime.

I've had a Lyman 55 since the 1980's.
I upgraded to a Harrell's. The micro settings allow repeatability. I cycle the measure 10 times to let everything settle then the weight is very constant. Unique doesn't meter as good as some other powders but is no problem.

 

[Hasbeen1945]

By the way if you just start throwing powder you want know how accurate your measure is. I weigh every charge.
You would be surprised how fast this is.

 

[Nevada Ed]

In some of my loads, I use Unique for maximum fps, since it beats out
the other powders that I have.

I don't mind the extra time to weigh each load, since I am at Max. pressures.

For target loads I just use other powders that flow better.
Plus one on "Universal" as a good substitute in pistol loads.
Not as good in 12 Ga., though.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

I've been using Unique for at least 45 years. The only powder measure I have ever owned is a Lachmiller that I picked up on sale about 1975. I developed the habit of two sharp raps of the charging handle on the up-stroke and two sharp raps on the down-stroke. Zero problems with powder bridging and very consistent results.

 

[joeintexas]

I thought I was the only one left in the world that used Lachmiller products. I have a set of .357 mag dies. When I tell folks that they almost always say, "Is that a new die maker?" Uh, no it's not exactly new.

 

[dogdoc]

A tenth or 2 variation is not going to make any measurable difference . Your scale s only accurate to +/- one tenth anyway. Worrying about being a tenth or 2 over maximum published load is a waste. Your scale could throw you off that much.

 

[Nevada Ed]

per post #33;

I found out that my scale is a lot more accurate in the summer time.......................
when I close the door off to the house, where the A/C is on HIGH !!!!

Later.

 

[jwk]

Used Unique for years in different cartridges. I can run it through a measure, also my Dillon 550 and w Lee dippers if I'm feeling old school. I suggest not trying for max using a dippers. Go midrange and you'll never have a problem. I even load rifle ammo w a Lee dipper at times w good results.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

ChargeMaster 1500

By the way if you just start throwing powder you want know how accurate your measure is. I weigh every charge.

Or just go with a ChargeMaster 1500 when it's time to upgrade. I use it on all my handgun reloading with all powders. Works great.

After it dispenses the powder, I drop it in the case, verify fill level, place bullet in case mouth, seat it & inspect. ChargeMaster already has a new charge dispensed & waiting.

.

Passed inspection

.

Sawtooth straw mod.

.

 

[dogdoc]

Or just go with a ChargeMaster 1500 when it's time to upgrade. I use it on all my handgun reloading with all powders. Works great.



After it dispenses the powder, I drop it in the case, verify fill level, place bullet in case mouth, seat it & inspect. ChargeMaster already has a new charge dispensed & waiting.



.



Passed inspection

.



Sawtooth straw mod.

.

I have one as well and they seem to be good scales. Sometimes I get a little drift with mine but I don't know if any other scales better. I use it to set my powder measure on my Dillon's for handgun rounds so I only use the trickle function with low volume rifle rounds. I shoot wayyyy to much volume with handguns to weigh every one as I would have to give up my day job for the time required [emoji3]


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[ontargetagain]

Unique is a powder that I weigh digitally each load, I just can't get it to meter through my cheapy Lee that most others are consistent in. But that is OK, I don't shoot large quantities and have other powders that meter excellent to work with. Someday I may spend some time to see if I can remedy the situation for dispensing Unique consistently.
Karl

 

[SuperMan]

For me it is one of those, "who cares"....

My standard load for a .41 Magnum is 8.0 grains... The Dillon and Lyman measures will throw 7.9-8.1... If you precisely measured out each charge weight, 7.9, 8.0 and 8.1, the extreme spreads would overlap...and the averages would be what 10 fps apart...a difference that doesn't make any difference makes no difference...

Bob

 

[Hasbeen1945]

Or just go with a ChargeMaster 1500 when it's time to upgrade. I use it on all my handgun reloading with all powders. Works great.

After it dispenses the powder, I drop it in the case, verify fill level, place bullet in case mouth, seat it & inspect. ChargeMaster already has a new charge dispensed & waiting.

.

Passed inspection

.

Sawtooth straw mod.

.

I have a Chargemaster. Doesn't compare to the Harrell's if speed is a issue.