Unique in the .45 ACP - Conflicting Load Data?

[Danderdude]

I am new to loading for the .45 but not to loading or casting in general. I recently purchased a very nice handcannon but am hitting some walls I didn't expect to. I am limited by what powder I have on hand, which happens to be around 10 lbs of Unique I've had since before the crunch on supplies began last winter.

For the generic term "225-230 gr boolit with Unique," there's not much agreement between the several manuals out there.
Lyman hasn't changed (or probably even checked) their recipe since 33 years ago. It's still the #452374 (225 gr RN) starting at 5.5 gr Unique and topping out at 7.3gr max. The Cast Bullet Handbooks #3 and #4, and the 48th, all have the same figures.

Lee's Modern Reloading #2, however, lists 5.0 to start and 5.0 max, at only 11800 PSI for a 230 gr. boolit.

The Lyman 4th CB book lists the Lee 230gr TC tumble-lube at 5.2 to start and 5.7 max.

In my experiments thus far, using the Lee 228gr RN lubed with White Label BAC, sized to .452 (bore slugged at .4508), seated .01 under max OAL, 5gr Unique didn't generate enough pressure to seal the chamber and I was getting gas blow-by. At 6 grains, all of a sudden I started getting tiny hairs of leading right in front of the chamber, on the rifling between the lands, but blow-by problems were solved. Alloy is water-dropped 10:1 pure lead:monotype.

Before I jump any deeper into the experimentation phase, please, if you have any suggestions, advise me now. I am quite disconcerted by the variables in the load data right now.

[Danderdude]

One other issue I forgot to bring up, is a curiosity I'm seeing with Unique and Lee's volumetric powder tables.
http://leeprecision.com/cgi-data/instruct/AD3398.pdf
Unique is supposedly right at 9gr per cubic centimeter, but has been weighing in on both my scales at approximately 15% bulkier/lighter. Those scales are an RCBS 505 and the Lee, both balanced and checked to be within 1gr per 100 tolerances. I don't think elevation has anything to do with it (400 ft). Is it possible Lee's tables use stacked-and-packed data, since flake powders can do that, or has something else changed with Unique along the way? It's good, new powder, so I truly doubt there is any detectable solvent evaporation happening there to cause that distortion.

[Sgtonory]

I know Unique is wrong as far a LEE says with its disk size per grain. It is always lighter than they post. I use around 5g to 6g or unique for 230LRN and works ok for me.

[EddieNFL]

Some manuals cap the loads at the point the barrel begins to lead. Never cared much for the Lee manual.

[Ed_Shot]

I use Lyman 452374 (230 RN) and 452630 (200 SWC). My go to load is Promo (Red Dot) 4.5 gr for both with the 230 gr @ 775 fps and the 200 gr @ 800 fps. I size to .452 and use White Label 2500+. I use the Lyman 4th Ed and have the Lyman 1971 CB Handbook and both list Unique 5.5 to 7.3 Max for 452374.

I recently loaded and used 452374 with Unique 6.0 with perfect function and accuracy and zero leading in my Glock 30SF w/LW barrel. While I have not had the Unique load over a chrony the felt recoil was significantly greater than my Promo load.

I trust the Lyman data and I'd recommend you try Unique 5.5 gr and work up.

[cwheel]

Just finished loading over 9000 45acp's on the Dillon 550. Water dropped lee 225 round nose. Used 5 pistols to do the workups and ended up with a load of 6.0gr. of Unique. Through the chrony, 860fps with a deviation of 20 fps. Unique is a dirty powder, lots of residue, but all 5 pistols functioned 100% up to 250 rounds without cleaning. 2 Colts, 1 S&W 645. Best Colt and the S&W would all hold the black @25 yards with little effort. Recoil seamed almost equal to ball rounds. No leading. Important to note that all of my 45's have throated barrels. You could load these down some, but my goal was full power loads and not target loads. The Dillon 550 powder measure gave me some fits at first until I learned that it needed to have the hopper half full or better to stay at the 6.0gr. setting. My loader was set to taper crimp in the last station @.004 to prevent squib rounds. I'd start working up Unique loads @5.5 gr. until you get what you want and works for your guns. Mix for casting is unknown lead I had on hand and mixed until the boolits dropped within 1 gr. of the 225gr. the mold was listed to drop. Used high nickel babbit to harden the mix. Lube in the Lyman #45 was off the shelf RCBS green lube from Midway. I have 4 different loading manuals, data is not the same in any of them. Just start at 5.5gr. and work up. Pistol in good condition should be fine with that load.
Chris

[Bzcraig]

Hornady 8th lists the 230 LRN starting at 5.3 @ 750fps to max of 6.6 @ 900fps.
My Lee 2nd lists the 230 LRN starting at 5.1 @ 757fps to max of 5.8 @ 849fps
The 2013 Alliant Reloaders Guide list 230 LRN max @ 5.8

[steve4102]

Lee load data is not their own, but rather copied from the various powder manufacture's free data. Depending on the brand of powder you are using the Lee data can be quite outdated and obsolete. To avoid any confusion between old outdated Lee data and new updated powder manufacturer's data, just go to their web sight and observe it for free.