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Thread: Unique powder for 91/30

  1. #1
    Boolit Master slim1836's Avatar
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    Unique powder for 91/30

    I loaded some cases with Unique powder and 314299 cast boolits (sized to .312) a couple years ago.

    Now comes the question. I, for the life of me, cannot find the load data for Unique in a 91/30 in any of the books (8-10) I have. I know I used the data from somewhere, just don't know where I found it in the past. I have had many mini-strokes which has affected my memory, balance, and speech, but I still should be able to find out where I got the original data from. I looked in Hornady, Speer, Lyman, Sierra, and other manuals but see nothing there. I know I didn't dream up those loads, maybe, just maybe, I've overlooked it somewhere.

    Somebody point me in the proper direction as I just got 100 new cases I'll want to load sometime in the near future. I really don't want to switch powders as I have plenty of Unique and will probably never reach out to over 200 yards with this rifle. 99% of my hunting has been under 100 yards. If someone has a chart of minimum to maximum loads it would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks in advance guys.

    Slim
    JUST GOTTA LOVE THIS JOINT.

  2. #2
    Boolit Grand Master Outpost75's Avatar
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    Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook, 4th Edition (2010) shows no Unique data for 7.62x54R, but does on p.150 for .308 Win and on p. 153 for .30-'06 with #311299.

    The 7.62x54R has similar ctg.OAL to the .308 Win., but its capacity is a bit greater, although a bit less than the .30-06. As long as you stay below the maximum loads you should be OK. I'd be inclined to work within 10-15 grains and fire charge establishment to determine your most accurate load and call it good. Somehow getting 500 rounds to a pound of powder at 14 grains has a nice ring to it.

    p. 150 .308 Win., #311299 200-grains #2 alloy, OAL 2.875"
    Start 11.5 grs. 1400 fps, @ 28,300 cup, Max. 16 grs. 1699 fps @ 45,400 cup

    p. 153 .30-'06, #311299 200-grains #2 alloy, OAL 3.25"
    Start 12.7 grs. 1398 fps @ 25,500, Max. 17.2 grs. 1673 fps @ 38,300 cup
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  3. #3
    Boolit Master Maven's Avatar
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    12.5gr. Unique with Ly. #314299 @ .312" out of my Sako M-39 and .311" in my Sako M 28/30: Accurate in both; no excessive pressure.
    Last edited by Maven; 09-13-2020 at 09:36 AM.

  4. #4
    Boolit Master
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    This is from a 1971 vintage Lyman reloading manual, so I suggest proceeding judiciously, if you use it:
    12.0-16.0/Unique/155 cast gives 1600 - 1800 f/s
    11.0-14.0/Unique/173 cast gives 1500 - 1700 f/s
    10.0-13.0/Unique/213 cast gives 1250 - 1450 f/s
    All 3 were gas-checked & fired from a 24" barreled Mosin/Westinghouse.

    Sorry to hear about your problems with TIAs. I live a little bit south of you on 174, and I'm between job contracts. If I can be of actual logistical assistance, or help by other means, please contact me & we will make arrangements.
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  5. #5
    Boolit Master

    BigAlofPa.'s Avatar
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    According to Lymans 3rd cast book. 151 grain 12-15 grains of unique. 169 grain 11-14 grains. And 208 grain 10-13 grains. Hope this helps.
    One round at a time.
    Member of the NRA,GOA and FAOC. Gun clubs Zerby rod and gun club. Keystone Fish and Game Association.

  6. #6
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    "And I hepped"- hopefully. I need to re-bind these old books anyway- thanks, neighbor. Maybe there's a matching weight here.
    Watch out for the skeeters.

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  7. #7
    Boolit Master slim1836's Avatar
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    Thanks guys,

    That helps me quite a bit. The ones I had previously loaded are shown to have 13.1 & 13.2 grains of Unique. Per some charts, I may be on the top end. I doubt I would have loaded at or above max. as I normally shoot on the light side.
    I've been using straight wheelweights for these loads and the boolits weighed 212-214 grains (I'm not a very consistent caster) after gas checked. I must have shot fair groups (at least to me) to have loaded as many as I found. I'll have to check my old targets before I delve into loading my new cases.

    Slim
    JUST GOTTA LOVE THIS JOINT.

  8. #8
    Boolit Master JMax's Avatar
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    I use 12 gr in my No 4 MkI 303 Brit using the NOE version of the 314299 sized .314” with Great results

  9. #9
    Boolit Grand Master Outpost75's Avatar
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    Thanks all. I have been using 14 grains with #311299 in my Finn M28/30 with good results out to 200 yards, but would not exceed it, as being Max, Max.
    The ENEMY is listening.
    HE wants to know what YOU know.
    Keep it to yourself.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check