.41 mag and Unique

[PacMan]

Picked up some Unique this morning to test in my BH .41 mag's and 240gr LFN.Have been digging around and have found that some are using around 8.5 grs. Is that a middle/upper or max load for Unique?

My chornograph is on the fitz and not sure what to expect in my 4 5/8 or 6 1/2 barreled guns.

I had stoped using Unique because it metered so badly in my RCBS Uniflo.Is there a powder measure any where out there that will through a consistent charge of flake type powders?

Any info appreciated.
Dwight

[Shooter6br]

I used Universal in place of Unique. Cant get it locally so back to Unique 8.5 g seems a bit heavy .It is a mid power load for a 210 g bullet.

[littlejack]

Dwight:
I used Unique for 25 + years for my target and plinking loads in my .41. I shot mostly the
lyman 410459 boolit. The 8 grains ran at 1000 fps. I even took a couple of deer with that
load.
I did switch to Universal about 2 or 3 years ago. It meters better and runs "ABOUT" the same velocity as Unique.
When I bought my Uberti saa, in 45 Colt last year, I decided to use Herco powder in it. The
reasoning was to get the better metering charactoristics of the Universal and also to get as
much of the big case filled as possible without going above the standard 14,000 psi safe
limit with the 250-255 grain cast booit. The Herco works great. It meters better than Unique
and burns a little slower, and burns cleaner. I use 9 grains in my 45 Colt clone.
I did load some of my .41 loads with the Herco powder, and again, it works very well.
I have pretty much settled on the Herco powder for both revolvers.
You may want to give it a try in your .41.
The 9 grains of Herco would be a medium heavy load in my .41 magnum with my 220 grain
boolit.
Jack

[runfiverun]

herco is an excellent powder, i use it mainly in my 357 levergun.
i do like 8 grs of unique in my 41 using a button nosed wadcutter, or the lyman 410 g/c.
it's got some oomph to it but isn't overbearing.
if i want some steam behind the boolits i go to 2400.
i have a love/hate relationship with unique, when it works for me it works very well.
and when it don't, it plain don't.

[missionary5155]

Good morning
I have used Unique all my reloading life. Bought my first 41 back in 1981 .. a Dan Wesson shortly followed by some Ruger BH´s.
Been using the Lyman measures for that that long also. It seems to throw Unique just fine. Everytime I have checked a throw the charge is right there. My technique is roll the handle up, two flips of that little hammer gizmo and roll the charge handle down.
I run my 41´s with the 240-3 250 grainers from 6 grains to 9 grains. 9 grains is doing about1150 from the 6.5 barrel which is more than large does need through the ribs. If I think I need more zip I switch to 2400 or 296 or 1680. I probably shoot more 7-8 grain loads of Unique in revolvers than any other powder.
I have also used scoops for Unique. Simple ,easy, fast. Tea cup 2/3 full of U... pass scoop through ( I normally go down one side across the lower lever of powder) . Scrape off the top lever & dump in the brass. Once you have a technique it is very consistant.
Mike in Peru

[44man]

All of those powders are good but my suggestion is always the same. Find what is the most accurate and forget the velocity. :drinks:
Anything you shoot will not know the difference.
I use 7 gr in my .44 with a 245 gr boolit, never found a need to change because it shoots fine.
The trouble with fast powders is you need to work with smaller amount changes and I am just too lazy for that! [smilie=1:

[sixshot]

Good advice, what good is velocity without accuracy.

Dick

[PacMan]

Never get an argunment out of me on what 44man said.

sixshot-unless i am mistaken you shoot a heavy bullet in you 41mag and use Unique.If so would you be instrested in answering my question?

As to velocity-i am not looking for max load,if i was i would be using a diffrent powder.Having said that who amoung you would not like to know what velocity you are pushing a bullet accurately?

Dwight

[Heavy lead]

I shoot 8.5 grains of Unique over a Federal 150 with either a 230 grain Keith (NEI mould) or a 230 grain LFN. Great accuracy from both in all my 657's. I only have one heavier mould a 250 WLN and I've never used Unique, only 2400.
The LFN has a .400 nose, depending on the nose length of your 240, I would think you would be on the upper end. My 230's chono plus ofr minus 1100 from the 6" 657.