Lee 200gr RNFP and Unique

[292]

Searching this forum I've found loads ranging from 6.5 to 10.0. The Alliant site only lists Unique and 200gr cast in the cowboy action section, 8.7 as a max. Am I on the right track starting with 7.0gr for my 44 mag.

[harvester]

7 grains of Unique is a nice light load with 200 grain cast for the 44 mag. Feels like a 44 special.

[runfiverun]

it'll most likely leave soot on the cases at 7.
when i first started shooting cast i used 7 grs of unique in everything.
38-40,44-40,44 mag, 45 colt,44 special,357 mag.
i had a lee powder dump that drops 7 grs of unique like water.
it still does, it has never been changed from day one.
it's still at my dads place and he still uses it in the 38-40 and 45 colt.

[Bula]

Agreed on the sooty cases at 7gr. I like shooting them at 8.5-9g. Pistol or lever, mild and accurate. Good shooter and fun.

[Larry Gibson]

Unique is a little too slow for CBA loads with 200 RNFPs if you want velocities down low. Better off using Bullseye, VV N310 or N320 of N32C Tin Star. You are still going to get sooty cases as most every CBA load with a 200 gr bullet under 800 fps is going to be less than 9,000 psi and probably less than the 7,000 psi needed to expand the cases if the load is under 700 fps. Yes I have pressure tested these loads and am not guestimating.

Larry Gibson

[paul h]

Another vote for considering a faster powder such as bullseye.

Unique is great with a 240-250 gr cast and 9-10gr in the 44, but for accurate sub 1000 fps loads you'll likely find the faster powders are better suited.

[292]

Should I work up from 7gr or start higher. Also, what is the recomended powder and charge for these boolits. I tried 7 gr of Autocomp and had unburned powder.

[Wally]

8.0 Grains of Bullseye in my Ruger Superblackhawk gives me 1,150 FP MV..very accurate. Same charge w/Red Dot is also quite good.

[292]

Unique is a little too slow for CBA loads with 200 RNFPs if you want velocities down low. Better off using Bullseye, VV N310 or N320 of N32C Tin Star. You are still going to get sooty cases as most every CBA load with a 200 gr bullet under 800 fps is going to be less than 9,000 psi and probably less than the 7,000 psi needed to expand the cases if the load is under 700 fps. Yes I have pressure tested these loads and am not guestimating.

Larry Gibson

Just to clarify, I'm not after cowboy action loads. I want a load for ground hogs, nutria and or milk jugs.

[MikeS]

Unique is a little too slow for CBA loads with 200 RNFPs if you want velocities down low. Better off using Bullseye, VV N310 or N320 of N32C Tin Star. You are still going to get sooty cases as most every CBA load with a 200 gr bullet under 800 fps is going to be less than 9,000 psi and probably less than the 7,000 psi needed to expand the cases if the load is under 700 fps. Yes I have pressure tested these loads and am not guestimating.

Larry Gibson

Larry: I see that you mention N32C Tin Star. I haven't seen much info on this powder, but I understand that it's supposed to be similar to Trail Boss, is this right? Do you know who carries Tin Star in the US?