Unique In 1911s

[smokemjoe]

I been using Bullseye, 700 X, Redote for a long time in the 1911s, I have 2 Lee- 200gr. bullets, a Lyman WC and Saeco 81 , all 200 grs. Whats a accurate load with unique That will not beat the gun to death, Thanks- Joe

[Alan in Vermont]

5.0 Unique works and shoots well in mine.

[dg31872]

I agree on the 5.0 grains of Unique in my Gold Cup 45acp. It's a friendly load and you don't have to go hunt your brass. My two cents...

[missionary5155]

Good morning
Unique got it's start in the world about the same time as the 1911 and it's line of .45 predicessors. So there is probably thousands of possible combinations of Unique with 150-250 grainers in the 1911.
I remember the time after my 3 year pickle suit existence that Unique was the only pistol powder I had for some years. Shot thousands of .357 and 45 acp with it. Still do by the way.
Any loading book that does not have Unique loads was written by the competition.
Mike in ILL

[j_dude77]

Start 5.0 gr. If it does not cycle the gun bump it up a bit. I would have to look at my data, but i think I load 6gr. I shoot with my brother, so I need loads that will cycle 1911s, XDs, and some other oddball guns.

[tacklebury]

I go 6.5, but seem to have a stiffer recoil spring. If I go 6 it seems to not fully eject occasionally.

[phonejack]

5.2 works in my 1911 government,commander and G21

[tomme boy]

Be aware that you are going to have powder all over you using it. I hate it. But it works really well in one of my 45's, so I put up with it. It's really bad if the wind is in your face.

[MGySgt]

The charge weight of Unique needed will depend on what recoil spring you have in your 1911.

By the way, I have been loading 45 ACP's with a 200 gr lyman WC for over 35 years with Unique. I still use Unique for all my 45 ACP, light to mid-range 45 colt/44 mag ammo.

It is a hard powder to beat for ease of use.

[km101]

It's dirty, and it doesn't meter smoothly, but 5.5 grains of Unique has worked flawlessly in all my .45's for 30 + years! It's my "go to" load in the .45 and a 200 gr. bullet.

[MtGun44]

The primary problem with Unique (one of my favorite powders) in the .45 ACP is that it is a bit slow,
and with a 200 gr boolit, burns inconsistently. The totally weird thing is that you can have a really nice,
accurate load at 825-850 fps with a 200 LSWC and if you chrono it you will see about 100-125 fps
extreme spread for 10 shots. :shock: This is no good for IPSC, might not make major, so I
switched to BE and W231 back in the day. I use TG for it now.

I gave it up years ago for .45 ACP light boolits. This effect is not seen in 230 gr LRN with a very strong
TC.

Bill

[lonewolf5347]

my tack driving load is
Clays 3.8
200 Gr.SWC
I can at 20 yards two hand hold unsupported blow the 10x out for me it the best load I stumbled on

[smokeywolf]

I load Unique and Bullseye almost exclusively in 45 ACP, 45 Long Colt, and 38 Spl.

smokeywolf

[Lightmkr]

I load 5.8 grains behind a 230 grain LRN. My 1911 has an 18 pound spring.

[Dan Cash]

Be aware that you are going to have powder all over you using it. I hate it. But it works really well in one of my 45's, so I put up with it. It's really bad if the wind is in your face.

Not so much if you use enough propellant. Unique is a good service load propellant but requires sufficient charge to burn completely. If you want mouse level target loads, Bullseye is your meat.

[kweidner]

+1 on bullseye. 4.9 grains. Unique is fine for wheel guns but the volume I shooting I do with the acp. I need something that meters a tad better. Love the powder as its not temperamental but I hate dropping it. I measure everyone with unique bc of this. I'd be measuring all day. Prefer to run acp through the 650. Single stage if running unique.

[MGySgt]

I run Unique through my 550 - everytime I stop and check the powder weight it is dead on. (or at least less than .10th above or below on my balance beam).

[35remington]

If you cannot meter Unique well enough in charges to get standard velocity with a 230 grain bullet while producing low extreme spreads in velocity despite this supposedly "inconsistent" metering, something is wrong with your measure or your metering technique. I have no special equipment, just a Lee Pro Auto Disk, and have no trouble metering Unique in ca. 820-850 fps loads with a 230. Extreme spreads in velocity are as low as, or lower than, supposedly "better" metering powders.

For standard velocity to +P loads Unique is an excellent choice. Standard velocity with a lead 230 of appropriate OAL is produced with approximately six grains, depending upon exact type and seating depth.

Which means the metering issue is moot in such loads. Look to yourself or your measure if you cannot duplicate this. If I can do it, anyone can.

[MBTcustom]

I have used a 1911 to burn over 10 pounds of unique 5 grains at a time since I got my first one when I was 21 years old. Its all I used for several years before I went to clays and 700X. I also shot thousands and thousands of 30-30s and 357Mags using unique as a propellant and hundreds of 30-06. Its the do it all powder and it groups so very nice in a 1911.
For the longest time, my powder cabinet looked the same: 3-4 pounds of unique, 2 pounds of bullseye, and 1-2 pounds of IMR3031, and the bullseye and 3031 were "novelty" powders to me LOL!

[drklynoon]

I have been shooting 5.5 gr. Unique behind the 200 gr Lee SWCBB in my Kimber and have excellent results. I do not have the dirty issue and unburned powder that seems so prevalent. I also use Federal SPP cases.