unique 9mm data

[sandman228]

I'm currently loading lee 120 and 124 tc bullets over red dot but wanted to try same bullets over unique . ive read data on a couple online sights and see data from people loading well up into the 6 gr range but I looked it up in my lyman manual and it says max is 5.3 gr for the 120 gr tc bullet also same in my 9mm caliber specific manual . so I loaded up 100 rounds of 120 gr tc powder coated bullets over 5.0 gr and loaded up another 100 124 gr tumble lubed tc bullets over 4.7 gr . I probably wont get to range to try them out till next weekend . 6 gr just seems a bit warm for 9mm imho, I only use 6 gr of unique in 357 mag 158 swc loads its not warm by any means but a comfortable accurate plinking load. I just wanted a little input on how much unique others are using in 9mm

[tazman]

I have an Alliant manual from 2001 hat shows 5.5 of Unique as max for a 125 grain lead boolit.

[mikeyjones]

I actually just shot about 300 rounds of 124gn powder coated over 4.9gn of unique.

Liked it a lot. Very little smoke and fairly accurate through my glock 17.

[John Boy]

125 grain Lead RN
Unique 6.0 gr. 1,165

[Scharfschuetze]

I use a lot of Unique in the 9mm Parabellum. It's always been right up there with any other powder for producing good accuracy and velocity.

[JeffG]

The info I got directly from Alliant was 4.0-4.5 gr Unique for the 120-124 gr cast bullet. I typically load mine at 4.3 gr and it does just fine in both my 9x19's. They chronograph at about 1000 fps as I recall.

[Rodfac]

125 grain Lead RN
Unique 6.0 gr. 1,165

Many years ago, I blew out the side of a Federal 9mm case using 6.0 gr of Unique behind Lyman's 358402 sized 0.356". The preceding 5 rounds all showed bulged cases as well, but I wasn't inspecting each ejected case at the time. The pistol was a Colt Combat Commander with a fitted Barsto 9mm barrel. I now use 5.4 gr of Unique as my personal max through all of my 9mm's.

There was no damage to the gun, but I definitely felt the Pachmeyer grips bulge against my palm when the round blew out. It's my opinion that a pair of wood stocks would have split.

Rod

[Bullwolf]

5.2 grains of Unique with the Lee TL356-124-2R in 9mm, and a 1.10 OAL.

My 9mm alloy has always been pretty hard, consequently my Lee TL boolits weigh in around 115-116 grains from my alloy. I size them at .358

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=52362&d=1304661284

Worked up this TL load in the 90's. Always cycled my 92F and my Browning Hi-Power.

5.1 grains of Unique works with the Lee TL356-124-2R boolit coated in my TZ-75
(A Tanfoglio CZ-75 Clone)

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=52572&d=1311909465

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=52610&d=1313305073



I also use 5.2 grains of Unique with the Lyman 356402 Truncated Cone for 9mm and an OAL of 1.15 (Lube is Orange Magic) With my somewhat hard alloy they weigh in around 117-118 grains, and are sized at .358

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=52370&d=1304738207




- Bullwolf

[KenH]

I've just started reloading 9mm for a Glock 43 and am tending toward the other end - light loads. I've found around 4.5 grains pushing Rocky Mountain plated 115 RN seem to cycle reliably. Still testing, but so far they seem to be a good plinking load.

Ken H>

[Bmi48219]

I just loaded 50 rounds using 5.2 grains Herco behind a 124 copper plated rnl. Going to take them to the range this week & try them. Will be switching to Hercules Unique when the Herco runs out. Anyone have a recipe for Unique and 124 plated rnl? Looking for general purpose plinking loads I can run through several 9mm pistols.

[winelover]

Been using 5.0 grains of Unique in 9mm with 125RN boolit...like forever....COAL 1.101

Winelover

[Bullwolf]

I just loaded 50 rounds using 5.2 grains Herco behind a 124 copper plated rnl. Going to take them to the range this week & try them. Will be switching to Hercules Unique when the Herco runs out. Anyone have a recipe for Unique and 124 plated rnl? Looking for general purpose plinking loads I can run through several 9mm pistols.

I've always been under the impression that slower lots of Unique, simply get labeled as Herco. Both powders behave almost the same, with Herco being a tad slower than Unique.

Many plated bullet manufacturers recommend using cast lead bullet data with their plated bullets.

You could try contacting the plated bullet manufacturer to see what they say about it, and also see if you are able to obtain any load data directly from them.

You can easily use a 125 grain 9mm cast Unique load, from the Lyman Cast #4 handbook and have it work just fine. I've done so myself when using plated bullets. Many of the cast loads listed previously in this thread would also work nicely with plated bullets.

I don't try to push plated bullets to jacketed velocities for fear of stripping the thin copper plating from the projectile. Also be careful during the crimping process that you don't crimp too hard and cut through the plating. Use a gentle/light taper crimp with plated bullets. Pulling a loaded cartridge after crimping is an easy way to check to see if this is happening.

I'll look at a few different versions of load data, so as to get a better idea of what I'm doing before starting out.

Source Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook (2010) 4th edition:
Lyman 125gr #356637 HP
OAL = 1.010 - 4 inch barrel, universal receiver.
Unique 4.5 grains Start = 1057 FPS and 24,900 C.U.P
Unique 5.0 grains MAX = 1188 FPS and 30,300 C.U.P
----------------
Source Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook (2010) 4th edition:
RCBS 124gr #9mm-124-CN
OAL = 1.050 -4 inch barrel, universal receiver.
Unique 4.4 grains Start = 1053 FPS and 25,700 C.U.P
Unique 4.9 grains MAX = 1159 FPS and 30,700 C.U.P
----------------

Here's some older data for a JACKETED 125gr SP, from the Speer #11
(from 1987-1988) using both Unique and Herco load data.

Source - Speer #11 Reloading Manual (1987-1988)
.355 9mm Jacketed SP 125 grain
No OAL Listed - 4.9 inch test barrel Beretta92SB
Herco 5.5 grains Start = 1039 FPS (no pressure data)
Herco 6.2 grains MAX = 1159 FPS (no pressure data)
Unique 5.5 grains Start = 1087 FPS (no pressure data)
Unique 5.9 grains MAX = 1187 FPS (no pressure data)
----------------
Source Speer #11 Reloading Manual (1987-1988)
.356 125 9mm grain Lead round nose
OAL 1.130 (from Speer #12) 4.9 inch barrel Beretta92SB
Unique 4.1 grains Start = 911 FPS (no pressure data)
Unique 4.5 grains MAX = 1011 FPS (no pressure data)
----------------
Source Speer # 12 Reloading Manual (1994)
.356 9mm 125 grain Lead round nose
OAL 1.130 - 4 inch Smith 5906
Unique 4.1 grains Start = 911 FPS (no pressure data)
Unique 4.5 grains MAX = 1011 FPS (no pressure data)
----------------
Source - RCBS Cast Bullet Manual number 1 (1986)
9mm-124-RN (Cast Lead Bullet)
No OAL Listed - 4 inch barrel length
Unique 5.1 grains Start =1102 FPS (no pressure data)
Unique 5.5 grains MAX = 1122 FPS (no pressure data)
----------------

For comparison purposes, here's some warm older 1991 Hercules load data from before Alliant had taken over Hercules and began listing BE-86 as the only powder choice for most calibers online.

This data was pretty hot, and I would NOT use it anymore, though I did back then. I've posted this as a reference only. It also serves nicely as a data comparison between Herco and Unique.

Source - 1991 Hercules reloading pamphlet. (REFERENCE ONLY)
9mm Luger
125gr Lead
OAL 1.150 - 4 inch barrel
6.0 grains of Unique (MAX) 1,165 FPS - 32,100 PSI
6.2 grains of Herco (MAX) 1,165 FPS - 28,500 PSI
----------------
Needless to say these are maximum loads - You were expected to reduce the max load by 10% to start, and work your loads up again to max or near maximum. Load data was much hotter back then. At one point in time however these loads were considered safe to use

I would recommend following the more recent modern Lyman load data, and starting around 4.4 to 4.5 grains of Unique with a 125 plated bullet, and working your way up until you find reliability and accuracy, with 4.9 to 5.0 grains of Unique being your plated bullet max. Do Not start right out at the maximum loads.

Disclaimer: If you use this data, do so at your own risk!

This is the Internet, but I'm a human and could have made a mistake, error, or even a typo. Verify that this data is correct for yourself by checking at least 2 other pieces of printed load data. If you don't understand it well, or are unable to extrapolate the data for yourself... Please find a mentor to help out.


- Bullwolf

[Bmi48219]

Thanks Bullwolf & winelover,
I am going to load 10 each starting at 4.1 going up .2 for each successive 10, up to 4.7 and give them a trial. My older daughter wants to start shooting again so we'll head for the range early next week.

[nagantguy]

Even though this is an old thread it answered my questions perfectly and I'm going to save it, belated thanks to all!

[Grmps]

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?138024-9mm-load-with-unique

[Lloyd Smale]

one of my generic handgun loads is 5.7 unique with a 125 cast