Got some Unique, some questions...

[AviatorTroy]

I have always used just a couple powders.... Bullseye, 2400, H380, 3031, and 4831

Never used Unique, but thought I'd try it as Id like a little more volume of case fill in the pistol loads.

I like 3.5 gr Bullseye with a 158 gr LSWC in the .38 special, but I thought for plinking and target shooting 4 gr. Unique would be a little lighter.

.45 ACP I run about 4-4.5 gr Bullseye, again for a lighter practice load I'm thinking 5 gr Unique and a 230gr LRN.

A GREAT plinking load in most rifle cartriges is a cast bullet on the light side and 6-7 gr. Bullseye. What load of Unique would be comparable? 9-10?

Do these loads sound about right? Remember, lighter loads but enough to cycle the action. I admit to an alterior motive..... My girlfriend is new to shooting and most of these loads would be for her.

[Jack Stanley]

On the lighter side huh?

My thirty-eight load can't really be called light I guess because I'm closer to the five grain mark than four .

In the forty-five I got real good results in a ACP revolver using two thirty grain round nose left unsized at .457" ( ancient Ideal mold ) and six and a half grans Unique .

In an '06 for light loads ...... Oh yeah !! NOW,... I can help .

311466 7.5 grs

311440 7.5 grs

308-173 (NEI) 9.3 grs

311291 9.3 grs

311334 11.2 grs

308-235 (NEI) 9.6 grs


Thumbnail sized groups at thirty yards and my niece and nephew shoot them without discomfort at all .

Jack

[Firebricker]

Unique is one of my favorite powders especially in .38spl 5gr of unique is pretty much the traditional service load with 158gr and 5.5 is considered +p. Lyman's starting load with unique and 158gr boolit is 3.4 so I think your 4gr load should be a nice mild target load.

As far as your .45 acp I'd start at min and work up till the gun operates reliable. So yes I think your loads sound abought right. I load unique in both those calibers with good results.
FB

[RollerCam]

Never used Unique, but thought I'd try it as Id like a little more volume of case fill in the pistol loads.

From my Speer #10 manual:

With a 158 gr. (jacketed) 38-Special load (+P)...

10 grains of 2400 = 929 fps.

5.5 grains of Unique = 875 fps.


Unique would seem to be the choice for LESS volume of case fill in the .38 special when compared to 2400.