Light loads other than Unique powder

[DevilDog83]

Hey guys, I've been using 7.0 grains of Unique with 150-185 grain lead projectiles, no gas checks, Lee Alox in everything from 30-30 to 8MM Mauser for the last 30 years and have had tons of fun. Basically any older military bolt gun (03-A3, Mosin, Enfield, Arisaka, Mauser, etc.) with 7.0 grains of Unique has provided sub sonic no recoil FUN! Seems like there is no more Unique out there, so have any of you used a similar powder and had decent results?? Many thanks for any answers!!

[kenton]

Trailboss would be an option if you can find it. Hodgdon's website has load data for almost any rifle caliber.

[popper]

6-7 gr Red dot.

[gumbo333]

Red Dot, Green Dot, HP38, 700x, Titewad, TiteGroup just to get started.

[45workhorse]

Hey guys, I've been using 7.0 grains of Unique with 150-185 grain lead projectiles, no gas checks, Lee Alox in everything from 30-30 to 8MM Mauser for the last 30 years and have had tons of fun. Basically any older military bolt gun (03-A3, Mosin, Enfield, Arisaka, Mauser, etc.) with 7.0 grains of Unique has provided sub sonic no recoil FUN! Seems like there is no more Unique out there, so have any of you used a similar powder and had decent results?? Many thanks for any answers!!

https://www.precisionreloading.com/c...!l=PDR&i=UNIQ1

In stock $47.00 a pound! (10 seconds from now welllllll)

[stubshaft]

I use the same amount of Herco in my 30/30 and 30 Remington loads.

[2152hq]

https://www.precisionreloading.com/c...!l=PDR&i=UNIQ1

In stock $47.00 a pound! (10 seconds from now welllllll)

Oh My!,,,$47 a pound plus $24 or $29 HazMat.

I like RedDot for cast bullet & Jacketed too.
I use 10 or 12gr in most all Military rifle cases. 12gr w/the jacketed to make sure the bullets don't get stuck in the bore.
Very accurate and still a light load . Just enough noise and recoil to make it feel like shooting a rifle though!
I was just given a big unopened metal canister of Herco. 8Lb ?
I was wondering what to use it for. I to load shotshells with it yrs ago but it's for the heavier payload type. I shoot the 3/4oz and 7/8oz now.
Seems like we used it in 45acp too.

Sounds like a good candidate for the light rifle loads.

[Froogal]

I have experimented with Winchester 244 as a replacement for Unique in my .45 Colts. Worked good enough that I am not worried about my supply of Unique running out.

[farmerjim]

A few grains of Bullseye ( 2 grains up to 7 ) or Herco have worked fine in 223 and 308. I am sure they will work in most other calibers. There is a link to a table for subsonic loads with fast powders somewhere on this forum.

[Tall]

It's in stock here:
https://mainegundealer.com/Alliant_UNQ1.html

[jonp]

Promo or RedDot is my "go to" for all light target loads in all handguns plus cast in all rifles.

[45workhorse]

Didn't say it was cheap!
I just showed one place that it was available.
I have seen it in my area.
Few dollars cheaper, but it is out in the stores.
Just putting the information out there!
Red Dot does work good for mouse fart/cat sneeze/ light loads.
My A3 does not like it, 15grns of 2400 works for me. (forgot 314299, sage gas check, Smokes clear powder, .311. YMMV)
Good Luck!

[DevilDog83]

Thanks alot guys, I know many of you have tried some other powders and was hoping I had some laying around that would work well. Really appreciate all the advice!!

[scattershot]

30/30 with 165 grain cast and 5.5 grains of Red Dot produced this group at 50 yards in a Marlin 336. HGreat fun to shoot.

[charlie b]

These guys did a lot of light load testing

http://www.gmdr.com/lever/lowveldata.htm

I use the .30-30 data for my .308.

PS my go to load has been 8.0gn of Blue Dot with a 170gn plain base bullet. Don't shoot the light load much these days with the prices of primers.

[Tall]

These guys did a lot of light load testing

http://www.gmdr.com/lever/lowveldata.htm

I use the .30-30 data for my .308.

PS my go to load has been 8.0gn of Blue Dot with a 170gn plain base bullet. Don't shoot the light load much these days with the prices of primers.

Wow great link thank you!

[15meter]

Or just read the sticky:

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/sho...Rifles-Article

Makes life simple. I've pretty well settled on 16 grains of 2400, works great in the dozen or so calibers I've tried it in.


Only thing I would question is the need to segregate cases if you choose to open up the flash hole. I believe Larry Gibson has written extensively on this.

[Thumbcocker]

6-7 gr Red dot.

Yup

[Hick]

Red Dot, Green Dot, HP38, 700x, Titewad, TiteGroup just to get started.

That's my list too

[deces]

I believe the closest substitute for Unique, would be Hodgdon's Universal.