Unique

[walltube]

Unique: promoting O-CD for 125 years.

Heavy for bore boolits with a proper crimp (experiment-experiment-experiment!). It's all about sufficient pressure. Unique have always given good performance in every firearm I own and shoot. Because the stuff can be annoying at times, because, it does not meter well in any drum type dispenser I own, is a minor with me. Burnt Unique residue matters not one iota to me.

Where I'd prefer to not use Unique as a propellant, is any direct impingement auto-loader. AR15, etc. Well...maybe so, if'n Unique is all that may be available if a SHTF scenario happens. Ya never know.

Be of good cheer,
Wt.

[Geezer in NH]

Only "cornmeal" I have ever seen is with 2400. Unique some residue from 100 rounds or so but gone with one wet patch of solvent.

Love Unique in handguns and CB rifle loads no need for buffers/fillers I have found

[Windwalker 45acp]

agree with the posts mentioning that it doesn't meter well, but Unique is about all I shoot and i've shot many, many thousands of rounds of it through my 1911's. Yep, she's dirty, but I always clean my guns afterward anyways, so it's a moot point for me.

[Scharfschuetze]

agree with the posts mentioning that it doesn't meter well

I use a Redding powder measure. When I bought it in the late 60s, you could also get a small volume pistol insert for the drum. With it, Unique measures very well and uniformly over hundreds of rounds. Of course Bullseye and 231 are even better, but not enough to notice in chronograph readings or with the accuracy on target.

My Dillon measure also is pretty reliable with Unique, probably as it shakes the measure during each cycle of the ram which settles the powder into the measure uniformly for each through.

Just loaded up a bunch of 38 Special FBI loads on the Dillon yesterday and checking the weight of the powder throw ever 20 rounds or so showed only plus or minus .1 of grain maximum in variation and most of the weight checks were spot on. Without doing any math, my guess would be that the standard deviation for Unique for the lot of ammo loaded yesterday would be about .03 grains.

[walltube]

I learned early on to accept 'Unique' as less than agreeable vs. ball\spherical powder through a drum type dispensor. As said above, + or - .03 grains is no big deal when below any published load approaching a maximum allowable amount. Why tempt the hand of fate?

Also, what advantage adding a filler? What are some folks hoping to gain? Another 100 FPS perhaps? Not being preachy here, only asking for safety sake.

The only time I include any stuff, other than powder, within a case is toilet paper, and then, only one 1\4 square of a single sheet. For example: By gently tamping t'paper in place over 17.5 grains Unique at the flash hole of
a 300 Win. Magnum case. This promotes a more complete combustion of Unique. Forget raising the muzzle in a vain attempt that any powder will stay put at the flash hole. Besides, raising the muzzle beyond a safe elevation at most ranges, public or private, is cause for permanent banning.


That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

Be of good cheer,
Wt.

[KCcactus]

For those with problems getting Unique to meter well, what kind of powder measure are you using? I've been loading Unique for light to mid range 38, 357 and 44 with Lee auto disc measures for 30 years with no issues. Really light loads may leave a few partially burned grains, but the only significant cleanliness issue I have is soot on the cases, gun and my hands. It doesn't cause problems while shooting and it's not hard to clean off. I tried Universal and got the partially burned oatmeal some have mentioned. It was bad enough it caused jams. Accurate #5 burns cleaner, but leaks out between the hopper and disc of my measure.

[perotter]

.....

My Dillon measure also is pretty reliable with Unique, probably as it shakes the measure during each cycle of the ram which settles the powder into the measure uniformly for each through.

Just loaded up a bunch of 38 Special FBI loads on the Dillon yesterday and checking the weight of the powder throw ever 20 rounds or so showed only plus or minus .1 of grain maximum in variation and most of the weight checks were spot on. Without doing any math, my guess would be that the standard deviation for Unique for the lot of ammo loaded yesterday would be about .03 grains.

Thanks for posting about it working well in Dillon equipment. I've been considering getting a Dillon 650 setup and did wonder a bit about this.

I've never had problems,IMO, with Unique metering in RCBS, Lee or Redding powder measure and assumed that Dillon worked fine also. But, good to hear that it does and won't have to do as much testing.

[walltube]

"For those with problems getting Unique to meter well, what kind of powder measure are you using?"

RCBS, Hornady and an old Redding yet sporting the brown crinkle finish. All operated with their factory supplied operating handles.

Problems with Unique not metering well came to an end when I installed a 'case-activated' gadget to both RCBS and Hornady dispensers. With the case activator I found a mechanical advantage to more vigorously operate the dispensor drum cavity's 'open and close" stroke. Particularly during the case filling stroke. Thus cutting those annoying Unique flakes without much ado, plus a more accurately dispensed powder charge. At present there rests an RCBS case activated dispensor atop a Lyman MagII turret press. Also, in my humble opinion, Inline's ergo operating handle makes the task all the more easy.

Before closing, I caution to not be to too vigourus during the case filling stroke. A few ruined .45 ACP case mouths tempered my overzealous "slam bang git-er-done" handle strokes. Some adjusting of the case activated linkage and dispenser was needed.

Wishing all Ya'll a more enjoyable and full-filling Unique experience,
Wt.

[Oklahoma Rebel]

I have had that problem in my 1895 45-70 with acc2495, after even one shot the are some burnt but still intact(looks like a light color version of what went in the case), probably 6-7 every time I check, It worried me at first, and I tried a heavier load, it didn't make a difference. now I just ignore it, because in actuality cleanup is really pretty easy, 4-6 patches after a range session of about a box or so of ammo.anyways good luck to ya!

[375supermag]

Hi...

I use an awful lot of Unique and have never found it particularly dirty.
I use a Lil Dandy pistol powder measure and have no issues with accurate and consistent charge weights.

I load 8.0gr of Unique under 250-255gr commercial cast LSWC in .45Colt, 9.0gr under 215gr commercial cast LSWC in .41Mag, 7.5gr under 240gr LSWC in .44Spl and 10.0gr under 240gr LSWC IN .44Mag.

I load and shoot these by the thousands each year and have never experienced what the OP alluded to. I suspect too light a powder charge combined with insufficient crimp. Too light a bullet may also be a contributing factor.

I use an enormous amount of Unique and always have 5-6 pounds on hand...even during the recent shortages.
I was always able to replace whatever I used by searching LGS on a weekly basis. I sometimes had to wait a few weeks before some shop got some in but, I was never in danger of running out or even delving into my emergency stash.

I would be lost without Unique for big-bore straight wall handgun cartridges. I have no plans to attempt to replace it, as long as it is being sold.

[lolbell]

Sounds like most of ya'll are running short of Unique. When I get down to an 8lb jug I get nervous. I have about 18lbs now. I use it in 327, 357, 41, 44, 45c, 9mm, 45acp, 12ga, 16ga, and 20ga.

I have no problems with "dirty" in the pistol loads. I don't really know if I have a metering problem or not. I use an RCBS throw, I check about every 10th round or so and don't get more than a +/- .2 grn. That has never been enough to show on a chrono or accuracy. I do tend to run in the upper end of the pressures and use a medium to heavy crimp.

Shotguns are different. All are dirty, esp the 12. I live with it because I can roll up some very accurate heavy loads that will tear a target's **** all to heck whether it be clays, doves, squirrels, or rabbits without changing anything. For ducks or turkeys I just change from 8 shot to 5 shot.

Unique keeps reloading simple in the fact that I don't have to keep 63 different powders on hand for most of my shooting. I do keep some 4227 for magnum revolver loads in all but the 327. I like AA9 for heavy 327 loads.

[Sam Casey]

Why not 2 powders? I understand 4895 has the same elastic qualities for rifle applications as does Unique for pistol.

[lotech]

In defense of Unique, I've developed some great handgun loads over the last forty-five years. I don't recall it being particularly dirty or leaving unburned powder residue.

However, it doesn't meter nearly as well as other suitable powders through my Redding measures. I used to have a couple of RCBS measures; can't recall how Unique flowed through them. I had two holdout cartridges where nothing shot as accurately as Unique: the .45 Colt and the .32-20, so I continued buying the powder. Recently, I found an HS-6 load that was more accurate than the old Unique recipe and at the same velocity. I need to work with the .32-20 so that I can eliminate Unique from the powder inventory altogether.

[Sam Casey]

I have some HS-6. Used to be known as Win540 and is a fine powder for shotgun field loads. In shotshell applications, I know it to be spherical powder that burns dirty when loaded light, especially in cold weather. Have read that magnum primers are preferred for clean moderate pistol loads?

[lotech]

I know magnum primers are often recommended for use with HS-6, but I've yet to see a need for them with the cartridges and HS-6 loads I've used. I'll qualify that by mentioning that I've never fired any such loads in extreme cold. I don't know about shotshells, but HS-6 was not intended for "light" handgun loads. Something else would be preferable.

[CASTER OF LEAD]

OP.....you now know why I gave away over 3# of the filthy stuff a few years ago. Unique is the dirtiest filthiest burning powder I have ever seen......lite loads or full loads. An old formulation that should have been discontinued decades ago.

I standardized on TightGroup after that. Excellent powder. But is will tend to soften the PC on the base of coated boolits after several months. No big thing.

And now my standard for ALL pistols (and plinking rifles) is ETR7, the cleanest burning, "forgiving-est" load powder I have ever used. Hope you get a chance order some from Expansion Industries or find a local buddy that has some he will "loan" you for some tests. If you were closer I would give you a medicine bottle full of it to play with!

I am not affiliated with EI, I just reeeeeeeeally like their powder and have repeat-ordered from them.

BTW........PC also helps with clean gunk-free barrels! Give it a try!

bangerjim

I too happen to love ETR-7. I use it in my .38 spl. As well as in my .45 Acp. Shoots anything I top it with through both weapons no problems period. As for the "Popcorn looking stuff your unique leaves behind. Up the charge usually does the trick. I am currently testing some mil surp BR 5 had the same type stuff till I bumped the charge up. Burns clean as any other powder use and still below max loads. CASTER

[opos]

I've shot a bunch of Unique over the years..don't mind a little soot when there might be some as I clean me and my guns after every range session....I'm hearing lots of folks that like Universal as a "substitute" for Unique...not grain for grain but in many of the same applications...some feel it's easier to meter and not quite as sooty...any comments from folks that have used it? I had a pound and a buddy talked me out of it...now I wonder why he liked it so well...

[sharps4590]

As with so many others Unique has been on my shelf for near 50 years and I still use quite a bit of it in revolver loads, for reduced rifle loads and in a couple rifles for "Nitro for Black" loads. No, it won't do it all, no powder can, but I find it a very versatile powder. No doubt others are just as versatile but at my age I'll stay with the familiar.

As far as it being dirty, to quote Shakespeare, "Methinks thou dost protest too loudly". Depending on the application many powders will leave unburned flakes. As is apparent I can't speak to all who complain about Unique being dirty. Those I know personally who complain about it don't have many years experience handloading and think there should be nothing left in the bore from any powder which I believe is unreasonable. As others have also mentioned I too shoot a lot of black powder. If you think Unique is dirty run a couple hundred rounds of black through a couple rifles at one sitting, then talk about Unique being dirty.

[Jack Stanley]

Just for what it's worth . The Uniflow powder measure I bought all those years ago came with two powder drums . One was a large and the other small , When using Unique I've always used the small so there was less area that had to be sheared against . You can still feel it as the measure is operated but , if you try to push the handle outward against the arc of handle movement it is not so bad .

Also , the measure on my old Dillon 550 is just about as accurate as the Uniflow . Usually my loads with Unique tend to be at the top , they still are not maximum . I do employ a bit heavier crimp and normally have the largest diameter bullet that with work reliably .

Jack

[KCcactus]

...I'm hearing lots of folks that like Universal as a "substitute" for Unique...not grain for grain but in many of the same applications...some feel it's easier to meter and not quite as sooty...any comments from folks that have used it? I had a pound and a buddy talked me out of it...now I wonder why he liked it so well...

I've heard / seen the same about Universal. I bought a pound a few years ago when I couldn't find unique. Everything I tried it in with mid-range loads left oatmeal in the guns. I used less than a 1/4 pound and gave the rest away.

The one thing I haven't seen mentioned in the Unique discussion is primers. I use Winchester primers. Other than soot, I have no complaints about Unique. For those having more problems with Unique, what primers are you using?