Are you getting consistent loads with Unique?

My Lee auto disc pro is very consistent with Unique, and every other powder I have used

My charge variability with Unique is a bit higher than than fine grain powders, plus/minus 0.2 grains or so for a nominal 8 grain charge. But it does not seem to make a difference in the accuracy of the ammunition.

But, I find 45 Colt is position sensitive with Unique and velocity will vary 10%-12% on whether the powder is against the primer or against the bullet. Big case with a small volume of powder.

When I got into shooting competitive skeet, I was already using Unique in handgun ammunition, so I used Unique in my 20 and 28 gauge shells so that I would not have to buy another powder that was limited to only shot shells. Of course, I went from buying Unique a pound at a time to buying it at eight pounds at a time.

cfullgraf said:

But, I find 45 Colt is position sensitive with Unique and velocity will vary 10%-12% on whether the powder is against the primer or against the bullet. Big case with a small volume of powder.

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What do you consider good performance? From the testing I've seen 10-12% doesn't seem very bad. What powders do better for you in this application?

Worst metering powder ever(well, there might be even worse than unique, but it is right up there), fortunately it doesn't seem to matter much in most rounds.

I'm fairly new to reloading and started out using Unique for my .45 auto on the advice of another reloader. It is very inconsistent metering through my Hornady measure and it drives me crazy. I worked up a new load with CFE Pistol which meters very well. After set up I weighed the first 5 loads on my Dillon beam and then every 5th load. Perfect. Never got that with Unique.

I weigh each charge when using Unique for cartridges. In 20 ga. I let the MEC machine do it.

No issues with unique using a Lee ProAutoDrum powder measure. Seems to stay within 0.1gr.

I weight all charges of unique when working uploads especially when approaching the top end.
Once I find the load for that gun, I may volumetricaly throw the powder with either a Dillon SD or a Lyman 55.
I check against the scale periodically while loading to make sure something hasn’t gone south on me.
I love unique and everything is good here.

Col. Harrumph said:

I have a ton of Unique on hand for the 12-gauge, so when I'm loading for a handgun it just seems thrifty to use the same powder. But that means I have to stay well below the the published limit. Problem is, my powder measure can't throw consistent charges of Unique. (Or if it can I'm doing something wrong.)

I'm using a Lyman 55 and the best I can do is plus-or-minus 3/10 grain. That's terrible!

If you have better success with flake powders, what are you using? If a Lyman, what's your technique?

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The reason I quit using Unique. You can do a little better than ±0.3 gr though. It's all about running the dispenser the same each time. When I did use it you have to develop a tapping sequence at the top and/or bottom to settle the powder. Then still don't expect it to be any more accurate than ±0.1gr.

Like said , at least it shoots better than it dispenses. I switched over to WSF for 9mm, and WST for 45acp, since I load on a AP. These are ball powders and meter accurately.

Try moving all the slides over at the same time to adjust your charge; like you would for a large rifle load. Be consistent in moving the lever and using the knocker. My throws vary by + or - a tenth of a grain. You may want to get a baffle if you don't have one. Some say it helps' although I don't have one.

Lots of threads about how Unique meters poorly and shoots great anyway.

I've had very good luck with Unique through my LnL AP powder measure and before that, the Lee PPM. It's a great powder and was my favorite until the powder shortage and I couldn't find it anywhere so I've moved on to BE-86 which is cheaper, burns cleaner and is very much more available.

Your criteria is trying to get Unique to meter properly since you have and use so much for shotshell loading. Maybe you should try Alliant 20/28. It is about 5-10% more energetic than Unique (start with 10% less powder), fills the same niche in shotgun applications and is a little denser which helps the stack height and most importantly, the flakes are a little smaller which helps metering. It does have more nitroglycerin than Unique so if your hopper gets melted by high nitro content powder (RCBS is notorious and MEC bottles don't do well), empty the hopper after each loading session.

Bandit67 said:

I'm fairly new to reloading and started out using Unique for my .45 auto on the advice of another reloader. It is very inconsistent metering through my Hornady measure and it drives me crazy.

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I use both an older (25yrd old) and new Hornady measure, once the hopper is seasoned I drop Unique charges at +/-.1grn... but the seasoning is the key. I also have a technique to tap the drum handle to settle the powder (any powder, not just Unique) before I roll it into the case.

Fine Figure of a Man said:

Lots of threads about how Unique meters poorly and shoots great anyway.

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..oh, don't forget dirty. I have to shovel the soot out of my pistols after every shooting session.

ray15 said:

What do you consider good performance? From the testing I've seen 10-12% doesn't seem very bad. What powders do better for you in this application?

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With a low velocity round like 45 Colt, I'd expect plus/minus 5% for the most part but it could be higher.

The position sensitivity of Unique in 45 Colt ammunition is quite noticeable when shooting it over a chronograph. In my testing, powder against the primer averages 10%-12% higher velocities than the averages for powder against the bullet. So, if your averages range plus/minus 5%, you could have a 20% or more difference between the low velocity of powder against the bullet and the high velocity of powder against primer.

If you do not consider the position sensitivity of Unique in the 45 Colt when shooting over a chronograph, the extreme spreads can get large.

Fortunately, due to the limitations of the shooter (me), the rainbow trajectory of 45 Colt and a nominal average powder distribution in the case under normal shooting conditions, the velocity differences really do not show up on the target.

I have been dabbling with Accurate #5 in the 45 Colt. It seems to be less position sensitive than Unique in the 45 Colt. But, I've been working down my inventory of 255 grain SWC 45 Colt loads and transitions to 200 grain WC loads so, I have not worried much about powders as of late. Also, lots of other irons in the fire, who said you'd have lots of free time once retired.

I'm sure there are lots of other suitable alternatives to Unique and AA#5 out there, these are the ones I keep in inventory for this type of application.

Unique works fine which is why I still use it even with all it's "faults".

I haven't had much issue in my Dillon 550B. I just finished off a pound and measured frequently since I'm new to reloading. It seemed to be within about a 20th of a grain for me. I have noted what others have said, about establishing a good rhythm to help with consistency. I varied my loads in 45acp from 6.1 up to 6.4. Sootiness was the only issue I have on lite charges.

Hey I've been meaning to ask, Unique left a dust in my hopper. Is it necessary to clean that powder dust out of the hopper before switching powders?

I've had no significant issues with unique in a Dillon powder dispenser or my old (pre hornady) pacific with pistol micrometer bushing.

I have been using unique for 9mm and 45 ACP for the last six years in my Hornady LNL with no problems. When I set it for 4.0 grains it reliably throws 3.9 to 4.1 all day long, as others have said it is a sooty powder. Since I have two 8 Lb jugs yet to be opened I will be using it for a long time.

I really thought I would have the same problem with my Hornady Charge master, but Unique is quite consistant with it.

460Shooter said:

Hey I've been meaning to ask, Unique left a dust in my hopper. Is it necessary to clean that powder dust out of the hopper before switching powders?

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I wouldn’t worry about the dust...kind of like cooking with a cast iron pan, that dust is what seasons your measure..

Also to note, any virgin hopper or measure I get I pre season it with powdered graphite. Which invariably increases the metering consistency of Unique (or any powder). It truly is the key IMO when handling Unique.

CK

Walkalong said:

Unique shoots better than it meters.

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I have found this true for me, I'll get those 3/10 variations in spite of my very best efforts yet my chrono data for some of my pet full power .45 ACP loads has the SD in the single digits and they are very accurate. I find Walkalong's statement is true for IMR 4350 too, meters horribly. I just throw the best I can and shoot em and they do just fine.

Unique shoots very well for me in my revolvers. I weigh each individual charge after it is dropped and then use a powder trickled to finish it up. Yes it takes a little longer but I get very consistent loads.

Even though I wrote off Unique when I got .3-.5 gr swing in my Pro Auto Disk and got so-so accuracy, I am able to meter Unique in C-H 502 micrometer powder measure with .2 gr variance - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/c-h-502-micrometer-powder-measure-10-drops.834894/

I can live with .2 gr swing of Unique and will consider including in future accuracy testing. I am planning to test C-H 502 powder measure and Unique in Lee's new Pro 4000 press when it arrives.

BTW, I got the following drops of Unique from C-H 502 thread:

1. 5.30 gr
2. 5.14 gr
3. 5.08 gr
4. 5.32 gr
5. 5.08 gr
6. 5.30 gr
7. 5.18 gr
8. 5.12 gr
9. 5.14 gr
10. 5.32 gr

No problems with it out of either my Uniflow or LnL measures.