How well does Unique meter?

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LoneGoose

LoneGoose

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How well does Unique meter through my new Lock-N-Load Powder Measure with case-activated powder drop? I made some loads using my old Lyman 55 measure and although the drops were consistent, those large flakes felt like they were grinding or getting chopped during the operation. I just started using the Hornady AP press and would like to know if there are any issues with Unique. 700X did well through it.
 
If 700x meters well through it, Unique will be better. It is a large flake powder and is not the best metering powder but my experience is that it is much easier to get consistent charges with unique than 700x.

I try and stay with charges over 3.5 or even 4 grains with unique. At over 3.5 grains, I have come to accept variations of +-.2 grains.
 
I have 4 powder measures, and Unique does no better than .2 in any of them (and only in one measure on a good day). My C-H 502 powder measure is the best and occasionally I will get around .1 grain variations for a few throws, then back to .2 gr. Normally I'm in no hurry and usually just assemble 20 -24 rounds at a time so it's no big deal to weigh most on my Unique charges. Nope, Unique ain't known for it's metering qualities...
 
It does not meter well at all. The best I could get was ±0.2 gr if I'm able to double tap the handle to settle the powder. Without the extra taps I get ±0.4 gr swing which both are way too much in my book. The reason I quit using it decades ago.
 
The good news is unique is pretty forgiving so even if
You're off a tenth or two you'll likely never notice
 
700X and Unique both meter poorly and shoot great in many applications. +/- .2 isn't uncommon with an occasional throw worse than that.
 
I've been using it for many years in my .45acp loads. It meters okay, not smooth like H335, but not good enough. I use the RCBS Uniflow and the key is to use a baffle and a nice, smooth operation of the dispenser.
 
I won't say I use Unique exclusively in my hand gun reloading but it's safe to say it's 80% and it's almost all through Dillon Measures. I've got no issues with it at all.
 
X-Rap:
I won't say I use Unique exclusively in my hand gun reloading but it's safe to say it's 80% and it's almost all through Dillon Measures. I've got no issues with it at all.
Click to expand...
I believe the problems with Unique metering thru a powder measure are overstated.
 
I have powders that work with my Hornady case activated measure better than Unique, but I certainly wouldn't avoid the powder because of what you read. Can be a tiny bit inconsistent for me, but not enough to care for my plinking loads. I use it almost exclusively for 20 gauge shotgun, but it's nice to know I have it on hand if some of my other preferred pistol powders are not available. After all, it is Unique and works in a lot of applications. I think I have Unique loads worked up for the 4 pistol calibers I load for.
 
I loaded some 45 colt with unique through my Lee Auto Drum, and I don't think I was getting any more than +/- .1gr variation
 
I also have used a Lyman 55 for 50+ years and have just put a Hornady LNL AP to work. I normally use Win 231 in my 45 loads and have consistent results in the Hornady powder metering system, same as with my Lyman. I have used a lot of Unique in my .357 loads but found I could never get it to meter consistently in the Lyman. Hence I always used my old Redding balance scale to fine tune the loads to .1gr. I like the results I get with Unique. Of the pistol powders I use (2400, Bullseye, WIn231 and Unique) the Unique is my least favorite only because it takes more work to get it consistent for me.
 
If you like Unique you will love Accurate Arms #5. A ball powder with a similar burn rate as Unique. Flows through my RCBS Uniflow powder measure like greased lightning.
 
Good news and bad news.

Bad news is, being a 'large, flake' powder, it does not meter as uniformly as a smaller grain powder, or ball/spherical powder.

Good new is, so what? In most handguns, Unique shoots very uniformly. I shot Unique in .45 ACP, .38 Special, .357 Magnum and Super .38 cartridges and pistols for years. Results were/are excellent from light to full house (as far as possible) loads.

Amount of powder is probably the least important variable in reload accuracy. Especially handguns, with the typically short(er) range.
 
It's flakes are no bigger and it meters no worse than Red Dot or Green Dot and I hear nothing on the forums of the way they meter. I have no problems with it whatsoever on my LNL.

Unique meters better than 800X and AA5744
 
Never had a problem with Unique and the powder bar on the measure...I never use the disks on my Lee Classic turrent
 
I have had good results metering Unique using a Lee Perfect Powder measure and a Lee Pro Auto Disk with a Lee adjustable charge bar. I never tried using the disks. Based on my experience and what I have read it is has a lot to do with consistency of the operator more than anything. Some people have no issues while others seem to struggle and have problems with Unique no matter what dispenser they use. I did cycle a full hopper of powder through my powder measures being checking any weights.
 
While it does not throw exact charges every time, I've never had an issue.

0.1 or 0.2 isn't a big deal, especially in larger capacity cases like the .45 colt where I use it most of the time.
 
I've had a pound of Unique for almost five years now. Tried it in three different chamberings (.380, 10mm, .45acp) and could never get it to meter correctly in any of them.

Hand-weighing charges is not for me.

And so, I still have 90% of a pound of Unique.
 
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