How well does Unique meter?

[Hangingrock]

I stopped using Unique in my Hornady LnL measure because it indeed is like metering corn flakes.

I'd like to hear about the experience of metering corn flakes. Frist hand accounts are always interesting. This is a novel approach using those corn flakes as a filler??????.

 

[stu1ritter]

Corn flakes meter something like BANG, BANG, Pfft, Pfft, BANG. I had such severe bridging in my LnL powder measure with Unique I gave away the pound. This might just be Unique to my particular powder measure, but others have mentioned the same.
Stu

 

[Hangingrock]

I had such severe bridging in my LnL powder measure with Unique I gave away the pound

Thank you for the information. I have not experienced your problem. I do use Unique with (3) progressive reloading units for 45ACP, 44Spl, and 9mm-Luger.

The manufacture of the progressive units matters not for the purposes of discussion. I've never experienced a bridging problem with powder distribution from the OEM powder measures which I believe you are describing. If that problem was occurring it would be really noticeable with the 9mm-Luger.

None the less thank you for your reply.

 

[stu1ritter]

My experiences so far are that with Unique I was not able to use the pistol drum with the LnL. Very inconsistent. The only other powder I had trouble with was Trailboss and that was problematic even using the rifle drum. I just don't use those two powders and really have no need for them, there are so many others. Simple fix.
Stu

 

[Dudedog]

You used Unique and meter in the same sentence

 

[300Whspr]

Unique meters pretty well through my small rotor Uniflow... I'd venture to say that probably 80% of my throws are on weight... 10% are +.1 grain, 5% are +.2 grain, and the last 5% are under by .1 grain. I seem to get very few underweight throws.

I think it's all in your technique and consistency... with the consistency of your technique on the handle making the most difference of all. Also, using a powder baffle with small slots and keeping it low (at the bottom) of the reservoir seems to help as well.

 

[cfullgraf]

I use a fair amount of Unique and 700-X. When loading on a single stage where i batch charge a tray full of cartridges, I get good metering with my Redding 10-X measure.

The main deal is to operate the measure the same way every time. Also, I have a baffle in my measure.

Since I have moved to a progressive, things have been not so good, at least on the surface. The Redding 10-X seems to not be as consistent as when operated by hand. But, as Walkalong said many posts ago, the variability does not seem to make a difference in shooting performance of cartridges loaded wit Unique.

I load 45 ACP with 700-X on a Dillon SDB and the Dillon powder measure seems to be more consistent with 700-X than the drum style measures on the Hornady L-N-L.

I've gotten more critical of Unique's position sensitivity in large cases like 45 Colt of late and am moving away from using Unique in 45 Colt. I don't know why because if i don't think about it I do not notice anything.

I've been loading 700-X in 45 ACP for decades so I doubt I'll change from that unless I run out of 700-X.

 

[Iron Sight]

I also have quit trying to use Unique on the Hornady L-N-L. Unique is a powder I now individually weigh every load.

My new plan for Unique includes an RCBS ChargeMaster 1500 Powder Scale and Dispenser Combo.

 

[LoneGoose]

Cfullgraf, I just sent you a PM.

 

[Potatohead]

Try some 800x and you will gain a new perspective.

+1 lol

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I also have quit trying to use Unique on the Hornady L-N-L. Unique is a powder I now individually weigh every load.

My new plan for Unique includes an RCBS ChargeMaster 1500 Powder Scale and Dispenser Combo.

I have loaded tens of thousands of Unique charged rounds with my LnL with no complaints.

 

[drband]

Unique meters well enough with a Lee ProAuto disk PM. Not perfect, but just fine as long as you aren't loading at max pressures.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I always remind folks, it does not matter how well it meters. What matters is how well it does on target.

This is especially true with Unique.

Try some rounds on target and see how it does as thrown. Try some carefully weighed rounds on target and see how it does. If there is a difference, then you can judge if the effort is worth it to you.

I find it does not matter and that is what makes "Unique", unique....

 

[HOWARD J]

I went back to 231 for my 45 ACP
I got tired of Unique throwing different loads with my RCBS Uniflo

 

[Hondo 60]

Think & say what you might, but as for me?

It does not meter well at all!
I have 3 PMs, a Dillon, a Uniflow & a Lee Auto-disk Pro.
Seems to be all over the place in all 3 measures.

I have to hand weigh each and every charge.
Kinda defeats the purpose of a progressive press.

 

[orionengnr]

Not well at all.

Went back and checked--after about five years, I actually still have about 95% of my one pound of Unique.
I imagine I'll find a way to dispose of the remainder of it, but it may take the rest of my life...or my wife may use it to expedite my cremation.

 

[Elkins45]

I wouldn't use it in an application where a +0.3 grain variation would put you over max. Below that I don't worry. I have loaded thousands of rounds of 45acp with Unique using the Lee auto disk measure with good accuracy and no blown up guns.

I just recently added a LnL progressive to my set of tools and have been overjoyed with it so far. I'm eventually going to try out some 800-X loads and see if it handles any better with the Hornady measure than it does with my others. 800-X is completely unusable in my Lyman 55 because it bridges on the drop tube about 50% of the time.

I think Hornady needs to make a "medium" drum for the LnL measure. The diameter difference between the rifle and pistol drums is too big IMO. Stuff like Trail Boss or the big place powders could benefit from a larger diameter hole to drop into, but not so short and wide as the rifle measure at the lowest settings.

 

[stu1ritter]

Elkins45, that's what I experimented with when I was trying to use Unique and Trailboss but the large drum and small measurements just don't go together, at least the way I like to put my ammunition together. A medium drum would be an excellent idea but probably not much demand for it. The bridging I experienced with the pistol drum and Unique gave me as much as a 50% reduction in charge sometimes. Believe me, I've loaded ten's of thousands of rounds of pistol ammo with my pair of LnL's and know how to bang the lever to jostle the powder measure uniformly....just didn't work.
Stu

 

[Dudedog]

I was able to get Unigue to meter about + or - .3 in my LPD in 9mm size charges. (generally + or - .2), better at .45 ACP size charges + or - .2.
I just loaded for the high side of the swing.