Unique

[Brandtbennett32]

Hello All
Anyone out there reload 9mm, 115gr FMJ round nose with Unique?
All I am finding in my manuals and on Alliant website is around 4.7gr starting and 6gr max loads with a min COAL of 1.135”. Even the starting load seems to be close to compressed. Heck, if I put 6gr in the case (if it will even hold it) it will absolutely be compressed. Just wanted to see what your experiences have been. I typically use HP38 or Bullseye, just thought I would give this one a shot to see how it performs. I know I have to be missing something here because none of my manuals or Alliant is calling out “compressed” in their data.

 

[Brandtbennett32]

Sorry for not catching this earlier, I actually just found another post addressing this. Please disregard.

 

[gwpercle]

My pet load in an old WWII Walther P38 is a 115 grain cast lead TC over 4.7 grains of Unique !

I have used 5.0 grains of Unique in the 9mm Luger and at first I didn't think it would fit...but it does !
With a 125 grain cast TC bullet it's a nice load.

 

[rsrocket1]

My pet load for 9mm was the Lee 356-120-TC with 5.0g Unique. Yes it was lightly compressed which actually improved consistency in MV. A higher charge will not suddenly cause a KB. The only hazard would be spilling it in a progressive if your press is not firmly attached to the bench and the bench is rock solid. You certainly won't have to worry abut missing a charge or double charging with Unique.

 

[LiveLife]

9mm, 115gr FMJ round nose with Unique ... COAL of 1.135”

All I am finding in my manuals and on Alliant website is around 4.7gr starting and 6gr max

I actually just found another post addressing this. Please disregard.

Welcome to THR.

Good that you found the information you were looking for.


FYI, 2004 Alliant load data lists many different bullet types not currently published on Alliant's website - http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=182147&d=1364769070

9mm 115 FMJ Unique OAL 1.120" Max 5.5 gr (1,168 fps) 33,200 PSI

So using this load data, 10% reduction would give you 5.0 gr start charge, especially since you are using longer 1.135" OAL.

 

[Brandtbennett32]

Thank You!
Once again great info.. This is the exact charge I came to rest on last night after going through manuals and manufacturers load data but started loading and saw the powder to case ratio and kinda started second guessing myself.

 

[Dudedog]

Welcome to THR,
lots of great people here.

Glad you got the issue worked out.

 

[Galil5.56]

Hello All
Anyone out there reload 9mm, 115gr FMJ round nose with Unique?
All I am finding in my manuals and on Alliant website is around 4.7gr starting and 6gr max loads with a min COAL of 1.135”. Even the starting load seems to be close to compressed. Hell, if I put 6gr in the case (if it will even hold it) it will absolutely be compressed. Just wanted to see what your experiences have been. I typically use HP38 or Bullseye, just thought I would give this one a shot to see how it performs. I know I have to be missing something here because none of my manuals or Alliant is calling out “compressed” in their data.

I loaded 6.1 grains and a WW 115 grain FMJ, shot from a Beretta 92 and UZI carbine. Avg velocity was 1155 fps from the Beretta, and I think OAL was 1.150". Data was from the 1990's, and these loads were assembled in the early 90's.

Compression galore for sure with the 115's, and believe it or not, data at the time spec'd max Unique loads using 124 grain jacketed at 6.2 grains. I used this data, and it is indeed stout with an avg velocity of 1188 fps. BTW, this data from Hercules WAS NOT listed as +P.

 

[Drail]

Yes we have a lot of great people here. And great dogs too. I'm looking at you Dudedog.

 

[Dudedog]

Unique is pretty "fluffy". I checked Lyman and they don't mention anything about the charge being compressed but very likely.

 

[RecoilRob]

If you are using Unique....watch your charge weights as it's such a large flake it can tend to bridge in the powder measure sometimes on some machines. This will throw light charges that can squib but it might only happen one out of a hundred or more...so diligent observation of the charge levels is warranted. I squibbed TWO 10mm's using Unique many years ago before I caught the Hornady powder measure throw a light charge. Ever since when Unique is used I weigh them to be sure.