Using Unique powder

[Hardatwork]

I an using Unique powder for 45ACP. It is vary dirty. I have read that changing the charge would clean it up some. My load is 5.4 gr. with a 230 Gr. cast bullet. Would you go up or down to try to get a cleaner load?

Thanks

 

[SASS#23149]

seriously,I"d change powders.Not likely the charge will clean it up,I"ve used it for years because it is...er,was...easy to get around my house.
But,to answer the question I'd go up to get a tighter chamber seal IF the load data allows for it.

 

[H1500308]

I'm running 5.7g Unique behind 230g FMJ RN. Unique is not the cleanest out there but this doesn't seem to be all that dirty. Lower end charges of unique can be a bit dirty.

 

[lgbloader]

I'd go up to get a tighter chamber seal IF the load data allows for it.

Yup

LGB

 

[ojibweindian]

I use 5.5 grains of Unique under a 230 grain LRN. It gives pretty good accuracy, and adequate velocity. Yes, it's a bit dirty, but my guns always runs well with the load.

And, since XDs are pretty easy to clean up, I see no reason for me to switch to a cleaner burning powder.

 

[rcmodel]

How can you tell if it is dirty or not shooting cast bullets?

It's the bullet lube that makes the majority of the mess, not the powder.

Would you go up or down to try to get a cleaner load?

Up.
The higher the pressure, the cleaner the burn with almost any pistol powder.

rc

 

[Slamfire]

I would not increase the powder charge. Yesterday I conducted a bunch of load testing of the 45ACP 230 LRN bullets and Bullseye/Unique/AA#5.

In my M1911 Kimber, a charge of 5.5 grains Unique gave me a velocity average of 827 fps. Bumping that up to 6.0 the average went up to the 880 fps. 6.6 grains was over 900 fps.

I like my loads to be just at 800 fps. It is easier on the gun. This one session with a bunch of 850fps + loads just ate up a new shock buff. That tells me that I can expect frame peening with the heavier loads.

I do believe that 6.5 grains with a FMJ is a factory equivalent, but with lead bullets, the charge has to be cut back a grain.

I fired about 300 rounds, about half Bullseye, about 30% Unique, in my 45 ACP. I had residue on the feed ramp, but it was condensed wax from the lube. Used a toothbrush to remove.

I found melted lube on the plastic screens of my chronograph. This was a first, never seen that before. They were at least 10 feet from the muzzle. Melted lube must be traveling with the unburnt powder residue.

I use motor oil as a lube (lots of it!) and powder residue wiped off easily on all internal surfaces.

Both of these powders are considered "dirty", but they shoot and function fine.

 

[loadedround]

Rcmodel:
I'm glad you posted that comment. Been using Unique and 200 gr LSWC bullets for over 30 years and always thought it was the lube and not the powder that dirtied my 45's.

 

[rcmodel]

You are exactly right!

rc

 

[Hardatwork]

What powder would be cleaner or cleanest to use for the 45 ACP with 230Gr LRN. I understand the lube is dirty it is the soot that I would like to avoid.

 

[dwhite]

Clays is cleaner

I use Clays with cast bullets in 40 S&W it doesn't produce much smoke and is relatively clean. Universal was a good bit smokier and a little dirtier. I had previously used 700X but I'm happier with the Clays.

All the Best,
D. White

 

[jfrey]

I use 6.0 grns. of Unique under a 200 gr. Berry's plated flat point bullet and there is very little dirt or mess after 150 to 200 rounds I tried WSF and my gun was a lot dirtier shooting that powder. The Unique load is very accurate and I will no doubt stick with it.

 

[Redneck with a 40]

I run Unique in my 40 S&W loads, it does good, velocity and accuracy wise. As far as dirtiness goes, I'd say its not clean, but not filthy either. I don't really care anyway, the gun gets cleaned after every range trip.

 

[rscalzo]

I'm using 7.1 behind Berry's 200 fp. Very accurate and my 1911 functioned better with this load.

 

[Larcus]

IMR Trail Boss is THE best powder for the 45 ACP and a lead bullet. Super clean.

Larcus

 

[Hardatwork]

I'm thinking that I should raise my load up to see if it cleans up a bit. Accuracy is good and I clean my pistol after each trip to the range I just think that the soot on my gun and hands is a little to much and I could do better some how.

 

[Redneck with a 40]

Another difference is that I shoot plated bullets. When I was shooting lead bullets with Unique, it was pretty smokey and messy.

 

[tactikel]

I liked Alliant powders for the .45 acp, using Bullseye, unique, red dot and even green dot. They all were dirty. I switched to Titegroup, it is cleaner, accurate, and functions perfectly with 230gr lrn or plated bullets. My buddy who shoots IPSA swears by Clays, as being clean, cheap and very accurate.

 

[running iron]

I've used Unique for years and loaded 6 gr. with a 230 gr. bullet for a government model that worked great. And it seems that if you are off a little in how much + or - in how the powder is thrown it doesn't matter to much. But with a powder that meters better and is cleaner burning, why not? The was I see it, if we can find one of many powders that work, we are ahead of the game. Like I said in another thread, I was happy that AA#5 worked so well when I couldn't find any Unique or 231. Unique is a great powder.

 

[Ky Larry]

I like Trail Boss with lead bullets in my handguns. Also, Alox helps reduce the smoky soot caused by the burning wax lube.

 

[smokey262]

How does WST or Power Pistol compare in "dirtiness" in the 45ACP? Using
W231 myself and it is a tad dirty with 230gr JHP

 

[kanook]

try filling one with black powder. you will see that unique isn't all that dirty

 

[Clarence]

Unique does have the reputation of being dirty and in my experience that reputation is well deserved, particularly if used in light loads.

 

[H1500308]

Unique is very dirty with light loads, especially in .38 spl. However, it doesn't take much of an increase in charge to clean up tremendously. I'm talking .1-.3g increases.

 

[Steve C]

I doubt if you can get pressures high enough with the .45 acp to clean up Unique. When I load cast in the .41 mag at 9.5grs of Unique the load is as clean as if shooting .22 lr but that's running probably 50% higher pressure than a .45 acp load. At 7.8grs in the .41mag the loads still quite smokey.

Unless you are shooting a soft bullet like a Speer or Hornady swaged, the bullets are not sealing in the bore with pressures below SAAMI maximum of 21K psi.

One way to clean up commercial hard cast is to lightly lube over their wax type lube using Lee's Liquid Alox and it improves the ease at wich the gun will clean up. I've often got leading in my .45's when shooing cast bullets due to their excessive hardness and lack of bore seal.