Unique

[fortyshooter]

I always keep a good amount of Unique on hand since I use it more than any other. For .45-70 13-14 gr. with a cast 405 bullet is really a nice Sunday shootin' load with my Marlin GS or the ol' High Wall.
Also use it for my .44 Special and moderate Mag loads and of course the .45 Colt and 45 ACP.

Our LGS always has a bunch in stock at about 23.99 a pound.

[runnin n gunnin]

I always keep a good amount of Unique on hand since I use it more than any other. For .45-70 13-14 gr. with a cast 405 bullet is really a nice Sunday shootin' load with my Marlin GS or the ol' High Wall.
Also use it for my .44 Special and moderate Mag loads and of course the .45 Colt and 45 ACP.

Our LGS always has a bunch in stock at about 23.99 a pound.

Roger that, Ive used it both for my 45 Colt and ACP, which is why I got it in the first place. I need to get my dies and brass ordered and hope to punch out some rounds after after Thanksgiving.

[tarbe]

Re: Unique

I currently have 34 different powders in my loading room, but if (God forbid) I was limited to only a few, Unique would surely be one of them!

I believe I have about 20 pounds of Unique in the stash. I don't ever want to run out!

[Vaquero]

Re: Unique

I currently have 34 different powders in my loading room, but if (God forbid) I was limited to only a few, Unique would surely be one of them!

I believe I have about 20 pounds of Unique in the stash. I don't ever want to run out!

34, my oh my.
I have quite a few different ones myself not near that many, ah maybe half or a little more.
But more Unique and IMR 4198 than all the rest.
I could get by with those two pretty well.

RP

[tarbe]

Re: Unique

I currently have 34 different powders in my loading room, but if (God forbid) I was limited to only a few, Unique would surely be one of them!

I believe I have about 20 pounds of Unique in the stash. I don't ever want to run out!

34, my oh my.
I have quite a few different ones myself not near that many, ah maybe half or a little more.
But more Unique and IMR 4198 than all the rest.
I could get by with those two pretty well.

RP

Unique, either H or IMR 4198, H or IMR 4895 and H or IMR 4831. I think I can pretty much cover the bases with those 4.

I guess the other 30 are just for science. haha

[JEBar]

the number of calibers our family loads seems to steadily grow .... over time we've purchased and used a bunch of different powders .... while some are heavily used, some aren't ....

[JEBar]

Ive used Universal and have some now I like it alot. It works well in the 45-70 Jim for easy on the shoulder loads. 350gr Berrys plated and about 16grs of it.

would you happen to have any info on using Unique for similar loads using 300 gr jacketed bullets .... Nosler doesn't mention Unique among its power recommendations for it 300 gr Ballistic Silvertips .... as noted in another post I'm thinking about pushing 300 gr bullets shows 6.0 gr yields 940 fps and 10 gr yields 1370 fps .... from seeing your 16 gr, I'm wondering if I can't use more powder and still keep an easy on the shoulder load

[BigAl52]

Jim
I dont have any published data on the use of Unique with those bullets. I can tell that I have used all the way to 14 grains of Unique with that same Berrys 350 grain bullet without any issues. Again thats my tests and mine only. I would not be afraid to try it with those Noslers at all if it was myself making that decision. I have read on other forums where the use of Unique is even higher than what I tried at 14 but I have not personally gone beyond that. We all know about reading what others have done on forums do it at your own risk.

[JEBar]

absolutely .... info appreciated .... in that I'll be able to load fewer test rounds, using the numbers I have and those from your experience will no doubt save me some time, effort and resources .... thanks again

[BrokenolMarine]

I started loading years ago for pistol competition. With my schedules, and physical challenges, I knew I was never going to make Master class, let alone earn the points for Distinguished in Bullseye, but I did want to work hard in the Governor's Twenty for PPC.

I asked around and found that 231 would work for all the calibers I wss loading. I have one powder in the loading room, and I load 9mm, 38/357, 40, and 45. The dillon press has heads set up for each caliber. Pull pins, change heads, start loading. The 231 loads rounds more accurate than I can shoot.

That's all I need. My mentors? They are constantly tweeking... Loading ten rounds with this bullet, over this powder, at this weight. The ten more with another grain of powder. Then another. Repeat the process with a different powder, then a different bullet, then a different brand of case. (Winchester vs. Remington.)

Take all those to the range, shoot two five shot groups with each ten rounds, mark and save each target. Carefully noting the date, time, wind, humidity, temperature, visibilty, wx... Zodiac. Go to lunch, sit and measure each group and gleefully argue the merits and failure of each. Start all over.

But... Both these geezers are Distinguished Master Class shooters in multiple disciplines, and you see the faces fall on other shooters when these to sign up at matches. Mostly, they just run them these days. Lol. And tweek their loads.

[BigAl52]

I agree with your comments Marine. One can drive themselves nuts with all of that. Of course some people just like to play with it also. I used alot of 231 when I was shooting more. But when all of these stupid shortages of powder and primers came about one had to use what we could get. I still have some 231 from way back when but have alot of other powders I need to pick on before I streamline again.

[CT_Shooter]

Missed you, Al. Glad you're back with us.

I agree with the Marine, too. I have four powders on hand for 38/357s, which are the only CFs that I shoot; H110, HP-38 (231), Unique, and Universal, all bought at various times when they were available and powder was hard to get. I have enough of each to last for the rest of my life.

I agree with your comments Marine.

[JEBar]

I used alot of 231 when I was shooting more. But when all of these stupid shortages of powder and primers came about one had to use what we could get. I still have some 231 from way back when

you've got me thinking .. .. that's something my wife says usually isn't a good thing .. .. I have some cans of 231 but for the life of me can't remember what I bought it for .... I need to get it out and figure out the best way to use it

[BigAl52]

Used alot of it in 45 acp Jim and 357. I dont remember your caliber line up. But it was exactly my favorite in 44 and 45 colt to much empty case space and I never did really very good accuracy with it. Works good in 38 special though.

[JEBar]

that info helps, it jarred my memory .... I've never loaded 45ACP but have loaded 357/38 since day one .... I used 231 in 38's and 296 in 357's

[Rifletom]

the number of calibers our family loads seems to steadily grow .... over time we've purchased and used a bunch of different powders .... while some are heavily used, some aren't ....

I use Unique in my .45 Colt, .45 acp and .38spl a LOT. I've also used Universal in .45acp and .38spl, but, I have a good amount of Unique on hand, so haven't bought any additional Universal. Actually starting to load some 165 RNFP in my 30-30 using Unique, about 9.0gr so far.
JEBar, I spy some older canisters on your loading bench. Some old Hercules or Alliant powders and a couple of "square" IMR cans. I have some of those also; IMR 4064 and IMR/SR 4759. Two classic powders. Back on topic, You'll get along real well with Unique.

[JEBar]

JEBar, I spy some older canisters on your loading bench. Some old Hercules or Alliant powders and a couple of "square" IMR cans. I have some of those also; IMR 4064 and IMR/SR 4759. Two classic powders. Back on topic, You'll get along real well with Unique.

good eye .... when I purchase powder, I've always tried to buy as many cans as I am able to afford at the time .... I write the month and year on the can .... just finished using a can of Unique bought back in '96 ....