Anyone using Unique for 9mm?

[josquin]

I've been using some WSF I got from Higginson's some time ago but like many powders, it's Unobtanium at the moment. Still have some (plus a dwindling supply of W231/HP38 and Bullseye) but I have 2lb of Unique so thought I'd try that. I looked at the Alliant website and they recommend a max. of 5.8gr for 124 gr. GDHP. No listing for lead/plated but I'd guess maybe 5.2 or so. I went to load up a few GDHP but found that even 5.5gr appeared to fill the case to the point of suspecting it might be a compressed load, so I chickened out and went with the WSF. Possibly if I had measured the bullet seating depth for the suggested OAL it might have just been on the line but I didn't want to take any chances. Any experience with this powder from other CGNers?

Stuart

 

[legi0n]

I use 5 gr under 124gr bullets. Jacketed or plated or just cast.

 

[Spawn-Inc]

i sold my buddy a 3/4 full can of unique i got from a trade but not before i tried some in 9mm. i believe i used a 124gr plated bullet but the charge was compressed. it seemed to be fairly hot, but certainly didn't have any over pressure signs.

i would start at 4.8gr for a 124gr bullet and work up from there.

 

[legi0n]

Lee lists 5.3-5.8 for 125gr lead

 

[ipscgraz]

I used to use it a long time ago. I quit using it for 9MM because it was pretty dirty.

 

[Lead hammer]

I use 125 Zero JHP-C 1.080"oal Unique powder. MY results were..
started at 4.4gr 1070fps
4.6gr 1103
4.7gr 1112
4.8gr 1130
4.9gr 1138
5.0gr 1175

I figured at 5.0gr it was hotter than a factory load, so settled on 4.9 as my max.

Out of a CZ shadow.

 

[josquin]

Thanks, folks. It would seem (esp. from Lead Hammer's results) that 5.8 gr is suspiciously high. I'll try 4.8 - 5.0 and take the Chrony to the range next time. I'm shooting a Ruger SR9 and a Browning HP. Mostly I shoot Berry's 124 gr. FP and those lower loads shold provice plenty of velocity.

 

[Lead hammer]

Whats the OAL you are using?

 

[josquin]

Whats the OAL you are using?

1.08" for the Berry's and 1.169" for jacketed as per the info I got for WSF at the time. I've just looked it up online from Winchester (Hodgdon) and they now suggest 1.169 for both lead RN and jacketed. Alliant's recommendation is 1.120" for the GDHP.

 

[Chuckbuster]

Thanks, folks. It would seem (esp. from Lead Hammer's results) that 5.8 gr is suspiciously high. I'll try 4.8 - 5.0 and take the Chrony to the range next time. I'm shooting a Ruger SR9 and a Browning HP. Mostly I shoot Berry's 124 gr. FP and those lower loads shold provice plenty of velocity.

I've had unsatisfactory results with charge weights below 5 grains...as in they would not cycle the action. With Unique I currently use 5.4 grains behind 124/5 cast.

 

[Lead hammer]

I've had unsatisfactory results with charge weights below 5 grains...as in they would not cycle the action. With Unique I currently use 5.4 grains behind 124/5 cast.

Really, what gun were you using? My shadow was eating N320 @ 950fps with stock springs. (min start up test for that powder) I would think 1050+ fps would work in most everything.

 

[Chuckbuster]

With sub 5 grains of Unique, the load failed to cycle in a Taurus PT 99, an older Smith 659, and a Glock. I can't recall if I've tried it in my M&P though.

 

[sunray]

Compressed loads are nothing to worry about.
Fairly sure I have data in my old Lyman book, but it's not here.
Stole this from THR.org. Seems kind of light.
124/125 gr cast
Start 4.0 Max. 4.5
The Lee data mentioned comes from Alliant, I think. Lee doesn't test anything themselves. However, it makes more sense than the above.
5.8 of Unique is the max load for a 124/5 grain jacketed bullet.

 

[Lead hammer]

With sub 5 grains of Unique, the load failed to cycle in a Taurus PT 99, an older Smith 659, and a Glock. I can't recall if I've tried it in my M&P though.

Interesting. Do you know how fast that load was going??

 

[arcticcathonda]

I have used 124gr CamPro plated bullets behind 4.7gr of unique. 1.150" OAL Making IPSC power factor by a large margin. Do not recall the fps off the top of my head. Work fine in my M&P and previous glock 17.

 

[atomicsauace]

Used 4.7gr behind a cast boolit in my Jr Carbine.Worked well.

 

[Chuckbuster]

Interesting. Do you know how fast that load was going??

Unfortunately, no, I don't. However, according to the Lee manual, the load in question, 4.8gr should push a 125 grain jacketed bullet at 1050fps.

 

[f55]

4.5gr with PC 124gr cast at 1.10 oal

No issues in glock 17.

 

[gwesson]

I loaded Unique in a new HK P30L with S&B jacketed bullets (124gr, IIRC). Started at 5.2gr, quite a bang and noticeable shock wave. I was trying to reduce recoil for SWMBO, so I eventually ended-up at 4.3gr. Didn't chronograph it, but healthy bang, almost no smoke, cycled the action reliably (one or two stovepipes in 100 rds - depending on how recently the P30L had been lubed) and the empties looked like they'd just come out of the tumbler.

I'd been led to believe Unique was "flaming dirt" but I really liked using it and if you put enough in a tiny little case like a 9mm, it's quite clean.

 

[Snakehunter]

I asked my local gun club members about what to use in my 9mm and just about everyone said Unique was dirty. A couple guys use it still, but they agree it is dirtier than others powdres out there. I use Bullseye for what it's worth.