Metering Unique

[Dusty Miller]

My powder meter does not give consistent results using Unique powder.  I'm thinking about changing to another powder for my .45 ACP.  Am I the only person on the entire planet with this problem?  If not, what other powder works good in a powder meter?

[williamlayton]

Dusty
Lotta folks here and there like W231.
What ya using to meter this powder of yours?
Blessings

[ButlerFord45]

I recently started loading 45acp, from the recomendations of this froum I started with Titegroup, Bullseye and WW231 with the intention of trying (I think) Clays, I had issues with Unique years ago and never found any reason to try it again.  I'm currently having to buy WW231 buy the pound while I'm gathering funds for an eight pound caddy.  I think if you gave this powder a try, you'd be another convert.

[Dusty Miller]

According to my Speer reloading manual 231 velocity is about 130 fps slower than Unique.   They list an "H. Universal" providing a top velocity of 967 fps (compared to Unique's 984 fps).  Does anybody here have any experience with that powder?

[De41mag]

Dusty;

I have the same problem with Unique as you do.
I've found a load for my H&R Ultra 44mag and my S&W model 629 using Unique but I'll have to weigh every charge.   :x
I've heard that Accurate #5 is very close to Unique and meters a whole lot better. #5 is their number one selling pistol powder hands down.
I've used #7 and #9 in various calibers with great results. Plus the're good about answering your reloading questions. Spoke to them last week as a matter fact.
You did not say what bullet type and is it jacketed or hard cast.
Have found Winchester Super-Target to be superb in standard velocity loads such as 230gr.FMJ.
Hope this helps.
Keep us posted on your results.
Dennis  :-)

[Dusty Miller]

There's an article in the current issue of HANDLOADER that deals with this business of trying to meter "course" powders.  My meter works really well with H110 which is a much finer powder.

[Donna]

I’ve always had a 45 ACP of one type or another for the past 25 years and I’ve found that the flake powders like Red dot, Bullseye, and Unique work quite well. While I do cut the flakes with my RCBS powder dispenser and have maybe a couple of tenths of a grain variation I have not noticed any adverse affect at the business end of the gun, hitting a 9 inch pie pan consecutively at 75 yards. While the ball or near ball powders like H110, AA No. 7, and 231 meter much better than the flake powders I feel that I get a better load density from flake powders than the ball powders, but the H110 and the No. 7 have shot quite well too. I have not tried the 231powder though.

Donna

[Questor]

I use Unique only for loading 20 gauge target loads and I find it to be very sensitive to changes in humidity.  Measuring by volume, I find that charge weights vary seasonally by about a grain and a half in a 16 grain charge.  

It may also be your powder measure. My RCBS powder measure doesn't like Bullseye, and the powder sticks to the plastic of the measure. Wiping the inside of the measure down with a laundry anti-static sheet helped.  Discontinuing use of that powder helped even more.  The problem doesn't occur in my Dillon powder measure.

[Mikey]

Dusty:  I've not had the problems you mentioned with falke powder.  I have used Unique for years and continue to do so.  I also use 231, but not for the 45 - I prefer slightly slower burning powders that give me a wider range of application.  I like the VV powders - there are 3 different ones listed for the 45 ACP and I like the results.  They meter very easily, meter consistently and give me great accuracy and clean burning.  HTH.  Mikey.

[KN]

Winchester-231 for me too. Just works too good to change.   KN

[williamlayton]

Mikey-
V V gets a lot of good press, well you know I aint got no xpreience to back up my thinking, it is jest my observation of those what does, kinda make me a gun writer doan it, I digress, I am gonna try this V V stuff when I start jsut too check it out.
that is hard reading, but I am too lazy too try an correct it this AM.
Blessings