Unique powder

[ayoung65]

Does anyone know or have any information about this powder in a load they have workrd up?

I use this powder in 9mm,40 s&w, and .357 mag.

I have looked on the internet and in all my reloading manuals and nothing is listed for this powder in a load for 30/30 or .35 Rem.

Does anyone have a load they have worked up in these calibers or do you know if a load is published in the caliber specific manuals you can buy before I purchase them.

I have an 8# canister of this powder I use for all the plinking and pistol loads I use. I don't think I will ever use it all in these small calibers and want to know if there is a load or two that I could use in larger calibers and still be on the safe side.

I've been reloading for about 3 or 4 years and have always wanted to know this.

I know IMR 3031 is the most favored in these two calibers , but If I could find a load using Unique I would be using it more and save my other powder for the proven loads in IMR 3031.

Any help or info would be greatly appreciated. If you don't want to publish this online; please pm me.

Thanks,
Anthony


P.S. I really enjoy this site very much!!

[MZ5]

~10 grains of Unique in a .30-30 is a nice plinker load.  Lyman lists some Unique loads for .30-30, but the 10 grains is a good all-'rounder whether you're shooting 150s, 170s, or whatever.  I've plinked around with cast bullets and this load, and a few lightweight jacketed ones.  Don't have a .35 Rem, but 10 grains of Unique should work fine in that case, too.  In fact, it should be noticeably lower pressure in the .35 case than the .30-30, according to my calculator.

[stubshaft]

Anthony,
Unique powder was/is exactly that.  It can be used on pistol, rifles and shotguns.  It is an extremely versatile powder.  Reloading information can generall be found in CAST BULLET manuals.  In loading manuals with sections on shooting lead bullets and usually in the pistol sections.

30/30 w/150gr bullet 7.5 - 11.0 (1333fps - 1691fps)
            120gr bullet 7.5 - 11.4 (1480fps - 1913fps)

35 Remington w/150gr bullet 9.5 - 12.5 (1370fps - 1665fps)
                       195 - 200gr bullet 9.5 - 12.0 (1265fps - 1465fps)

*from lyman manual

[Lloyd Smale]

i like 8 grains with a cast bullet in the 3030 and 9 with the 35 rem. It would be a good mid range powder for the 357 and is a bit on the slow side for the 9mm and 40 but could be used. YOu just arent going to get max velocitys with it in them. Any loading manual should have loads for them with unique.

[Savage]

You only have 8# of Unique and you think you might have trouble burning it up in handgun cases? Partner, you don't shoot enough!!!
 
Here's an article on loading "Gallery" loads using Unique powder. As you should with any load data not obtained from a proven reliable source, use at your own risk. I personally have concerns about using such small charges of relatively fast burning powder in larger cases. Good luck. May be some info in the Lyman manuals as well.
http://www.rifleshootermag.com/ammunition/size_061305/
Savage

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

Unique maybe the oldest smokeless powder. It works for me in my .38 spl loads, 44 spl. loads, and hornet. Sometimes I used in my .222 or .22-250 for reduced squirrel loads. In larger cases, it is a plinker load or reduced small game load. BECAREFUL WHEN USING THIS ONE NOT TO DOUBLE CHARGE A CASE. HAVE SEEN SEVERAL GUNS DESTROYED WHEN THIS HAPPENED.

[mechanic]

I have some data for plinker loads in 45-70 with Unique.  Let us know how your experiment works out.  A little goes a long way with this powder, and it should be a economical paper puncher.

[Dee]

With a 170 grain cast bullet in 3030, and 7 grains of Unique you get 1211fps. With 10.6 grains 1568fps. I have used the later load for years. Unique is a great all around powder, and the newer version burns much cleaner than it used to.
I dearly love the 3030 and have had the same Winchester 94 since 1958. It doesn't look new anymore, but it shoots as good as the day it was bought from the store.
By the way. That same 170 grain cast with a gas check will easily go 2400fps with no leading molded out of wheel weights.

[jhalcott]

Anthony , you really should try some CAST bullets with Unique powder. I am not sure you will get good results with jacketed bullets using Unique.It is a real BAD thing to get a jacketed bullet stuck in the bore. Bad with a cast,but MUCH worse with a jacketed one.