The new Unique

[blades67]

I know that Unique was reformulated so that it would be cleaner burning, but is it? I've been using HP-38, and I'm happy with it, but I've been thinking about trying out the new formula. I'm curious as to whether those of you that have been using Unique for some time have noticed a difference between the two. Does it burn more completely? Is there more or less soot?

Thank you for your time and answers.

[gbrading1974]

I've been using the new Unique. In my experience (limited) not as sooty as W231 and not as smokey. I've been getting some good loads with it.

[blades67]

Have you noticed if the new powder burns more completely than the old powder? The last time I used Unique was 1991 and I noticed what I considered to be a relatively large amount of powder that wasn't completely burnt, as compared to the same caliber loaded with HS6.

[Big Lou]

The new version of Unique makes a significant difference in shotgun loads. However, in handguns, there isn't a major difference between the old and new versions of Unique. I used to have problems with unburned flakes of Unique in my .38Spcl/.357Mag target loads and someone suggested using a little heavier crimp (I was using little/no crimp). That made a big improvement and reduced the flakes of unburned powder.

[Westtexas]

blades,

Isn't HP-38 the same as Win 231? My local dealer tells me it is, and I'm about to buy some powder. Is this true?

Bob

[Blarneystone]

hmmm...I'll have to keep my eyes open and see what type of burn off I'm getting on unique. I'm loading 38spc. cartridges. I know I haven't noticed any unburned YET.

[Long Path]

But then, your average truck tire will burn cleaner than a magazine full of LRN's over Unique from my .45.

Back when I went through police academy, we had to supply our own ammo, so I loaded up a bunch of 230 gr. LRN over 6.g of Unique. By day two, my instructor had taken to putting me on the down-wind end of the firing line, to stop the various complaints of the other cadets.

"[cough, cough] Dang, Matt, what kinda black powder did you load those with?!?"

:p

L.P.

[blades67]

Westtexas,

It depends which company you ask. A Hodgdon rep says it is, an Olin rep says it isn't. However, I haven't found a WW 231 load, in any reloading manual, that I couldn't substitute HP-38 into.



Long Path,

LOL! I've been there! I always seem to wind up standing downwind from somebody shooting that load! :p

[Keith J]

Unique is a little slow for target loads in a .45 ACP. With increasing loads and pressures, it burns fine.

The difference made is in the graphite coating. Reducing this anti-cakeing agent also had the benefit of increasing the specific energy so exercise caution at the high end.

I noticed even the new Blue Dot in starting loads throws unburnt flakes.

[BigG]

Dang! I shot buckets full of 6.0 gr Unique topped with a 200 gr LSWC in my 45 ACPs. Didn't notice no smoke. Am I missing sumpin? Maybe it's the bullet lube you have? That can contribute to smoke, too.

[Freedom in theSkies]

I hav efound that Unique in light loads tends to leave soot and resiue...And lots of it.
Load it a little higher on the pressure curve for each caliber and it burns much cleaner.
Just my humble findings.
.

[alan]

Alliant claims that the burn rates and such for old and new Unique and Red Dot too, if anyone is intertested, are the same.

[Long Path]

For years and years I shot my dad's old 6.5g of Unique [ MAX LOAD. USE CAUTION. ], and got lotsa smoke, so high end doesn't make much difference. I agree that the lube you have on your bullet is important, and suspect that the hardness of the bullet makes some difference, but am not sure. Then again, there's perception. My range is a private one that's down in a creek bed. When the wind drops to nil and it's a humid, sticky May evening with a thick hot haze in the air already, the Unique just seems to plume great eruptions of bluish black smoke that hangs in the air before you.

When the breeze is even a light crosswind and the air is drier, I never seem to notice it much.

Anyone notice the new stuff metering any differently?

L.P.