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**Mike Irwin** · January 27, 2012, 03:22 PM

'Mike---I was thinking of using Unique..I am thinking about 7-8 grains... '

Uhm....

What cartridge are you shooting?

What load? Powder granulation, load in grains, bullet weight?

Everything I've always read indicates to start low and slowly work up, watching for any indications that something is amiss while keeping an eye on powder fouling levels.

You start low and work your way up because, unlike black powder, smokeless powders are progressive burning and, in a rifle designed for black powder, pressure levels can quickly rise to danger levels if EXTREME CAUTION is not exercised!

I'm not sure that 8 grains of Unique is proper for any cartridge save one of the really huge ones like the .45-120 or .50-140.

I know I would NEVER start out with that amount, and I'd never use that much in a cartridge like the .45-70 where that amount could be well over 10% of total powder weight.

I'm going to suggest checking out one of the dedicated black powder forums like www.BPCR.net

The user forums are here: http://www.bpcr.net/index-a.htm

January 27, 2012, 03:22 PM	#9
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,389	'Mike---I was thinking of using Unique..I am thinking about 7-8 grains... ' Uhm.... What cartridge are you shooting? What load? Powder granulation, load in grains, bullet weight? Everything I've always read indicates to start low and slowly work up, watching for any indications that something is amiss while keeping an eye on powder fouling levels. You start low and work your way up because, unlike black powder, smokeless powders are progressive burning and, in a rifle designed for black powder, pressure levels can quickly rise to danger levels if EXTREME CAUTION is not exercised! I'm not sure that 8 grains of Unique is proper for any cartridge save one of the really huge ones like the .45-120 or .50-140. I know I would NEVER start out with that amount, and I'd never use that much in a cartridge like the .45-70 where that amount could be well over 10% of total powder weight. I'm going to suggest checking out one of the dedicated black powder forums like www.BPCR.net The user forums are here: http://www.bpcr.net/index-a.htm __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.