How many use Unique powder for 357's...?

Stargazer · November 18, 2006, 07:16 AM

Just wondering if you use Unique powder for your 357 loadings? If so share a recipe. I have loaded some with 7.5 grains and will give them a try out today.

MADISON · November 18, 2006, 07:33 AM

UNIQUE was my first powder 33 years ago.
I load between 7.8 and 8.0 grains behind a 158 grain bullet. It seems to work quite well.

Stargazer · November 18, 2006, 08:02 AM

How's the flash on these loads? I know it is dirty compared to most so I am ready for that with experience from my 45 ACP handloads.

ojibweindian · November 18, 2006, 10:15 PM

The flash is not noticeable during the day. I'm not sure about twilight and darkness.

I've been using 7.5gr of Unique with a CCI magnum small pistol primer and a 158gr bullet. Works pretty well on bowling pins and steel plates.

PinnedAndRecessed · November 18, 2006, 11:00 PM

The new Unique isn't all that dirty. The old stuff was almost like blackpowder.

But for 357s I use 5.7 grains for 125 plated and 158 plated.

I also use 5.7 grains for 230 gr RN plated 45 ACP.

I also use 5.7 grains for 240 gr SWC 44 plated.

(I don't like fiddling with the powder charge once it's set.)

carl418 · November 19, 2006, 06:21 AM

Pinned and Recessed, did you intentionally state 5.7 grains? Or, did you mean to put 7.5 grains?

PinnedAndRecessed · November 19, 2006, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Pinned and Recessed, did you intentionally state 5.7 grains? Or, did you mean to put 7.5 grains?

5.7 grains.

Ranier states that when you use their plated bullets, for loading data, use lead bullet data.

5.7 grains Unique is a very pleasant load for the 357 and 45.

(Sorry, I just looked at a couple boxes 44s and they're loaded with 7.0 grains Unique. My bad.)

Stargazer · November 19, 2006, 05:41 PM

Sorry moderators for posting in the wrong forum; I tried out the 7.5 grain Unique loads today and while they shot very well they seemed a little lighter than I had hoped for. I will try the 7.8 max next time out to see if that is what I am looking for. The powder was not as dirty as what I had remembered with my 45 ACP loads. And I am using the newer Unique now so that makes a big difference. Guess I will pick more of this up at the next gun show.

amamnn · November 19, 2006, 05:48 PM

I'll ditto that the Unique of olden days was dirty stuff. These days, it's about the same as any flake powder. I use Unique in all my handgun loads from .32 acp to .45 acp. I use it mainly because it was available at our trap club at a very good price but only in quantity and since becoming disabled I cannot shoot 25 rounds of 12 ga. in one sitting (standing?) so I use the remainder as handgun powder.

firechicken · November 19, 2006, 09:32 PM

Quote:

I tried out the 7.5 grain Unique loads today and while they shot very well they seemed a little lighter than I had hoped for.

If you're looking for "magnum" 357 loads, Unique is not the powder to use. You'll reach peak pressure before you get close to magnun velocities. Unique is a good powder for light or midrange loads in magnum revolvers. I use it in my 44 Mag with 240gr SWC for my target load. If you want magnum loads, use 2400, H110, or 296.

XD-Guy · November 20, 2006, 01:44 PM

I'm loading 158 gr lead RN over 6.6 gr Unique

Stargazer · November 20, 2006, 06:56 PM

Thanks Firechicken that was what I was looking for. I had seen where some load Unique to 8 grains but still that is not going to get anywhere near max velocity or even close to factory loadings. The 7.5 load was a nice practice round and had a little more "umph" than 5 grains of 700X but still not what I was looking for. Thanks again for the powder suggestions. From what I have gathered I need to use magnum primers with these three suggested powders too?

firechicken · November 20, 2006, 11:50 PM

As far as the magnum primer, standard primer thing. I try to keep it simple and use magnum primers in magnum cartridges, and standard primers in non-magnum cartridges. Probably not necessary in the Unique loads, but I wouldn't try 296 or H110 without the extra "umph" of the magnum primers and a tight crimp. Both of those powders need high pressure to burn properly.

alsmith · November 21, 2006, 06:42 AM

I use 7.5 g of Unique with a 125 g Ranier Hollowpoint with a small Federal Rifle Primer when shooting Pistol Cartridge Silhouette with a 357 Marlin Cowboy lever action rifle.

Great results at 40 to 100 meters.

Rifle is not any dirtier than other rifles shooting other powders.

Al

Stargazer · November 24, 2006, 11:56 PM

I tried some 7.8 grain Unique loads today and they were like everyone said, medium power for a 357 magnum. Accuracy was good and it wasn't near as dirty as I thought it would be.

jdmick · November 25, 2006, 07:43 AM

I started loading my .357s with 9g Unique with a 125g SJHP bullet. I tried some with 8.5 and 9.5. My Chrony says the 8.5 loads were only in the 1100s and the 9 and 9.5s in the upper 1200s. I just settled on 9g for simplicity. The Unique burns way cleaner than the factory Independence brand 158g loads I had and about the same as some Winchester 110g.

November 18, 2006, 07:16 AM	#1
Stargazer Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 506	How many use Unique powder for 357's...? Just wondering if you use Unique powder for your 357 loadings? If so share a recipe. I have loaded some with 7.5 grains and will give them a try out today. __________________ 5.56mm, reach out and touch something. .458 SOCOM,reach out and knock something down. M70 Web Page

November 18, 2006, 07:33 AM	#2
MADISON Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 2000 Location: Roanoke, Virginia Posts: 2,678	load UNIQUE in .357 magnum UNIQUE was my first powder 33 years ago. I load between 7.8 and 8.0 grains behind a 158 grain bullet. It seems to work quite well.

November 18, 2006, 08:02 AM	#3
Stargazer Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 506	How's the flash on these loads? I know it is dirty compared to most so I am ready for that with experience from my 45 ACP handloads. __________________ 5.56mm, reach out and touch something. .458 SOCOM,reach out and knock something down. M70 Web Page

November 19, 2006, 06:21 AM	#6
carl418 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2006 Location: north Ga Posts: 208	Pinned and Recessed, did you intentionally state 5.7 grains? Or, did you mean to put 7.5 grains? __________________ Carl S&WCA \| SAF \| GOA Life \| NRA Benefactor

November 19, 2006, 05:41 PM	#8
Stargazer Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 506	Sorry moderators for posting in the wrong forum; I tried out the 7.5 grain Unique loads today and while they shot very well they seemed a little lighter than I had hoped for. I will try the 7.8 max next time out to see if that is what I am looking for. The powder was not as dirty as what I had remembered with my 45 ACP loads. And I am using the newer Unique now so that makes a big difference. Guess I will pick more of this up at the next gun show. __________________ 5.56mm, reach out and touch something. .458 SOCOM,reach out and knock something down. M70 Web Page

November 18, 2006, 10:15 PM	#4
ojibweindian Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2000 Location: Huntsville, Alabama Posts: 1,198	The flash is not noticeable during the day. I'm not sure about twilight and darkness. I've been using 7.5gr of Unique with a CCI magnum small pistol primer and a 158gr bullet. Works pretty well on bowling pins and steel plates.

November 18, 2006, 11:00 PM	#5
PinnedAndRecessed Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2004 Posts: 449	The new Unique isn't all that dirty. The old stuff was almost like blackpowder. But for 357s I use 5.7 grains for 125 plated and 158 plated. I also use 5.7 grains for 230 gr RN plated 45 ACP. I also use 5.7 grains for 240 gr SWC 44 plated. (I don't like fiddling with the powder charge once it's set.)

November 19, 2006, 05:48 PM	#9
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	I'll ditto that the Unique of olden days was dirty stuff. These days, it's about the same as any flake powder. I use Unique in all my handgun loads from .32 acp to .45 acp. I use it mainly because it was available at our trap club at a very good price but only in quantity and since becoming disabled I cannot shoot 25 rounds of 12 ga. in one sitting (standing?) so I use the remainder as handgun powder. __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

November 20, 2006, 01:44 PM	#11
XD-Guy Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2006 Posts: 102	I'm loading 158 gr lead RN over 6.6 gr Unique

November 20, 2006, 06:56 PM	#12
Stargazer Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 506	Thanks Firechicken that was what I was looking for. I had seen where some load Unique to 8 grains but still that is not going to get anywhere near max velocity or even close to factory loadings. The 7.5 load was a nice practice round and had a little more "umph" than 5 grains of 700X but still not what I was looking for. Thanks again for the powder suggestions. From what I have gathered I need to use magnum primers with these three suggested powders too? __________________ 5.56mm, reach out and touch something. .458 SOCOM,reach out and knock something down. M70 Web Page

November 20, 2006, 11:50 PM	#13
firechicken Senior Member Join Date: April 17, 2006 Location: Savannah, MO Posts: 224	As far as the magnum primer, standard primer thing. I try to keep it simple and use magnum primers in magnum cartridges, and standard primers in non-magnum cartridges. Probably not necessary in the Unique loads, but I wouldn't try 296 or H110 without the extra "umph" of the magnum primers and a tight crimp. Both of those powders need high pressure to burn properly.

November 21, 2006, 06:42 AM	#14
alsmith Member Join Date: June 12, 2006 Posts: 17	Unique for 357 Rifle Silhouette I use 7.5 g of Unique with a 125 g Ranier Hollowpoint with a small Federal Rifle Primer when shooting Pistol Cartridge Silhouette with a 357 Marlin Cowboy lever action rifle. Great results at 40 to 100 meters. Rifle is not any dirtier than other rifles shooting other powders. Al

November 24, 2006, 11:56 PM	#15
Stargazer Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 506	I tried some 7.8 grain Unique loads today and they were like everyone said, medium power for a 357 magnum. Accuracy was good and it wasn't near as dirty as I thought it would be. __________________ 5.56mm, reach out and touch something. .458 SOCOM,reach out and knock something down. M70 Web Page

November 25, 2006, 07:43 AM	#16
jdmick Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2006 Posts: 142	I started loading my .357s with 9g Unique with a 125g SJHP bullet. I tried some with 8.5 and 9.5. My Chrony says the 8.5 loads were only in the 1100s and the 9 and 9.5s in the upper 1200s. I just settled on 9g for simplicity. The Unique burns way cleaner than the factory Independence brand 158g loads I had and about the same as some Winchester 110g.