Grrrrr! Arggggh! Unique!

azredhawk44 · January 9, 2006, 03:15 PM

Unique has become a 4-letter word to me.

It is such a BIG powder! I am trying to use up my last 1/3 pound of it before switching to titegroup forever and being rid of it.

It chewed up my Lee powder measure. It does not meter evenly from my RCBS powder measure. it gets stuck on delivery in the lower half of the RCBS.

I hate Unique.:barf:

**Mike Irwin** · January 9, 2006, 03:27 PM

Plastic handled screwdriver.

Tapping constantly on the powder reservoir.

I used the last several ounces of Unique on my roses years ago.

HSMITH · January 9, 2006, 06:07 PM

Get a baffle in your RCBS measure, it will help a ton. Better yet get a Redding powder measure, mine throws Unique within a tenth of a grain even down as low as 4 grain charges. My Dillon powder measures don't have a problem with Unique either.

The Lee, look at it. Can you expect more than you got from it?

Unique is a fantastic powder, probably the most versatile powder of all time. To skip it doesn't make sense when a good tool is all that is needed to meter it well.

kart racer · January 9, 2006, 08:39 PM

How does it work from a little dandy pistol measure?Anybody use one?

**Mal H** · January 9, 2006, 09:12 PM

Quote:

I hate Unique. :barf:

I have about 1/2 a bottle left. It's roughly 9 to 10 years old.

jclaude · January 9, 2006, 09:47 PM

I've been using Unique for many, many years. Never had any complaints with it other than the smokey residue it leaves when loaded to light pressures. Cleans right up with a good powder solvent. Meters well for me with my various dispensers, including my Lee Auto Disc.

**Mike Irwin** · January 9, 2006, 09:57 PM

My roses liked what I fed them, Mal.

In fact, remembering this, I have part of a bottle that Herb gave to me. I wanted the bottle (I like having powder bottles and cans) and he didn't want the rest of the powder in it anymore!

**Mal H** · January 9, 2006, 10:31 PM

I just checked and it seems my memory was faulty on the amount of Unique I have. I have the partial bottle I mentioned and an unopened/sealed bottle! The first one is 9 years old and the second one is 8 years old. I don't recall why I bought the second botle, maybe I hadn't entirely given up on Unique at the time.

I might have to try it on the roses, Mike. Mine are Tea Roses which don't require much fertilization, but it can't hurt.

Let me know if you want the bottle.

Steve in PA · January 10, 2006, 12:32 AM

I use pounds and pounds of Unique for my Sig .45 loads.

No problems here with the RCBS powder measure either.

HSMITH · January 10, 2006, 12:35 AM

Steve, we must be wierd or something. I've burned 16 pounds of it in the last 2 years in handguns and have another 8 pound can well lightened. The only thing I have used more of in handguns is Clays, over 20 pounds there......

**Mike Irwin** · January 10, 2006, 01:11 AM

Thanks, Mal, but I have a Unique bottle.

I'm not into the multiples. If I ever get my reloading room set up the way I want it, all the empty powder bottles, cans, and kegs are going to be displayed prominently.

Hook686 · January 10, 2006, 01:36 AM

I've enjoy using Unique since 1979 ... from 9mm to .357 magnum. I will continue to use it.

Cowled_Wolfe · January 10, 2006, 02:09 AM

Quote:

I might have to try it on the roses, Mike. Mine are Tea Roses which don't require much fertilization, but it can't hurt.

Lol, I read that and had to double-check I was still on TFL!

donkee · January 10, 2006, 07:04 AM

Unique runs through my LEE Auto Disk without a hitch. Only time I have problems is with charges under about 3.0 grains, very inconsistant then. I load all my pistol cartridges with it .38 S&W, 7.62x38R, 9x18 Mak, 9mm, .38Spl, and soon .45 ACP. Good stuff, maybe a bit smokey with cast lead but other than that, don't see any reason to change......

caz223 · January 10, 2006, 09:39 AM

Funny. Unique works fine in my dillon powder measure.
Most accurate .45 acp powder I've tried.

Steve in PA · January 10, 2006, 10:29 AM

Make sure you are using the correct size drop tube (there are two sizes) and you have to set up a good rhythm when dispensing any powder.

Poodleshooter · January 10, 2006, 12:55 PM

I like Unique simply because I got 9 lbs of it for $75. It was one of the first powders I used when I started reloading .357 as a 16 year old back in the day. I prefer the bulkiness of it. It's generally cheaper for me than Universal Clays (Hodgdon commands high prices at local shows for some reason),and measures better for me than AA#5. I haven't found any better mid range powder considering price and features.

Speaking of can collecting,does anyone want one of the old cardboard Unique 8# kegs? It's the early 1980's Hercules Unique label style.
I've also got a 1970's style can that will be empty reasonably soon. I have no idea what to do with them other than toss them out.

Toney · January 10, 2006, 01:28 PM

I bought tight group last time and have been wanting more unique???

**Mike Irwin** · January 10, 2006, 02:00 PM

Poodle, if they're in good shape, I'd LOVE to have them!

January 9, 2006, 03:15 PM	#1
azredhawk44 Junior member Join Date: September 28, 2005 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 6,465	Grrrrr! Arggggh! Unique! Unique has become a 4-letter word to me. It is such a BIG powder! I am trying to use up my last 1/3 pound of it before switching to titegroup forever and being rid of it. It chewed up my Lee powder measure. It does not meter evenly from my RCBS powder measure. it gets stuck on delivery in the lower half of the RCBS. I hate Unique.:barf:

January 9, 2006, 03:27 PM	#2
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	Plastic handled screwdriver. Tapping constantly on the powder reservoir. I used the last several ounces of Unique on my roses years ago. __________________ "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.

January 9, 2006, 09:47 PM	#6
jclaude Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2006 Location: Coastal North Carolina Posts: 157	Unique - One of my favorites! I've been using Unique for many, many years. Never had any complaints with it other than the smokey residue it leaves when loaded to light pressures. Cleans right up with a good powder solvent. Meters well for me with my various dispensers, including my Lee Auto Disc.

January 9, 2006, 09:57 PM	#7
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	My roses liked what I fed them, Mal. In fact, remembering this, I have part of a bottle that Herb gave to me. I wanted the bottle (I like having powder bottles and cans) and he didn't want the rest of the powder in it anymore! __________________ "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.

January 10, 2006, 12:32 AM	#9
Steve in PA Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 1999 Location: Northeastern PA Posts: 756	I use pounds and pounds of Unique for my Sig .45 loads. No problems here with the RCBS powder measure either. __________________ Steve

January 9, 2006, 06:07 PM	#3
HSMITH Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2002 Posts: 2,019	Get a baffle in your RCBS measure, it will help a ton. Better yet get a Redding powder measure, mine throws Unique within a tenth of a grain even down as low as 4 grain charges. My Dillon powder measures don't have a problem with Unique either. The Lee, look at it. Can you expect more than you got from it? Unique is a fantastic powder, probably the most versatile powder of all time. To skip it doesn't make sense when a good tool is all that is needed to meter it well.

January 9, 2006, 08:39 PM	#4
kart racer Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2005 Posts: 175	How does it work from a little dandy pistol measure?Anybody use one?

January 9, 2006, 10:31 PM	#8
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,955	I just checked and it seems my memory was faulty on the amount of Unique I have. I have the partial bottle I mentioned and an unopened/sealed bottle! The first one is 9 years old and the second one is 8 years old. I don't recall why I bought the second botle, maybe I hadn't entirely given up on Unique at the time. I might have to try it on the roses, Mike. Mine are Tea Roses which don't require much fertilization, but it can't hurt. Let me know if you want the bottle.

January 10, 2006, 12:35 AM	#10
HSMITH Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2002 Posts: 2,019	Steve, we must be wierd or something. I've burned 16 pounds of it in the last 2 years in handguns and have another 8 pound can well lightened. The only thing I have used more of in handguns is Clays, over 20 pounds there......

January 10, 2006, 01:11 AM	#11
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	Thanks, Mal, but I have a Unique bottle. I'm not into the multiples. If I ever get my reloading room set up the way I want it, all the empty powder bottles, cans, and kegs are going to be displayed prominently. __________________ "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.

January 10, 2006, 01:36 AM	#12
Hook686 Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2005 Location: USA The Great State of California Posts: 2,090	I've enjoy using Unique since 1979 ... from 9mm to .357 magnum. I will continue to use it. __________________ Hook686 When the number of people in institutions reaches 51%, we change sides.

January 10, 2006, 07:04 AM	#14
donkee Junior member Join Date: November 7, 2004 Location: Mid-Michigan Posts: 449	Unique runs through my LEE Auto Disk without a hitch. Only time I have problems is with charges under about 3.0 grains, very inconsistant then. I load all my pistol cartridges with it .38 S&W, 7.62x38R, 9x18 Mak, 9mm, .38Spl, and soon .45 ACP. Good stuff, maybe a bit smokey with cast lead but other than that, don't see any reason to change......

January 10, 2006, 09:39 AM	#15
caz223 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,429	Funny. Unique works fine in my dillon powder measure. Most accurate .45 acp powder I've tried. __________________ I'm not just a gun. I'm YOUR gun. (Hold me.)

January 10, 2006, 10:29 AM	#16
Steve in PA Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 1999 Location: Northeastern PA Posts: 756	Make sure you are using the correct size drop tube (there are two sizes) and you have to set up a good rhythm when dispensing any powder. __________________ Steve

January 10, 2006, 12:55 PM	#17
Poodleshooter Senior Member Join Date: August 7, 2000 Location: Floating down the James River in VA Posts: 2,599	I like Unique simply because I got 9 lbs of it for $75. It was one of the first powders I used when I started reloading .357 as a 16 year old back in the day. I prefer the bulkiness of it. It's generally cheaper for me than Universal Clays (Hodgdon commands high prices at local shows for some reason),and measures better for me than AA#5. I haven't found any better mid range powder considering price and features. Speaking of can collecting,does anyone want one of the old cardboard Unique 8# kegs? It's the early 1980's Hercules Unique label style. I've also got a 1970's style can that will be empty reasonably soon. I have no idea what to do with them other than toss them out.

January 10, 2006, 01:28 PM	#18
Toney Senior Member Join Date: August 17, 2005 Location: Stillwater Oklahoma Posts: 790	I bought tight group last time and have been wanting more unique???

January 10, 2006, 02:00 PM	#19
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	Poodle, if they're in good shape, I'd LOVE to have them! __________________ "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.