Unique/.45acp Users ?

amprecon · June 23, 2002, 01:34 PM

I've just bought some Unique powder and find that it definitely doesn't meter as well as the W-231 I previously used. I find myself weighing almost every load.
I'm trying 8.0grs of Unique with 200gr Hornady HP/XTP. I haven't shot any yet but expect them to be relatively stout. The Midway Loadmap says that with this bullet, 8.2grs of Unique is max. Has anyone used 8.0grs of Unique with this bullet? What were your results? BTW I'm using a full-size stainless Springfield Armory "loaded" 1911-A1 and also have a S&W 625 that I'll probably shoot them out of.

sricciardelli · June 23, 2002, 02:16 PM

I use Unique with the 200 XPT bullet and CCI-300 primer. However I quit at 7.4 grains because I felt this was the real-world max for one of my pistols (alloy frame).

Measured 15' from muzzle, it clocks 1,022 fps.

cheygriz · June 23, 2002, 04:02 PM

Unique is a good powder the the .45, but there are better ones out there. I used Unique with 185 GR bullets up to 8.0 GR. Really hot in my gun, and I had to weigh evey charge.

Switch to Hodgdon HS-6 or Alliant power Pistol and work up carefully. You should be able to get more velocity at lower pressure. And both of these powders flow through the measure quire consistently.

If you're trying to get maximum velocity, you were wise to abandon 231. It's too fast for heavy loads, although it's terrific for target loads.

amprecon · June 24, 2002, 08:42 PM

I don't see Alliant Power Pistol in the Loadmap, did it replace another popular Alliant powder?

Stephen A. Camp · June 24, 2002, 09:24 PM

Hello. Yes, I use Unique with 200 gr bullets, but stop at no more than 7.5 grs; I've found that 7.2 gr is more accurate.

Best.

cheygriz · June 25, 2002, 02:35 PM

amprecon,

Power Pistol is newer than the loadmaps. IMNSHO, it's the best all around pistol powder that Alliant manufactures.

Johnny Guest · June 25, 2002, 05:25 PM

I used to load the Sierra 185 JHC (jktd hollow CAVITY, thank you) with healthy doses of Unique--Up to 8.0 gr. Like so many others, I found that 7.5 to 7.8 was a bit more accurate, and the little Hill Country white tail deer didn't seem to notice the difference.

For what its worth, I loaded 6.5 Unique with 230 RN as a factory duplication load for many years. Just for a lark, I tried loading some H&G #68 LSWC bullets with same charge and exactly same seating stem setting. Worked flawlessly, and was/IS a quite accurate load, at about 900 fps.

If I were still shooting deer with my .45 ACPs, I'd be tempted to try the 200 gr. XTP with about 7.0 to 7.5 Unique.

It is possible to really "soup up" the .45 ACP, but the nearer you stick to pressures similar to the 230 FMJ/830 fps load, the longer your pistol will last. Lighter bullet? Okay, fine, a bit higher velocity. But there's little use in trying to make the .45 auto do the work of a .454 Casull, or even a .45 Colt.

Best,
Johnny

Jamie Young · June 26, 2002, 12:21 AM

Quote:

I've just bought some Unique powder and find that it definitely doesn't meter as well as the W-231 I previously used. I find myself weighing almost every load.

that is the reason I'm going to move onto another powder. It seems like its got energy but I can't stand loading in a Progressive when I have to double check every charge.

Steve in PA · June 26, 2002, 01:55 PM

I use Unique for loads in my Sig P220 and don't have any problems metering it. It doesn't meter as well as say HS-6 which I use for my 9mm, but still...no problems to report.

dfm · June 26, 2002, 03:19 PM

Unique has been the classic powder to use in the .45 ACP since the beginning of time. Howver, it doesn't meter well and burns dirty whether new and improved or old stock. There's better powders out there today and with the already mentioned ones I'd like to add WST. Clean burning, accurate, excellent metering characteristics, and reasonably priced it's become a favorite of mine for the 9mm, .40, and .45 ACP.

dfm

blades67 · June 29, 2002, 02:23 AM

I just rolled some 200 grain Meister Fully Metal Kased bullets with 6.8 grains of Unique in a PMC case with a CCI 300 to light the fire. I like Unique for its versitility, not because it's the cleanest, or fastest, burning powder.

Newservicecolt · July 2, 2002, 06:45 PM

Unique is unique because it is versatile.
As for metering, that is really a moot point with a properly adjusted setup. You might get a .1 or so variation to the light side in a 7 gr charge, which is absolutely meaningless to performance. If you get variations to the heavy side, you pronbably didn't settle the powder very well in the hopper.

NSC

Jamie Young · July 2, 2002, 09:38 PM

Quote:

I'd like to add WST.

I picked up 1lb of that stuff and was pretty disappointed with it. It was flat out weak. I think the max load is 4.9gr and I felt like I was shooting a 9mm. I'm sure if I had adjusteable sights on My Colt I wouldn't be complaining but I had a heck of time trying to shoot 25yds and not have to hold over what I was aiming at. I'm in the process of finishing off the last of My Unique (It doesn't meter well) and I still have some WST laying around. I really need to find something else to use for 45ACP.

Sarge · July 7, 2002, 09:15 PM

I loaded many pounds of this powder in .38/.357/.44 & .45 loads over the years, but since the introduction of Universal Clays I've pretty well quit Unique. Universal meters better and gives good accuracy when the optimum load for a particular gun is found. It seems to burn a bit cleaner in my guns as well. Check the Hogdgon's site for current specific data, but I've had good luck loads about .2 under max and any decent 230 LRN/SWC in my Colts.

jem375 · July 7, 2002, 09:56 PM

I use 7 grs of unique with the 200 gr jhp's......very accurate...

dfm · July 9, 2002, 09:59 AM

SodaPop,

Can't agree with your opinion of WST. Use 5.1 w/200grn LSWC and 4.6 w/230grn. LRN. in conjunction with CCI 300 primers, range cases, and a good hard taper crimp. Shoots to POA in 5 different fixed sight 1911's of various manufacture. Very clean, accurate, and affords excellent functioning.

dfm

Jamie Young · July 9, 2002, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Can't agree with your opinion of WST. Use 5.1 w/200grn LSWC and 4.6 w/230grn. LRN. in conjunction with CCI 300 primers, range cases, and a good hard taper crimp. Shoots to POA in 5 different fixed sight 1911's of various manufacture. Very clean, accurate, and affords excellent functioning.

I still have about 3/4 of lb of it downstairs. I just got a 500, 230gr FMJ, via UPS and I'll try to test your mentioned "4.6gr" load out this weekend. I have a Colt 1991A1 that I've done previous tests with. I filed down the front sight a little bit because I had to hold over whenever I tried to shoot sporting clays at 25yds.

I've basically been testing various loads trying to "zero" the gun in with 230gr FMJ's with the fixed sights I have. The WST loads felt very weak compared to the factory American Eagle ammo I compared it with. I'll give it another try though.

Jamie Young · July 13, 2002, 06:08 PM

Quote:

dfm

Update!

I shot your suggested WST load with 230gr FMJ's and they did exactly what you said they would. THANKS FOR THE ADVICE! It is a much lighter load but it is accurate. I compared it to 6.5gr of Unique and it beat it out.

hps1 · July 13, 2002, 10:24 PM

Used Unique for 45ACP for years but recently switched to Accurate #5. Cleaner burning and meters better.

Regards,
hps

dfm · July 15, 2002, 09:38 AM

SodaPop,

Glad the load worked out for you.

dfm

June 23, 2002, 01:34 PM	#1
amprecon Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 1999 Location: TN Posts: 786	Unique/.45acp Users ? I've just bought some Unique powder and find that it definitely doesn't meter as well as the W-231 I previously used. I find myself weighing almost every load. I'm trying 8.0grs of Unique with 200gr Hornady HP/XTP. I haven't shot any yet but expect them to be relatively stout. The Midway Loadmap says that with this bullet, 8.2grs of Unique is max. Has anyone used 8.0grs of Unique with this bullet? What were your results? BTW I'm using a full-size stainless Springfield Armory "loaded" 1911-A1 and also have a S&W 625 that I'll probably shoot them out of. __________________ "You can't get 'em all Josey." "That's a fact". "Well how come you doin' this then?" "Cause I got nothin' better to do."

June 23, 2002, 02:16 PM	#2
sricciardelli Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2001 Location: Montana Posts: 489	I use Unique with the 200 XPT bullet and CCI-300 primer. However I quit at 7.4 grains because I felt this was the real-world max for one of my pistols (alloy frame). Measured 15' from muzzle, it clocks 1,022 fps. __________________ http://stevespages.com/page8.htm

June 23, 2002, 04:02 PM	#3
cheygriz Senior Member Join Date: May 11, 2002 Location: high up in the rockies Posts: 2,289	Unique is a good powder the the .45, but there are better ones out there. I used Unique with 185 GR bullets up to 8.0 GR. Really hot in my gun, and I had to weigh evey charge. Switch to Hodgdon HS-6 or Alliant power Pistol and work up carefully. You should be able to get more velocity at lower pressure. And both of these powders flow through the measure quire consistently. If you're trying to get maximum velocity, you were wise to abandon 231. It's too fast for heavy loads, although it's terrific for target loads. __________________ If you think a mighty military force is expensive, wait 'til you see what a weak one costs.

June 24, 2002, 08:42 PM	#4
amprecon Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 1999 Location: TN Posts: 786	I don't see Alliant Power Pistol in the Loadmap, did it replace another popular Alliant powder? __________________ "You can't get 'em all Josey." "That's a fact". "Well how come you doin' this then?" "Cause I got nothin' better to do."

June 25, 2002, 05:25 PM	#7
Johnny Guest Moderator in Memoriam Join Date: August 28, 1999 Location: North Texas Posts: 4,123	Not the same bullet, but close - - - I used to load the Sierra 185 JHC (jktd hollow CAVITY, thank you) with healthy doses of Unique--Up to 8.0 gr. Like so many others, I found that 7.5 to 7.8 was a bit more accurate, and the little Hill Country white tail deer didn't seem to notice the difference. For what its worth, I loaded 6.5 Unique with 230 RN as a factory duplication load for many years. Just for a lark, I tried loading some H&G #68 LSWC bullets with same charge and exactly same seating stem setting. Worked flawlessly, and was/IS a quite accurate load, at about 900 fps. If I were still shooting deer with my .45 ACPs, I'd be tempted to try the 200 gr. XTP with about 7.0 to 7.5 Unique. It is possible to really "soup up" the .45 ACP, but the nearer you stick to pressures similar to the 230 FMJ/830 fps load, the longer your pistol will last. Lighter bullet? Okay, fine, a bit higher velocity. But there's little use in trying to make the .45 auto do the work of a .454 Casull, or even a .45 Colt. Best, Johnny

June 24, 2002, 09:24 PM	#5
Stephen A. Camp Staff In Memoriam Join Date: April 16, 1999 Posts: 2,570	Hello. Yes, I use Unique with 200 gr bullets, but stop at no more than 7.5 grs; I've found that 7.2 gr is more accurate. Best.

June 25, 2002, 02:35 PM	#6
cheygriz Senior Member Join Date: May 11, 2002 Location: high up in the rockies Posts: 2,289	amprecon, Power Pistol is newer than the loadmaps. IMNSHO, it's the best all around pistol powder that Alliant manufactures. __________________ If you think a mighty military force is expensive, wait 'til you see what a weak one costs.

June 26, 2002, 01:55 PM	#9
Steve in PA Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 1999 Location: Northeastern PA Posts: 756	I use Unique for loads in my Sig P220 and don't have any problems metering it. It doesn't meter as well as say HS-6 which I use for my 9mm, but still...no problems to report. __________________ Steve

June 26, 2002, 03:19 PM	#10
dfm Member Join Date: May 19, 2002 Posts: 99	Unique has been the classic powder to use in the .45 ACP since the beginning of time. Howver, it doesn't meter well and burns dirty whether new and improved or old stock. There's better powders out there today and with the already mentioned ones I'd like to add WST. Clean burning, accurate, excellent metering characteristics, and reasonably priced it's become a favorite of mine for the 9mm, .40, and .45 ACP. dfm

June 29, 2002, 02:23 AM	#11
blades67 Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 1999 Location: Chandler, Arizona, USA Posts: 6,014	I just rolled some 200 grain Meister Fully Metal Kased bullets with 6.8 grains of Unique in a PMC case with a CCI 300 to light the fire. I like Unique for its versitility, not because it's the cleanest, or fastest, burning powder. __________________ Guns cause crime like spoons cause Rosie O'Donnell to be fat! I hunt, therefore I am.

July 2, 2002, 06:45 PM	#12
Newservicecolt Junior Member Join Date: June 3, 2001 Location: On the Lam Posts: 14	Unique is unique because it is versatile. As for metering, that is really a moot point with a properly adjusted setup. You might get a .1 or so variation to the light side in a 7 gr charge, which is absolutely meaningless to performance. If you get variations to the heavy side, you pronbably didn't settle the powder very well in the hopper. NSC

July 7, 2002, 09:15 PM	#14
Sarge Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2002 Location: MO Posts: 5,457	Unique & the .45 auto... I loaded many pounds of this powder in .38/.357/.44 & .45 loads over the years, but since the introduction of Universal Clays I've pretty well quit Unique. Universal meters better and gives good accuracy when the optimum load for a particular gun is found. It seems to burn a bit cleaner in my guns as well. Check the Hogdgon's site for current specific data, but I've had good luck loads about .2 under max and any decent 230 LRN/SWC in my Colts.

July 7, 2002, 09:56 PM	#15
jem375 Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2002 Location: Minnesota Posts: 390	I use 7 grs of unique with the 200 gr jhp's......very accurate...

July 9, 2002, 09:59 AM	#16
dfm Member Join Date: May 19, 2002 Posts: 99	SodaPop, Can't agree with your opinion of WST. Use 5.1 w/200grn LSWC and 4.6 w/230grn. LRN. in conjunction with CCI 300 primers, range cases, and a good hard taper crimp. Shoots to POA in 5 different fixed sight 1911's of various manufacture. Very clean, accurate, and affords excellent functioning. dfm

July 13, 2002, 10:24 PM	#19
hps1 Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 425	Used Unique for 45ACP for years but recently switched to Accurate #5. Cleaner burning and meters better. Regards, hps

July 15, 2002, 09:38 AM	#20
dfm Member Join Date: May 19, 2002 Posts: 99	SodaPop, Glad the load worked out for you. dfm