Post by jonboy on Sept 5, 2007 7:51:03 GMT -6
If you haven't used Unique in a number of years or haven't used any that wasn't a decade or more older you might be surprised how clean the current version burns. (cleaner than bullseye or tight group or blue dot etc) I've been loading .45 acp 230gr HP's (Hornady XTP's) with 8.5gr of Blue Dot since I got into reloading and had a HUGE vat of old (discontinued) Winchester super light powder I worked up and down from less than 4gr to somewhere neer 5 gr. I mostly was using it for a cheap cast load with 4gr under a Oregon Trail Laser-cast 200gr lead SWC. I've gotten some really accurate groups with this combo but load it hot or load it cold the leading was still an issue.
I tried rainier plated 200gr flat nosed ball and REALLY hated seating those. They seemed woefully inaccurate until you push them harder...then they seemed to group well. Still reloading them(seating) is a pain because the plating while thick is too soft and poorly shaped base likes to shave off upon seating unless "perfectly square" before you seat. I might try their plated SWC's they look a little better shaped.
I Noticed a lot of unburned and/or burned residue on my right forearm with blue dot...it just doesn't seem it can burn well in a 5" auto (1911a1) I decided to try a different powder and wanted something a little less specialized. I played with a little tightgroup and a few others and wasn't really finding what I wanted. I was thinking about universal but ended up trying Unique after reading many reviews on midway. WOW!! I have ended up with a load of 4.1gr (4.0 worked well to) with the OT laser-cast 200gr SWC and it's very enjoyable and accurate and works 100% even with my standard 18.5# spring setup
What astounded me was how clean it was...it was as if I was shooting a different bullets super light powder grey color could be seen in the bore but NO large deposits anywhere and virtually no powder residue! I put most a 150 rounds through it last week and showed Larry the bbl aftwards...his comment "looks like it's already been cleaned" I also loaded some 230gr with (without looking I think) 6gr and while not as hot as many factory 230gr loads in recoil (shot A/B) they here more accurate and very controllable.
In fact Federal Hydrashocks felt overly hot after enjoying a few mags of this load. Much faster shot recovery time for accurate followups...and just plain more enjoyable to shoot. Again very clean and a lot less powder residue blowing out on my right forearm. I don't know how clean or dirty the old Unique was...I've read varying opinions. But needless to say I'm very impressed with the current versions performance. It's also a pretty effective choice for almost any major handgun caliber between .380 and .44 mag as well a 20-12 ga. shotgun shells so I think I found something worth buying by the 8# jug finally. It's a small enough charge it's frugal but large enough a double charge is something you will NOT miss on a loading tray...which I like. Bluedot takes up ALL alvailable realistate. This stuff takes up "most" of the available case...but more importantly it seems to burn more efficiently.
Give it a try sometime next time you're buying powder for your 40/44 spec/.45 auto. You'll probably like it! ;D
I tried rainier plated 200gr flat nosed ball and REALLY hated seating those. They seemed woefully inaccurate until you push them harder...then they seemed to group well. Still reloading them(seating) is a pain because the plating while thick is too soft and poorly shaped base likes to shave off upon seating unless "perfectly square" before you seat. I might try their plated SWC's they look a little better shaped.
I Noticed a lot of unburned and/or burned residue on my right forearm with blue dot...it just doesn't seem it can burn well in a 5" auto (1911a1) I decided to try a different powder and wanted something a little less specialized. I played with a little tightgroup and a few others and wasn't really finding what I wanted. I was thinking about universal but ended up trying Unique after reading many reviews on midway. WOW!! I have ended up with a load of 4.1gr (4.0 worked well to) with the OT laser-cast 200gr SWC and it's very enjoyable and accurate and works 100% even with my standard 18.5# spring setup
What astounded me was how clean it was...it was as if I was shooting a different bullets super light powder grey color could be seen in the bore but NO large deposits anywhere and virtually no powder residue! I put most a 150 rounds through it last week and showed Larry the bbl aftwards...his comment "looks like it's already been cleaned" I also loaded some 230gr with (without looking I think) 6gr and while not as hot as many factory 230gr loads in recoil (shot A/B) they here more accurate and very controllable.
In fact Federal Hydrashocks felt overly hot after enjoying a few mags of this load. Much faster shot recovery time for accurate followups...and just plain more enjoyable to shoot. Again very clean and a lot less powder residue blowing out on my right forearm. I don't know how clean or dirty the old Unique was...I've read varying opinions. But needless to say I'm very impressed with the current versions performance. It's also a pretty effective choice for almost any major handgun caliber between .380 and .44 mag as well a 20-12 ga. shotgun shells so I think I found something worth buying by the 8# jug finally. It's a small enough charge it's frugal but large enough a double charge is something you will NOT miss on a loading tray...which I like. Bluedot takes up ALL alvailable realistate. This stuff takes up "most" of the available case...but more importantly it seems to burn more efficiently.
Give it a try sometime next time you're buying powder for your 40/44 spec/.45 auto. You'll probably like it! ;D