I have been handloading since the early sixties and have been using Dillon 550b for about twenty years or so. For very mild loads (rapid double-action shooting at my home steel bowling pin range), in handguns, I have always used Bullseye with good success in very light loads, no apparent problems. Having not seen Bullseye in gun stores for awhile, but finding Unique fairly common, I have switched from 2.8 Bullseye to 4.0 Unique (minimum loads), under a cast Lee 125 grain bullet in .38 Special. With the Unique, I have noticed that there is an occasional round that has a report that is slightly louder than the rest of the rounds. I suspect the the Dillon powder measure is not throwing consistent charges of 4.0 grains. Unique is noticeably a lot courser than Bullseye. Instead of doing a lot of test weighing of those thrown charges to confirm this (I am too old now to get excited with experimenting), I thought I would ask if anyone here has tested the accuracy of the weight of small charges of Unique through a Dillon measure. It would save me time and energy if someone has already done so. Anyone?
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How well/badly does Unique meter?
- Thread starter dahermit
- Start date
The problem I would have by switching to the large powder bar is that I shoot a whole lot 92 grain cast .32 S&W Long and with the small powder bar installed and closed all the way, the little triangle cavity throws just the right amount of Bullseye (saving my Bullseye for the .32),...which is very convenient when loading for the .32 S&W Long. Besides that, I have installed a "micrometer" wheel in place of the adjusting nut and have recorded my settings over the years...all my carefully recording settings for the various powders would become meaningless.I found the large powder bar works better for small drops with Unique .
My problems would be over if I could just find 2-3 lbs. of Bullseye.
Hammerhead
New member
Unique is the only powder that my Redding 10X handgun measure doesn't meter well. Some throws will go +.3 grains over. Bullseye is always spot on.
Been finding a lot of Bullseye locally, so hopefully you will find some soon.
Been finding a lot of Bullseye locally, so hopefully you will find some soon.
I load on a Dillon 650....and I don't like Unique for my handgun loads...it does not drop cosistently - and in most handgun loads the min and max are just too close together for an inconsistent powder.
To me, its a powder better suited to shotgun reloading.
A powder you might try, for a lot of handgun loads, is TiteGroup. I think its a much better option that Unique.
To me, its a powder better suited to shotgun reloading.
A powder you might try, for a lot of handgun loads, is TiteGroup. I think its a much better option that Unique.
I like Unique for handgun loads with bigger/heavier bullets in .41 Magnum, .44 Spl., .45 etc...it has always served me well over the years. But, this is my first experiance with such a small charge.I load on a Dillon 650....and I don't like Unique for my handgun loads...it does not drop cosistently - and in most handgun loads the min and max are just too close together for an inconsistent powder.
To me, its a powder better suited to shotgun reloading.
A powder you might try, for a lot of handgun loads, is TiteGroup. I think its a much better option that Unique.
I am comfortable with the older powders that I have used since the sixties and am reluctant to try the new stuff. Bullseye and Unique have always been my standbys. I have tried and like Winchester 231, but that is as scarce as Bullseye. The newer stuff strikes me "fly-by-night"...here today, replaced with something "more-better" tomorrow. Bullseye and Unique seem to be the timeless classic. But, so was P-5066 at one time (I'll bet the younger guys never heard of that).
I am quite certain ball powders throw better than Unique, but I am not seeing tighter standard deviations or extreme spreads. I have a keg of AA#5, a ball powder, and kegs of Unique. While I prefer Bullseye in the 45 ACP, I tested Unique. It shot well. I also tested AA#5. It shot well, but the Sd's and ES's were not significantly better. All my charges are thrown from a Dillion 550B. I throw ten charges, weigh them, adjust till I get the throw weight I want, once there, I load hundreds of rounds, all with thrown charges.
I have chronograph data in the 44 Special. I do not see any significant improvement in velocities based on physical characteristics between Unique and the ball powder AA#5.
[/FONT]
Kimber Custom Classic M1911
230 LRN 5.5 grs Unique lot UN331 1989 Mixed brass WLP (brass)
OAL 1.250" taper crimped 0.469"
16-May-09 high 83 °F
Ave Vel =827.4
Std Dev =17.63
ES = 85.68
High = 871.6
Low = 785.9
N = 31
230 LRN 6.0 grs Unique lot 6/21/1998 Mixed brass WLP (nickle)
16-May-09 high 83 °F OAL 1.250" taper crimped 0.469"
Ave Vel =885
Std Dev =16.79
ES = 67.26
High = 917.8
Low = 850.5
N = 30
accurate, lots recoil15' foot ejection
230 LRN 6.5 grs Unique lot UN387 6/21/93 Mixed brass WLP
OAL 1.250" taper crimped 0.469
"
18-Mar-07 T = 62 °F
Ave Vel =926.4
Std Dev =16.64
ES 71.16
High 963.4
Low 892.3
N = 32
light leading, accurate, centered, hard recoil, 20 foot ejection
230 LRN 7.0 grs AA#5 lot 12599 WLP Mixed Military OAL 1.245" taper crimp 0.469"
27 Feb 2010 T = 48 ° F
Ave Vel =788 fps
Std Dev =17
ES = 76.3
High = 827.5
Low = 751.2
N = 13
230 LRN 7.5 grs AA#5 lot 12599 WLP Mixed Military OAL 1.245" taper crimp 0.469"
27 Feb 2010 T = 48 ° F
Ave Vel =829 fps
Std Dev =20
ES = 63
High = 863
Low = 800
N= 15
230 LRN 7.8 grs AA#5 lot 12599 Mixed brass WLP (brass)
16-May-09 high 83 °F OAL 1.250" taper crimped 0.469"
Ave Vel =874.7
Std Dev =16.3
ES = 78.33
High = 916.4
Low = 838
N = 30
230 FMJ (R-P) 7.8 grs AA#5 lot DM Speer Once fired WLP (brass) OAL 1.250" taper crimped 0.469"
12-Dec-11 T =53 °F
Ave Vel =847.1
Std Dev =19.59
ES = 86.17
High = 877.2
Low = 791.1
N = 14
Accurate but high.
I have chronograph data in the 44 Special. I do not see any significant improvement in velocities based on physical characteristics between Unique and the ball powder AA#5.
Code:
[SIZE="4"][B]44 Special M624 6.5" [/B]
240 LSWC 5.0 grs Bullseye Lot 6/20/05 Mixed Brass WLP
22-Dec-07 T = 55 °F
Ave Vel =800
Std Dev =14
ES = 61
High = 823
Low = 762
N = 16
accurate, mild recoil
240 LSWC 6.25 grs Unique lot UN387(6-21-1993) Midway cases WSP
22-Dec-07 T = 55 °F
Ave Vel =831
Std Dev =33
ES = 108
High = 868
Low = 761
N = 18
240 LSWC 9.0 grs AA#5 Lot 35 590 Mixed Brass WLP
22-Dec-07 T = 55 °F
Ave Vel =879
Std Dev =30
ES = 118
High = 926
Low = 808
N = 26
Accurate
240 LSWC 9.5 grs AA#5 Lot 35 590 Mixed Brass WLP
22-Dec-07 T = 55 °F
Ave Vel =971
Std Dev =24
ES = 92
High = 1027
Low = 935
N = 24
[B]6.5" M24-3 [/B]
240 LSWC 7.5 grs Unique lot UN364 1992 Midway brass WLP (brass)
T = 90 °F 2-Sep-15
Ave Vel = 1023
Std Dev = 16
ES = 44
Low = 1006
High = 1050
N = 12
Accurate, POI @ 25yards, lots of recoil. Leaded barrel![/SIZE]At one point Lee's instructions for their Perfect powder measure suggested that it not be used with Unique. So this is a common issue. In a separate manually operated powder measure you can tap the handle to break up bridges. A couple of folks have attached an aquarium aerator pump to the side of their powder hopper with the heave celery stalk rubber bands and replaced the switch with a push-button so they can vibrate the measure at the top and bottom of the stroke with it. All well and good, but I find it simpler to switch powders.
If you have a manual measure, I'd recommend switching to charging by batch method in a tray so you can look at every charge, then switch later. Hodgdon Universal is a much better metering power that works in most Unique applications, so it's another option. I've also recently been able to buy several pounds of HP38 (same as 231, but with a different brand label) which is another old standby powder for target loads. In the 80's, everyone in the league I was in shot either Bullseye or 231 and had no complaints about either one of them.
If you have a manual measure, I'd recommend switching to charging by batch method in a tray so you can look at every charge, then switch later. Hodgdon Universal is a much better metering power that works in most Unique applications, so it's another option. I've also recently been able to buy several pounds of HP38 (same as 231, but with a different brand label) which is another old standby powder for target loads. In the 80's, everyone in the league I was in shot either Bullseye or 231 and had no complaints about either one of them.
Average Joe
New member
Its a flake powder, and powder measures do tend to have trouble metering it. I use a RCBS Uniflow and it does pretty good with Unique, and also with Red Dot. Its not always a perfect or consistent drop, but within a few tenths here and there, I just make sure I stay below max load and it works out OK.
Carriertxv
New member
Works good in the powder measure on my Hornady LNL press.
I find that any powder in a Lee Perfect Measure needs to be weighed every time and tricked up or adjusted down.At one point Lee's instructions for their Perfect powder measure suggested that it not be used with Unique. So this is a common issue.
The best powder under a 10 grain charge that I have found is TiteGroup and the measure spews powder on every throw. It is good good for approximations but consistency is not one of the Lee Perfect Powder Measure strong points.
The only Lee products I have faith in is their dies. I have been stung too many times with their other products.
I have posted on this many times. All powder measures are not the same. All you have to do is bring up a search online and compare how the powder drops from the tube meaning the column of powder into the variable scoop that is the measure. The Powder measures that have the powder drop in endways will have some problems those that drop into a sideways measure not near so much.
Simply bring up two photos those of a RCBS powder measure and then a Lyman 55 which has been around for sixty some years and you should be able to SEE the difference.
I use Unique in my Lyman 55 clear down to 1.5 grains with NO problems. I flip the little tapper with my finger in between throws and even with the long powder tube all is good.
Simply bring up two photos those of a RCBS powder measure and then a Lyman 55 which has been around for sixty some years and you should be able to SEE the difference.
I use Unique in my Lyman 55 clear down to 1.5 grains with NO problems. I flip the little tapper with my finger in between throws and even with the long powder tube all is good.
Pathfinder45
New member
I have had no problems with Unique in my RCBS powder measure, but I always tap the handle 4 times per throw. I am trying to use up some Trailboss powder that is horribly inconsistent in my powder measure. I don't plan on getting any more. Titegroup is one of the very best for consistently thrown charges.
With my Hornady powder measure, I find that loading 6.0g on up meters fine.... But trying to load 4.0g, for example, is not so good. Might as well measure every throw on the scale. I've choose to move to a different powder when I need small throws... Like AA#5 which meters very well in the small quantities. We do have 'lots' of choices today! Not like in the old days where 2400 and Unique were 'it'.
Sure, I understand you are reluctant to change powders.../ I've been reloading for over 50 yrs as well ...so I get it..!
But sometimes the newer formulas are a little better...and it isn't like TiteGroup just came on the market...its been around for at least 20 yrs.
Personally I like Hodgdon Universal better than Unique as well ...( but I have buddies that are still stuck on Unique - but in my area, Unique is still very hard to come by ) - and I haven't seen BullsEye in a very long time... / I'm still hoping Clays shows up again before I die...geez, its been over 4 yrs and I haven't seen any of it either...
But sometimes the newer formulas are a little better...and it isn't like TiteGroup just came on the market...its been around for at least 20 yrs.
Personally I like Hodgdon Universal better than Unique as well ...( but I have buddies that are still stuck on Unique - but in my area, Unique is still very hard to come by ) - and I haven't seen BullsEye in a very long time... / I'm still hoping Clays shows up again before I die...geez, its been over 4 yrs and I haven't seen any of it either...
I've done all the "fix-it" measures to my Dillon 550B powder measures [smoothing, polishing etc.] that are possible and Unique still consistently varies by +- 0.2 grain. For larger charges, say 6-10 grains, this does not matter for mid level loads and does not show on the chrono either. But for max effort charges, it's too much and too....it's not wise to use a powder measure for them in a pistol. Rod