[GPutt33]

Hi Guys, I have a few questions and am hoping for a little help. I am getting back into reloading after being out of it for about 15 years due to moving around the country. I have set up my reloading bench in my new 'retirement shop', and have reloaded for my 10mm first, and it is a good load using a new powder to me, the 800x (but it measures like crap).

In all of my old stuff, along with what I inherited from my father in law, I have a bunch of Unique, which use to be one of my favorite pistol reloading powders. Since my reloading books were so old, and didn't even have a 10mil or 40 listed in them, I had to buy new books. Well the new books are showing a little difference in loads for 45ACP compared to my old books. To give you an idea of the age of the powder, one is a 4lb canister, was $21.60 and is lot UN011. The other canister is a 1lb'r, $6.95 and has lot UN 099 on the bottom. As far as storage of the old powder, it was always in a dry, cool, dark place, boxed up. No change in look, feel or smell.

SO, my question is, are there differences in the old load charts vs new charts due to differences in the make up of the newer powder? It shows using just a little more using the older powder vs the newer. I know I will have to go on the conservative side to begin with, so am thinking about right at 6.0 grains pushing a 230 grain FMJ-RN and using just a Large Primer vs Magnum.

 

[WeeWilly]

They reformulated Unique along the way, what I experienced with the new is a fluffier powder (more volume for weight), a powder you can download a little farther before it starts looking like burned dirt. I use the same load data for both. Unique is a very forgiving powder, at least till you get round the bend.

I was in a gun shop this morning, that had all my favorites, Unique, Bullseye, Red Dot, Green Dot, Extra Light (3/4oz skeet loads). I just stood there with tears in my eyes...

 

[Steve in PA]

When I started reloading for my .45acp, I was using the "old" Unique, with 6.5gr and 230gr FMJ. When the new stuff came out, I worked up loads and ended up at 6.5gr again.

Other than being cleaner and less dirty, I found no difference between the old and new stuff. Your experience may differ.

 

[GPutt33]

Thanks a lot you guys, that eases my hesitation in going with a lighter load then I'd like. I just received 1000 rds of 230gr RN in the mail today, and I have a bench with 100 rounds of cases just waiting for primers, powder and a round seated in them We are presently in the middle of a pretty good little blizzard that is suppose to last till Monday, so I have nothing else to do tomorrow other then retreat down into the shop

 

[rg1]

I tested the last old Hercules Unique I had from 1984 against some early 2000"s Alliant Unique and only saw about a 5 fps difference in the 2 powder dates shooting both in 9MM loads. They changed Unique a bit to make it cleaner burning but the burn rates are nearly if not exactly the same.

 

[steve4102]

In most instances, the difference between new load date and Old load data is due to improved testing methods and testing equipment.

If you have new data and it is less than old data, use the new data, even with the old powder.

 

[JBnTX]

Old Unique - I could find everywhere.
New Unique - I can't find anywhere.

 

[Colorado4Wheel]

The same as it was 100 years ago except cleaner.

 

[GPutt33]

Thanks again for all of the help. I will use every grain of Unique I have. I was using it for reloading of my 357 and 44mag Ruger revolvers. These will be used in my 3 Glocks, a gen3 21, a gen3 30S and my new Gen4 41MOS . I never thought of the powder as burning dirty before, mainly because of using it in the wheel guns I guess. My 21 has a TRL-2 hung on the bottom rail, and with factory ammo after about a 100 rounds at the range the glass on the flashlight has a heavy grey powder residue covering it, hopefully the old Unique isn't even dirtier then these.......

 

[Rinspeed]

I agree with the others that there is very little difference other than the newer stuff being slightly cleaner.

 

[bear10]

I use a lot of Unique because I can load my 9mm,10mm,45, even 44 stuff with it and also a lot of 16 and 20 gauge shotshells.

 

[GPutt33]

Good Day��. I only have enough of my OLD UNIQUE to reload maybe another 100 rounds. Decided to start trying to find some of the NEW UNIQUE. Went to my LGS first and they didn't have any. Ended up going from Ft Collins south to 4 different big box stores and actually found 3 - 1 pound cans in Denver at Bass Pro Shop��. They are now out ��

 

[G26AZ]

Does this apply to BULLSEYE also? I was at Bass Pro today, and was able to get two 1 lb containers of UNIQUE, and about two weeks ago also got two pounds of BULLSEYE.

I have not used either since the mid-90's when they were under the Hercules brand. I have my old favorite loads using the two powders for .38, .357 and .45 from back then. Should they be safe to load the same as before? They were not hot loads, just for cast bullet reloads.

Also, I have about a 1/4thof a can of each left of the old kind. Should I just use it as is until it's gone and switch to the new, or perhaps mix it in with the new stuff and go from there?

I haven't done any reloading since the mid 90's and am just now getting back into it. I'm kind of wary of just jumping back in and picking up where I left off . . . better safe than sorry, right?
Thanks!

 

[bambikilr]

Every manual I have seen says "Do Not Mix" just saying

 

[WeeWilly]

Does this apply to BULLSEYE also? I was at Bass Pro today, and was able to get two 1 lb containers of UNIQUE, and about two weeks ago also got two pounds of BULLSEYE.

I have not used either since the mid-90's when they were under the Hercules brand. I have my old favorite loads using the two powders for .38, .357 and .45 from back then. Should they be safe to load the same as before? They were not hot loads, just for cast bullet reloads.

Also, I have about a 1/4thof a can of each left of the old kind. Should I just use it as is until it's gone and switch to the new, or perhaps mix it in with the new stuff and go from there?

I haven't done any reloading since the mid 90's and am just now getting back into it. I'm kind of wary of just jumping back in and picking up where I left off . . . better safe than sorry, right?
Thanks!

I would use the same weight charge as before with either. I wouldn't mix the old and new unique as the density changed some, the new is more fluffy, so the drop volume will change to get the same weight.

 

[GPutt33]

I was/am in the exact same boat as far as having old and new powder. I second that you do not want to mix the new with the old. Actually I had a 1lb can about 1/2 full and a 4 lb can about full of the same era (1990's, all Herq Unique) and I didn't even mix those together. I just finished up using the 1 lb can on 45 ACP loads and they shot great. I just loaded my first 45's out of the 4 lb can and will take these 25 to the range and check out before proceeding with any more. Hell, by the time I get through the remains 2 lb's of old Unique my new cans of "modern" powder may be a little old....... No, it won't, I'm having to much fun Shooting and reloading like I use to do. I also found Everglades shooting supplies for bulk bullets and new cases. I would HATE to be their post office. I just love those USPS adds for those boxes that say if it fits it ships. 1000 rounds of 230gr bullets in one of those smaller boxes was kind of a surprise to pickup out of the mailbox the first time. This second order resulted in one of those slips saying I had to come to the post office to pick up ��.

 

[mvmojo]

When I started reloading for my .45acp, I was using the "old" Unique, with 6.5gr and 230gr FMJ. When the new stuff came out, I worked up loads and ended up at 6.5gr again.

I've loaded several thousand rounds of the "new" Unique (bought from Bass Pro 11/2014) with 5.8 gr. over 230gr Bayou Bullets. Maybe a little dirty, but it works for me.

 

[wild_weasel]

I recall an article I read in Handloader went New Uniquecame out. The difference was in the manufacturingprocess that resulted in increased uniformity of the flakes and less ‘dust’that resulted in slightly cleaner burning, the formula remained unchanged.

 

[GPutt33]

Great day at the range today. Tried new loads with the 2nd can of OLD Unique (20 years old) and it shot great. One thing I am really liking with the Unique over the factory bulk ammo I was buying for awhile is a LOT LESS burnt powder residue covering my TLR-2. Also really starting to get the new G41 MOS with Vortex Razor dialed in. I guess it will be awhile now before I even start using the newly purchased Unique

One other question while I'm at it. Reloading my 10mm with 800X. Have settled in on 8.2 grains pushing a 185 JHP. Very nice load. My question is I'm seeing something I've never seen in my old powders that I can remember. The 800X is a large flake powder, measuring every throw of powder on my scales. What I've noticed is there is a smaller (maybe half the diameter of the 800X) flat round tan colored flake in with the powder. I'd guess I'm only seeing one of these tan flakes per one grain of powder. Is this some kind of identifier for residue testing, a strange filler, an anti-??? something type of agent??

 

[WeeWilly]

I haven't seen it with 800x, but many times manufacturers will mix in a little of another powder to get the burn rate dialed just where they want it.