Any Handloaders? Can we talk?

Vanity | 3-6-18 | MileHi

[MileHi]

I have seen a difference of more than a grain before in handgun load data.

I got that. But I posted two sources and one shows a starting load that significantly exceeds the others +P max load. That is not a difference of a grain based on components or test conditions.

[Dogbert41]

Ahhh, I just looked it up. Main difference between old Unique and new is the new burns a bit cleaner. Go with the newest data anyways. You can’t lose doing that.

[redgolum]

I load some “off brand” bullets. Got bit once. A load listed as “safe” in Hornady was over pressure in the generic Remington bullet I was using. Actually had a nice chat about it with a guy at Hornady.

Also, the old books are out of date. Go to a store and pick up the current edition of each book (or just look at it). Powder formulations change over time, and a lot produced in 1985 will not be the same as a lot made 2018.

[MileHi]

Is he still here? Been a long while since I’ve seen him.

[MileHi]

LOL No, I didn’t shoot it.

[OKSooner]

Honestly I don't know. I haven't seen him in awhile either but maybe he's lurking?

Anyway he helped me out with some reloading stuff that made a lot of sense and he was really cool about it. I hope he's well.

[MileHi]

All those numbers are in line with the Hornady manual I posted. As you see, the old Sierra STARTS at 6.4 grs.

FYI, the Hornady data used a 4" S&W M15, the Sierra data a 6" S&W K36 so neither was a test barrel.

The old guys, like Elmer Keith, would go waay beyond the listed maximum. He experimented with the 44 Special loads that way. That's how the 44 magnum came into existence. I doubt you'll be doing any of that.

I was a good student of Keith back when, and Ross Seyfried after. No, I won't be trying to repeat their work.

[LegendHasIt]

PM sent.

[MileHi]

Power pistol looks like a much better choice frankly.

Thanks, I'll look at that.

[MileHi]

Damn. I chose it because it seemed to be the go to powder for .38/.44 special loads. Of course, I value your opinion.

[MileHi]

I seem to recall that Unique changed the formula a bit about 20 years ago. That could explain the big difference.

Good to know.

[MileHi]

Good point, and you see I was looking at some older books.

[MileHi]

Powder formulations change over time, and a lot produced in 1985 will not be the same as a lot made 2018.

I think some of you are hitting on the issue here. But then why don't they call it Unique II or something?

[MileHi]

I hope he's well.

Me too.

[MileHi]

Thank you!

[LegendHasIt]

Don’t worry;

Unique is a great powder. I’ve never had any trouble with it at all. Probably used 50,000 + rounds loaded with it in my lifetime; My go-to powder for .44 Spl and .45 (ACP & LC), unless I’m trying something unusual.

[MileHi]

I’ll have to look but I think I had the Unique because I used it for mild loads for the wifes Vaquero.

[Blue Collar Christian]

It’s not too hard to start off with the low end of the powder recommendations in any loading manual. NEVER just load your +P by some book.
Some bullets give more resistance to going down the barrel and that means different pressures than other bullets. You can see that just from clocking different bullets with the same loads. Different primers make a difference too.
Safety is the first thing.

[IndispensableDestiny]

the last time I reloaded .38 Special, I used Tightgroup. But, the Alliant Power web site has this for Unique:

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/RecipePrint.aspx?gtypeid=1&weight=125&shellid=26&bulletid=28&bdid=62

[piroque]

check in here
http://ammoguide.com/cgi-bin/myag.cgi?sn=BEZqwqWmQA