Unique powder reloading question
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Alliant's Powder Guides have tables, so the on line manual may have one, the pdf one should have one for sure. But the tables are only starting points. Since you got the average of your drops you got the best info for your loader.
Since 16.0 gr of Unique is the top load listed for 7/8 oz 20 ga load with the components you listed I would use the 24 bushing dropping 15.7 grs on average. Unless the 16.4 gr load is pressure tested it will only be a guess. If you want a load that is faster than 1200 f/s you should go to a slower burning powder, like Hodgdon's Longshot.
Since 16.0 gr of Unique is the top load listed for 7/8 oz 20 ga load with the components you listed I would use the 24 bushing dropping 15.7 grs on average. Unless the 16.4 gr load is pressure tested it will only be a guess. If you want a load that is faster than 1200 f/s you should go to a slower burning powder, like Hodgdon's Longshot.
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Based upon my experience with hunting loads, you should expect a good bit of "trash" after firing such a light load with Unique . Also, if you check velocities , I think that the variances will be greater than a faster burning powder .
If you are content with those inconveniences , it would be good of you to let us know how the load performed on an actual basis rather than for us to rely on what some of us think will occur .
421
If you are content with those inconveniences , it would be good of you to let us know how the load performed on an actual basis rather than for us to rely on what some of us think will occur .
421
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My #24 drops the exact same charge - 15.7gr
As for less Unique for 7/8 load, how little Unique would be too little and what would the likely results be if tried?
I've currently loaded but haven't shot yet....
WinAA
W209
15.7gr Unique
Orange Duster
7/8 #9 chilled
Will this be a "dirty" load?
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20,645 Posts
Simply put in the bushing that you think might be appropriate, drop a powder charge and weigh it, and you will have your answer. :? Surely you are not trying to reload without using a scale to check how much powder you are dropping are you? :shock: :shock:SkeetNewB said:
Even if someone or some manual told you the EXACT bushing you should be using, it is only a guideline at best. ALWAYS check your drops with a scale. You don't have to check EVERY drop, but check enough to have confidence in what your bushing is dropping with that particular powder.
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He's absolutely right!Ulysses said:
Frank
Just use the No. 24 bushing. An average difference of .3 of a grain less than the prescribed 16 will have negligible effect on the ballistics.
If you measured exact charges of 15.7 and 16 grains in 10 loads each, mixed them up and shot them, you'd never be able to identify which was which.
If you measured exact charges of 15.7 and 16 grains in 10 loads each, mixed them up and shot them, you'd never be able to identify which was which.
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I have used the #25 bushing and 16.4 grs. of unique for many yrs. I have shot hundreds of rounds of skeet with it and it performed well. The only thing that might make a difference is that my load is over 30 yrs. old. I have noticed that newer loading manuals are showing lighter loads for Unique than the older manuals. I shoot a lot of pistols and use Unique for most of them. Maybe the powder has changed, maybe the legal climate has changed and they are being more cautious. Compare loading manuals from the 70's, 80's, & 90's and you will see the difference.
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