Question on 9mm and Unique powder

[Patchbunny]

I'm preparing to commence reloading 9mm using load 115gr FMJ bullets with Unique powder. Alliant Powder recommends 5.8 grains. My Speer's reloading manual recommends between 5.6 and 6.3 grains. However, just 5.0 grains is enough to load a case nearly to the top (less than 1/8" short). Does this sound at all right?

[Clownpuncher]

I routinely load Unique and 115gr Plated bullets which are recommended to be loaded at FMJ rates under 1200 fps (low to mid).
When working up the load I made a batch of 10 in 4.7, 5.0, 5.3, and 5.6 pressed down to 1.120. I based it on my Sierra manual.

The 5.3 is my favorite load. 4.7 seemed to have weak recoil, 5.0 was good but 5.3 felt pretty much the same with much better accuracy. The 5.6 were a little too hot feeling for me although they showed no signs of pressure.

As for the powder filling up the case, that is normal. Unique is rather "fluffy" which is actually cool because you can't double charge the case without spilling. Anyway, after I fill the cases with the charge I give the cases a tap and it usually settles the powder a bit in the case.

Good luck working up your bullets.

[rg1]

I load 124 grain fmj bullets with 5.0-5.1 grains and Speer Gold Dot 124 grain bullets at 5.4 grains of Unique. 5.0 grains with my Unique and cases actually comes up to just the base of the bullet when seated. 5.4 grains with the Gold Dots appears to be slightly compressed. Coming to less than 1/8" from the case mouth seems to me to not be quite right. Tapping on the case should settle the powder some. I'd check your scales accuracy with check weights just to be sure. Slightly compressed loads with Unique and 9MM is ok.

[Patchbunny]

As for the powder filling up the case, that is normal. Unique is rather "fluffy" which is actually cool because you can't double charge the case without spilling. Anyway, after I fill the cases with the charge I give the cases a tap and it usually settles the powder a bit in the case.

Oh, good. I was worried something had gone horribly wrong somewhere along the way.

[longhairchris]

It made me nervous too. I like 5.0 to 5.3 grains under a 115 gr bullet, absolutely no chance of double charge!

[roaddog]

Wow, so I was looking for information on unique with 115gr 9mm a few days ago, and came across this. Soooo I loaded up a few rounds, went to the range this afternoon, and here is what I got
Sig P226 4.4" barrel
COAL for all was 1.145
bullets were delta precision 115gr FMJ RN
Primers CCI 500
It was HOT in the high desert this afternoon, right at 100 humidity 6% a bit breezy
Chronograph about was 10' from muzzle

With 5.5 gr Unique
A 1133
H 1144
L 1113
5.8 gr
A 1177
H 1144
L1137
6.0 gr
A 1194
H 1225
L 1130
6.2gr
A 1209
H 1265
L 1173
The cases were nearly full, especially at 6.2 gr. the powder was obviously compressed. No signs of over pressure, and the accuracy was good, at least for me lol....but got worse at the velocity went up. 5.8 gr was by far the best

[Bill Steele]

That is the great thing about Unique, hard to double charge. About the only great thing, at least IMO as it pertains to handgun calibers...

Have fun, good luck.

[tiller]

I load my plinking rounds at 4.5 for 115 grain

[kingfamous]

+1 on the 5.8gr unique with 115gr. fmj rn zero bullets.

[AndrewTannerCA]

I did a batch of test rounds 115 gr Berry's plated 5.0gr Unique and they shot fine. No cycling issues in my M&P. YMMV

[wxl]

I've been loading 9mm 115 Jacketed bullets with Unique for 25 years at 5.7 g. I tried 5.9 one time and the primer started flattening. 5.7 seems to be the most accurate for me out of a glock 19 and browning hi-power and no pressure signs. It's about 3/16' from the top after it settles. I also found that I have to tap the powder dispenser handle back a couple of times between each charge to settle the powder in order to get a consistent charge with Unique.

[uhlan1]

I have a little Unique. This is great info.
Thanks

[Cheep]

At 4.5gn and I have cycling problems, 4.7gn is good, 5.0gn works for me, this is with plated bullets.

[fullspeed1]

5.3 with 115gr Montana Gold FMJ at 1.15".....6k down the pipe of my Glock 19 and no issues. Unique is a good powder.

[the86d]

With eXtreme's plated 115gr 9mm and 5.6-5.8gr of Unique I was getting unburnt power flakes whizzing/floating around post-shot. I can't remember where I was seating them exactly (I am at work), but the same depth as some PMC's 9mm FMJ the lady bought her first buy.

5.2gr of unique seemed to be may happy-place with my Beretta M9 w/4.9" barrel for 115gr 9mm, and my lady's Ruger SR-9.