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Posted: 6/14/2014 7:13:46 PM EDT
| So I am working on loading some loads using Unique and 124gr xtreme bullets. I am getting very conflicting data on the loads to go off of. I have seen everything from 4.0gr -5.8gr. Now the next question. After some math after loading a round at 1.160" with 5.2gr it is a slightly compressed load, but not listed that way in the manual. Any help and insight on this will be greatly appreciated. |
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First thing, its always a good idea to begin loading at the start load and work up from there watching for pressure signs. I would not begin at 5.2 grs. I would start at 4.5 grs of Unique. Lyman 49 lists 5.0 grs as max with a 125 gr jacketed bullet. Your OAL sounds long to me. Most of my 9mm loads are 1.06 to 1.15 in OAL. I'm shooting a CZ, maybe other pistols will take longer OAL's. Loading data will always vary as test equipment, firearm used for the testing and many other factors vary. Which is why a start load is given, you are expected to use the data as a guide and find what works for you in your firearm. Start load is lowest powder charge listed in data. Not try to dog you, just explaining the term in case you didn't know.
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| Unique is kind of bulky and will compress easily. You don't see the little "c" meaning compressed in pistol data often. In fact I can't recall ever seeing it. The data you list is in order and pretty much the same as at least one of my manuals. I'd say you are good to go. |
| I started at 5.2 gr as that was what the first load data that I could find was telling me and I verified it from alliants website and had the same listed in Speers manual. When I found out that its a compressed load and not listed in either as a compressed load I looked into it more and got the 4.0 from the Hornady manual. Thats where I really started to get confused with such a big jump between 3 manuals. I will load some starting at 4.5 and work up from there. Should I make my rounds shorter when I am already getting some compression at that length? Thanks for the help. |
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The reason it's not listed as a compressed load is probably because what you consider "slightly compressed" is not what they consider compressed. I load several charges that are mildly compressed and they aren't listed as compressed either. When they list a load as compressed it is usually really compressed
Also as previously mentioned you may want to reconsider your oal. Unless you're loading to 1.160" for a specific gun that you measured for 1.160 seems pretty long. Hornady list 1.115" for a 124gr Rd nose |
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I have an older supply of Unique that is doing duty for shotgun loads and handgun loads. Lyman 47 and 48 give some good ranges of starting loads for both lead and jacketed ammunition. Keeping them in mind, I built a load that works well for my 9mm needs.
124 gr Xtreme plated bullet, seated to a COAL of 1.150 inches, taper crimped to 0.380 inches at the case mouth. Mixed casings with Winchester small pistol primers. The taper crimp is just enough to hold the bullet firmly without crushing into it. 4.2 gr of old Unique powder gave good accuracy, soft on recoil but absolutely functional. 4.5 gr of old Unique powder started to open up the bullet groupings, recoil was a bit more, but worked o.k., some unburnt powder residue left behind. Currently using the 4.2 load now, as always, your results may be different in your handguns. |
| Have done some chrono testing of 124 gr. 9MM loads using Win brass, CCI 500 primers, 124 gr. jacketed and plated Round Nosed bullets all seated to an oal of 1.150-1.160" using Unique powder. Loads at 4.5 showed velocity from 850-890 fps. At 4.7 grains it was doing 940-960 fps. At 4.8 grains velocity was 960-970 fps. 5.0 grains bumps velocity up over 1000 fps near 1050 fps. That's in my Glock 19 4.1" barrel. The tips of 9MM 124 gr. round nosed bullets vary in shape. Some like Winchesters round nose has a long tapered nose and for it I'd load to 1.160" while some other 124 round nosed bullets are very blunt and rounded and overall lengths for this type is shorter. I still load from 1.150-1.160" and they feed and function fine in more than one Glock 9MM and also in a Kel-Tec carbine. From all my 9MM loading with Unique I'd consider 4.8 grains to be safe with any 124 grain bullet either plated or full metal jacket most all 9MM cases and any small pistol primer. Good idea to work up any load though with published data. I load Unique with 5.0 to 5.1 grains for a good accurate load in my Glock pistols using plated and jacketed 124 gr. Round Nosed bullets. For 124 gr. hollowpoints overall length for my loads are 1.120-1.125". In my Glock 19's using Speer's Gold Dot 124 HP which is a heavy plated bullet at 5.4 grains I get 1134 fps using 1.120-1.125" oal. Speer's data goes up to 5.8 but for me I don't want to load that high. Use your barrel removed from your pistol as a case and loaded round gauge to make sure your overall length isn't too long and cases are sized enough. Just my 9MM experience with Unique and 124 grain bullets. You starting low and working up is the safe thing to do. Don't worry about slight compression with Unique as 5.0 grains does either have the bullet touching or slightly compressing Unique powder. I like a powder that fills the case so there is no possibility of a double charge. NOTE: shorter overall length, deeper seating does increase pressure especially in 9MM. Have fun, be safe. |
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