9mm 124 grain FMJ loads with Unique

[Sieger]

Originally Posted by TheRomanhistorian

Thank you, gentlemen. This was quite fun and a foray into a new calibre for me (I scoured the range of all 9mm brass and my friend was happy to give me all of his). I'm going to work up 8 rounds at 4.6 or 4.7 grains and then 8 at 5.1.

Now the only problem is finding range time!

Hi,

I'd load one each at 4.6 ,4.7, 4.8, 4.9 to see which will activate the hold open device. After you have established your minimum, then start with loading full magazines to check for proper function.

Also, don't mix your brass, as this will affect your end results. I've used Winchester brass for the last 30 years or so, so all of my handloading data is consistent.

Unique will not burn cleanly in a 9mm, no mater how much you load. One thing to look for is whether or not the cases are sealing to the chamber walls. If the load is too light, and the case is not sealing, you will get black smokey goo on the sides of your fired cases. With proper sealing, only a hint of black smoke will cover the top of your cases, if that.

Let us know how you did at the range!


Sieger

[rhuff]

Originally Posted by Sieger

Hi,



Unique will not burn cleanly in a 9mm, no mater how much you load.


Sieger

We can just agree to disagree on this statement.

[Sieger]

Originally Posted by rhuff

We can just agree to disagree on this statement.

Hi,

We all have our own experiences and this has been mine; however, this is one reason I'm so active on this site, to explore others' experiences with their Lugers.

If you want a sparkling clean case, try 6.2 grains of HS6 behind a 124 grain bullet; as this combination shoots so cleanly, that you may not be able to tell that you even fired the case! Accuracy, though excellent, is not as accurate as my 5.4 grain Power Pistol load, which has been the most accurate and consistent load of my 30 years of experience.


Sieger

[rhuff]

I have to ask if you have loaded with the newer, cleaner Unique powder? The older variety is a bit dirtier than the newest version of the powder. I also use Power Pistol in 9mm loadings, and find it to be a good powder, but have not been as pleased with it in MY Lugers as the Unique powder. I do use the PP for many of my other 9mm handguns.



I started this handloading hobby in 1971-72, so I guess that I am not a newbie either. We all find what works the best for us and in our handguns. I don't experiment nearly as much these days as I did before, but still find myself working up new loads from time to time to improve a load if I can. I still enjoy the hobby after all of these years, and my equipment has been paid for many, many times over. I still shoot 1-2/week, and 75-150 rounds/session, so handloading is a must for me.

[Sieger]

Originally Posted by rhuff

I have to ask if you have loaded with the newer, cleaner Unique powder? The older variety is a bit dirtier than the newest version of the powder. I also use Power Pistol in 9mm loadings, and find it to be a good powder, but have not been as pleased with it in MY Lugers as the Unique powder. I do use the PP for many of my other 9mm handguns.



I started this handloading hobby in 1971-72, so I guess that I am not a newbie either. We all find what works the best for us and in our handguns. I don't experiment nearly as much these days as I did before, but still find myself working up new loads from time to time to improve a load if I can. I still enjoy the hobby after all of these years, and my equipment has been paid for many, many times over. I still shoot 1-2/week, and 75-150 rounds/session, so handloading is a must for me.

Hi,

Yes, I've fired both the old and new formulations of Unique.

An accuracy load, for me, is one that:

1) Can hold the X ring of a 25 yard pistol target with a 6 O'clock hold over a sand bag.

2) Can be fired, at least 1,000 times, without a malfunction.

3) Is a "full strength" load, but not an overload that would cause breach block slap.

For me, Unique is a bit too fast to meet all of the above criterion.


Sieger