Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles UNIQUE for reduced .308 loads

Have you had accuracy with Unique in the .308 Win (125 or 150gr)? 15 grains have been suggested. Anyone?

Yes. But with 110 30 carbine RN bullets. Kid's practice load.

I use blue dot a bunch. It's a HOOT!!

That sounds like a load that would be fun to shoot. I've had good accuracy with Unique loads, but I haven't used the one you're talking about. Give it a try, you'll probably enjoy it.

Good Luck, and let us know how it goes,
Rick

Yes I have had good accuracy with Unique in a 308 using various bullets. 10 grains is a good place to start. I like the 110 Speer Varminters as they really open up even at low velocities.

I have used it for cast bullets with satisfactory results. I understand that 2400 is actually a bit better as it is less position sensitive in large capacity cases. With unique I always use a bit of dacron to hold the charge in the bottom of the case.

I shoot 15gr. Unique in my .35 Whelen with cast bullets, I get good accuracy. I am going to load 10gr. in my .30-06, haven't had a chance to get to the range with this load yet. I stopped using Dacron filler years ago as the concensus was that you stood a good chance of ringing your chamber. I have not had any ignition problems.

One thing you will find out with Unique reduced is that it is absolutely filthy, if your gun is stainless it wont look that way long

I've used Unique with Lee's 115 gr cast bullet in the .308, makes for a fun plinker load and 1" or so accuracy at 50 yds. It's been years since I've shot those loads so won't even hazard a guess as to the charge weight. Unique and 2400 are great powders for reduced loads with cast bullets in rifles, I have not tried them with jacketed bullets. I've heard again and again how unique is filthy and just haven't had that problem. It will start burning inconsistantly when you drop down to under 10 gr charges in an '06 sized case.

For reduced jacketed bullet loads, blue dot really is good stuff. I've shot 30 cal varmint bullets into tiny groups with almost no recoil and mild report.

Hey guys give me some more info on these loads. I have 2 lbs of 2400(that I had no idea what I was going to use it for) and 5 or 6 lbs of Unique. I have a 7yr old Son that always want to shoot "Daddys" gun. sounds like a way to let him do that.

Want more? Here ya go...

LINK

Here's a couple I've loaded in the 308Win,

17gr Unique, moly'd 168gr Nosler BTHP, 1900 fps.

10.8gr Unique, 220gr Hornady RN, 1050 fps.

Thanks guys as soon as I can come up with some lighter bullets I'm gonna load up some and see what they can do.
I do have some 150gr interlocks I wouldnt mind using where should I start with those??

With standard-weight bullets, it is very hard to beat Ed Harris's THE Load, which is 13.0 Red Dot. More on that load HERE.

If you only have Unique and 2400, you can still use 10.0 Unique or about 16.0 2400

Nice little article Rocky. Thanks.

I found an article that said that for any bullet from 110-165gr that a charge between 8.0 and 11.0 grains were good in most any 30cal rifle.
he was getting alittle better than 1600fps with a 110gr RN. and 11grs of Unique. also stated that he worked up to 15grs with no pressure signs but lost accuracy and just made more noise
I just ordered some 110gr bullets to give this a try in my 30.06
Any suggestions on COL??

Am excellent bullet for these applications is the Speer 30 cal 110 gr Varminter hollow point. It is built like a HP revolver bullet, and I guarantee it will open up at any reduced velocity you can manage.

I used to use them a lot for shooting muskrats off of the farm pond with a 30-06. Of course, I made sure there were no cattle standing in front of the back stop, but I don't think I ever saw a ricochet off of the surface of the water.

Rocky, any idea if "The Load" would be safe in a 30/30 Marlin 336?

http://www.gmdr.com/lever/pistolpowi.htm

This does not directly address your question but is a darn good read. The affiliated pages are also good reading.

The author's bottom line is that it is difficult to push a plain based cast bullet (no gas check) faster than 1300 fps in a Marlin micro-groove barrel.

One of the cool bits of data he publishes is the standard deviation of the velocities. Pistol powders, like Unique, are designed to have stabile burn characteristics at low pressures....Also, a fast burning pistol power will produce a higher peak pressure/temperature than a slower burning powder FOR A GIVEN MUZZLE VELOCITY and consequently have more constant burn characteristics.

Your mileage may vary.

There is nothing more fun than playing with reduced loads, and Unique (along with Red Dot, Bullseye, 2400, ad nauseum) fills the bill admirably. So what if it leaves a lot of residue behind. Your going to clean it anyway, right?

One word of caution I will interject is to be very careful with how low you go with jacketed bullets. A load that will zip a lubricated soft lead bullet out the barrel at very low velocity cannot be guaranteed to expel the same weight jacketed bullet, which may likely come to a screeching halt halfway down the barrel- and then you'll be hating life. My advice, if you intend to explore the very bottom end of usable velocity, would be to buy some commercially cast bullets or locate a friendly caster who can keep you supplied. They are way cheaper than jacketed bullets anyway.