Unique vs. 2400 powder....

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Mus408

Hunter
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Apr 30, 2011
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As far as .45 Colt is concerned when loading hotter loads what are the advantages of using 2400 other than using more powder? I'm talking 300 gr. bullets at 900 FPS out of a 2.5 inch barrel....Ruger Alaskan.
 

bnewberry

Single-Sixer
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Jun 17, 2008
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MICHIGAN
You might get less unburned powder with Unique. Those unburned granules can get under the extractor and get in the way... Doubtful you would shoot enough at any one time to do this though.
 

WIL TERRY

Buckeye
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Jun 8, 2003
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Single Chute, SD USA
NONE really. ALL 2400 loads are approximately twice the grain weight of UNIQUE at just about the same pressures, plus or minus depending upon the variables. BUT, for 300gr bullets in the 44COLT I'd use 2400. And on the other hand , of what earthly use are 300gr projectiles over the standard 45COLT bullet weight of 250, preferably the Keith 454424SWC bullet at 1050fps from the old time load of 18.5GRS of 2400 ? The answer is none.
And so it goes...
 
Joined
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Barnstead, NH
Recoil impulse and peak pressure may in some cases be lower for slower burning 2400. But, for really short barrels, you may not burn all the powder completely before things start existing the muzzle.
I personally don't like going much over 9.5gn of Unique in my 45 Colt Rugers with a 265gn bullet. But I will loada bit over 18 gns of 2400 with the same bullet and seemingly have a 'smoother' shooting load that seems quite accurate - my shortest barrel 45 is 4 5/8" though.
 

jsh

Single-Sixer
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Oct 6, 2013
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Kansas US of A
In my findings, I have a better out come in the accuracy department with a full case. Thus a slower powder "may" yield better results on paper. No matter what the speed or bullet weight, if you don't have reasonable accuracy you just end up with a noise maker.
Don't take this wrong. I have some CB loads fore various cartridges and calibers using unique that just shoot amazingly well.
If a person has unique,2400 and 4895 on hand, you would be hard pressed to find a cartridge that couldn't be loaded to decent accuracy and speed with one of the three.
 

ZombieHunter

Bearcat
Joined
Nov 1, 2015
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Over the years I have used 2400 in my 357 loads and unique in my 45 LC. 2400 tends to burn a little bit cleaner and easier to clean. I tend to get more accuracy with my unique even when I load it into my 357. At long distance though I have read H110 is more stable, but Unique is always my go to whenever I need good loads. I use a 230 Gr Flat nose semi wad cutter with 10.5 gr of unique for hunting loads. For practice loads I use 255 gr flat nose semi wad cutter and 8.5 gr unique. That load is also deadly accurate in my 45 colt winchester.
 

Jimbo357mag

Hawkeye
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Feb 22, 2007
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So. Florida
2400 will give you more velocity than Unique for a given pressure and 2400 will also give you the same velocity at a lower pressure than Unique.
 

Mus408

Hunter
Joined
Apr 30, 2011
Messages
2,333
Location
Va.
Thanks for the info. ! I may pick up some 2400,since there is a plenty at my LGS and shoot some comparison loads with some 315 gr. bullets I have just got in.
But of course you got to have the Alaskan in hand for such tests....the wait contiues :(
 
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