Unique powder question

[Galaxiedan]

Hello,
Bought a mixed lot of reloading supplies and the lot had a half jug (8lb) of unique powder in it. Its in the correct jug but obviously has been opened. Before I start using it i would like to verify that it is the correct powder since I didnt open it. I dont have any to compare it to so I thought I would throw a pic up here and get some opinions.

 

[Jim Puke]

Never use UNKNOWN open powder as you do not know if the integrity has been maintained.

Spread it on your yard.

 

[Cholo]

It sure "looks" like Unique to me. When in doubt, throw it out.

 

[Galaxiedan]

Thanks, not really in doubt about what is just wanted a third opinion I guess. Older gentleman I got the powder from said it was was Unique and "not very old". He also mentioned he always kept his reloading supplies in ac to keep it from the Florida humidity.

 

[SlickRS23]

I know this isn't a safe way to verify powder, but I have some free time so I thought I would post a picture of my Unique as a comparison.
The flakes on the dime look identical. Jeff

 

[contender]

Looks like Unique to me,, and I use a lot of it.

 

[Galaxiedan]

Thanks guys! I'm new to reloading and just wanted to be triple safe in every aspect. One of the reasons this forums people are the best!

 

[protoolman]

I think based on you pictures and what you already know about it you are safe. If it was a slower burning powder you load would end up being too light. If it was a faster powder that could be dangerous but I doubt that beacause it certainly does not look like bullseye or 231 which would be the most common. It does look like unique which is exactly what it is supposed to be. You can also rule out blue dot, red dot and green dot because of no colored dots. I believe you are safe.

 

[Rick Courtright]

Thanks guys! I'm new to reloading and just wanted to be triple safe in every aspect. One of the reasons this forums people are the best!

Hi,

Well, if you want to be "triple safe," divide it in thirds and put one third on the lawn, one third on the roses, and the last third on something else colorful in the garden! Water 'em in well, and watch things grow...

As tempting as it may seem to try it, especially considering today's market conditions of price and availability, it's hard to be TOO safe, whether you're just getting started or have been at this game a few decades. Chances are it's exactly what the gentleman told you, in exactly the condition he suggested, but is it worth the risk? I know the answer for myself; can't speak for anyone else, though.

A lot of the guys here know me as being VERY conservative in this department, but I ran out of "stupid money" after ruining one gun when I was a beginner: I was lucky enough in that case to still have both eyes, and be able to count to 21 before starting over on fingers, toes or hose, so maybe it pays off?

Rick C

 

[jbtardy]

Sure looks like Unique to me and the guy you got it from says it's Unique and it came in a Unique container.
If for some reason you still have doubts you could buy a can of Unique and make your own side by side comparison
but if it was me I would just use it.

 

[Rclark]

but if it was me I would just use it.

+1

 

[dougader]

Yes, it looks like Unique... but Bullseye looks a little like Unique, too. I'd be very careful with that powder.

Is there a starting charge with Unique that isn't over a max load of Bullseye? IIRC, 700X is a flake powder similar to this, too.

Bottom line, be careful.

 

[308 Scout]

Bullseye is MUCH finer in texture than Unique. I'd use it without hesitation. But if you're concerned, load a really light load of it, say a middle-of-the-road Bullseye load, and try it. If you have a chronograph, you'll know pretty quick whether or not it's Unique.

 

[dougader]

Just don't stick a bullet in the bore with a load that's so light (that turns out to be Unique).

Do you have a fresh container of Unique to compare it to? Or, 700x, or 800x, Bullseye, etc?

 

[CraigC]

Looks like Unique to me, I'd use it without hesitation.

 

[mikld]

If it were me, I'd put the jug on a shelf, with the cap on snug, and when I gained more experience reloading and handling powders, then deal with it. Being Unique, there is prolly no reason not to use it, but for now you could shelf it until you're sure...

 

[375supermag]

"When in doubt, throw it out."

Sound medical advice.
I would heed what this man says. Eyes, fingers and such are hard to come by on the used market...

Even if a pound of Unique were worth a million dollars, it wouldn't be worth your eyesight.

 

[TKLyden]

Looks like Unique to me I have Bullseye and it does not look like that

 

[Rick Courtright]

Hi,

Question for all you guys who are eyeballing this stuff:

What signs do you look for that tell you it's NOT 700-X, 800-X or Herco?

Ya see, my eyes aren't THAT sharp these days...

Rick C

 

[308 Scout]

Even if a pound of Unique were worth a million dollars, it wouldn't be worth your eyesight.

Soo...wear shooting/safety glasses like you should to begin with.

Question for all you guys who are eyeballing this stuff:

What signs do you look for that tell you it's NOT 700-X, 800-X or Herco?

Ya see, my eyes aren't THAT sharp these days...

800-X and Herco burn more slowly than Unique, so if even if you thought it was Unique and loaded ammunition under that assumption and it turned out to be Herco or 800-X, no harm, no foul.

The simple thing to do is treat it initially as a very fast burning powder such as 700-X, Red Dot or Bullseye (which it AIN'T) and load it using the data of one of these powders. So loaded it'd be easy, with a chronograph, to tell whether or not it is Unique.

Or if you're the cautious or worry-wart type, throw it out or give it away.

 

[Galaxiedan]

I'm gonna use it. I'll post some targets or for the worry warts some pics of a blown up GP100

 

[Rick Courtright]

800-X and Herco burn more slowly than Unique, so if even if you thought it was Unique and loaded ammunition under that assumption and it turned out to be Herco or 800-X, no harm, no foul.

The simple thing to do is treat it initially as a very fast burning powder such as 700-X, Red Dot or Bullseye (which it AIN'T) and load it using the data of one of these powders. So loaded it'd be easy, with a chronograph, to tell whether or not it is Unique.

Hi,

Methinks you missed my point: people are EYEBALLING something on a computer screen, then telling a reloading NEWBIE, "Yeah, that looks like the stuff!" and "I'd use it." Yes, I've got plenty of Unique here, too, and it DOES.

I'm NOT arguing the powder he's got isn't exactly what he's told it is, or that it's not safe to use, and posted as such already. I'm questioning how it is that guys who spend 40 hours a week in labs for their entire careers working w/ such stuff say we CAN'T visually tell yet some guy w/ a keyboard for a lab's got it figured out "right now?" And I'm not even picking on anyone here in particular: this has been a hot button w/ me on other boards for years.

That's EXACTLY the kind of advice I got as a newbie, four plus decades ago, which led to the ruined gun I keep as a reminder to this day... and I've got more tales to tell than time allows from "incidents" we had while I ran a range, again based on "I figured it's pretty close, so..." kinds of advice. So, yeah, I'm one of the "cautious" types based on experience, not simply nature.

Now, once again, HOW does one tell it's NOT a similar looking powder from a computer screen shot?

I'm gonna use it. I'll post some targets or for the worry warts some pics of a blown up GP100

Good luck! You know, of course, that overloads seldom result in sudden gun failures the way plugged barrels do: the damage is more often cumulative, and some day down the line, you may put a factory .38 Spl in your .357 Mag and the gun says "Today's the day?"

Had a whole display case full of examples back when...

Rick C

 

[308 Scout]

Methinks you missed my point: people are EYEBALLING something on a computer screen, then telling a reloading NEWBIE, "Yeah, that looks like the stuff!" and "I'd use it." Yes, I've got plenty of Unique here, too, and it DOES.

I'm NOT arguing the powder he's got isn't exactly what he's told it is, or that it's not safe to use, and posted as such already. I'm questioning how it is that guys who spend 40 hours a week in labs for their entire careers working w/ such stuff say we CAN'T visually tell yet some guy w/ a keyboard for a lab's got it figured out "right now?" And I'm not even picking on anyone here in particular: this has been a hot button w/ me on other boards for years.

That's EXACTLY the kind of advice I got as a newbie, four plus decades ago, which led to the ruined gun I keep as a reminder to this day... and I've got more tales to tell than time allows from "incidents" we had while I ran a range, again based on "I figured it's pretty close, so..." kinds of advice. So, yeah, I'm one of the "cautious" types based on experience, not simply nature.

Now, once again, HOW does one tell it's NOT a similar looking powder from a computer screen shot?


Rick C

I didn't tell him it was Unique. I told him how I would go about using the powder. He's free to do as he chooses.

Sorry you blew up a gun, but that doesn't mean everyone else that handloads will. That doesn't even mean folks that go out on a limb will either. I've been reloading for a couple of years less than you and though I've made my share of bonehead mistakes, such as a double charge and mistaking a can of H322 for H380, I've never come close to blowing up a gun or even damaging one for that matter. Along the way I've learned lots about what TO do and what NOT to do.

No offense intended.

 

[Rick Courtright]

No offense intended.

Hi,

None taken.

I understand what you said, and probably know a bit more about this stuff than I'll let on in a public forum, which is a long way 'round the barn way of saying I've no argument against your approach.

My question remains unanswered, though.

Rick C

 

[Pal Val]

Hey! I saw the photos, and it looks like Unique. I use lots of Unique, I should know. Besides, if I'm wrong, it's not my hand that will get blown up.

In short, you have either a can of suspect Unique, or a can of fertilizer. Take your pick. It's you taking the chances, not anyone else. Blowing up a gun is not the best way to save a buck. Unique is not exactly the most expensive powder around.

BTW, the last time I checked, there's not a lot of spare fingers out for sale. Make sure you take good care of the ten you got to start with.

 

[jeffnles1]

Like others have said, it looks like Unique. However, I'm looking at it on a laptop screen and a pile of dead black ants may look like Unique on this thing.

What is half a keg of Unique worth? About $100 at most? How much would your gun or fingers be worth?

To me, it's a risk vs. benefit argument. What's the benefit - about $100 if it turns out to be Unique (which it probably is). What's the risk low end - no risk outside of the normal associated with hand loading. In the middle of the spectrum is damage to a firearm ($300 - a couple thousand dollars depending on the firearm). High side risk is personal injury up to and including death to yourself or bystanders.

Weigh the risks and benefits and make up your mind.

If it were me, I'd probably use it for a nitrogen rich fertilizer.

Jeff

 

[Pal Val]

Many here agree. Nobody can give an expert opinion on something seen only in a computer screen, with little more to go on. If you had a bad burn, you would probably scratch it and think twice before taking any chances.

I'm truly sorry I can't let anyone borrow mine.

 

[Rodfac]

Looks like Unique, but then so does Herco, maybe 800x etc. Guess it gets down to whether you trust the old timer's word that it was Unique and not very old. One way to check would be to load a sample from a known can of Unique and a 2nd sample from your new can, then chrono the results. Doing this, and using the same brass, and weighing all loads, I've found that "new" 2400 in the lot I tested, was faster than a batch I've been using from the early 90's. The chrono tells the story. Be safe above all else, and toss it if it's going to give sleepless nights. Best Regards, Rod

 

[Biggfoot44]

It doesn't matter what *I* would do , with the resources available to me. If you have to ask , you shouldn't do it.

 

[mikld]

It doesn't matter what *I* would do , with the resources available to me. If you have to ask , you shouldn't do it.

YEEE HAW! Give that man a seegar. I've often felt the same; If you gotta ask (an anonymous group of folks) don't try it.