[RevV]

Reloading Advice Request

I am trying to work up loads for both .45 ACP and 9 mm using Unique powder.

Here are the results of today’s tests.

45 ACP 185 gr. FMJ with 6 grains Unique (scooped then trickled onto calibrated electronic scale)

10 rds. fired (G4 Glock 30)

2 Failure to Eject (partial stove pipes) plus Failure to Feed

The other 8 rds. cycled but they seemed to eject weakly and landed at my feet rather than a few feet away.

Slide did lock back after final rd.


9 mm 115 gr. FMJ with 4.5 gr. Unique (scooped then trickled onto calibrated electronic scale)

10 rds. fired (G5 Glock 26)

Not one rd. functioned properly.

7 Failure to Feed (rds. ejected but did not chamber the next rd.)

3 Failure to Eject

Slide did not lock back after final rd.


Notes:

Neither gun has ever had Failure to Eject or Failure to Feed issues in my hands. (Both have had feeding issues in the hands of 2 friends who tend to limp wrist.)

Just to be sure it was the ammo and not the gun, I tested the only other ammo I had on hand, 124 gr. Speer Gold Dots. Five of 5 Gold Dots cycled flawlessly. Given prices and availability in today’s market, I did not finish the mag of Gold Dots.

I am confident that case length was not the issue because all 20 rds. were individually measured using digital calipers and were well within the specified OAL.

Given the results, my conjecture is that both of my home loads were too weak.

I am thinking of increasing both loads by half a grain to 6.5 gr. for the .45 ACP and 5 gr. for the 9 mm.

What do you all think?

Is my diagnosis correct?

Is increasing each load by half a grain reasonable?

 

[PaPow]

You got any other powder besides Unique powder?

Do you have a chronograph?

 

[RevV]

I have TightGroup, but powder is scarce as you know.

I was able to snag 3 pounds of Unique and want to put it to good use.

I do not have a chronograph


Please do share your thoughts on my questions. Thank you.

 

[PaPow]

I have TightGroup, but powder is scarce as you know.

I was able to snag 3 pounds of Unique and want to put it to good use.

I do not have a chronograph


Please do share your thoughts on my questions. Thank you.

Your loads to me seem pretty weak.
Especially in a G30.4 That gun has a pretty beefy slide to cycle.

45ACP:
The data for 45acp shows in my books that 8.2gr of Unique is the MAX charge. (LP Primer)
So with saying that, i`d think i would bump it up to 7.0gr of Unique and go from there.
I think i use to set my OAL at 1.265ish w/FMJ profile bullet.


9mm:
6.3gr of Unique is MAX load according to my manual.
5.0 to 5.5gr should get you there pretty decent.
FMJ average around 1.150 to 1.200 OAL (you`ll have to figure that out for the bullet you use)

___________________________________________________________________________
I use Berry`s 9mm 124 FMJ profile, i run mine at 1.150 OAL.
My pet load for my 9mm`s is Hodgdon CFE-Pistol (124gr / 4.9gr)

I taper crimp both calibers.

Invest in a chronograph, they are very much worth it for load development.

 

[SJ 40]

Alliant Unique 9 mm Data

9mm Luger 115 gr Speer GDHP Speer 1.125 4 CCI 500 Unique 6.3 1,244 -
9mm Luger 124 gr Speer GDHP Speer 1.12 4 CCI 500 Unique 5.8 1,180 -

Alliant Unique 45 ACP Data

45 Auto 200 gr Speer LSWC Speer 1.19 5 CCI 300 Unique 5.4 790 -
45 Auto 230 gr Speer LRN Speer 1.27 5 CCI 300 Unique 5.8 849 -
45 Auto 185 gr Speer GDHP Speer 1.2 4.4 CCI 300 Unique 8.2 1,015 -
45 Auto 200 gr Speer GDHP Speer 1.2 5 CCI 300 Unique 7.3 984 -
45 Auto 230 gr Speer TJM RN Speer 1.26 5 CCI 300 Unique 6.5 832 -
45 Auto 230 gr Speer GDHP Speer 1.2 5 CCI 300 Unique 6 806 -
45 Auto Speer 230 gr CPRN Federal 1.26 5 CCI 300 Unique 7.3 966 -
45 Auto Speer 230 gr CPRN Federal 1.265 - CCI 300 Unique 7.3 966 -

You figured out your problem, up your charge weights in both

 

[Silver-Bolt]

Sounds like your charge is too weak. Follow the load data and start at the lowest charge and work up in .1gr to .2gr increments. Without a chrono you are going to have to rely on how it feels and how your gun reacts.

 

[SJ 40]

Sounds like your charge is too weak. Follow the load data and start at the lowest charge and work up in .1gr to .2gr increments. Without a chrono you are going to have to rely on how it feels and how your gun reacts.

Agreed wholeheartedly.

 

[RevV]

Thanks all.

 

[elk creek]

I run 4.9 grains of unique behind a 124 in my Glock 43 and 19. They have all functioned well.