40gr vmax with Unique pistol powder

[Localizer]

Just returned from the range.

load was as follows:

40gr Vmax
5.0 & 5.2 gr Unique
1.60" OAL
Fn headstamp case
Tula Small rifle primer

Both loads shot ok, cycled with no issues, no popped primers, etc. I only recovered about 15% of my cases, and while primers were a bit flat (not best indication of pressure), there were no ejector marks on the case head.

I was not able to get velocity readings. Quickload (conservative) indicates loads are traveling at 1,856 ft/s & 1,907 ft/s. at pressures of 40,532psig & 43,894psig.

Just a datapoint as there isn't much info on Unique pistol powder online.

[DoubleJ]

I'm guessing FsN as your cases went flying. I've played with Unique a little myself in my FsN. 3.8gr under a 52ish grain cast boolit gave me an average velocity of 1448fps. 3.6gr under a 55gr plated Frontier bullet gave me about 1299, ES numbers were in the hundreds, and my primers were flattening. How did your shoulders and necks look?

[Localizer]

This is my 5.7 pistol. The walls of the indoor range would cause the bullets to be deflected forward and not recoverable.

I will post pictures after I get home.

[DoubleJ]

Yeah, I shot my FsN on a pistol range once, lost a lot of brass, and the concrete tears up the coating. Just spent way too much time chasing all calibers of brass for my taste.

[panzermk2]

This is my 5.7 pistol. The walls of the indoor range would cause the bullets to be deflected forward and not recoverable.

I will post pictures after I get home.

EA HD recoil spring help reduce the force and distance your spent brass will fly.

[Rapier1772]

And, in my case at least, make the brass flinging more consistent :laugh:

[Localizer]

a bit late, but here is the picture of the spent brass.

[grimmond]

Based on your pictures I would say you are near the upper limits of the load. Your primers show a ridge where it tried to flow back into the firing pin channel and your shoulders are pushed forward alot. I'd be real careful with reliance on quick load for pressure and velocities because it has been shown to be off in the past. But good job on the testing and be safe.

[DoubleJ]

Great picture, and I'm 100% with Grimm, you're getting hot there, necks look to be dirty as well. Any dents in your case mouths? Unique is fun for cheap plinking powder, but you might want to find some True Blue if you want to play near the top. Loudshot seems to work ok, so long as you don't mind your FsN sounding like a destroyer's deck gun. Dang, did I call it Loudshot again?

[Localizer]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Most of the shots were taken with my suppressor on...which explains the dirt on the cases.

I will re-shoot these loads at my normal range with & without suppressor and see what difference it makes on the cases.

[grimmond]

Without your suppressor on you should see less shoulder movement and an increase in the primer flattening do to the slide staying closed longer.

[panzermk2]

Based on your pictures I would say you are near the upper limits of the load. Your primers show a ridge where it tried to flow back into the firing pin channel and your shoulders are pushed forward alot. I'd be real careful with reliance on quick load for pressure and velocities because it has been shown to be off in the past. But good job on the testing and be safe.

:thumb: