Unique for 6.5x55mm

[roysclockgun]

I have seen Unique used for cast bullets in rifles.
Can light loads of Unique be used for 100gr. or 120gr. jacketed bullets when hand loading 6.5x55mm Swede cartridges?
To give a little more info: The rifle is a cut-down Swede Model 1896 Mauser with 20" barrel.

 

[Big Squeeze]

I have seen Unique used for cast bullets in rifles.
Can light loads of Unique be used for 100gr. or 120gr. jacketed bullets when hand loading 6.5x55mm Swede cartridges?
To give a little more info: The rifle is a cut-down Swede Model 1896 Mauser with 20" barrel.

...........................In my view, unless you see specific Unique powder loadings stated for use for the 6.5x55 Swede in a reloading manual using those specific bullet weights,,,,,,,I wouldn`t go there!

Assuming you looking for reduced loadings for plinking etc, stick with the published data.

 

[roysclockgun]

The only reason that I am looking to load this propellant, is that I have friends who have run test on the propellant taken from 6.5x55mm gallery cartridges and those test put this propellant very close to Unique.
I am pulling 400 rounds of Swede gallery ammo. While I can simply throw the propellant away, I hate to do that, given today's costs.
I suppose that I could keep it to load pistol cartridges, but right now, I am more interested in target reloads for rifles.
I realize that I am being cheap! I have dumped and reloaded propellants in the past, but this has been primarilly to add or subtract a little from certain ammo, to get the desired result. For instance, I had a lot of the Turk 8mm Mauser ammo, that was "hot". I pulled the bullets and worked down the propellant load, until I got a velocity and performance that I wanted.
That said, I hear you, regarding only using published data. Publishers have lawyers looking over their shoulder. I don't have to worry about lawyers, but I do have worry about keeping my head on my shoulders and I am aware of that.
Maybe others will chime in regarding how I can use this propellant, other than burning up a long string in my backyard. <8^))

 

[Big Squeeze]

On the Hodgdon site, Unique is #25 for burn rate speed, while the "fastest" burning powder listed for the 6.5x55 Swede is H-4895, which is #69 on the burn rate list.

I`m not saying that you can`t experiment with some Unique, but if you`re a grain or two off on the high side, you might be asking for some problems.

To be safe, save the Unique for the pistol rounds and maybe sell some if you have too much on hand.

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

I'd save it for pistols. I'd think you would be at a high risk for a flash over.

 

[FOTIS]

I do it all the time


Cartridge : 6.5 x 55 Swedish
Bullet : .264, 120, Nosler BalTip 26120
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.150 inch or 80.01 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch or 558.8 mm
Powder : Alliant UNIQUE

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 3.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-30.0 33 10.50 1634 711 22581 3129 100.0 1.841
-27.0 34 10.95 1672 745 23985 3251 100.0 1.778
-24.0 36 11.40 1708 778 25410 3374 100.0 1.722
-21.0 37 11.85 1744 811 26854 3495 100.0 1.672
-18.0 38 12.30 1780 844 28321 3617 100.0 1.626
-15.0 40 12.75 1814 877 29809 3738 100.0 1.585
-12.0 41 13.20 1848 910 31320 3858 100.0 1.547
-09.0 43 13.65 1881 943 32854 3978 100.0 1.512
-06.0 44 14.10 1914 976 34411 4098 100.0 1.479
-03.0 45 14.55 1946 1009 35991 4217 100.0 1.448
+00.0 47 15.00 1978 1042 37595 4336 100.0 1.419
+03.0 48 15.45 2009 1075 39222 4454 100.0 1.388
+06.0 50 15.90 2040 1108 40874 4571 100.0 1.359
+09.0 51 16.35 2070 1142 42550 4689 100.0 1.332
+12.0 52 16.80 2100 1175 44250 4805 100.0 1.306
+15.0 54 17.25 2129 1208 45976 4921 100.0 1.281

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 47 15.00 1984 1049 39175 4322 100.0 1.391
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 47 15.00 1969 1033 35655 4355 100.0 1.450