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Hi Guy's

I'm new to reloading and would like some advise on what powders are getting good results.

I am using unique 6.4 at the moment which seems ok with 158 RNFP.

I shoot a Marlin 1894 cowboy.

Distance of 50m and 25yards.

Any advise from experienced loaders would be appreciated.

sign92

If its only paper targets your shooting at,and at those distances,I would suggest you do not need 6.4 grains of Unique.
I have been using my Marlin 1894 with a load of 5.0 grains Unique behind a lead 158grn RNFP over similar distances
with really good effect,Even at 100 yards the drop is only about 2 inches,which is easily compensated for. You pays your money you takes your choice

If you use low loads with propriety cast bullets you may get some leading as they are extremely hard and will not obturate into the rifling. They generally need driving harder than soft(er) boolits.
If your current loads work then why change?

Thanks for the replies.

Interesting that you only use 5 grains.

I wanted to know if unique is a good powder or is there a better choice.

Some of the guys who are also new to this are using Trail boss in .44 to good results.

My boolits are "hard cast" purchased from Henry Kranks.

The only good powder is the one that works for you, if it isn't broke don't fix it.

Unique is a very versatile powder, if it wasn't it wouldn't have been around for so long. It was supposed to have been introduced in 1890's by the Laughlin and Rand Powder Company under the name "Infallible." Its current iteration from Alliant is supposed to be cleaner burning than the old Hercules Unique many of us old shooters were weaned on.

Leading is all about boolit fit, no leading equals good boolit fit regardless of hardness at the velocities you are shooting at.

I use 12grns of Alliant 2400 with a 158grn hard cast RNFP bullet (from DodgyRog) and this is accurate from 25mtrs to 100 through my Winchester 94ae.

I started with Unique in my .44s and ended up using TiteGroup, very nice powder, not position fussy so you can use less very nicely, currently loading 5.4gr behind plated 200 or 245gr bullets (in the .44mag).

I've also managed to get hold of Peter Lawman and am getting 2Kg of GM3 picked up for me tomorrow, said to be a very good choice for 357/38/44 gallery loads and excellent value at around £17 per lb (£36.95/Kg).

phaedra1106 wrote: said to be a very good choice for 357/38/44 gallery loads and excellent value at around £17 per lb (£36.95/Kg).

Not so much in my experience, Jeff. The only good thing was the price! sign01

What problem/s did you have with it? I read on one of the gallery rifle forums that it was really good. Also, if I may ask, did I read you have an M&P 15-22?, if so can you confirm the thread is 1/2 x 28 (UNEF)?

I shoot a Marlin 1894 Stainless Steel at Gallery Rifle and was recommended 5.3 grains GM3 with a 158 grain TC (flat point)lead bullet by the dealer who sold me the gun. It shoots fine upto 50 yards and OK at 100 yards. Nobel GM3 is a shotgun powder and is much cheaper than most pistol powders and used by many Gallery Rifle shooters. This is quite a light load, so I have ordered some Vit N340 for something a bit hotter, as there do not seem to be any loads listed for .357 with GM3.