Can I use Unique or 2400 in reduced loads in .223 (50-55 gr FMJ or 60-64 gr SP) or .243 (80 or 100 gr SP)? This would be in a Stevens 200 and I have CCI small rifle primers.

Well, the 243 won't take Small rifle primers..

however you can get load data from the Lyman's Cast Bullet manual...

2400 will of course give you more velocity...

Unique will make the 223 act like a 22 Mag...
11 grains will be max capacity, but work up from about 8 grains in the 223...

I prefer Blue Dot loads for the 223 and 243 over both of the above powders...

for info, go to Calhoons web site, he is where I got started on the concept..

www.jamescalhoon.com

Having done a good bit of down loading with 2400 in both cartridges, although it gives the accuracy you can obtain with the Blue Dot, you will get more sooty brass and spend longer cleaning your rifles. roger

Both Unique and 2400 can be used in either caliber for successful reduced loads, but I've never seen anything that would equal the quality and consistency of Blue Dot for this purpose. Thanks to Seafire for his work in publicizing this.

quote:

Originally posted by Stonecreek:
Both Unique and 2400 can be used in either caliber for successful reduced loads, but I've never seen anything that would equal the quality and consistency of Blue Dot for this purpose. Thanks to Seafire for his work in publicizing this.

Aww shucks stonie...

I feel all warm, fuzzy and special on the inside now...

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:
Having done a good bit of down loading with 2400 in both cartridges, although it gives the accuracy you can obtain with the Blue Dot, you will get more sooty brass and spend longer cleaning your rifles. roger

I suspected that, but my pound of Unique is a couple years old, and is the dirty kind.

I don't know why Blue Dot burns so clean in a bottle necked rifle, but it does.

There is a new powder in town, Its called trail boss. The extremely low density turns a 458 win mag into a 45 long colt. DW

I finally tracked down a Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook #3 at the Vancouver Library and it listed Unique weights from 6.7 gr - 9 gr ((1805-2110 fps respectively) for a .223. A bit too fast. I am looking for something along the lines of a .22 LR velocity or maybe even barely subsonic. How low can I go? Safely.

Alas, I have no Blue Dot but only Unique and 2400 for reduced loads. I am not concerned if it is "dirty". I have been shooting muzzle loaders for years.

I also have Winchester LR primers for a .243 but it looks as though I will buy a .223.

Thanks for the help, guys.

FYI. Per a request I loaded down some 40gr. pills to 850 fps. Of three rounds only one hit paper at 50yds. and it was a perfect key hole.That's a long way from 1090 fps. But it high lites some sort of limit. I just picked up a Win. 67 in great condition for $60.00. Sounds like something like that would scratch your itch. roger

Roger, why not just shoot a 22 rimfire?

quote:

Originally posted by Joe C:
I finally tracked down a Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook #3 at the Vancouver Library and it listed Unique weights from 6.7 gr - 9 gr ((1805-2110 fps respectively) for a .223. A bit too fast. I am looking for something along the lines of a .22 LR velocity or maybe even barely subsonic. How low can I go? Safely.



Alas, I have no Blue Dot but only Unique and 2400 for reduced loads. I am not concerned if it is "dirty". I have been shooting muzzle loaders for years.

I also have Winchester LR primers for a .243 but it looks as though I will buy a .223.

Thanks for the help, guys.

Joe,

welcome to the forums...

for the lower loads you are looking for..
go with Unique instead of Alliant 2400...

Unique is not position sensitive in the case.. start out with about 5 grains of Unique.....

Small rifle primers or even small pistol primers will work fine...

good luck..

cheers
seafire

quote:

Originally posted by tnekkcc:
Roger, why not just shoot a 22 rimfire?

Ahh! That's what the Win. 67 shoots. roger

I thought of using a .22 as tnekkcc suggested. But, (correct me if I am wrong) wouldn't the small .22 cartridge just rattle around loosely in the .223 chamber? Not to mention maybe falling right down the bore of a .243?

I use 5.0 gr. of Unique under a 55 gr. cast bullet in my .223 Money Pit. it's a Ruger #1 action with a .223 Rem. barrel by Remington from Remington Mod. 7.he gun looked like it might be a decent shooter when I bought it, bit much money later to make it so gave it the name, "Money Pit." Still doesn't group worth a damn but it's good enough for a walkabout rifle with full power loads. I worked up the cast bullet load to use come turkey season. WEe can use rifles and handguns during the fall season, but only shotguns in the spring season. The load isn't quite subsonic, but is in the ,22 WRM range. Does a dirty deed on jack rabbits.
Paul B,

quote:

Originally posted by Joe C:
I thought of using a .22 as tnekkcc suggested. But, (correct me if I am wrong) wouldn't the small .22 cartridge just rattle around loosely in the .223 chamber? Not to mention maybe falling right down the bore of a .243?

Well Joe C.....with this kind of post it looks like you'll do well around here...even if you are a Canadian~ ~

My .223 Unique load is:
55 grain bullet
5.6 grains of Unique
Note: 7.3 grains of IMR 4227 will do the same thing.