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  #1  
Old 03-07-2013, 08:02 PM
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Question Alliant Unique powder

Anyone use? Likes or dislikes?

Seems to be a pretty universal pistol caliber powder.
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Old 03-07-2013, 08:07 PM
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i use it in lead bullet handgun loads. i also use it in shotshell loads. hth.
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Old 03-07-2013, 08:12 PM
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It may be the most commonly used handgun powder in the U.S. Not the best powder for very light loads or very heavy loads but covers the great middle ground very well. I have been using it since 1975.
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Old 03-07-2013, 08:22 PM
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It's a good handgun powder for all around use and bulky enough that a double charge in one of the common semi auto calibers would be very obvious. Down side is that it's not the best metering powder on the planet, so you do need to confirm your powder measure will be consistent with this powder or plan on weighing each charge.
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Old 03-07-2013, 08:25 PM
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I like in my cast bullet loads. I even us it in my cast 30-06. Great for mild loads. Mike
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Old 03-07-2013, 08:32 PM
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Thanks for the quick replies guys...I'd ordered 8lbs on a chance the other day. figured I could sell it if it was not any good...

Ordering online sucks w/hazmat charges!
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Old 03-07-2013, 11:08 PM
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It's my go to powder for .38 Spl, .44 Spl, and moderate loads for .357 Mag. And sometimes I use it for .45ACP.
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Old 03-07-2013, 11:10 PM
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Default Alliant Unique powder

I probably use more unique than anything else.38 spl,45 acp,44 spl and 45 colt.
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Old 03-07-2013, 11:20 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by arjay View Post
I probably use more unique than anything else.38 spl,45 acp,44 spl and 45 colt.
Exactly. Also good for 32 H&R mag.
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Old 03-07-2013, 11:49 PM
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I use it for 32-20, .38 S&W, standard .38 Spec., .44 Spec. lite .44 Mag. and .45 ACP. Been using Unique since 1965. Larry
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Old 03-08-2013, 12:40 AM
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New to reloading, too.

Been using it in my .44 Mag/240 LSWC's loaded down near .44 Special.

Won the first silhouette match I shot with it!
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Old 03-08-2013, 01:01 AM
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i like it...and use a lot of it....41 mag.is one of my fav.uses for it
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  #13  
Old 03-08-2013, 01:07 AM
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If I could only have one powder it would be Unique. It's not the best at everything, but can be used as darn near anything.
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Old 03-08-2013, 01:35 AM
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Unique is a good, all around pistol powder. I use it for .40SW, .45ACP and .38SPL. It burns dirty at light loads, but clean and relatively smoke free at mid to hot levels.

The flakes tend to bridge in a powder hopper, causing low loads. Tap the hopper from time to time and, if possible, install an anti-bridging baffle at the bottom of the hopper (standard with Dillon). The baffle breaks up loose clumps so that the hopper below the baffle is uniform.
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Old 03-08-2013, 01:48 AM
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I have used it in 9mm with 115 to 124gr Jhps.........
38 spl from 110 to 158 Jhps and 125 to 158 lead bullets
from target to +p loads.
357 magnum loads are good from target to magnum loads
up to 158 lead but you do need other powders to get the most out of the 158 Jhp bullets.
12Ga shotgun loads from target 1 1/8oz to heavy field loads of 1 1/4oz at 1220fps work for me as well as.....
30-06 light target loads.

I always have a bottle on my shelf.
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  #16  
Old 03-08-2013, 05:15 AM
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I use it as a medium range powder. Been using it for 30 years. I refer to it as "burnt dirt". Still like it. It is one of the classics. Bullseye, Unique, 2400. I always keep a good supply of the classics.
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  #17  
Old 03-08-2013, 06:38 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by richeyo2 View Post
Anyone use? Likes or dislikes?

Seems to be a pretty universal pistol caliber powder.
I'll be the negative post in this thread. I highlighted in your op the powder of choice for me.

I got fed up with Unique back in the early 90's. Yea, it does do what others here say, but metering ain't the best and it left me and my handguns freckle faced from the unburned flakes.

Universal has done everything good the old Unique does, only with better metering and more efficient burn for me.
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  #18  
Old 03-08-2013, 07:22 AM
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It's one of the powders I use and would recommend.
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Old 03-08-2013, 08:12 AM
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If it was good enough for Skeeter, it will work for me..dito for 2400...
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Old 03-08-2013, 08:26 AM
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I use it and Bullseye. They have stood the test of time.
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Old 03-08-2013, 09:03 AM
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Ditto to much of the above re: handgun use. Very versatile, usually available at a decent price, tons of load information because it has been around so long, but doesn't burn too cleanly with lighter loads.
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Old 03-08-2013, 09:30 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by richeyo2 View Post
Anyone use? Likes or dislikes?

Seems to be a pretty universal pistol caliber powder.
I have used it in my 45 acp and 38 special only draw back was in light loads it is a dirty powder but at top end it seem to burn a lot cleaner.I now run Clay's in my 45 and 38 for me it a super great clean burning powder
38 cal. 3.1 gr. with 158gr. SWC
45 acp 3.8 gr. with 200gr. SWC
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  #23  
Old 03-08-2013, 11:00 AM
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Default Alliant Unique powder

Bullseye for light loads
Unique for medium to heavy loads depending on caliber
2400 for magnum loads
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Old 03-08-2013, 02:54 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lonewolf5347 View Post
I have used it in my 45 acp and 38 special only draw back was in light loads it is a dirty powder but at top end it seem to burn a lot cleaner.I now run Clay's in my 45 and 38 for me it a super great clean burning powder
38 cal. 3.1 gr. with 158gr. SWC
45 acp 3.8 gr. with 200gr. SWC
Almost the same lead I am starting to use (.45acp=RNFP/38spl=LSWC) in the same calibers.

Question is on the Clay's-is there a specific number or designation on the bottle for this ? I have never seen a bottle of Clay's around here.

I see guys shooting iCORE etc and the ends of their barrels are black w/the dirty powder, some can't even see their front site and I would like a clean burning powder.

Thanks,
Jim
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Old 03-08-2013, 03:48 PM
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I think I originally settled on the traditional 3 because you could walk in the store and they were in stock.Availability is important.
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Old 03-08-2013, 06:52 PM
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Makes a good 9mm load but it hard to find right now.
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Old 03-08-2013, 07:50 PM
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Jim when you buy Clays make sure that it is JUST marked Clays. Hodgdon in their infinite wisdom have 3 different powders with the Clays name. First is just Clays (very similar properties to Red Dot) second is Universal Clays (very similar properties to Unique) and last is International Clays (very similar properties to Green Dot).
I LOVE my Unique but my current 38 Spec 158gr LSWCHP load uses 3.2 of Clays and my current WIMP load for my 45ACP uses 4.4gr of Clays pushing a 185 grain Berrys plated round nose hollow base bullet. My poor old wrists love the WIMP load. In a factory springed 1911 it feels like you are shooting a 22. An it functioned in every 45 (Colts, Paras, S&W, Sigs, Kahr)I have ever shot it in including a couple of picky 3 inch guns with the exception of my buddies Ruger P90 which has the heaviest mainspring I have ever felt. The load shot great but would not push the slide quite far enough back to pick up the next round.

Chip King
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Old 03-08-2013, 08:50 PM
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Thanks Chip. I have two 1911's and the 38spl (for matches) so thanks for the explanation, it will help in matches when ever I can get my press here

Jim
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Old 03-08-2013, 09:50 PM
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I have shot up a bunch of it in .38, .357, .41 Mag, & .45 ACP. It smokes and is dirty, but it is predictable, reliable, and safe on account of the charge density being fairly low, giving a larger volume in the case. I always have some on hand.
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Old 03-08-2013, 10:05 PM
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Burnin' Dirt!
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Old 03-08-2013, 10:18 PM
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I couldn't imagine a reloading bench without a can of Unique close by.
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Old 03-08-2013, 11:03 PM
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I have given up on Unique, inconsistant metering, position sensitivity
and large extreme spreads. I have to believe many handloaders use
it because some popular gunwriters of the past used it. There are many
more powders available today than when some of the "legends" were
writing and they used Unique because it was about all they had for
medium power loads and not because it was a great powder. When my
partial can is used up or poured out in disgust it won't be replaced.
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Old 03-08-2013, 11:54 PM
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I started with Unique and 38 Special and now have come full circle and am back to using it. It isn't the best for magnum loads but for 38 Special and 44 Mag loads that are not top loads it does very well.

I am not as wild about it for auto pistols but it is OK.
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Old 03-09-2013, 05:50 AM
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When I first started reloading I got in to using Unique (Hercules back then)
when loading .45 "Long Colt" and have stuck with it throughout all these years. The only thing that's changes is the Company is now Alliant. Good stuff!
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  #35  
Old 03-10-2013, 02:14 AM
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I've never had a minute's trouble with Unique. Love it! Just don't use it in minimum charge weights. It gives larger extreme spreads and burns dirtier with minimum charge weights.

For moderate loads in revolvers or full powered loads in both the 9mm and .45 ACP it's the cat's meow.
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Old 03-10-2013, 02:18 AM
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Unique isn't that complicated.Keep the pressures up and it burns fairly clean and consistently.
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Old 03-10-2013, 03:12 AM
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Love it in reloads for my .45acp!
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Old 03-10-2013, 05:40 AM
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Unique is the "jack of all trades-master of none" pistol propellant. Granted, it does a whole lot of things pretty well. That said, it is almost never the Best for any one particular application except being good at a lot of things. It meters miserably and the original was pretty dirty although the newer formulation is said to burn cleaner.

It is what it is and many folks are in love with it for that reason. Have been for a long time. For my part, not so much.

Bruce
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Old 03-10-2013, 05:42 AM
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One thing not many have said is that Unique is usually very accurate. I gave up on it for Clays for light .45 acp match loads because of soot, but it can be used in everything from 9 mm to 12 gauge and makes fine gallery loads for centerfire .30 rifles. I have the big jug.
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