Good powder to replace Unique

05CarbonDRZ · #1 10-14-2013, 08:02 PM

I am having trouble finding Unique powder,Do you guys have any insight of what to replace it with? I used Unique for .38spl,.40S&W,.45ACP,.45LC,41mag and 9mm.I used it in .41mag for "plinking" loads.Any help is much appreciated.

TAROMAN · #2 10-14-2013, 08:13 PM

Look no further than Hodgdon Universal.
UNIVERSAL gunpowder handles the broadest spectrum of cartridges for both pistol and shotgun.
This is the Clays gunpowder technology designed for 28 gauge shooters.
From the 25 ACP to the 44 magnum and 28 gauge to 12 gauge, UNIVERSAL CLAYS gunpowder provides outstanding performance.
As with all the "CLAYS" gunpowder series powders, clean burning and uniformity are part of its attributes.
Available in 1 lb., 4 lb. & 8 lb. containers.
Meters perfectly, too.

canoeguy · #3 10-14-2013, 08:18 PM

Bullseye, Red Dot, Trail Boss, lots of other pistol powders that should work equally well. Trail Boss is bulky and fills the case, I've had good results with it for lower velocity pistol rounds....

But I'm optimistic reloading components are coming back, I spent $170 on primers, powder and bullets last payday....

Keep looking, you'll find some Unique.

jwalts27 · #4 10-14-2013, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 05CarbonDRZ

I am having trouble finding Unique powder,Do you guys have any insight of what to replace it with? I used Unique for .38spl,.40S&W,.45ACP,.45LC,41mag and 9mm.I used it in .41mag for "plinking" loads.Any help is much appreciated.

Funny how you cant get any Unique. That's pretty much all I can find out my way is all the AA powders. I have been looking for Win231 (or any Winchster) with no luck at all.

TAROMAN · #5 10-14-2013, 08:34 PM

..and here we're now seeing most Alliant and Hodgdon powders.
Just picked up a can each of Bullseye and 231.

jwalts27 · #6 10-14-2013, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TAROMAN

..and here we're now seeing most Alliant and Hodgdon powders.
Just picked up a can each of Bullseye and 231.

Damn You!

But I can get primers! Just bought 10,000 on saturday

Moonman · #7 10-14-2013, 08:48 PM

I just got some W231, Bullseye, and WST the other day.

rwsmith · #8 10-14-2013, 09:42 PM

Accurate No. 5 as a replacement for Universal or Unique?

You that are finding powder how are the prices??

ArchAngelCD · #9 10-14-2013, 09:44 PM

Like said above, Universal is almost a clone to Unique but it burns cleaner and it meters better. If you try it you might not go back to Unique, I have several friends who switched after trying Universal.

As for W231, I'm getting worried because I'm down to less than 10 lbs.

Nemo288 · #10 10-15-2013, 02:19 AM

+1 on Universal. It peaks pressure faster at the very top end but
is almost identical in loads up to 25Kpsi or so.
I use it in a 30+Kpsi load in 44M. Works great.

We have yet to see any Accurate powder here but are getting some Alliant and IMR.

===
Nemo

Backwoods · #11 10-15-2013, 05:54 AM

I'm in the same boat as the OP...has anyone used power pistol? I'll be loading 45acp 230gr and my reload book has it on the list. It's the only thing I can find in the area.

lhump1961 · #12 10-15-2013, 10:27 AM

I've been using Power Pistol for about a year and like it just fine. Burns pretty clean, meters well and the loads are consistent at the range. Give it a go...

rck281 · #13 10-15-2013, 10:59 AM

I use Power Pistol in my 9mm and 40 cal loads. Burns clean and meters well. It is a little slower than Unique. In 40S&W, I get the same velocity out of 6.5gr of Power Pistol as I do 6.0gr of Unique. I'm thinking of switching all my Unique loads to Power Pistol.

ILLWIND · #14 10-15-2013, 11:43 AM

Like rwsmith..I like AA#5 and HS6. Both do a great job and meter well. I just bought some AA#5 the other day...18.99+ tax at Fleet Farm.

hotrod150 · #15 10-15-2013, 11:59 AM

I'd suggest sticking to your guns and keep scouting around for Unique. If you know it and like it, why change?
I like W231 and went through a bit of a panic when I couldn't find any for sale for quite a while. Then one day I was calling around looking for some and a LGS had some. I didn't want to change to something else-- not even HP38 which everyone tells me is the same thing.

jwalts27 · #16 10-15-2013, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwsmith

Accurate No. 5 as a replacement for Universal or Unique?

You that are finding powder how are the prices??

I am getting Unique and Bullseye for $21.95 a lb. #5 is around $22.95a lb.

ArchAngelCD · #17 10-15-2013, 03:51 PM

Just a note on Power Pistol, if you're looking for a low flash powder that's one of the last powders I would turn to.

HS-6 is not that bad flash wise and I thin AA#5 is fairly low flash like mentioned above. If Alliant ever gets their act together and ships their new BE-86, it was specifically produced to be low flash and has a flash suppressing agent added. I think Winchester's AutoComp is low flash too. I have a feeling any new handgun powders that come out from now on will probably contain a flash suppressing agent.

S&W45Colt · #18 10-15-2013, 04:49 PM

Another vote here for Universal Clays. It's not good for heavy magnum or 10mm loads because it burns too fast, but it will handle everything you named.

Mule88 · #19 10-17-2013, 07:55 AM

Universal fan here!

Nevada Ed · #20 10-17-2013, 03:04 PM

Universal works great in my 38 snub with reduced 125gr lead bullet target loads and it also does well in the .357 magnum but does get touchy at the top end with maximum loads.
I have a chrony so I was able to catch this "Jump" in fps but as mentioned it burns cleaner than unique in pistol loads..............

It is very dirty and not as good as Unique in a 12 Ga. 3 dram 1 1/8 oz. payload, however, in my test.....

A sleeper is Herco but it is not used by many for some odd reason.