It's been said that there are a lot of new powders to replace the old. Is there a close equivalent to Unique that can do all that it can do? Close enough to do rifle loads and pistol like Unique can?

First in mind is Hodgdon's Universal, but I haven't seen any of that either.

Win231? Haven't seen that one around

Accurate #2 or 5? I've seen #7 & 9 sometimes.

Power Pistol is near it on the burn chart, but I can't help but think that these are different in performance seeing how PP is for semis.

Vihta Vuori N340 or N330?

HP38?

What is Alliant 20/28?

Herco?

Ramshot Zip? I don't see it around here.

Anything Else?

There are TONS of Unique recipes out there. I don't think any of the newer powders have that much published date.

I'm holding out for some Unique, but what is the closest equivalent, just in case?

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Unique has been my one go to powder for decades,works just fine for the vast majority of my pistol loads.I did start using bullseye during the 2008 shortage when I couldn't find Unique,you can get a lot of 38 and 45 acp target loads out of a pound of it.

I find HP 38/Win 231 will do pretty much anything I want and meters better. I have Unique but gab other powders over it.

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Still Running Against the Wind

Universal is close to Unique.

Used Unique for 40+ years, if it was good enough for Skeeter, it's good enough for me....

The new Alliant powder, BE86 is said to be the new Unique, but is cleaner and meters better...

Universal Clays is almost a dead ringer. Cleaner, almost the same burn rate, and data is almost interchangeable. Note I said almost.

I have lots of Unique but have switched to mostly using Vihtavouri N340 as it measures so much better and yet still fills the case nicely...and burns cleaner.

I s witched from Unique several years ago to AA #5. Being a ball powder it meters like water and the burn rate is very close.

By the way a few years ago I printed out a few powder burn rate charts and it is a good way to determine which powders are close to one another. There are a bunch of these charts available on line.

Power pistol is pretty close to unique.
It seems to like having a little more pressure than unique before it settles down though.
BE 86 might be even better .... might be .... never seen any to try.
CFE Pistol .... This might be the powder that won the shortage war.
It covers a lot of territory though perhaps not as elegantly as unique, but unlike unique, universal, PP and BE 86, it's been on the shelf, winning by forfeit.

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it just needs more voltage

Any of the medium burners will work sim to unique. WSF is almost identical in the 4-5 diff calibers I have tried it in, maybe just a tiny bit slower than unique.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

I still have part of a can of Unique. When it's gone I won't buy another.
However it may last a long time because I rarely use it. There are
several better powders on the market today that were not available
back when certain revered gun writers wrote about it. The often seen
"if it was good enough for (favorite name goes here)" type of remarks
are meaningless. I remember a magazine article by one old white hat
sheriffy type gun writer who is still writing and often seen on TV. He
tried one of the new at that time Hodgdon powders in the .44 Special
and declared he was a new convert and was happy to give up on poor
metering Unique.

Well I see no need to try any new and improved powder.
I'll use Unique for as long as I can pull a press handle.

I have some Unique still, but there's still not much on the shelves. I find fast burning powders (Red Dot, Titegroup) easier to find every once in a while, but there has been a real lack of medium burning powders available.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

I bought a pound of it yesterday, and the LGS had 2 eight # containers. Another LGS has lots of Alliant powder, including Unique.

I think the danger Unique faces is that many people have abandoned it for powders that meter better in progressive setups. In a perfect world of well-stocked powder shelves, they probably don't move much Unique anymore. I could just be speaking for myself, but based on this thread, it looks like I'm not alone.

At this point it's not really unique. If folks like Mr. Skelton had access to modern powders with comparable versatility and superior physical attributes, they would have used them.

When I first started reloading last August I searched high and low for Unique because so many swore by it. I bought an 8 pounder, ran home, and loaded some mild 44 RM. My first reaction to setting the powder charge was "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot??!!! This stuff meters like corn flakes!" Then I got to the range and discovered it shot quite accurately and consistency. Pretty good despite it's metering short comings. When I was done I wiped the soot off my forearms and went home.

Since then I've played with BE86, HP38/W231, Power Pistol, and prefer them all. Yes Unique works well, but I'm not attached to it because it hasn't fueled my "pet loads" for five decades. I started reloading when better products were available, and I gravitate towards them. When I finish my keg of Unique, I doubt I'll replace it. I can get the same performance and versatility with superior metering, cleaning burning, modern powders.

I realize I'm probably an outlier in my opinion, but it's just that; my opinion.

+1 with post #7...........

It did well in my 38 and 357 loadings with lead and JHP bullets but.......

in the 12 Ga. it had a dirty burn and did not do as well as the old Unique with 1 1/8 oz. low vel. or handicap loads.

Used it all up before I could test out any 9mm loadings, sorry.

Would like to try a pound of Herco some day. It was the powder used in the 50 and 60's for factory dup. loads in the .357 dia. bullet loads, per Lyman.

I am with ya. I do not think that much of it. Only use it in 45 Colt, As you say, with todays powders there are probably better choices. I feel the same way about it's big brother, Blue Dot.

Flaming Dirt! (yes, I had to get that in somehow)

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Still Running Against the Wind

I have tested quite a few powders, chronographing loads and logging data. My favorite powder so far has to be Power Pistol. It really does work well in almost every pistol cartridge. It also seems to be less sensitive to running standard vs. magnum primers than Unique. With Unique, if I am shooting from a short barrel, or using a large cartridge with lots of empty space (45 Colt, 44 Mag), I found that I had to use a magnum primer to get consistent ignition (which shows up as low velocity spreads). Universal acts much like Unique in this respect. Power Pistol does not seem to care which primer you use.

I have 2 pounds of BE-86 to try. It is next on my list to test.

Mike

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NRA Certified Pistol Inst.

Unique remains a very versatile propellant, its main shortcoming being that it does not meter as well as ball powders. There's virtually no handgun caliber that there is not a good Unique load available for. The closest competitor is Bullseye. And actually the two are identical, at least in formulation, differing only in grain thickness. Every handgun caliber I load (about everything between .32 ACP and .45 Colt), I use either Unique or Bullseye, except for full power .44 Magnum and .357 Magnum loads for which I normally use Herco, and 9x23 Winchester for which I use AA5, which is the absolute best propellant for 9x23. Believe it or not, I use Lee dippers for many of my loads. It's quicker than setting up my powder measure for small runs, and I typically do not load more than 100 rounds of any single caliber at a time.

Here's something else about which Unique lovers can worry. We all know that numerous older Hodgdon/IMR/WW powders (as well as one newer one) are no longer made because they could not be manufactured by newer, faster methods that now exist. What if old standbys like Bullseye and Unique, for example, fit into that same scenario for Alliant and it elects to make the same cost-savings move that Hodgdon did?

Ed

Unique meters fine for me.

Are you using a table spoon?

I've replaced it with CFE Pistol.
Same general performance.
Meters MUCH better.
Cleaner, though that's not a big deal for me.

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

I use an RCBS Competition Powder Measure. Unique measures very accurately.

If standbys like Bullseye or Unique are discontinued or changed, I wouldn't worry too much. I have used both Titegroup and Universal with great results, and wouldn't lose any sleep over it if that's all I could get. Also, the OP mentioned 20/28. It is described as a shotgun-only powder and Alliant does not provide pistol data for it but there is a guy that has worked a lot with it and posted loads with velocity for many pistol calibers (I forget which forum, easy to find). He finds 20/28 just slightly faster than Unique, charge for charge. He doesn't load above what I would call mid-range, so it my be worth checking out a pound or two.

Yes sir. I hear this all the time & I can only think the guys complaining about Unique metering are using a Lee measure. My Dillon & RCBS will throw +/- 1/10gr, close enough for a medium burner.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

I'm using a Dillon. As stated above I find consistency to be acceptable w/Unique, but I can get better consistency using finer granulated powders with comparable load range versatility.

Some time ago, I did some consistency tests with my Lyman 55 measure with several propellants. Seems to me that I remember that Unique charge weight was always within a couple of tenths of a grain. Not terrible, not great. Ball powder is more consistent because the packing efficiency is greater, spheres vs. flakes.

When I set my measure, I always throw five charges in the scale pan and take the average, rather than relying on a single charge. .

I typically load for 38/357 and 44's in 500 round batches. I weigh every tenth powder charge on a Lee balance beam scale. Using an RCBS standard powder measure I bought in 1974, the variation in weight of Unique has never been more than .1 grain over the 500 rounds. Since I ran out of Unique, I am using Power Pistol and AA#5 among others and the load to load consistency is no better. I've often wondered why people have trouble metering Unique.
Scott

ATP had plenty of HP38 on the shelf today.

I dropped by there YESTERDAY! Well, 10:00 tomorrow.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Universal works well for me for .45 hardball. I have also used it in lead .38 special. While it is much cleaner than Unique for .45 hardball, it is very smokey with lead.

I bought a pound of BE86 which I intend to use for .45 hardball. I haven't got around to using it though. From the load data it appears to be a somewhere between Unique and Power Pistol.

I read somewhere (I don't know where) that Alliant 20/28 (shotgun powder) is a near duplicate of Unique. Don't take my word for it though.

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Common sense isn't so common.

Over the last 18 months, I have begun using CFE Pistol. Pretty satisfied with it once I began to discover some good loads and Hodgdon began supporting it with data online. I think, though it appears slower than Unique, it will become "unique" to me!

I got two pounds and I can't remember if one pound was left, I just grabbed and ran.

THANKS MAN!!!

ps I didn't get there till 11 because the kids got a late start to school today. Close call.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Glad you got some RW. I always check the reloading aisle when my daughter and I go to the range. Usually once a week. I keep hoping for some Universal.

Unique is one of my favorite powders. Mainly a 20 and 28 ga shotgun powder but also in the 44 sp and 45 Colt. I finally got all but 200 of my 44Sp brass loaded. Rest are going to be serious loads with another powder. I just got an 8 lb container of Unique and another Universal 8 also. The Universal meters better but seems to be a bit faster than Unique. And it does seem to smoke more than Unique with Lead bullets. I am in the midst of doing powder coated bullets so we will see. As far as powders. Whatever you may use... if you see it...buy it. I don't think the past shortages are truly at an end. If you use any of the Clays line including Universal..it is supposedly slated for discontinuance. Got some BE 86 and CFE Pistol but haven't used it enough to form an honest opinion yet

Alliant lists Unique as a shotgun powder but they have plenty of load data for pistol cartridges also. Never heard of anyone using it for rifle powder. Did I miss something.?

Herco might be the closest Alliant product but I've never seen any anywhere.

Cabela's is showing Unique in 1# and 8# in stock. Better jump on it.

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That's just somebody talkin.

Plenty of load data available for use of Unique in the Lyman manuals..and some of the older NRA loading books. Herco is a good powder also. IIRC I used 10 gr of that with a cast 240 SWC in 44 mag for a mid range load. Another line of powders that were shotgun but worked great in handguns was the Alcan line. AL-120 AL-5 AL-7 and of course AL-8. Not much AL-120 left but lots of 5 and 8. Other older powders from Hodgdon Trap 100(AA452), HS-5, HS-6(WIN 540) and HS-7(WIN 571). Someone said HS-5 was the same as Win 473 but it sure looks different. Much good loading data for it so if you see any of those powders cheep. Buy 'em and use 'em. I have bought some for as little as a dollar a pound and less. Got 8 lb of Win 540(HS-6) at a gun show for 40 bucks. Ball powder hardly ever goes bad.

There might be more data on Unique than any other powder.

And yeah, there are rifle loads mostly for older big bore cartridges and of course rifles that shoot pistol rounds. Mostly low velocity lead bullet stuff like 1500 fps and below. You aren't going to see loads for it in sniper rifles. That is, I don't THINK you're going to see it in sniper loads.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Back in the early days print magazines and books had Elmer and Skeeter talking about Unique.

I started with Unique and used it and 2400 exclusively for years. Fast forward years later. I have never seen 2400 in the last few years and ran into some over priced Unique and picked up a pound. Since then my desperation has caused me to buy powders I find.

I found some SR4756 and tried it. I liked what I was seeing then I found out it was being discontinued.

I started hoarding. I found Trail Boss, Titegroup, 231, Power Pistol, Silhouette.

I'm going through my Titegroup now. I settled on #9 for my magnum loads. Trying new things isn't always bad.

Well said. As a relative newcomer to handloading I share your attitude. What I want is a powder that is easy to meter, shoots accurate for the kind of shooting I do, and is available to purchase. I have read many opinions on Unique (and BullsEye) and have decided that I have enough powder and enough powders to last a while and I really don't need to experiment with additional powders before exploring what I already have. No such thing as brand loyality when basically nothing is available. If it works and I have a need and it's available, I'm getting some.

When I first started handloading, in the dark days of January 2014 when powder was almost impossible to find, I ran across 6 pounds of Alliant American Select. After fooling around with it some I came upon a nice soft shooting 9mm load that I really like. So it's not about me not liking Alliant powders. Had Unique or BullsEye been available back in those dark days then I probably would have tried some but Alliant has a harder time putting their brand of fairy dust on the retailers shelf.

I intend to keep a stock of American Select on hand but I'm not going to pay a premium for it. Just the regular price. But the only thing that will get me to try BE or Unique will be if I run out of powder and that's all I can get.

You and slt223 make good sense. In fact, everybody has made good sense here. Maybe my problem is that 35 years ago, I was 'sold' on Bullseye and Unique and also they were easily obtainable and figured that they would be around as long as I was. I've tried several others in this shortage thing and I've not been disappointed with them, if fact, some I really like like Red Dot and Acc #7. However I haven't been able to find much of any medium burning powder and I'm holding out for Unique and BE.

I believe the best track would be just to change my thinking and go with some of the powders you guys have been happy with. Which would be:

American Select
Herco
HP38/Win 231 (I got two pound a few days ago thanks to Mr. C. Hound)
Universal
AA #5
Power Pistol
WSF
CFE Pistol
If I can find it and afford it VV N340
BE86 if I can find it.

Behold. The above is my new shopping list.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

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Sure you did

I started reloading metal a few years ago myself right before the great powder/primer famin. Bullseye and #9 was what I started with and I would still be using them but I got caught flat footed. Went for more and there wasn't any. Hmmm, now what? I had American Select from loading for trap so worked up some loads after I called Alliant. Works just fine for my 38 Spl and 45 acp. I decided right then to buy as much of what I could find. My dealer had 8 lb containers of 2400 and AS so those are now my powders. I have enough of it to last me a very long time.

I've recently seen Unique but I'm not sure how long it will last. We could be heading into another component shortage. Actually, I think we are still experiencing remains of the last one.

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That's just somebody talkin.

Just think how simple life would be if there was only DILLON and UNIQUE in the world.

There would be no decisions and nothing to talk about

I predict that soon the only powder Alliant will have is BE 86 as it is magical.

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Still Running Against the Wind

It must have something going for it, It has been in production since 1900, That's 115 years .....if it were as bad as some say , I think it would have faded from the scene and been replaced by all these new and improved wonder powders. The trouble with a lot of new powders is they don't stick around. When Alcan powders came out I jumped on the new stuff, I pushed Unique off to the side . I still have Alcan #5....but when's the last time you saw data for it ?
On the other hand Unique, is still going strong !
Powder you can get a lot of data on is not a bad thing.

Funny because I haven't seen AS in over a year but last week passed on some BullsEye BE86 and Unique

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NRA Pistol & Reloading Instr.

Bullseye is probably the oldest powder still produced.

Unique is a very good and broad use powder it will do most anything. I like it in the 45 Colt.

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Still Running Against the Wind