Unique Substitutes

[38SPL HV]

Good luck finding Unique, I’m holding on to two 1lb canisters until Alliant decides to make more for the reloading market (whenever that is…)

I’ve found that BE86 for all practical purposes in my handguns only is nearly identical in performance, by weight (NOT volume) to Unique:

Firearm: Ruger 4 5/8 in BH
Load: 357 Magnum mid range
Bullet: Missouri cast 158 gr swc (12 BNH)
Powder: BE86
Charge: 6.0 grs
Hi 1022 fps
Lo 1008 fps
Avg. 1013 fps
Es: 14
Sd: 4
(This has become my replacement for 6.0 grs Unique with same bullet…this BE86 load is a great practice load with adequate power and good accuracy)

Load: 38 Spl +P
Bullet: Missouri cast 158 gr swc (12 BNH)
Powder: BE86
Charge: 5.4 grs
Hi: 986 fps
Lo: 946 fps
Avg: 963 fps
Es: 40
Sd: 14

I’ve tried Accurate #5 with same 158 gr bullet but accuracy is not as good as BE86 or Unique for that matter.

What other substitutes are you folks using for Unique?

[Krogen]

I shot a lot of Unique for a lot of years. Then in a previous component draught, I tried Hodgdon Universal. It works as good or better for my applications of Unique. Of course, one should go by a data book. You can't assume it's weight and volume equivalent to Unique.

[Ivan the Butcher]

There is no other powder like Unique, hence the name.

You can find other powders that will perform the same in a cartridge, but the only powder that will do somewhat well in all cartridges is FFFg Black Powder!

If you can find a copy of Lyman's 45th edition loading manual. There is a load in it for every cartridge made at the time (mid 1970's) from 25ACP to 460 Weatherby Mag!

Ivan

[38SPL HV]

Originally Posted by Krogen

I shot a lot of Unique for a lot of years. Then in a previous component draught, I tried Hodgdon Universal. It works as good or better for my applications of Unique. Of course, one should go by a data book. You can't assume it's weight and volume equivalent to Unique.

Didn’t say it was volume equivalent…I noted that it is “NOT” volume equivalent for obvious reasons (Unique is twice the size of BE86). I’m within Alliants BE86 published load data, but start low and work up…

[Krogen]

Originally Posted by 38SPL HV

Didn’t say it was volume equivalent…I noted that it is “NOT” volume equivalent for obvious reasons (Unique is twice the size of BE86). I’m within Alliants BE86 published load data, but start low and work up…

Umm... I was talking about Hodgdon Universal . . . .

[DWalt]

Go with the Universal.

[ArchAngelCD]

Originally Posted by Krogen

I shot a lot of Unique for a lot of years. Then in a previous component draught, I tried Hodgdon Universal. It works as good or better for my applications of Unique. Of course, one should go by a data book. You can't assume it's weight and volume equivalent to Unique.

I'm in agreement with that statement. Many of my reloading friends have tried Universal when they couldn't find Unique and all but one have told me they will not go back to Unique. After all, Universal was developed to directly compete with Unique.

It meters better and it's cleaner too. You might want to give it a try.

[Cdog]

Another vote for Universal. I switched over 15 or 20 years ago.

Unique was hard to come by locally and as others, I had other shooters praising Universal. I still keep a couple of lbs of Unique on hand, but Universal has been my go to general purpose powder ever since trying it.

The two powders are similar in burn rate and load density, but they are not interchangeable.

[max]

I believe Herco might be close if you can find it.

[BBrandt]

AA #5 is almost identical to Unique in burn rate. Meters better too. I use it in my progressive presses in place of Unique.

[rockquarry]

Yes, Herco is pretty close to Unique and is useful for about the same purposes, but has lost popularity for some reason over the last twenty years or so. Many of the newer handloaders probably aren't even aware of Herco.

I've used Unique for about fifty years and it works fine, except for flowing through a measure as well as other powders. I tried Universal; goes through a measure much better than Unique, but I never quite got the accuracy with Universal that I did with Unique.

[serger]

Another tub thumper for Herco. My base powder drop for it
with lead bullets is 6 grains in 9mm/124gr, 40 S&W/180gr,
45 acp/230gr, 38SPL/158gr (this one is borderline 357).
I also use 3.5 grains with the 148gr lead wad cutters. A
decent powder.

I've found you can use Unique load data for it and since it
is slightly slower you'll have no problems.

[biku324]

I've replaced Unique with Longshot some years ago in all applications.

[scattershot]

I’ve heard a lot of good things about BE86. Thanks for posting.

[Chubbs103]

I've used a fair amount of Unique over the years. During one shortage, BE-86 was still available so I worked up a few loads with it and squirreled away a few pounds. I'm down to my last 3 pounds of Unique, so I might have go back.

Now, W231 is what is available around here. I'm fine with that as I like W231 for a growing number of applications.

[Dfish1247]

Winchester 244 does better than anything for me in 357, any 158gr pill. 41,44, and 454 medium loads, unique is still the best that I’ve found.

I use a charge master scale, not a powder drop, so no idea on metering issues.

[Nevada Ed]

When I got my first bottle of BE-86 I tested it out in my m49 2" and 686 6".

11/16/20 M49 130 HST fac dup at 816-827 ES 10.8 at POA
5/6/2017 M686 125 Jhp accuracy load at 1030fps.... 5 @ .46" 15yd w/rest.

In my 5" 9mm pistol;
115 fmj at 1.12 oal: 1307fps...... full load
124 Berry THP 1.075 oal: 1233fps
124 fmj plated 1.14" oal: 1260fps
147 RN Berry 1.13" oal: 1042fps (top fps of all powders tested)
A great powder for fps with heavy bullets in the 9mm.

For 9mm target work I use CFE-p and others to help save my BE-86 powder.

I have yet to try full or max loads of BE-86 in my 686 6" , since I don't want to waste it
with all the "Max" loads , that I already have in my log books.

A nice, clean , new powder to play with, if you can find it.

[M29since14]

I was going to suggest having a look at Universal, too, but I don’t know where you’d find any of it.

[alwslate]

Why bother with Unique when there are better powders around? W231 and Hodgdon Longshot are a couple.

[CH4]

I still have 3-4 pounds. I know I can use myriad other powders, but never saw the need to look for a substitute for the loads I use it in.

[glenwolde]

Universal. In fact I gave up on Unique after using it.

[CH4]

Originally Posted by glenwolde

Universal. In fact I gave up on Unique after using it.

Is there a difference between Universal and Universal Clays?

[mikld]

During the obumma draught I could not find any Unique. I found Universal and bought 1 lb. Liked it and bought another 2, 1 lb bottles. After discovering how much I liked it and the variety of cartridges that worked well with Universal, I bought an 8 lb. jug. I have loaded everything from 32 ACP through 45 Colt with Universal...

[38SPL HV]

I experimented with Universal for mid range loads in 41 Mag (215 gr swc) years back…accuracy wasn’t there for me. I also found Unique more stable at the higher end of its load data compared to Universal’s.

Thank you all for your inputs and clarification.

[BrovoEchoSierra]

Lots of powders that will work, and do the same things as Unique.
As was said above, there are none more versatile than Unique is.

My buddies and I use it for many different things, but mostly for reduced cast lead loads in Military rifles.

If you can find it Herco is pretty close, and work well in many applications. Also if trying to stick with Alliant powders, Red dot, green dot, and even blue dot work in Pistols.
Some of the older reloading guides will have data in them, before all the wonder powders came along.
I have used Red and Green dot, in 38 specials, and in 44 Mags, that are loaded toward the 44 special velocities.
Probably would also work in other pistols, but I have not used it.
There is a article by Ed Harris called "The Load" that discusses using 12 or 13 grains of Red Dot, in reduced loads with cast lead. It works well, and these powders are listed for this purpose in my old Lyman cast manual from the 60's.

Hope Unique, and 2400 comes back soon, or a lot of my shooting companions will be out.

[Krogen]

Originally Posted by CH4

Is there a difference between Universal and Universal Clays?

No. They used to label 3 distinctly different powders as Clays, Universal Clays and International Clays. Not the same burning rate. People confused them. It wasn't Hodgdon's brightest move. Eventually, they left Clays out of the name for Universal (Clays) and International (Clays). Now the labels are Clays, Universal and International.

[Nemo288]

Coming in late to the thread:
Another ping for Universal.
My experience is that it burns slightly faster than Unique but performs most of the same functions from the specials up to the mighty 12 ga.
In 44 special I use 1/2 grain less Universal.
In the Magnum, ~1 grain less.
I forget what the 12 ga recipe is its been too many years.
Universal meters way better and burns cleaner especially in the low pressure loads.
No flakes under the ejector star.
I have not had any of the stated problems with accuracy once a ladder is shot to try and find the sweet spot for a bullet.
The softer plated bullets seem to work best in the special for me along with correctly sized cast numbers.
Sierra and Hornady JHC in the magnum (with Universal).
This target, I believe, shows that jacketed bullets obturate if kicked hard enough.
The gun has oversized chamber throats (.433")

[Cdog]

I can't say that I've noticed any discernible differences in accuracy between Universal and Unique.

The chronograph has shown Universal to be very consistent during testing on standard pressure .45 Colt revolver loads.

For me reduced loads leave debris with both. Mid to upper standard pressure loadings seem to favor Universal for more complete burn.

I admit that I rarely if ever have used Universal or Unique for +P loads. With the exception of Ruger only .45 Colt I don't reckon I load +P for anything. I usually pack the high pressure .45's with H110/W296.

Yea, I forgot about experimenting with .38 Special brass loaded at magnum velocities using Lil Gun.

Please forgive my off topic wandering.

[scooter123]

Guys, Universal has not been available since 2020 unless your willing to purchase it off Gunbroker. I prefer this powder for loading 20 and 28 gauge Target loads and have to change over to Longshot which has much less volume, which creates issues with dished crimps. I'll also note that Unique was my initial choice for loading 20 gauge and had to stop using that when my Unique ran out.

[Lonegle57]

Though listed by others, have found Universal Clays has worked for me similar to Unique. Recently inherited a 4 pound keg of Herco and just started testing some loads with it. To me similar to Unique and perhaps not quite as "dirty". Herco will get some more use soon.

[glenwolde]

Originally Posted by 38SPL HV

I experimented with Universal for mid range loads in 41 Mag (215 gr swc) years back…accuracy wasn’t there for me. I also found Unique more stable at the higher end of its load data compared to Universal’s.

Thank you all for your inputs and clarification.

Huh. That goes to show how different people can get different results when doing the exact same thing. 6.0 gr of Universal with a 215 gr LSWC in my Model 657 is as accurate as any gun/load combination I've ever found. That says a lot as I shoot a lot of .38 and I have had two Pythons and two Model 14's (down to just one 14 at the moment) and to a gun they all shot wadcutters incredibly well.

I was looking for something a little softer shooting in the .41 and the starting load I had was 6.5 gr. Just a tad more recoil than I wanted for extended shooting so I backed off .5 gr and bingo!

[rockquarry]

Originally Posted by glenwolde

Huh. That goes to show how different people can get different results when doing the exact same thing. 6.0 gr of Universal with a 215 gr LSWC in my Model 657 is as accurate as any gun/load combination I've ever found. That says a lot as I shoot a lot of .38 and I have had two Pythons and two Model 14's (down to just one 14 at the moment) and to a gun they all shot wadcutters incredibly well.

I was looking for something a little softer shooting in the .41 and the starting load I had was 6.5 gr. Just a tad more recoil than I wanted for extended shooting so I backed off .5 gr and bingo!

It's hard to compare results when such important changeable factors like load development (extensive or minimal), testing procedures (number of shots in a group, number of groups, distance at which groups were fired, type of rest, etc.), and the experience and skill level of the shooter all tremendously affect results.

When I tried Universal years ago, I believe I only used two pounds, all with cast bullets in .38 Special, .44 Special, and .45 Colt. Groups were fired at 25 yards, probably using a good benchrest setup. I don't recall other details (though some I could probably look up like load data).

I based my earlier comment about Universal not providing quite the accuracy of Unique on my less-than-extensive work with Universal. Perhaps good enough for my purposes but hardly thorough and comprehensive work.

[Nevada Ed]

+1 on post #29.

Unique was cleaner and gave better patterns in my 12 Ga. trap loads at 1145fps

however it was as good in my 38 special loads.
Never got to try in in any 9mm loads, since the one pound of power ran out.

[cowboy4evr]

My Unique substitute is Winchester Super Field ( WSF ) . In 357 magnum loads using Unique I always used 7.0 grs with a 158 gr cast bullet up to and including the Lyman 358429 173 gr swc ( Keith 357 bullet ) . Using WSF I use 7.5 grs for about the same results . In 38 special , 158 gr cast bullet I use 5.5 grs of WSF . 41 magnum , 210-220 gr bullet I used 8.5 grs of WSF . WSF is a bit slower burn rate . For me it shoots very very accurately , meters well and is clean shooting . Regards Paul

[Eddie Southgate]

You can use Longshot, Tite Group, Herco , Red Dot, Bullseye , and any number of others but in my book there is no replacement for Unique. I have always kept a lifetime supply and will buy more the next time it becomes available. Same with Herco, 2400 and Red Dot. You can even load lead bullet loads in bottleneck rifle cartridges with those four. How do replace something that versatile ?

[ArchAngelCD]

Originally Posted by Eddie Southgate

You can use Longshot, Tite Group, Herco , Red Dot, Bullseye , and any number of others but in my book there is no replacement for Unique. I have always kept a lifetime supply and will buy more the next time it becomes available. Same with Herco, 2400 and Red Dot. You can even load lead bullet loads in bottleneck rifle cartridges with those four. How do replace something that versatile ?

Your book may say there is no replacement for Unique but in my book Universal does just that.

[gwpercle]

When you can't find Unique , look for:
Universal
Accurate #5
Powe Pistol
SR7625
WSF
Auto-Comp
N330
N340

All of these are roughly in the same burn rate range as Unique ... maybe not exactly ...but close enough to do a decent job.

If you can find one of these powders they can stand in and do a pretty good job untill good old Unique makes a comeback .
There are so many different powders on the market now ... don't let running low on Unique slow you down ... use it as a chance to try other powders !
Gary

[rockquarry]

Originally Posted by gwpercle

When you can't find Unique , look for:
Universal
Accurate #5
Powe Pistol
SR7625
WSF
Auto-Comp
N330
N340

All of these are roughly in the same burn rate range as Unique ... maybe not exactly ...but close enough to do a decent job.

If you can find one of these powders they can stand in and do a pretty good job untill good old Unique makes a comeback .
There are so many different powders on the market now ... don't let running low on Unique slow you down ... use it as a chance to try other powders !
Gary

I believe SR7625 production ceased in recent years, but it was a very useful powder that few took advantage of, including me. I only used it with cast bullets in the 9mm, but it should work well in many other handgun cartridges. Probably discontinued due to lack of sales.

[4barrel]

Originally Posted by gwpercle

When you can't find Unique , look for:
Universal
Accurate #5
Powe Pistol
SR7625
WSF
Auto-Comp
N330
N340

All of these are roughly in the same burn rate range as Unique ... maybe not exactly ...but close enough to do a decent job.

If you can find one of these powders they can stand in and do a pretty good job untill good old Unique makes a comeback .
There are so many different powders on the market now ... don't let running low on Unique slow you down ... use it as a chance to try other powders !
Gary

I am using N340 in 9mm and N350 in super 38 and volume looks about the same and cleaner

[Luke Duke]

No one has mentioned Winchester 572. Ive found this to be a great powder. In that burn rate . Love for 38/357 9mm 45 acp.
Does ok with the bigger cartridges to. Still prefer Unique in 41,44 45 LC

[diyj98]

W-231 used to be kind of similar to Unique, but a little faster burning.

[ArchAngelCD]

Originally Posted by diyj98

W-231 used to be kind of similar to Unique, but a little faster burning.

I use W231 for most of my range ammo is most cartridges I load from the .32 Auto to the 45 Colt. (although I have changed over to HS-6 for the 45 Colt)

[Nevada Ed]

Originally Posted by diyj98

W-231 used to be kind of similar to Unique, but a little faster burning.

In my 9mm (short case) loads that I test and chrony
I find that Green Dot will match w231 in the fps department
with almost the same amount of power weight.

The long 38 case is a little different with the amount of powder used.

However this might be with the "Lots" of my powder, vs yours?