Alliant powder questions

lrrifleman

lrrifleman

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Good morning!

I have read in the past that Alliant will be cutting back on powder production due to the shortage, then export embargo, on nitrocellulous from the PRC.

Then, recently, I've read that Alliant is discontinuing the production of Unique. Meanwhile, my traditional bullseye ammo is based on Bullseye, and my trap loads have been based on Red Dot.

I know that Winchester 231 is relatively similar to Bullseye for target loads. What non-Alliant powders could be successfully substituted for Unique and Red Dot?

As always, thanks in advance for your help!
 
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I like Universal for Unique but that's not really an option. It's no more available than Unique. So far CFE Pistol seems to be a decent replacement for Unique and I've got W244 on the list to try also. Both CFE Pistol and W244 are readily available from Cabelas. I've been ordering from them and shipping-to-store to avoid hazmat and shipping fees. BE-86 might also be an option.

I've been using W231 for 40 years in the .38 Special.
 
I started out using Unique for .38 Spl and mid-range loads for my .357 mag. Since I've always enjoyed experimenting, I've used W231 to load many rimmed and rimless handgun cartridges. I laid in a good supply of both Unique & W231 long ago, so I'm "Ok" for now.
Since both have become difficult to find, I've tried BE-86 as a possible replacement for when my supplies run dry. Thus far, the BE-86 has given me excellent results with my cast bullets. I have not tried it with any jacketed or plated bullets.

WYT-P
Skyhunter
 
Get some paper manuals and go to work. We have a glut of available powders today. There are none that can't be replaced if you're willing to do a little load development work along with shooting groups and chronographing. Good luck-
 
In the last couple of weeks, I've located a 5lb. keg of Reloder 7 and an 8 lb. keg of #2400. Some Alliant powders are out there if you look around, but not necessarily at bargain prices.
 
I grabbed 3# of BE-86 last week to stock up on mid-range powders, since Unique and Universal seemed to have disappeared. Have 4# of Bullseye, 2# of 231, a little less than 2# each of Unique and Universal. A pound each of W296 and H110, but I rarely load magnum rounds these days. But I can, if I want to.
 
If you can find BE-86 it will be very close to Unique. It is just a touch slower burning, so you can safely use Unique starting load data and work up. It's a shame that Alliant doesn't have more load data available for it.
 
I agree CFE Pistol is excellent as well as AA2. CFE has a flash suppressant which is nice in shorter barrels and heavier loads. I’ve used it in a variety of cartridges from 38 super, 357, 44 magnum and 45 LC and been very pleased.

AA2 has become my go to powder for 38 special and polymer coated and plated 158’s. It’s very consistent even in minimum loads on up to heavier loads and meters very well in my Dillon powder measure. I’ve found it much better in consistency and not position sensitive in minimum loads as opposed to 231/HP38 which I find dirtier and very inconsistent and position sensitive. I would say that if I could only have one powder it would be AA2.

Another substitute is Accurate Nitro100NF which is slightly faster burning than Bullseye.
 
I was just digging through my cabinet to see where I stand and found 2# of Unique I didn't know I had (making my total 4#). Unfortunately, my son just discovered the enjoyment of breaking skeet. 3/4 oz 20ga loads are depleting my Unique rapidly. Everyone has been running no-hazmat sales so I am going to see how Super Handicap does for 20ga.

I've been stocking up on W231 and BE-86 for the eventuality that I am out of Unique.
 
2400, Unique, and Bullseye are classics for a reason. Finding substitutes is not so simple as finding similar burn rates.
Unique is perhaps the most difficult to replace. Besides a myriad of pistol applications, it is also well suited to reduced cast bullet loads in bottleneck rifle cartridges. This is due to its stability regardless of loading density and it also being less sensitive to position within a cartridge case.
Similarly, I have found 2400 to be quite flexible across loads of varying density and pressure levels, especially where cast bullets are used.

Far too often, I have found many newer powders to lack versatility. Most are fairly specialized, with little to recommend themselves other than duplicating factory loads using jacketed bullets. This is, personally, low on my priority list.

I find the suggestion that there is a “glut” of suitable replacement powders available on the market to be laughable.
 
Last edited:
Skyhunter said:
I started out using Unique for .38 Spl and mid-range loads for my .357 mag. Since I've always enjoyed experimenting, I've used W231 to load many rimmed and rimless handgun cartridges. I laid in a good supply of both Unique & W231 long ago, so I'm "Ok" for now.
Since both have become difficult to find, I've tried BE-86 as a possible replacement for when my supplies run dry. Thus far, the BE-86 has given me excellent results with my cast bullets. I have not tried it with any jacketed or plated bullets.

WYT-P
Skyhunter
Click to expand...

I see W231 everywhere. Well, the HP38 labeled version is more common.
 
BE-86 is vcery close to Unique in my 38 and 357 loads.

In the smaller 9mm case, BE-86 leaves Unique behind in fps with the heavy 147 gr bullets,
and does well with the smaller 124 & 115 FMJ target loads.
 
My understanding is that China was cutting off imports of nitrocellulose and antimony to the US. Both are vital ingredients to making not only gunpowder but bullets and bombs. Also heard that Alliant would be stopping sales to the reloading market Not actually sure of any of this though
 
I have used very little Unique over the decades but lots of 231. I have found that 231 can produce actual service grade loads for all straight wall pistol cartridges from .25 ACP to .45 Colt and reduced cast bullet rifle loads for many rifle cartridges, to include .30-06 and .45-70.
 
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