Longtime Unique fan (38 / 357) needs options

[CorvZ061]

I used to use Unique like it was a crack habit.
Especially with traditionally lubed cast lead where the stuff often reduced or eliminated leading problems. Since the advent of coatings, I no longer have to care about that particular attribute.
As a result, I can explore powders fearlessly.
Power Pistol seems to be a slightly more energetic propellant of similar rate.
BE 86 also has great potential in this role.
CFE Pistol makes fantastic numbers in many cartridges, though at first I looked upon it with disdain for the CFE gimmick.
AA #7 has seen good service. Though this may be a bit slow to call it a unique substitute.
AA #5 is closer, though I've never used it.

I have loaded 357 with both AA#7 and #5. my Marlin '94 loves #7, my 6" 686 does OK. my 2.75" 66 does not. unburned powder is the issue on that one. #5 is a good decent powder.

I have a couple lbs of CFE Pistol that I load 45acp with. Never really though about loading some 357 with it. I'll have to give that a go.

 

[venomballistics]

I have loaded 357 with both AA#7 and #5. my Marlin '94 loves #7, my 6" 686 does OK. my 2.75" 66 does not. unburned powder is the issue on that one. #5 is a good decent powder.

I have a couple lbs of CFE Pistol that I load 45acp with. Never really though about loading some 357 with it. I'll have to give that a go.

I've been looking at some of the heavy bullet CFE Pistol 357 data myself.
Seems a springboard for a 350 Legend subsonic load. But then ... that jumping off the topic rails a bit.

 

[243winxb]

Try Win 244 powder. Great for midrange loads with my cast 163 gr lswc in 38 & 357 mag.

Great in the measure as it's a fine ball powder. With Unique, I always got a variation of +/- 2/10 th. Gr.

WinClean 244 Ball Powder for Medium Handgun Loads | Winchester

 

[Paul in Nevada]

A couple things that help with the Uniflow. You already took it apart and cleaned it. Rub all the interior parts with dry graphite lube. Wipe out the hopper with a used dryer sheet. Use the baffle and keep the hopper around half full. When you throw a charge, do a double tap-tap on the upswing and another tap-tap on the downswing. If you store it empty, throw another used dryer sheet in the hopper.

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

As long as you're not looking to make full magnum loads, there's a host of various mid to fast burning powders that will produce mid-range and lighter mag loads.

I've gotten a lot of mileage with:
- bullseye
- hp38/win231
- solo 1,000
- clean shot (shooters world / lovex powder)

For the first three powders there's a lot of load data out there in the various manuals and online.

 

[biku324]

A couple things that help with the Uniflow. You already took it apart and cleaned it. Rub all the interior parts with dry graphite lube. Wipe out the hopper with a used dryer sheet. Use the baffle and keep the hopper around half full. When you throw a charge, do a double tap-tap on the upswing and another tap-tap on the downswing. If you store it empty, throw another used dryer sheet in the hopper.

^^^^Solid gold.

 

[sbrmike]

I am well aware of maintaining a Uniflow. This one gave me issues that are mainly from assuming. I have thoroughly cleaned, wiped with dryer sheets and run two full hoppers through before replacing the baffle and setting for a charge.

This Competition Uniflow has the larger Competition Pistol / Large Rifle Rotor installed. It was advertised / sold as having the smaller Pistol / Small Rifle Rotor installed. The only difference between it and a Uniflow II is it comes with a Baffle and the Micrometer Metering Unit. I got it cheap enough so no big deal. It will work great for Rifle cartridges if I keep it. I will easily get my money back if I sell it.

It is much better but no cigar. Throws 5.8 - 6.3. I know my older Uniflow II held much closer than that, probably was 5.9 - 6.1 if that bad. I got a small rotor inbound and that should fix it right up.

I have about 3/4 pound of Unique. If I get it throwing good, I should be good for a long time.

 

[mtgianni]

AA5 works well with 38 and 357 mid range loads.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Universal is the direct competition for Unique and was formulated for that exact purpose. BUT, if isn't always available either.

I'm a huge fan of W231/HP-38. I use it for most of my handgun cartridges for range ammo but I do have other powders for most cartridges too.

W244 is the newest Winchester powder and it is extremely close to W231 with very similar results. It seems to be the most available and Midsouth Shooters has it in stock and on sale for under $27/lb. The actually have A LOT of powder in stock.

I can load any handgun cartridge very well with only 3 powders.
My favorites are:
W231/HP-38
W540/HS-6 (W540 discontinued)
W296/H110
That is my powder trinity which replaces the original powder trinity of Bullseye, Unique and 2400 for me.

W231 and W244 will meter extremely well in your Uniflow and will give you what you need load wise. (IMO of course)

 

[STORMINORMAN]

Thanks for the heads-up on WIN 244! When I'm in the market for restocking a ball powder I will most probably give it a whirl!

Cheers!

 

[gwpercle]

If you can find Accurate Powders ... they flow like water and should meter well .
Accurate #5 was my first choice to replace Unique ...
it seems to be just a tad slower burning in 38 / 357 loads than Unique .
With cast lead 158 gr. SWC , I tried 5.5 grs Acc #5 in 38 special - 856 fps - 1 hole 10 shot group 1 3/8" at 25 yards .
there were a few unburned grains but the accuracy was a winner .
Loaded in 357 Magnum Cases , same bullet - 6.1 grs. Acc #5
15 shots ...13 shots in 1-hole 1 1/2" w/ two fliers each 1/2" out of the group and it was my shooting to blame .

It looks like Acc #5 likes to be loaded in the mid to upper ranges ... 38 Special +P and 357 magnum loads look to be it's place . I wouldn't load much less than 5.5 grains in 38 special/158 gr SWC ... it starts to show unburned grains .

I'm just starting to work with Acc #5 and Acc #2 but they both show promise . I think Acc #5 might be useful as a stand-in for Unique .

Gary

 

[Model19man]

I stocked up on Unique when Hercules was about to be bought by Alliant. Right now I am down to a little less than 5 pounds. So it's going to be around here for a long time.

I get far more accurate loads using my Lee Auto Disk powder measure. You ought to get one. Your current system isn't working.

If I had to use another powder instead of Unique it would probably be Winchester 231. I do not have any that isn't made by Winchester.

 

[Hasbeen1945]

My advice during this shortage. Look at a powder burn rate chart. If two powders are friends on the chart ( close together) their burn rate is similar.
Their performance will not be exactly the same. But it will probably work pretty well for you. Also this may give you a chance to change to a ball powder which works better in a powder measure.

 

[RDub]

Your best options are BE-86, Power Pistol, and AA#5. BE-86 and UNIQUE have very similar burn rates and each complement one another in performance. Either one of those mentioned will do well for you.

 

[old pipefitter]

i've been buying Unique for 20 years and I have too much now. Selling some to Nephew and Friends. Used some yesterday for standard pressure .38's.

 

[Eddie Southgate]

Red Dot, Herco, Longshot , Bullseye.

 

[cowboy4evr]

Years ago when we had another component drought that lasted 7 years I switched over to Winchester Super Field as my unique replacement . In 38 special w/158 gr bullet I use 5.5 grs . In 357 , same bullet I load 7.5 grs . In 41 magnum 210-230 gr cast bullet I use 8.5 grs . In 44 magnum , the " real " Keith bullet ( HG 503 ) I use 9.5 grs . In 45 Colt , 9.5 grs w/ a 255 gr cast bullet . I get excellent accuracy , meters well in my LEE PPM , very clean burning and is available when many others are not . Regards Paul

 

[Birdhunter6]

I have had good luck with both 231 and Universal in a wide variety of handgun calibers.

 

[BW460]

Power Pistol or BE-86.

 

[pantannojack]

4756

In moderate 357 mg loads I have been using SR 4756. I got 3 lbs at 30$ ea. It is short barrel grains, but I don't care, I weigh every charge excepting ww 231. I started with a fresh 586 nd, 4". Using magnum cases to not build a crud ring and .358 gas checks I soon found out the GC's are not necessary at .357 dia. I cast from the Lee 158GC mold and size in a Lyman Lube Sizer thru a .357 die. Yes I would have purchased a .358 dia, but the new old stock .357 was only 10$. I also used Unique before I scored the 4756, and now I got a fresh 2009 pound of 2400. As far as standard vs magnum primers, I don't have a qualified opinion. One consideration could be the long powder column; Another the fastness of the medium burn rate of these powders. 4756 ain't 296, neither is Unique.