Hodgdon's UNIVERSAL

[Skeet 028]

I used Universal(Clays) in the 28 ga once or twice when I didn't have Unique. It worked just fine. I have a whole 8 pound jug of Universal but plenty of Unique. I also have a partial can of International(Clays) that I have no use for...It never fit anything well that I was shooting. Have lots of Clays which is a good 12 ga powder...but don't shoot or load 12 ga. and I use 231 for light revolver. I also have some partial kegs of other Hercules/Alliant powders that were hyped and never found them better than R&G Dots...and the other ones they made. Unique Herco and 2400. Blue dot was pretty good too.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

A quick visit to the Hodgdons reloading site (38 Special, 110gr XTP for example) can show the different data for CLAYS & Universal.

CLAYS is a FAST POWDER, much like Bullseye, Universal a MEDIUM POWDER, more like Unique. I have had good results with all four.

Cheers!

 

[Forrest r]

I used Universal(Clays) in the 28 ga once or twice when I didn't have Unique. It worked just fine. I have a whole 8 pound jug of Universal but plenty of Unique. I also have a partial can of International(Clays) that I have no use for...It never fit anything well that I was shooting. Have lots of Clays which is a good 12 ga powder...but don't shoot or load 12 ga. and I use 231 for light revolver. I also have some partial kegs of other Hercules/Alliant powders that were hyped and never found them better than R&G Dots...and the other ones they made. Unique Herco and 2400. Blue dot was pretty good too.

International clays is a fantastic pistol powder. International clays ran into trouble when it was used with "lite" for the caliber bullets. So hodgdon pulled all the data.

A link to the hodgdon 4th edition cowboy action reloading manual.
https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=34e3...25fQ293Ym95X0FjdGlvbl9Mb2FkX0RhdGEucGRm&ntb=1

As you can see the international clays load doesn't start until the 38spl/158gr reload data.

2 of my favorite loads for the 38spl:
3.3gr of bullseye and a 158gr cast 640 series fn hp (top group)
3.5gr of international clays and the same 158gr fn hp (bottom group)

I've burned 16+ #'s of internation clays over the decades in the 38spl's/44sp's & 44mags.

 

[smoothshooter]

I think maybe you meant to type "Clays"....

"There are different versions of the powders with "Clays"...."

International Clays
Universal Clays
and just plain ol' Clays.

The more recent labels are less confusing than the old ones I think.

You are correct.
I blew up a Charter Arms Bulldog a couple of years ago by using a new bottle of their powder that I thought was the same as my old stock I had been using for years. I am one of the most careful reloaders you would ever meet.
Did an internet query on the subject and got all kinds of hits showing how mad lots of people were about the tricky labeling.
One guy said it was the stupidest thing Hodgdon’s marketing people had ever done. I agree.

 

[glenwolde]

International clays is a fantastic pistol powder. International clays ran into trouble when it was used with "lite" for the caliber bullets. So hodgdon pulled all the data.

A link to the hodgdon 4th edition cowboy action reloading manual.
https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=34e3...25fQ293Ym95X0FjdGlvbl9Mb2FkX0RhdGEucGRm&ntb=1

As you can see the international clays load doesn't start until the 38spl/158gr reload data.

2 of my favorite loads for the 38spl:
3.3gr of bullseye and a 158gr cast 640 series fn hp (top group)
3.5gr of international clays and the same 158gr fn hp (bottom group)

I've burned 16+ #'s of internation clays over the decades in the 38spl's/44sp's & 44mags.

Thanks for that information. I've often wondered about some powders that have no data. That's one of them. Hodgdon's site lists zero handgun loads for it.

 

[CH4]

For years, the only powders on my shelf were Unique, Bullseye and 2400. I understand that Alliant powders are unobtainable. That is worrisome. Guess it is time for me to branch out.

A buddy just picked up a pound of Unique @ $54

 

[mikld]

Since the obumma days, UNIVERSAL has been my go to handgun powder. Couldn't find any Unique so I tried a pound of Universal. Liked it so I bought 2 more pounds. Found out just how "universal" it is so I bought an 8 lb. jug. I have used it in 32 ACP up to 45 Colt. Never had any sooting but I normally find a load about mid way between start and max. New to me calibers usually start with Universal loads w/factory data...

 

[SLT223]

I you failed to obturate the chamber with the brass, you have head room on powder charge. Just work up carefully.

 

[Greenjoytj]

I like loading Universal, it works great in my 686 357 mag 6” barrel.
A 6.0 gr charge averaged 1146 fps (3 ten shot strings averaged) with a commercially cast 158 gr SWC bullet CCI 550 mag primer in Starline brass.
Next time I will try a 5.7gr or 5.8 gr to get the MV down to 1000fps.

 

[sniper]

A buddy just picked up a pound of Unique @ $54

That seems to be the reality, if/when Unique can be found!