Hogdon Universal Powder
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sbeatty1983
Member
Ive used it in 45 colt and 38 special with good results. It seems to burn a little dirty but shoots good
folkenheath
Member
I've used it in 45 colt before, about to try it in 45 ACP and 38 as well. It needs a good crimp in 45 colt, I found if I didn't have a tight crimp I got incomplete burn and dirty chambers along with lower velocities.
Hodgdon has a downloadable handbook, as well as the load data center on their website for you to get the load info for your particular bullet style.
http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp
Hodgdon has a downloadable handbook, as well as the load data center on their website for you to get the load info for your particular bullet style.
http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp
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TSQUARED
Member
I have sued Hodgdon Universal in 9mm. I prefer Trail Boss for lead bullets in 38 Special and 45 Colt ad a faster burning powder such as WST, American Select, Alliant E3 or Clays in 45 ACP.
I've used it for .45 auto, 230 gr FMJ, 6.0 to 6.2 gr. It is very accurate and clean.
GTbob
Member
I use it in .40 S&W and .357 Mag so far, will also be using it in .38 Spl.
I've had some good loads from universal clays. That powder seems to do better for me when I use loads at or towards the top end of the published data.
38spl 158g rn 4.2g universal clays
38spl p+ 158g rn 4.7g universal clays
45acp (lee 200g rf bullet) 6.4g universal clays
And yes the 45acp load that I use is 1/10 of a grain over hodgdon's data. I got that load from lee, I figured they ought to know what loads to use with their bullet.
38spl 158g rn 4.2g universal clays
38spl p+ 158g rn 4.7g universal clays
45acp (lee 200g rf bullet) 6.4g universal clays
And yes the 45acp load that I use is 1/10 of a grain over hodgdon's data. I got that load from lee, I figured they ought to know what loads to use with their bullet.
Mule88
Member
I ve replaced Unique with Universal Clays, ive found it burns cleaner and it has outstanding accuracy.
Shooter6br
Member
Like Mule88 implied, Universal is an almost exact replacement for Unique except that it meters better and is somewhat cleaner. Cleanliness is enhanced with close-to-full loads (light loads are very dirty).
Buck
Buck
GTbob
Member
I love Universal!!! Just shot some .357 Magnum loads I made with it today. I still have the smile on my face and the guns were very clean after shooting.
Peter M. Eick
Member
I tried to love universal and never found a place that unique was not better. Yes universal is cleaner but not enough that it mattered. I still had to clean the gun and unique always seemed more forgiving.
Nemo288
Member
I am using Universal in both 44 special and magnum rounds.
It does burn a lot more cleanly in the higher magnum loads.
It may even be dirtier than Unique in the lower loads but it
sure does handle nice in the powder measure.
No unburned flakes to get in the works either like sometimes
happens with Unique target loads. I have gotten enough unburned
Unique on my sweaty hands during a long range session to get
a minor nitro headache. I have taken to wearing some cheap
weight lifting gloves to make everything more comfortable.
Only the fingers are exposed. I use 'em to ride the motorcycle
in the summer as well
---
Nemo
It does burn a lot more cleanly in the higher magnum loads.
It may even be dirtier than Unique in the lower loads but it
sure does handle nice in the powder measure.
No unburned flakes to get in the works either like sometimes
happens with Unique target loads. I have gotten enough unburned
Unique on my sweaty hands during a long range session to get
a minor nitro headache. I have taken to wearing some cheap
weight lifting gloves to make everything more comfortable.
Only the fingers are exposed. I use 'em to ride the motorcycle
in the summer as well
---
Nemo
arroyoshark
Member
New here, but like the company.
I reload quite a bit w Universal and really like it. I load 7.0 gr. behind a 158 gr. cast bullet in .357 and it gives me around 1100 fps.
I don't use Universal in calibers smaller than .357 magnum.
I load 5.6 gr.Universal behind a 230 gr. ball in .45 ACP and find this to be a nice soft shooting load. It is the top load listed in the Hodgdon manual for the 230 gr. bullet. I used to load 6.1 gr. but it became punishing to shoot a lot of rounds. The lower load is accurate and easier on firearm and hand.
An everyday load for me in the .44 magnum is a 250 gr. cast bullet backed by 8.5 gr. of Universal. This load chronos at around 980 fps in my 629. Very pleasant to shoot and you still feel like you are shooting something hotter than a special.
In .44 spcl. I like to load 7.0 gr. Univ. behind a 250 gr. bullet and this load is quite magic to plink with. Depending on barrel length, velocities are between 820 and 870 fps.
I used to load w Unique for midrange loads, but, like others, I also find Universal meters better. It is an economical powder to handload ammunition.
I reload quite a bit w Universal and really like it. I load 7.0 gr. behind a 158 gr. cast bullet in .357 and it gives me around 1100 fps.
I don't use Universal in calibers smaller than .357 magnum.
I load 5.6 gr.Universal behind a 230 gr. ball in .45 ACP and find this to be a nice soft shooting load. It is the top load listed in the Hodgdon manual for the 230 gr. bullet. I used to load 6.1 gr. but it became punishing to shoot a lot of rounds. The lower load is accurate and easier on firearm and hand.
An everyday load for me in the .44 magnum is a 250 gr. cast bullet backed by 8.5 gr. of Universal. This load chronos at around 980 fps in my 629. Very pleasant to shoot and you still feel like you are shooting something hotter than a special.
In .44 spcl. I like to load 7.0 gr. Univ. behind a 250 gr. bullet and this load is quite magic to plink with. Depending on barrel length, velocities are between 820 and 870 fps.
I used to load w Unique for midrange loads, but, like others, I also find Universal meters better. It is an economical powder to handload ammunition.
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I think universal was developer to mimic Unique. Like said above it's cleaner and meters better than Unique and is supposed to produce ammo that's just as accurate.
There are reports Universal can spike pressures so I would be careful up near the top of the pressure range. I gave it a try in the .45 Colt but I couldn't get the accuracy I get with W231 or HS-6. Actually AA#5 even out shoots Universal in the .45 Colt in my experience.
There are reports Universal can spike pressures so I would be careful up near the top of the pressure range. I gave it a try in the .45 Colt but I couldn't get the accuracy I get with W231 or HS-6. Actually AA#5 even out shoots Universal in the .45 Colt in my experience.
bronco45
Member
My experience is: it replaces Unique, cleaner and just as accurate.
I use it in 38 Spl, 44Spl and 45 Auto.
Good powder!
I use it in 38 Spl, 44Spl and 45 Auto.
Good powder!
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