Looking for an alternative to Unique for 44 mag

radtuck · Mar 28, 2015

Since Alliant powder is so hard to find, and Unique is a little too smoky/dirty for me, what are some alternatives that are versatile and burn cleaner using cast 240 gr. I have several listed in my Lyman guide, but would like some opinions from you all. Powder that seems more readily available in stores would be a plus. The range officer suggested IMR PB yesterday, but I can't find any load data in my manuals.
John

dannyabear · Mar 28, 2015

231 or HP38; power pistol, Universal, 2400

mikld · Mar 28, 2015

Universal is a close replacement. FWIW, I don't understand "clean burning" or "smokey" Unique. I've never had a problem with residue or smoke from Unique since 1986...

arjay · Mar 28, 2015

Coated bullets should solve most of the dirty problem.

Nevada Ed · Mar 28, 2015

I have tried CFE, HS6 and slower and faster powders..........
but the best powder for the amount of grains used....
and the fps to almost match what Unique powder gets...

I vote for Universal Clays.
The very top loads were safe in all my revolvers and pistols.................................

The faster powders will work for 44 special type loads, if you just want target loads.

Good shopping.

DWalt · Mar 28, 2015

Most of the smoke is due to the lubricant, not the propellant.
231 and HP-38 (they are the same) and Universal are those closest to Unique. 2400 is far slower, good mainly for magnum loads.

radtuck · Mar 28, 2015

I was leaning toward the w231...I'll see what my local store has in stock. Thanks.

scooter123 · Mar 28, 2015

IMO Win 231 is much too fast for any Magnum. Yeah, it's push the bullet out of the barrel but you won't get more than light plinkers. Depending on barrel length I would look for Accurate #7 or #9, Vihtavouri N340, 3N37, N350, 3N38, or N110. If you want full house Magnum powder with a jacketed 240 grain or heavier bullet, have a barrel at least 4 inches long, and don't mind a fair about of flash and blast there Is H110/W296, Lil Gun, IMR 4227 and 5744.

As you can see there is a rather wide selection of different powders you can try, however for specific recommendations that will function well we really need to know what bullet you are planning to use and the barrel length of your revolver(s). Because it's been my experience with the 357 Magnum you really need to tailor the powder choice to the bullet and barrel length.

Now for some basic "rule of Thumb tips for powder Burn Rates". Fast powders work best in shorter barrels with "light" for the caliber bullet weights. Fast to mid range powders also are the best choice for loads using lead bullets either "soft" or Hard Cast. Because if you start pushing lead bullets too fast severe leading is a predictable result. With jacketed or Gas Check bullets in the mid to heavy end of the weight range you can start stepping up to true Magnum powders such as H110. However in a handgun these slower powders will produce more flash from the B/C gap and an increase in gas cutting to the top strap. In addition you'll get more muzzle flash and with shorter barrels the flash and blast can cause other shooters present to complain.

Personally, for load somewhat near the top of the Magnum range my go to powder in 357 Magnum is Accurate #9 with a 140 or 158 grain bullet. It doesn't have that BAHOOM report of H110 and the flash is low enough that I'm not concerned about excessive gas cutting. However, for a Rifle load using that same bullet my preferred powder is H110. Because in a longer barrel H110 becomes very efficient with little flash but excellent velocity production and superb accuracy.

rwsmith · Mar 28, 2015

I like the Accurate powders.....

I like the Accurate powders. Acc #5 is very close to Unique on the burn rate chart but in comparing the data I've seen, they don't perform the same. Acc #7 is a little more potent, but a very good, clean powder. With that and coated bullets I run a clean machine now.

Though I haven't tried it I get that H Universal is almost an exact match.

Collo Rosso · Mar 28, 2015

For reduced 44 mag loads I can shoot all day I've been loading with HS-6 lately and like it a lot. I've been using Accurate #9 for full on loads with great success and would like to try #5 or #7 powders but Hodgdon powders seem to rule the roost around here.

Nemo288 · Mar 28, 2015

Radtuck: You don't specify what kind of load you are looking for.
Unique is capable of loads ranging from barely getting the bullet out of the barrel to supersonic.
The higher the pressure, the cleaner it burns.
A powder I am currently liking is VV N105 which is slower than Unique but faster than 2400 and is clean.
Some data is available from VihtaVouri.
Otherwise the other folks are also correct. You can make just about any shotgun/handgun powder work in a 44 target load.
The 44 Magnum is one of the most versatile rounds in this regard.
I have loaded PB (rumored to be discontinued), Bullseye, Unique, 2400, Universal, CSB-1 (from Spain) and 4227.
Universal (rumored to becoming available again) is a favorite for those 7-900 fps loads.
The main reason I prefer it over Unique is the size of the grains.
Universal meters better and does not leave unburned flakes under your extractor.
CSB-1 is a little faster but works well, however there is almost no data.
I will be posting separately a side by side test I have completed with Universal and CSB-1.

===
Nemo

rck281 · Mar 28, 2015

Here is a link to the Hodgdon Burning Rate chart. You can see where the powders fall
https://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/Burn Rates - 2014-2015.pdf

Vulcan Bob · Mar 28, 2015

For full house loads using a cast 240-260gr bullet I find H-110/WW 296 works quite well. Do not reduce the published powder charge and do use a Magnum primer. For reduced loads I still use Unique, I have a lot of it and just clean after use!

scooter123 · Mar 28, 2015

We have had a new Field & Stream store open up about 2 miles from the range I shoot at so I stopped in today to pick up some primers and a carbon fibre cleaning rod for my 223. Having been there in advance of the official opening I took in a printout showing Cabela's prices for CCI 400 primers and they did a price match at 32.99, a lot better than their 44.95 asking price. While there I saw that they had a boatload of Hodgdon Universal on the shelf, probably over 40 lbs. in 1 lbs bottles. Since they weren't individually stickered I had to rely on the nearest stickers on the shelf, so they were asking for either 34.95 or 39.95 per pound. Like the primers that price is IMO too high but if someone is looking for some Universal it's one possible source. As I do not need any more handgun powder at present and at that price I left it for someone in more need.

SLT223 · Mar 28, 2015

Universal, and there's another Spanish powder on the market called CSB1 manufactured by Maxam that is very similar to Universal.

MasterTech1960 · Mar 28, 2015

My vote is for Universal , it meters better than Unique. Universal burns cleaner also. I am down to my last pound of Universal and have been unable to find it in my neck of the woods.

Will be going on a road trip next week end and hitting about four shops hopping to fill my quest.

rwsmith · Mar 28, 2015

I'd say 2400

I'd say 2400 is a magnum powder more than a medium burning powder like Unique. Reduced it is good for medium loads in magnums. One thing I can say is, it works.

alwslate · Mar 29, 2015

There are many powders that you can use if you're looking for loads
that range from light target to mid-range level. Bullseye, Red Dot,
700X, Titegroup, WST, 231 and many others that have burn rates
faster than 2400. Just about any of them will be better than Unique
in metering qualities. PB is being discontinued and is a poor choice
period in my opinion. Autocomp would probably a good choice but
data is a little sparse right now. One well known gun writer has stated
that Autocomp is superior to 231 and if so it is destined to be popular.

shocker · Mar 29, 2015

The fast powders can be used to make moderate magnum loads ala Unique.

Just take care NOT to DOUBLE CHARGE a case!

I have had good results with Accurate 2, I can't find it locally at the moment so I am switching to 231, which is abundant. I like ball powders because they meter so well.

Accurate will give you load data for powders not listed for a cartridge in their reloading guide if you email them and ask.
231 loads are listed online.

alb m41 · Mar 29, 2015

I do about 1K of these a year - either H110 or 4227 work the best for me and my M29. It's my go-to gun when things have to move when hit

Looking for an alternative to Unique for 44 mag

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