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Hodgdon Universal

johnc486

johnc486

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I came across a couple lbs of Hodgdon Universal powder, below the caption (Universal) the words "clays technology" are written. My question, is this regular Universal or some type of Clays? I want to use it for 38/357 loads (148 LWC & 158 LSWC). Any and all info is appreciated.
 
Its regular Universal. When Hodgdon first came out with these powders they were named Universal Clays, International Clays, and just Clays. This created confusion, so they changed the names to be Universal, International, and Clays. All are based on their "Clays Technology" which is really just marketing.

If it says Hodgdon Universal on the bottle that's all you need to know, its Universal (similar to Unique).

Mark in GA
 
Thanks for the quick reply, I wanted to make sure to find the correct info in the reloading manual (bullet, grains & powder) before loading. Again, thanks for your help and have a great day and a better tomorrow.
 
In the 12 Ga. Universal is a close 2nd to Unique powder but
did not burn as clean for me.

In the 38 and 357 magnum it was a total flip flop.......
Universal was cleaner burning and........

it actually had MORE energy than Unique with volume of powder.....
or lets say less would get the same fps in my weapons.

Another good thing is that it meters a lot better.
Have fun.
 
In my own limited use of "Universal" pistol recipes, it has been uniformly more accurate metering in my 650 as well as cleaner in my barrels.

I simply can not get charge-to-charge repeat accuracy using Unique. In my old Cowboy 45LC loads, that didn't seem to matter much.

Most of the comparisons I've read seem to agree Unique/Universal are near ballistic clones, yet one works for my powder measure & the other doesn't.
 
Thanks Nevada Ed, I just loaded a few to test out of the 67-1, headed to my back yd range to see the results (4.0 gr/158 LSWC). This is a great revolver if I do my part, next up is to load some for the 686.
 
Universal requires a lot of heat and pressure to burn fully. I tried it in target loads and it left little tan powder discs all over the shooting bench, my gun and my hands. Hodgdon advised me that it is not a good powder for low-velocity loads as they don't generate the pressure (and therefore the heat) it needs to burn completely.

Magnum primers might help but there are better powders for the job.

Ed
 
I too don't think you're going to like Universal for light .38spl target loads. I've used lots of it for soft shooting 9mm, but that's a much higher pressure round.
 
Clean Burning??

Universal, or Universal Clays depending on the vintage, has been my preferred powder for 20 ga. & 28 ga. It is uncanny how clean burning the stuff is. There is absolutely no trace of anything left in the bore or hulls after scores of rounds. It will make you lazy about cleaning your favorite scattergun. These loads are fairly low pressure, around 15,000 psi, but I guess the longer residence time or altered pressure curve burn up all the ash. I've tried it in .45 Colt target loads when I couldn't get Unique or 231 with O.K. results. Same clean burning stuff. It disappeared for a couple of years with the fire in the Australian plant, and is still somewhat hard to find.
 
I developed a load that did well in my 2" J frame and pretty
well in my 6" barrel with a starting load of 4.3 grs of Univeral.

2" at 561 fps ............. 6" at 847 fps.

You will get different results with a LRN and a LSWC that has
a "can" for a heavier crimp but one style should workout for you.

Good loading.
 
Universal is now being made in Canada by General Dynamics.
There are reports of it starting to show up around the USA now.
ADI has apparently abandoned the "clays technology" so Hodgdon had GD clone it.

I switched from Unique to Universal a few years ago for most of my 44 loads for the same
reasons already mentioned.
When I get a can of the new stuff I will test it against the old Aussie powder and report back.
 
Last edited:
Nemo288 said:
Universal is now being made in Canada by General Dynamics.
There are reports of it starting to show up around the USA now.
ADI has apparently abandoned the "clays technology" so Hodgdon had GD clone it.

I switched from Unique to Universal a few years ago for most of my 44 loads for the same
reasons already mentioned.
When I get a can of the new stuff I will test it against the old Aussie powder and report back.
Click to expand...


I saw quite a bit of it around CT about 6 months ago. All three of them. Sadly I only picked up 1lb of Clays. That's my favorite powder light target loads.
 
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