Equivalent Powder to Unique
- Thread starter tgwillard
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Skip Sackett
US Veteran
tg,
On the Hodgdon burn rate chart, their Universal powder is right next to Unique in burn rate.
I have never used that powder. I have used several that are a little slower than Unique with good results, great in fact in some instances.
SR4756, HS-6 and Longshot are all right there as far as performance and may work as a replacement for Unique in some calibers.
What caliber are you looking to load with the substitute?
On the Hodgdon burn rate chart, their Universal powder is right next to Unique in burn rate.
I have never used that powder. I have used several that are a little slower than Unique with good results, great in fact in some instances.
SR4756, HS-6 and Longshot are all right there as far as performance and may work as a replacement for Unique in some calibers.
What caliber are you looking to load with the substitute?
I've used Universal almost interchangeably with Unique for my 44 mag loads. Really hard to tell the difference in the mid-upper range, ie 9-10 grains driving a 250 Keith lswc. Not sure how it would compare at the light or heavy ends, but it's pretty close in the mid-range.
dennis40x
US Veteran
Can anyone tell me what, if any, IMR, Hogdon, or Winchester powder would be equivalent to Alliant Unique?
Ok you got me confused. You’re looking for an equivalent for Unique? The 45ACP and 9mm Luger for the bullet weights specified W231 would be a good selection as an alternate in place of Unique. I am not saying that W231 is an equivalent of Unique.
Ok you got me confused. You’re looking for an equivalent for Unique? The 45ACP and 9mm Luger for the bullet weights specified W231 would be a good selection as an alternate in place of Unique. I am not saying that W231 is an equivalent of Unique.
Paul5388
US Veteran
I think there isn't an equivalent to Unique. However, there are several similar powders available and some have already been named.
My particular favorite for a versatile powder is SR 4756, which I'm ordering another 8# of today.
Usually, there are better choices than Unique for what you intend, mainly due to the poor metering characteristics of Unique.
My particular favorite for a versatile powder is SR 4756, which I'm ordering another 8# of today.
Usually, there are better choices than Unique for what you intend, mainly due to the poor metering characteristics of Unique.
IMHO 231 is excellent for 9mm and 45acp. I would stay away from the max loads if using mag primers. 700-X will also work in both.
whelenshooter
Member
Hodgdon Universal Clays is EXTREMELY close to Unique in versatility and APPROXIMATE charge weights, but they are not interchangeable. I haven't used Universal Clays as much as I have Unique. If I couldn't get Unique, I'd use Universal Clays for the same TYPE of loads.
warriorsociologist
Member
It's called "unique" for a reason...
keppelj
Member
Another vote here for Universal Clays. I was unable to find famous Unique and bought Universal Clays at the recommendation of a Savvy shooter/gun shop owner. I'm very happy with the results. See ".44 Special Accuracy tests" topic somewhere below. It's right next to Unique on the powder burning rate tables for what that's worth.
Bassamatic
US Veteran
Originally posted by warriorsociologist:
It's called "unique" for a reason...
That's what I was thinking.
It is probably the most universally used and versatile powder there is. If it ain't broke...don't try to fix it.
Oh, I have never had any problems metering it, especially with my new Chargemaster.
Amici
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Why do you even want to use Unique? I ask because it is a dirty powder, long since eclipsed in efficiency by newer formulations. The best things I can say about Unique are that it's usually one of the cheapest powders per pound, and it is almost impossible to double-charge a pistol case using it. Beginners and commercial reloaders like it for those reasons.
I suggest you look at Winchester 231 or my new favorite, WST. Red Dot is also readily available, versatile and cheap. I burned up a lot of it in .38 Special, .40 and .45.
Start low, work your way up and good shooting!
I appreciate all of the suggestions. I think I will toss my remaining Unique and use up what I have of 700-X. Then I will purchase some Universal.
If I can only find magnum primers, am I safe in reducing starting load by one grain?
If I can only find magnum primers, am I safe in reducing starting load by one grain?
acl864
Member
I'd just hold on to the Unique. Sooner or later you'll find a use for it... or a home for it. It's a great powder, very versatile and still extremely popular.
dwhite53
Member
In switching to magnum primers drop your load 10% and work it back up. I've heard this "dropping a grain" thing but, depending on powder, this could be three percent or thirty percent. Ten percent is usually a safe number when changing any component.
All the Best,
D. White
All the Best,
D. White
High Desert Hunter
Member
I absolutely love Unique, it just plains works for me in the 32H&R, 357, 44Mag, 45ACP, and the 45 Colt. It is Uniquely flexible 8^).
bmcgilvray
Member
"Why do you even want to use Unique? I ask because it is a dirty powder, long since eclipsed in efficiency by newer formulations."
This is only opinion.
It's become quite fashionable to denigrate Unique in recent years on forums.
I don't mind dabbling with other powders but I still really love Unique and don't see how it is truly eclipsed. Newer isn't always necessarily better.
I fired up a pile of Unique fueled cartridges this past Friday and Saturday and am loading up more batches this evening using it. The revolvers fired on Saturday didn't malfunction or corrode into dust from evil, dirty Unique and they cleaned up nicely in a jiffy.
Unique works extremely well for me in all straight walled pistol and revolver cartridges. It gives excellent performance in mid-range revolver rounds and frequently turns in top performance in auto pistol rounds. I know it well and trust it's characteristics. There may be other propellant powders and some could be better but I'm not "reinventing the wheel" after recognizing great performance when I see it...in using Unique.
This is only opinion.
It's become quite fashionable to denigrate Unique in recent years on forums.
I don't mind dabbling with other powders but I still really love Unique and don't see how it is truly eclipsed. Newer isn't always necessarily better.
I fired up a pile of Unique fueled cartridges this past Friday and Saturday and am loading up more batches this evening using it. The revolvers fired on Saturday didn't malfunction or corrode into dust from evil, dirty Unique and they cleaned up nicely in a jiffy.
Unique works extremely well for me in all straight walled pistol and revolver cartridges. It gives excellent performance in mid-range revolver rounds and frequently turns in top performance in auto pistol rounds. I know it well and trust it's characteristics. There may be other propellant powders and some could be better but I'm not "reinventing the wheel" after recognizing great performance when I see it...in using Unique.
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