Greetings!

As many of you are aware, it is becoming increasingly difficult to locate Alliant Unique powder, which is a hallmark for "Skeeter Loads".

Honestly, I'm not all that familiar, or comfortable, using burn rate charts, so I could use a little help. What is a currently available powder that is comparable with Unique, that I could use to replicate "Skeeter Loads"?

As always, thanks in advance for your help!

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Judge control not gun control!

People say BE 86 but I haven't tried it yet. My jug of Unique still has some in it.

BE-86 is a close match with Unique data, grain for grain. Check as many published sources as you can though.

CFE-Pistol appears to be a close match as well. I have a pound of it but haven't played with it yet.

I have and have used both BE-86 and CFE-Pistol. I like Unique a bit better, except for the metering issue with Unique. On the current Relative Burn Rate chart Unique is #34. 231 is #30 (somewhat faster). BE-86 is # 41, (somewhat slower). CFE-Pistol is #45. Winchester 244 is #33, Hodgdon Universal is#35.

I have gone to Universal and like it better. It seems to be in decent supply as well. The only exception is .45 acp where Power Pistol has done an exceptional job for me.

I gave up on Unique a few years ago. Switched to W231 for all 7 of my handgun calibers and have been very happy.

I was under the impression Universal hasn't been made in quite some time. I haven't seen it anywhere the last 2 years.

I substitute 231 for Unique and am content. Is there a difference between Universal and Universal Clays?

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213th FBINA

I use Unique in 12 ga-20 ga-45LC & 44 spl. Wish I could find a(one powder) substitute that would work for all 4.

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S&W Accumulator

I think I have read every post in every forum that discusses substitute powders for Unique. I can’t find Unique either. For large diameter straight wall pistol cartridges, A#5 and BE-86 appear to be the most common replacements. But neither seems to have the range of application found in Unique. Many excellent powders exist for .38 Spl and .45 ACP which are still available. But I am hoarding A#5 and BE-86 for .45 LC and .44 Spl. Alliant may be pushing BE-86 as their primary substitute. There is an economics in manufacturing costs and byproduct disposal, as well as the efficiency of multiple applications for core components, that dictate the decisions of powder manufacturers. And which may disfavor Unique compared to BE-86. I think my ultimate replacement will be BE-86. It may also be more versatile for lighter loads than Unique.

Edited for typos. And for bettur writin.

Hodgdon Universal is a reasonable substitute. If you can find any.

I don’t know the politics of powders, but my closest LGS is overflowing with BE-86, but only three 1 pound cans of #5. And hasn’t had Unique for almost a year. I don’t think this is a random alignment of the grains. I have not heard anything negative about BE-86. It’s going to be “discovered” soon.

Also, the local politics concerning firearms is not going well in my state. Unique made it easy to future-proof yourself, when it was available. I’m going to try to do that with BE-86, 231, and Bullseye. I don't shoot true magnums so – having a few powders that can do everything, even if not best at anything, is very comforting. The world is changing.

I switched from Unique to Longshot some years ago with complete satisfaction. From standard loads to somewhat stout it does as good or better, but is not is consistent with light loads. It's just perfect for both 40 and 45 ACP/Auto Rim.

Over the years, I have used Red Dot and 700-X in the calibers I typically used Unique for. I have not used it, but do have a pound of Herco in my cabinet along with a 4 pound can of UNIQUE. It should last as long as I do.

Down to my last 4 pounds of Unique (only because I found 2# squirreled away in the back of the cabinet).

I've been using more and more W231. I've played with BE-86 for years, but I guess now is the time to get serious. I've also picked up some Power Pistol to work ip some loads.

W231 worked well in 38 Special, 44 Special, 45 Colt and 45 ACP. So in fact has AA#5. Unique is so flexible, works in so many, sad to hear of its unavailability.

We keep coming out with new stuff, when the old stuff works just fine.

I see a lot of comments about BE-86. A cursory review of loading manuals shows no data.

My goto supplier has BE-86 not available and no backorder. Yet W231 is in stock.

Well, BE-86 didn't exist until about 2014. If the reloading manuals you have are from before then....

Alliant has data on their site. Lyman's 51st edition definitely has data.

I have 1 1/2 pounds of Unique. And, I have some Green Dot, Red Dot and 231 along with something called 452AA. I will keep looking for Unique. When I see some, I will buy it. Why? Because I use it in my revolvers and my .30-06 rifle w/ cast loads. Every time I load 5.0 gr. w/ a 158 gr. SWC bullet in a .38 Special case, I think of an article in Shooting Times magazine written by Skeeter Skelton, I remember 45 years ago, being a brand new married and a student in seminary barely scrapping by. Sincerely. bruce.

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<><

You might try Win 244. It's supposed to be the "New" W231. It doesn't get much love because W231 is so popular.

I have about a pound left in an eight-pound jug of BE-86 and then another eight-pound jug that I haven't opened. For the calibers I load - .38 and .44 Special, medium loads in .357, .41, and .44 Magnum, and 9x19, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP - it'll work as well as Unique and meter better. It's not the only powder I use, but I could live with it alone if needed.

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Regards,

Chuck

I have about 1 1/2 pounds of Unique and 1 pound of Universal left in my supply. My LGS and a couple of online dealers have BE-86 in stock. I bought 3 pounds of BE-86 to find out, and other than checking it in my Lee loader, it definitely meters much better, just haven't worked up any loads yet.

Universal meters well, too, and I have loaded with it. Haven't seen Unique anywhere in two years, and no Universal in over a year, but I bought it two years ago. Loading 158gr cast coated SWC's with the Universal in .38.

Saving the Unique for Skeeter loads for my .44's.

I have a 4 pound jug of Bullseye for .38 wadcutters. That's a lifetime supply.

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Heavily armed old man.

W231/HP-38 is the best substitute I have used for Unique.

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Send lawyers, guns & money...

Power Pistol works for me in lead bullet loads for 44 Special & Magnum.

No .... They just dropped the clays name to avoid confusion between Clay's, international Clay's and universal Clay's

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it just needs more voltage

I bought an 8# jug last year but the web page currently shows Universal as "out of stock". I don't know if this means "discontinued" or not.

I will second everything said about BE86. Shoots grain for grain with Unique but meters much better.

Have used it with my .44 “Skeeter” loads and shoots equally well as Unique in my guns

Why BE 86? It is made by Alliant (Like Unique)which is pretty much no longer selling powder to us low life consumers. Claim of Nitro Cellulose shortage yet Hodgdon is rolling along??


Better hurry as it is one of the few Alliant powders still in stock.

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Still Running Against the Wind

I am conserving the Unique I have left for 12 and 20 ga. Is BE-86 a shotgun powder too?

Just what "exactly" are the Skeeter loads you are wishing to duplicate ... I have some idea's ... I don't want to make any wronge assumptions and give you a bum steer .
Gary

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Certified Cajun
NRA Member

The 7.5gr Skeeter load has the best propensity for accuracy, and has been over many years. 6gr of Unique with all else the same is an 800fps usable target load and much softer shooting, also rated as accurate.

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Heavily armed old man.

When the rumors about shortages of Unique began circulating, I started buying it if I saw it. That didn’t last long: seemed like Unique was everywhere!

I’ve now got more than I’m likely to use for years.

Two other powders that work well in that range are Red Dot and Herco. Both are also Alliant powders, and may be difficult to find.

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Front sight and squeeze

Same here. For range loads --by far the most shooting I do--it does great and is cleaner (and available).

BE-86 meters MUCH better than Unique, is similar in density to 231. My work proves that thing about how you shouldn't use burn rate to estimate load data. Believe the published load data.

When obumma was in office reloading supplies were a bit difficult to find. I had been using Unique for several years, but could find none, I had read about Universal and bought 1 lb. Liked it so I bought 2 more lbs. Figgered it worked well in all my handgun reloads so I bought 4 more lbs. I have used it in all my handgun reloads from 32 ACP up to 45 Colt.

Good morning,
I see by the original post that you want to
replicate a “Skeeter Load”. Unfortunately
it has become very difficult to get, also my
favorite, Alliant Unique powder.

There’s a lot of good suggestions within this
Thread and over years I’ve tried different
powders because of availability.

Currently I’ve been using Vihtavuori powders
made in Finland. For some reason they are
now available and reasonably priced.

I suggest Vihtavuori N320 pistol powder. I
tested in my S&W M.G. 45Colt with lead
bullet reloads. So far I like it. N320 is a
cylindrical grain powder, clean burning, has
de-coppering agent, and is supposed to be
temperature-stable. Smoke had a sweet
smell to it. It was nice shooting.

I plan on trying V.V. N320 in my 44’s as an
alternate pistol powder later this summer.

The Best to you and your Endeavors.

Attached Images

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I still have 10+ lbs of Unique, hopefully I can eke that out until it reappears. I remember when I could pick up 4lb jugs of Unique at the local WalMart for $70, Hodgdon Clay's for $60/4lbs.

If/when I run out I'll probably replace it with Clay's and win 231.

I don't do "Sketter loads" any more,
however I did find out that the denser BE-86 powder
in my 9mm loads with a large 147 gr Berry PRN bullet
will get HIGHER fps, than Unique powder, that is at 100% volume
with a OAL of 1.14" without any compression.

As mentioned, Universal works well in shotgun and revolver loads, if you can find it.

Surprising to me...I took 2 pounds of Unique 4 pounds of BE-86 and 4 pounds of Universal to the last gun show...all priced at 40 dollars...sold 2 pounds of BE-86...and some other powders but no Unique...including 2 pounds of AA#5.

FYI, Powder Valley has BE-86 for a decent price.

Alliants website is showing a new Herco.
Very similar to Unique. Claims cleaner and can use the same reloading data as older Herco.
Alliant Powder - Home

Herco used to be quite popular for loading handgun cartridges but seems to have fallen out of favor in the last thirty years or so. I would guess many of today's handloaders have never tried Herco, but it remains a very useful powder. Lots of Herco data in older manuals.

I too like Alliant Red Dot. It is my go to
powder in my Revolvers. It is closest to
Unique on the Heat Index chart (not
the Burn Rate chart). Been using it for
about +15 years.

But I have learned not to favor or limit my
usage of powders to one. If I want to use
another powder, I get the books out, study a
lot, look for a reload 800fps - 950fps, and
use the grains of powder listed. I use mostly
Lead Bullets.

Other powders in order; Red Dot, Unique,
Bullseye, American Select, Vihtavuori N320,
Long Shot, Power Pistol (a lot of muzzle
flash), HP-38, Win 296, IMR4227 (5-6 grains
lying in barrel after each shot).

Unfortunately powders are getting harder to
find.

off the top of my head...10.5 grains of Herco any LPP and a 240 grain cast lead bullet in 44 mag case easy but good load

Didn't one of the other powder manufacturers come out with some powders comparable to the red, blue, and green dot powders a couple of years ago?
Seems like they just named them Red, Blue, and Green - without the word "dot".

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Send lawyers, guns & money...

IMR I think...but also...discontinued or unavailable.

Wow! That didn't last long, did it?

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Send lawyers, guns & money...

Over the years I've had to switch powders due to availability a few times.
last time was an 8# jug of 231, wanted something else, don't remember what now. Before that I was using Clays for .45 and 12ga. Had to go back to Green Dot for shotgun(also works for pistol). Now use WST for .38 and .45 and I would use it for 9mm but Hodgdon refuses to give us loads for it.
Bottom line I could get by with Green Dot only for everything but Rifles if I had to.

Universal. Meters great. I used Unique for decades and gave up on the tedious weighting every load. Universal is right next to Unique on the burn table and meters extremely well. Negative is that even that it's been around for decades finding load information is tough.