one powder to do it all?

[growr]

Unique does it for me.........

Randy

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I just checked my powder "Magazine": 73 types of smokeless plus 2 brands of black Powder in 3 sizes each Plus 2 brands of BP substitute in 3 sizes each. The most universal smokeless powder is Unique. Lyman's manual #45 has a Unique loading for every metallic cartridge of that time (and for obsolete cases also!) Lyman's shotgun manual has a Unique load for every 410, 28, 20, 16,& 12 gauge shotgun hull from the early 70's also!

What is the problem? Some of the loads are slow., Some are only cast bullets.

But if I wanted just a few powders for everything Unique would be at the top of the list followed closely by WW231 for handgun, IMR 3031 for rifles. Because new powders come out almost every year, there have been a number of very versatile powders and Varget is one of the best for rifles and Longshot for shotguns. But my 410's only get tried and true WW296! My 45 ACP and Colt get WW231 and my 44 Mag only get Unique.

I could get more velocity with other powders, but If I want MORE POWER, I get a bigger gun! It is America! your can still have as many as you want, instead of making one try to do everything. Same goes for powder too!

Ivan

 

[boatbum101]

Like the others of my vintage , the Unique light came on . And if one shoots cast bullets in rifles Unique works quite well . For handgun AA#5 & W231 would fit OP's requirements . If one is restricted to one powder for handguns Unique , for rifles 4895 . Might not be the fastest or most accurate but a usable load for just about anything that goes bang .

 

[stansdds]

I suppose if restricted to just one powder, Unique would be a good choice. I just cannot restrict myself to just one powder.

 

[Nevada Ed]

If you have a can of Unique, you are set for revolver, pistol, rifle and shotgun loads.
Not many other powders can say this.

I will say, that if you only do handguns, with big heavy bullets ,
like a 9mm, that has a small case...........
BE-86 will give you higher fps than Unique, since you can get more of it into a cast with a Berry 147gr RN bullet.

For 98% of my loads..............
Unique will work, if needed.

 

[Hany]

Ditto what Mule88 said. I used to use a lot of Unique, then tried Universal, and I cant detect a difference in burn rate, but it meters better and cleaner.

AA#5 is a great powder, but the charge weights are a lot higher for any given velocity, so If I was searching for simplicity AND economy, I would have to leave that one aside.

 

[4barrel]

Unique and Bullseye are the best cheapest target loads for me in pistol. N340 fills the case like Unique but is cleaner and cost more. 95% of my shooting is middle of the road loads. You mentioned case filling so I would select Unique.

 

[jjfitch]

We're on the same page..

Tough to do better than unique imo, old school but works. BE86 might be a good choice too, just havent gotten around to it yet. I also like WSF but a bit less bulky than unique but almost identical in charge wt for vel/pressures. W231 comes up,short for full power 9 & 40. Something in the medium burn range, which w231 is just mot quite there.

OP>Google: "Smokeless Powder Burn Rate Chart"

W231 would be on the "fast" end. Look at powders a little "slower" like AA 5 as mentioned above.

Smiles,

 

[342ti]

Bullseye's my one powder for all my needs, has been for years. I only load 45acp, 9mm, 38spl, fantastic accuracy in all three.

 

[gmiller0737]

Bullseye-Unique-231/HP38 would My choices in that order


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jban357]

I like Power Pistol, 231 is pretty good. I got my first can of True Blue. According to the books it covers what I want. Still to early to say, but looks good in what I tried so far. This could be my one powder.

 

[glenwolde]

Universal is aptly named. Think of it as an easier to meter, cleaner burning version of Unique. It's right next to Unique on most burn rate charts. I gave up Unique for it.

"Hodgdon Universal gunpowder handles the broadest spectrum of cartridges for both pistol and shotgun. This is the gunpowder technology designed for 28 gauge shooters. From the 25 ACP to the 44 magnum and 28 gauge to 12 gauge, Universal gunpowder provides outstanding performance. As with all Hodgdon gunpowder, clean burning and uniformity are part of its attributes."

 

[Moe Mentum]

Unique, the only problem is that it meters like corn flakes.

 

[kbm6893]

looking for one powder to load 45 ACP 230 grain 40 cal 165 grain and 9mm 115 grain. I also like to fill my cases over half so no way to double charge, I have good luck with winchester 231 for the 45 and the data for that powder for the 40c and the nine seems to catch my eye. Any other one does it all suggestions. with the way things get and nothing available every couple years I would like to stock up on just one powder.
Thanks

I use HP38 for 9MM, .45, 38, and .380. Same powder as your 231. I don't ever want to worry about loading wrong powder. I even have a separate thrower for my rifle powders so no chance of a mix-up.

 

[sparkyvega]

Universal.

Universal would be an excellent choice

Back about 8 years ago, when there were almost no powders to be had, I did find an 8 lb jug of Universal.
Almost an identical burning rate as Unique but cleaner burning and meters better.
Now Universal is my favorite.

Universal is aptly named. Think of it as an easier to meter, cleaner burning version of Unique. It's right next to Unique on most burn rate charts. I gave up Unique for it.

"Hodgdon Universal gunpowder handles the broadest spectrum of cartridges for both pistol and shotgun. This is the gunpowder technology designed for 28 gauge shooters. From the 25 ACP to the 44 magnum and 28 gauge to 12 gauge, Universal gunpowder provides outstanding performance. As with all Hodgdon gunpowder, clean burning and uniformity are part of its attributes."

 

[SweetMK]

Unique seems to be a go to powder,,

I do have a question, though,,
Does case capacity have anything to do with powder selection?

I ask, because I have plenty of Unique,, and,,
I bought a 35 Remington barrel for my Contender,,

The case of the 35 Rem is just a little larger than most big pistols,
I am wondering if Unique might be a good choice for a plinking load,,

 

[Erocksmash]

I would go Power Pistol IMO...

 

[AJ]

Have never looked to see if Unique would do well in .35 Remington.......

 

[DWalt]

Have never looked to see if Unique would do well in .35 Remington.......

It would probably work very well for lighter loads, probably not so well for factory-level loads.