Unique or Bullseye for 38/357?

[David LaPell]

I admit that I have a soft spot for using Unique powder. I found that my .38's and .357's are very accurate with it, albeit it burns a bit on the dirty side.

 

[Noah Zark]

Originally posted by Hook686:
I like Unique for .38/.357 more than Bullseye. It is too easy to double charge Bullseye I think.

+1. I prefer Unique for that reason, and its all-around versatility in the subject cartridges.

Noah

 

[bmcgilvray]

Unique is my favorite handgun powder for general purpose applications however I do use Bullseye some for target loads. Unique will work for very light loads but just not as well as Bullseye. Bullseye will not work for +P type loads in anything as it can't be crowded much at all.

I did a "down and dirty" check on relative cost, rounding the figures, and Bullseye does give a fellow a lot of pistol ammo per pound.

Bullseye and Unique: 1 lb costing $22.50 = 7000 grains

Cartridge: .38 Special

A 5.4 grain charge weight will produce 1300 rounds @ 1.7 cents each. A +P Unique load.

A 4.5 grains charge weight one will produce 1555 rounds @ 1.5 cents each. A typical Unique load.

A 3.5 grain charge weight will produce 2000 rounds @ 1.1 cents each. A reasonable maximum Bullseye load.

A 2.8 grain charge weight will produce 2500 rounds @ .9 cents each. A target Bullseye load.

A person can assemble a lot of useful target loads for the cost of one can of Bullseye.

 

[beaverislander]

Thank you all for the very useful information. You just gotta love the knowledge that is so freely shared on this board. You have saved me a whole lot of time plus given me a degree of confidence going into to this new adventure.

 

[ACP230]

I started out with Bullseye and moved to Unique.
I was loading .45s for bowling pin matches with Unique anyway, so started using it for .38 Special loads as well.

I like Unique because it can be used in a lot of different cartridges. I could also load shotgun shells and reduced rifle rounds with it, but haven't yet.

 

[mississippi revolverman]

Been using Unique in my target 38 loads for over 20 years. No complaints

 

[NFrameFred]

I've known of too many cases getting double-charged with Bullseye. As a range officer I saw more than one novice reloader touch off a "blue pill" load like that. Luckily, never saw the gun give way, but I have had to go to the truck and get the gunsmith tools and pound open a cylinder or two for them with a rubber mallet. Not good to put that much pressure through them.

Turn-a-bout, I had a brass range rod machined with a weight on the end for driving out slugs that squibs had stuck in the barrel. My hardest job running the line was watching for those to whom reloading was a new and not so serious past time.

Personally, I like Bullseye for 38 target loads, but I'm fastidious about my loading technique and load on a Dillon.

Unique is probably a better all-around powder for being more versatile. Everyone has their favorites and their reasons.

 

[Bugs100]

I like Red Dot and have been using it for a few years. 3.1 gr of Red Dot with 158gr cast gives about 835 fps.

 

[Grayfox]

My choice would be W231. Very versatile powder that I've used in just about all handgun calibers from .38 target loads up to the .45 Colt.

 

[ncy54]

Two good choices.
Bullseye for .38 loads (mid-range target load w. wadcutters is 2.8gr)
BE also works well for standard loads in .38 special, lead or jacketed
be careful about double charging, as BE is very compact.
Meters well, also is a bit dirty.
Unique is good for standard, +p, and even lighter Magnum loads. No need for magnum primers as well.
Meters well, fills the case better than BE, also a bit dirty.
The full power magnum powder of my choice is 2400. This would be for hunting applications, silhouette shooting, and LONG barrels.
Other good stuff to consider are W231 and TiteGroup.

 

[Mr. Tree]

Unique is safer than Bullseye because it is almost impossible to double charge a 38 or 357 case, therefore, I have used Unique exclusively for 40 years.

 

[R. Walter]

If you're looking for one all-around powder for handgunning, it's hard to beat Unique. It may be a little dirty, but the average S&W forum member here, I bet, cleans his revolvers more than he shoots them, anyway.

 

[orion1]

Unique gets my vote because of its versatility. I use it for .38, .357, .44 mag. and .45.