Unique powder question

[stu1ritter]

Can anyone tell me when Alliant reformulated Unique to be cleaner burning? I've been offered a couple of pounds in trade that date from 2009 and wondered if that was the reformulated version.
thanks,
Stu

 

[Sansho]

If nobody knows for sure, you can ask Alliant via this form.

 

[rck281]

My guess is 2007. I'm fairly sure 2009 would be the new stuff.

 

[stu1ritter]

I just found an article that said it was introduced at the 2001 Shot Show, so that answered that. Thanks.
Stu

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm not confident the "new" formula is actually 12 years old. I would check further.

 

[stu1ritter]

ArchAngelCD, I refer you to;
Alliant Unique

Stu

 

[Neumann]

Unique burns cleanly if loaded closer to the hot end of the range. It's my favorite powder for .40 SW and .45 ACP, and more lately, .45 Colt.

 

[Nevada Ed]

The NEW powder has it on the label.............

 

[stu1ritter]

and now the email from Alliant. They were pretty quick, I just asked early this morning.

Amonette, Ben <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: Alliant Powder - Ask the Expert Form
Date: August 26, 2013 2:58:01 PM MDT
To: [email protected]

I believe it was in about 2000. Thanks for your note.

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2013 8:45 AM
To: Alliant Reloading
Subject: Alliant Powder - Ask the Expert Form

When was Unique powder updated to the cleaner burning version?
thanks,
Stu

 

[rwsmith]

1) and 2)

1) 2001? Time flies, doesn't it, guys???

2) I wish I could get some at that price now.

 

[stu1ritter]

As the wabbit would say, tempis fwigit.
And how about being able to buy it period. I'm swapping two pounds of VV N320 for two pounds of Unique. Who would'a thunk?
Stu

 

[scooter123]

My experience is that the current version of Unique is only clean shooting at higher pressures, such as the 9mm or 40 S&W. Use it in a low pressure caliber such as the 38 spl. or 45 ACP and it can be rather dirty. However, it's not nearly as bad as Black Powder so I just regard it as part of shooting.

What I don't like about Unique is it's poor metering qualities. If I find that my powder measure can't throw a charge with a variation of 1/10 grain or less with a particular powder I fall back on hand weighing each charge. Unique is one of those powders, in fact when I tested for consistent throws I had one charge that was 1/2 grain over my target weight within 10 throws.

 

[stu1ritter]

I've had that metering problem with my LnL measures with Trailboss and Clays. Someone suggested, and I tried, using the large rifle drum/insert. That worked really well with hard to meter powder, even down at fairly low charge levels. It's worth a try.
I was getting no more than 1/10th variance with that. With the pistol measure I was getting half grain to 2 grain variation with Trailboss. It just wouldn't meter.
Stu

 

[forestswin]

............................

What I don't like about Unique is it's poor metering qualities. If I find that my powder measure can't throw a charge with a variation of 1/10 grain or less with a particular powder I fall back on hand weighing each charge. Unique is one of those powders, in fact when I tested for consistent throws I had one charge that was 1/2 grain over my target weight within 10 throws.

scooter
I started using a Lee Powder measure for awhile and it was pretty darn good but I was using only Bullseye and Unique. Every now and then, with Unique, it would be off quite a bit. So every charge went onto the scale. My wife felt generous last Christmas - so she got me a Redding 10x Competition measure. It is really great.
I did a post on it using Unique awhile back - here's a link.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/318562-redding-powder-measure-unique.html
If you ever end up considering another measure, I'd recommend it.