Unique seems to be not available.
What is a substitute for Unique ?
What is a substitute for Unique ?
Unique Powder
- Thread starter jimmyj
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Ivan the Butcher
Member
If you cannot find Unique, then try for some Less Common.
Ivan
(I'll be in my room)
Ivan
(I'll be in my room)
Yendor357
Member
You don’t have a couple of reloading manuals?
Get a reloading manual. Get a Garmin Xero. You’ll be glad you did.
Get a reloading manual. Get a Garmin Xero. You’ll be glad you did.
SGT ROCK 11B
Member
BE86 has been my go to for the lack of Unique. Of course it has been unavailable at times too.
My LGS tends to have W231 and HP38.
AJ
US Veteran
I have been reloading since then also. My favorite powders have also been Bullseye, Unique and 2400. Glad I have stockpiled a bunch of pounds of each. Will be looking for suitable subs in the future.
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I stocked up some BE-86 when Unique disappeared. Universal from Hogden also fills in for many of the uses of Unique.
Bosquebass
Member
I'll cast a vote for HP38/231 as a substitute for Unique, it seems to work just as well and maybe meters a little better than Unique.
I've been using True Blue as a substitute for Unique in 45 auto, but now True Blue is not available either.
I've been using True Blue as a substitute for Unique in 45 auto, but now True Blue is not available either.
rockquarry
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With the abundance of duplicative powders we have available today, I've yet to find one that can't be replaced. The negative side of this is that you'll have to try three or four or more powders to get where you want to be, so it depends on how serious a handloader you are.
The quick answer is that many use Universal in place of Unique; burn rate is about the same. I couldn't get quite the accuracy with it that I could with Unique, but others had had success. After fifty years of using Unique, I stopped even before before it was hard to find. My old Unique loads have been replaced and I wouldn't buy Unique again even if it became available.
Unique doesn't flow well through many powder measures, including my Redding.
As a suggestion, I'd recommend Accurate #5 and Herco. Someone already mentioned 231. It's faster than Unique, but at least as versatile. Compare data in several paper manuals.
The quick answer is that many use Universal in place of Unique; burn rate is about the same. I couldn't get quite the accuracy with it that I could with Unique, but others had had success. After fifty years of using Unique, I stopped even before before it was hard to find. My old Unique loads have been replaced and I wouldn't buy Unique again even if it became available.
Unique doesn't flow well through many powder measures, including my Redding.
As a suggestion, I'd recommend Accurate #5 and Herco. Someone already mentioned 231. It's faster than Unique, but at least as versatile. Compare data in several paper manuals.
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I’m sorry Jimmy, there is no substitute for Unique.
That's what makes it so Unique.
Seriously though, 10-14 grs for mild 45-70 loads is the cats meow in old trap door Springfield's and such. 4198 and 3031 will do too but it takes twice as much.
John
Jimmy, I am using W231 now. I still have some Unique, but the 231 works well. I even used it for the 38S&W with the Rim Rock bullets we shared.
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cowboy4evr
Member
Years ago I switched over to Winchester Super Field . load data can be a little thin . I always start out using Unique load data and usually add .5 to 1.0 grain more powder after testing . Its burn rate is close to Herco .
My bullseye replacement has become Winchester Super Target . It's an excellent clean burning powder . regards Paul
My bullseye replacement has become Winchester Super Target . It's an excellent clean burning powder . regards Paul
rockquarry
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I don't whether Herco is available but it's a good replacement for Unique and it goes through a measure a little better. Herco used to be a lot more popular than it is today for some reason. Many newer handloaders probably haven't heard of it.
One I've been working with lately in the .38 Special has been AA #5. I've seen at least slightly better accuracy with this powder than all the rest, including Bullseye, a long-time favorite. I've been using my own H&G #51 160 grain cast SWC. AA#5 is a little slower than Unique and Herco but in the same general category.
AJ
US Veteran
I have decided that since all I do with my reloads is punch paper, that I will find one loading for each caliber. So far I am only using Unique 6.4 grains with a 140 grain bullet for my 10MM. Have about 6 pounds of Unique (IIRC) so it should last me a while. Also use 2.8 grains of Bullseye for .38 Special with a 148 grain HBWC in my S&W 52, my .38 Special PPC & M1911. My .45 Auto gets 4.7 grains of Bullseye with a 200 grain SWC. I have about 8 pounds of that. My .357 Mag gets 14.5 grains of 2400 with a 158 grain bullet and have about 3 pounds of that. Shoot about 50-75 rounds of handgun a week, so it should last me a while.
