Unique still exist?

[Dfish1247]

I guess if you're going to go through 24lbs in somewhat reasonable time, wear it out.

Unique does the best for mouse fart powder for me all around. Bullseye and aa5 do fine, unique just does better in the grouping department.

Once the magnum brass comes out, 2400 and 4227 are miles ahead of aa9 for me. AA9 does great in the desert eagle though, go figure. I don't shoot much magnum though, seems excessive and expensive for golf ball hunting.

 

[stansdds]

When I first started reloading, I bought two 1 lb canisters of smokeless powder. One was Bullseye, the other was Unique. Bullseye was great for duplicating 38 Special target loads, using 357 Magnum brass, Unique was great for full power 38 Special to reduced velocity 357 Magnum loads. Unique also works well in 9x19mm, 44 Special, reduced velocity 44 Magnum, and 45 ACP.

 

[dla]

Sounds like it is time for you to broaden your horizons. There are a bazillion better powders than Unique now. I switched about 40 years ago.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I have used Unique in rifle, shotgun, revolver and pistol loads for 53 years.

It has its good and bad points but overall, it can put out a lot of good ammo.

The only area where I found it to be not on par, was with a long, heavy
plated round nose, 147 gr bullet, seated into the short 9mm case.
Case volume just made the fps a little too low, to make me a happy camper.
Use a little 115gr and it is a very different story.

 

[SLT223]

I started reloading in 2013 during last supply crunch. Everyone on the forums talked about how great unique was so I looked and looked but couldn't find any. CFE-P had just come out. It started hitting the shelves and I got an 8 pounder. Worked great. Flows like water through a Dillon measure. It's a tad slower than unique on the burn rate charts, but does the same jobs with a little less case fill due to being ball vs flake. This is also why it meters so consistently. I later found an 8 pounder of unique. Years later, I've used far more CFEP than unique. If you find CFEP, don't hesitate to buy and use it. I find it more user friendly for my needs, but that's just me.

 

[Dfish1247]

Sounds like it is time for you to broaden your horizons. There are a bazillion better powders than Unique now. I switched about 40 years ago.

I went through trying other powder in my benchrest days, talk about partial bottles everywhere, along with bullets and brass that didn't work well. Took me forever to use up the powders that didn't come in first. I have bullseye and aa5 as I mentioned above, so I can still shoot for a decent while.

 

[rockquarry]

I seldom use Unique anymore only because it doesn't go through my pistol powder measure quite as well as some other powders, but it will work for many different cartridges if I need it. It apparently remains a very popular powder and probably will for a long time.

However, if you can find Herco, far less popular these days than just about anything, it makes a pretty good substitute for Unique. Data is not interchangeable, but it has a burn rate that's similar to Unique and will work in the same cartridges.

 

[BB57]

I like Unique, a lot. To be honest, it is the only pistol powder I use. I know that other powders are better for some applications.
I am using it in .38/.357, 9mm, .44spl/mag, .45acp., .45 colt. If they quit making it I would be in trouble. Over the years I have worked up loads that work for me, thus simplifying my component stockpile of several different powders.
It doesn't work in heavy magnum loads or super light target loads, but I find used correctly it works pretty good in most loads, like it has for a long time.
Long live Unique!

Agreed. I use it in:

.32 ACP;
.380 ACP;
9mm Luger;
.38 special;
.357 Magnum;
.45 ACP;
.45 Colt;
.38-55; and
.45-70.

It's not the "best" powder for many of those cartridges, but it works well in all of them.

It is however my preferred powder with 125 gr bullets in a 2 1/2" or 3" .357 Magnum.

I seldom use Unique anymore only because it doesn't go through my pistol powder measure quite as well as some other powders, but it will work for many different cartridges if I need it. It apparently remains a very popular powder and probably will for a long time….

I've found the key is consistency. For example I use 6.5 grains of Unique under a 230 gr FMJ and I load it on my Dillon. Using small charge bar it'll drop 6.5 grains consistently - until something unusual happens on the press.

For example if you discover a small primer pocket federal case, remove the cas and then have to leave that spot e,pty on the the shell plate at the powder station while you size and prime another case on the next pull of the handle, the next drop afterwards will be 6.7 grains. That means pulling the just charged round off the plate and removing .2 gr of powder. In comparison, with a smaller grained powder like Power Pistol it's not an issue.

But…as long as the press is solidly mounted and operates consistently it's accurate.

 

[Fishslayer]

BE86 is close enough to almost call the data identical. Alliant reps have a number of threads on the internet.

I'm usually using it in low pressure range fodder in magnum revolvers so I just use Unique data.

Bad news... after a few years of being available the secret is out. Now it's just as unobtanium as Unique.

 

[teletech]

I use Unique, but you all are safe from me hitting the shops any time soon as an elderly friend sold me some last time I visited him.
Yes, that's an 8# container (44SPL shown for scale) that might be older than I am. Less than half full sadly, but I think I'm set for the duration regardless.

 

[jc2721]

My LGS just got in a small shipment of powders--some 4064, H110, a lot of titegroup and a couple of cases of Unique. Surprisingly, after going through their call list they still had a dozen or so bottles of Unique on the shelf. It went up a few bucks to 36.99 a pound but that ain't too bad.

No primers this time around but I'm still on their list for those.

 

[dmar]

My LGS just got in a small shipment of powders--some 4064, H110, a lot of titegroup and a couple of cases of Unique. Surprisingly, after going through their call list they still had a dozen or so bottles of Unique on the shelf. It went up a few bucks to 36.99 a pound but that ain't too bad.

No primers this time around but I'm still on their list for those.

Wow, the last time I bought Unique, it was $19 per pound, and I thought that was getting a little pricey... I've got a decent stash, so I'm good for the foreseeable future. Only use it once in a while for light magnum loads. As versatile as Unique is, I've gravitated to other powders for the various calibers I load.

 

[Paul in Nevada]

Alliant had a huge recall problem right before covid. It's taken them a while to get back on their feet. Most of my favorite powders are made by Alliant so I have had to adapt.

 

[ddixie884]

Unique is very good for some loads and easily in the top five for a lot more. The thing about it is it does a very good job while while you decide what is best. It is really good for a fall back powder if you are out of the optimum powder for your purpose. At times like these I am really glad to have a coupla pounds on the shelf besides the one I'm using out of.

 

[ramblin84]

I've been searching and have found some, most at crazy prices ($100/lb). Would anyone consider paying $50/lb if you happen to find some locally?

 

[Racer X]

My local gunshop has powder of all kinds at pre pandemic prices too. He runs his shop as a hobby and not a 'make money business'. I was astounded at how much and variety of powder he has in back! Bullets and primers from him same same as powder. Guess I'm lucky!

Is it new stock being currently shipped in, or old stockpiles from years past that he had on hand? Just curious.

 

[Skeet 028]

Got a little. About 7 lbs...but it is my go to powder for 20 and 28 ga. Doesn't last long loading shotshells though. Loaded a pound in 44 special loads though. Have 'nuff for now 44s I mean. What I am low on is 231/HP38

 

[Greyman50]

Unique is exactly what it's name says. Been through 2 pounds lately, saw some at last gun show for 50 clams, laughed and walked on.

 

[Paul in Nevada]

I've been searching and have found some, most at crazy prices ($100/lb). Would anyone consider paying $50/lb if you happen to find some locally?

I think $50 is too much. Maybe $40. I have been finding (sporadically) Universal, Win231/HP38 for I think $38/lb. These don't scratch the itch quite like Unique but they will do for now.

 

[Dieseltech56]

Powder valley had an 8lb jug yesterday and before I could think about it…..gone

 

[Benchrest1]

I've shot a lot Universal and it isn't Unique but not a bad sub.

 

[jc2721]

My lgs got some Unique back in stock a couple of weeks ago. A few months ago I bought the last 4 bottles they had on the shelf @ $36 each +/-, so I haven't bothered to check the current price.

 

[Dfish1247]

I still haven't seen unique anywhere. I did nab an 8lb jug of h335 from pv, that's for another pistol project.

Things are popping up and hanging around a little, which is good news.

 

[Constrictor]

Anyone know if alliant is going to make a run of unique anytime soon. I've looked for a year and have never seen it in stock at all. I understand the pandemonium going on, but I've seen bullseye, 2400, 231, lilgun,etc in stock at one time or another, but never unique. Nothing lasts long, but they've popped up.

My firearms prefer unique for the light stuff over anything else I've tried, 4227 and 2400 are tied for the magnum loads.

Anyway, just wondering.

I am down to 6 8lb kegs and a few 1lb'ers of Unique. Its good stuff.

 

[ramblin84]

While the price is higher than I would like, availability is a big issue so, supply/demand is driving prices. I've gotten several inputs that the "going" price at shows and from re-sellers is averaging around $50.

So, for any members in South Carolina, there may be a few extra pounds available after I pick up 10 1lb cans later today.

 

[Old Corp]

Been using Unique in basic pistol calibers since the 1970's, and do have a special affinity for it.

A LGS near where I used to live had AA (Accurate Arms) powder years ago for really low prices - like $12-13/lb. I ended up buying a bunch of AA-2, AA-5, AA-7 and AA-9.
The AA-5 makes a good sub for Unique.

At my current reduced rate of use, my Unique stash is OK, but would like to see availability improve.

 

[glenwolde]

Like pretty much all new reloaders in 1980 I started with Bullseye and Unique. Over time I found other powders that worked better for me. My big three are W231/HP38, Universal, and 2400.

I'd use Unique if I had too but it would not be my first choice.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Like pretty much all new reloaders in 1980 I started with Bullseye and Unique. Over time I found other powders that worked better for me. My big three are W231/HP38, Universal, and 2400.

I'd use Unique if I had too but it would not be my first choice.

However it is a pretty darn good powder to use for full power in the little 9mm case.........
since I am low on BE86 & Blue Dot.

 

[glenwolde]

However it is a pretty darn good powder to use for full power in the little 9mm case.........
since I am low on BE86 & Blue Dot.

Yes it is, but so is Universal. Universal and Unique are like brothers from different mothers.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Yes it is, but so is Universal. Universal and Unique are like brothers from different mothers.

I ran out of Universal and did not get to test it against Unique with the long 147 gr bullet in the short 9mm case or run the fps numbers across my chrony.

It would have been interresting to see if more Universal would fit into the case and if the fps might be higher, but it never happened.