Unique
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Maybe 2400. Unique likes it at full max loads to burn constantly. For low to midrage I use HP 38 for pretty much everything.
venomballistics
Member
dont know what a clean powder will accomplish behind cast when most of the fowling is from burning lube anyhow.
if you like Unique .. keep liking it
if you like Unique .. keep liking it
weakhand luke
Member
PB
I like PB in some 357 mag loads. Not so much in 44mag.
I like PB in some 357 mag loads. Not so much in 44mag.
Dragon88
Member
sps282
Member
Universal might be a good alternative for .357 can't comment on .44 mag.
I still like Unique the best and as mentioned the bullet lube is where most of the mess comes from.
I still like Unique the best and as mentioned the bullet lube is where most of the mess comes from.
Inspector-Callahan
Member
I haven't loaded Hodgedons Universal clays in some time but as I recall its burn rate is very very similar to unique. In fact, I don't think its any coincidence that unique and universal are both "u" names. Id bet that's what hodgedon had in mind with that formula.
AJH
AJH
Kelly Green
Member
I use Universal for .357 158gr lead cast. In my opinion it burns cleaner than Unique. Can't help with the .44 mag. I don't reload that round.
sourdough44
Member
I have both but use more H Universal for most mid-power loading. I've used it in all kinds of rounds, 9mm,38 spcl, 357, 40 s&w, 44 mag & spcl, 45 Colt & 45 acp.
That differs from my experience, loading 2400 in .357, .41, and .44 Magnums for over 35 years - I find that Unique takes well to downloading somewhat, while 2400 likes it hot. In all three calibers, speaking for eight revolvers, this has held true. Both superbly accurate in all these calibers w/ good bullets, the best 2400 groups coming with hotter loads. Unique is somewhat dirty, though that has improved a lot in recent years.
Replacement for Unique ?
I have searched a lot for a Unique replacement, my issue is not cleanliness
but I do not like how Unique meters.
I have found Accurate #5 and Power Pistol to be great options.
I have used Power Pistol a lot in hot 45acp and 9mm loads so I tried various
recipes in revolvers , works great !
Check it out I really like it in 357 magnum, it has a lot of flash so you think the load is hotter then it really is if that makes sense.
I tend to use #5 when I want a really soft load, I have shot it at 8 grains with a 125 HP up to 11 grains ,my manual shows 11.5 as max.
I use the 11.0 grains in my Marlin carbine and it really shoots well.
I have also used both in 44 Special a lot.
I have searched a lot for a Unique replacement, my issue is not cleanliness
but I do not like how Unique meters.
I have found Accurate #5 and Power Pistol to be great options.
I have used Power Pistol a lot in hot 45acp and 9mm loads so I tried various
recipes in revolvers , works great !
Check it out I really like it in 357 magnum, it has a lot of flash so you think the load is hotter then it really is if that makes sense.
I tend to use #5 when I want a really soft load, I have shot it at 8 grains with a 125 HP up to 11 grains ,my manual shows 11.5 as max.
I use the 11.0 grains in my Marlin carbine and it really shoots well.
I have also used both in 44 Special a lot.
Skip Sackett
US Veteran
I just bought 6lbs of a surplus Unique and have no intention of changing anytime soon! It is the BEST powder for the 45Colt, bar none. Dirty? Sure! It is a law of thermodynamics, make a fire, there is soot. (Skip paraphrased!) Add lead bullets and the lube, more dirt.
Here is my M25 -7 after 200 rounds or so of a pure wheel weight cast 45-270SAA Penta Pin hollow point, around 260gr as cast, 9.0gr of Unique or this surplus powder. Dirty? Yep! Still, all of the bullets went right were I wanted them to go! That is something that you cannot overlook!
Then, after wiping it off with a soft dry towel, here is what it looked like. Let me ask you this: Aren't you going to clean your guns after you are done shooting anyway?
Take a look:
So, how big of a deal is this "dirty" thing anyway?
Not that big of a deal for me.
Now, as for Unique liking it hot. It most assuredly does, oh, and by the way, so do 99.999999999999999999999999999% of most other powders. 2400 is no different. It likes it at the top of its data too. That is why you have one powder for uber light rounds, another for midrange and yet another for WILD!
That is what makes life as interesting as it is. Experiment around some!
It is a blast: Pun intended!
Here is my M25 -7 after 200 rounds or so of a pure wheel weight cast 45-270SAA Penta Pin hollow point, around 260gr as cast, 9.0gr of Unique or this surplus powder. Dirty? Yep! Still, all of the bullets went right were I wanted them to go! That is something that you cannot overlook!
Then, after wiping it off with a soft dry towel, here is what it looked like. Let me ask you this: Aren't you going to clean your guns after you are done shooting anyway?
Take a look:
So, how big of a deal is this "dirty" thing anyway?
Not that big of a deal for me.
Now, as for Unique liking it hot. It most assuredly does, oh, and by the way, so do 99.999999999999999999999999999% of most other powders. 2400 is no different. It likes it at the top of its data too. That is why you have one powder for uber light rounds, another for midrange and yet another for WILD!
That is what makes life as interesting as it is. Experiment around some!
It is a blast: Pun intended!
papajohn428
Member
As mentioned Power Pistol burns clean, but hot, lots of blast and flash for the ballistics achieved. The guys I shoot with claim it has more blast than far hotter 357 loads with other powders. Make of that what you will, but it burns clean and meters well.
Another good choice is AA#5, same basic burn rate as Unique and wonderful metering, burns pretty clean too. I'm surprised I don't burn more Accurate Powders, they have always worked well for me.
Another good choice is AA#5, same basic burn rate as Unique and wonderful metering, burns pretty clean too. I'm surprised I don't burn more Accurate Powders, they have always worked well for me.
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Hodgdon Universal is the ballistic twin to Unique but it burns cleaner and it meters much better.
If you want to try something that's not exactly like Unique for making medium to medium hot .357 Magnum loads HS-6 is also a good choice.
If you want to try something that's not exactly like Unique for making medium to medium hot .357 Magnum loads HS-6 is also a good choice.
I just started playing with Power Pistol and agree with that. It's "loud" and the burn residue on the brass is more of fine ash rather than black sooty looking. It meters real well and I like it a lot in 9mm and 40SW.
venomballistics
Member
I just bought 6lbs of a surplus Unique and have no intention of changing anytime soon! It is the BEST powder for the 45Colt, bar none. Dirty? Sure! It is a law of thermodynamics, make a fire, there is soot. (Skip paraphrased!) Add lead bullets and the lube, more dirt.
Here is my M25 -7 after 200 rounds or so of a pure wheel weight cast 45-270SAA Penta Pin hollow point, around 260gr as cast, 9.0gr of Unique or this surplus powder. Dirty? Yep! Still, all of the bullets went right were I wanted them to go! That is something that you cannot overlook!
Then, after wiping it off with a soft dry towel, here is what it looked like. Let me ask you this: Aren't you going to clean your guns after you are done shooting anyway?
Take a look:
So, how big of a deal is this "dirty" thing anyway?
Not that big of a deal for me.
Now, as for Unique liking it hot. It most assuredly does, oh, and by the way, so do 99.999999999999999999999999999% of most other powders. 2400 is no different. It likes it at the top of its data too. That is why you have one powder for uber light rounds, another for midrange and yet another for WILD!
That is what makes life as interesting as it is. Experiment around some!
It is a blast: Pun intended!
looking very much like my stainless variant after a proper weekend
clean dirty or downright muddy, we clean em when we're done anyhow
I have standardized on Unique for 9mm .38, .357, .41mag .45 and even 20 ga shotshells. There are powders that are better suited for each but Unique works well enough so I don't have to multiple types of powders to load each. I like simple.
Skip Sackett
US Veteran
Brother, I understand the logic but cannot feel you on the practice!
I've got several cans of powder I will never use just because I wanted to give them a try! When I die, the kids can deal with them!
I started with Unique in the 70's. I did not like the black residue and mostly the metering in my RCBs uniflow powder measurer. A friend sugested IMR 4756 and IMR 7625 . They are cleaner and meter better. PP is next on my list. I do however have Unique on my shelf because it is great stuff for many loads in 38, 357, and 44 spcl .
What I do, is look at the burning rate and check what is similar or close to the powder I try, if I am not totally happy. You can experiment with closely related powders. I think that is one reason why I find reloading so much fun.
What I do, is look at the burning rate and check what is similar or close to the powder I try, if I am not totally happy. You can experiment with closely related powders. I think that is one reason why I find reloading so much fun.
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