Univeral powder question

[GBertolet]

Good luck finding any to buy, unless it is N.O.S. Anyone who has some is fortunate. There is some sort of an issue with the manufacturer, affecting the Clays line of powders. I have been looking for some for my 28 gauge. All the vendors I have checked are out of stock, and waiting for resumption of production.

 

[rhodesengr]

Are you guys able to find Universal anywhere? If that's the same as Universal Clays, I emailed Hodgdon last month about Clays and they told me they won't be making "the Clays series" in 2023. That includes Clay, Universal, and International.

In actuality, Hodgdon doesn't "make" anything but the factory that makes the Clays series for them is busy with a big military contract so they won't be making any of those three this year.

 

[Nemo288]

Interesting if sad information.
Universal has been less available ever since the original production line at ADI Australia burned down.
Hodgdon then contracted it to be made in Canada but it has never been as available as "before".
Guess this general statement could apply to most powders these days eh?

As stated earlier by several of the authors, there are other powders that will do the job if only we can obtain them.

In passing I might give a WAG that that military powder contract may be related to the US Army's Next Generation Squad Weapon.
Enough new ammo in an all new caliber (6.8mm) to supply the whole US Army is a big task.
Due to the pressure involved (80kpsi) and the design of the cartridge, the powder is bound to be unique (no pun intended).
.277 Fury - Wikipedia

 

[Skeet 028]

Luckily I have 'nuff Unique, Universal and BE 86 to last.. I also have Herco to use instead. My main use of Unique was for 20, 28 and both 44 calibers. I have way more 20s loaded and plenty 28s...Probably 44 Sp too. There are other powders that work pretty well in the same calibers that are easier to find...even though DCd...7625 and 4756. I find them at gun shows all the time. Quite often I find Herco usually at very good prices. My stash of Universal will probably get sold as it is going for fairly high prices. I recently sold 2 pounds to a fellow for his offer of 40 dollars a pound. Not worth that much to me. Unique is becoming really high priced lately too

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Am not 100% sure but there are a number of different Universal powders,
not sure they all burn the same. I have used Universal Clays for a number of years, very similar to Unique, burning a little cleaner using close to the same loads. Be sure and check manuals .

Hodgdon made a big mistake in branding. They released 3 powders which were made by the same process and labeled them Clays as a series. There was Clays, International Clays and Universal Clays in that order of powder speed. There was so much confusion over the years Hodgdon finally dropped the Clays name from the last 2 powders in the series so now they are just Clays, International and Universal.

I hope that clears it up somewhat.

 

[stansdds]

Hodgdon made a big mistake in branding. They released 3 powders which were made by the same process and labeled them Clays as a series. There was Clays, International Clays and Universal Clays in that order of powder speed. There was so much confusion over the years Hodgdon finally dropped the Clays name from the last 2 powders in the series so now they are just Clays, International and Universal.

I hope that clears it up somewhat.

Yep, those powders came out when I was involved in USPSA competition. A lot of my fellow competitors talked about how great this new "Clays" powder was in their 38 Super and 45 ACP loads. I looked and found three different powders under the "Clays" name. Very confusing at the time. I still have some Clays and Universal Clays as well as some Winchester Super-Lite. The 1990's was an interesting time for pistol reloaders.

 

[cowboy4evr]

I was a Unique user until a former administration . I couldn't get it for over 7 yrs . I decided that I would not keep using a powder with such availability problems . Taking advice from a member here I switched over to Winchester Super Field and have never looked back . It works just as well and sooner or later is always available . Think of it as a slow burning unique , about like Herco . Good luck finding that one too ! Regards Paul

 

[Skeet 028]

Super Field has been pretty easy to find. Is it as slow or close to Unique?? I actually have a few cans/jugs/bottles

 

[cowboy4evr]

I find it a bit slower . When lacking loading info I always started with Unique data and then usually added somewhere between 1/2 to 1.0 gr more powder , depending on the caliber , case size , what I was wanting for performance etc . I found it very accurate , clean burning . I only load pistol calibers with it . Hope this helps , Regards Paul

 

[toad67]

Just got an email that Brownell's has Unique, as well as many other Alliant Powders in stock.

 

[Patton1970]

Universal is all I have used for the past 10 years for handgun loads. 380 Auto, 38 Special, 357 Mag and 9mm. I have a bottle of HP38 but never found a need to open it.
I also interchange SPP, SPM and SRP without any issues.

 

[Patton1970]

Are you guys able to find Universal anywhere? If that's the same as Universal Clays, I emailed Hodgdon last month about Clays and they told me they won't be making "the Clays series" in 2023. That includes Clay, Universal, and International.

In actuality, Hodgdon doesn't "make" anything but the factory that makes the Clays series for them is busy with a big military contract so they won't be making any of those three this year.

Well that just sucks! Universal is my favorite..

 

[Paul in Nevada]

The Dillon measure doesn't mind Unique too much, the Uniflow chokes on it. Believe it or not the best measure I have tried with Unique is the Lee Auto Disk.
I am currently working up loads to replace my favorite Alliant powders. I have some Universal to try but unfortunately none of the stores near me stock it. What I have found are W244, WSF, and AA5. After several droughts of Alliant products over the years I have had to adapt.

Just got an email that Brownell's has Unique, as well as many other Alliant Powders in stock.

They even have Bullseye and several of the Reloader line.

 

[Cdog]

I still keep a couple lbs of Unique in stock, but Hodgdon powders have always been easier to find locally. When Universal was first introduced I read several positive reviews and comparisons with Unique. I bought my first lb some 20 years ago now, and have never allowed myself to run out.

No it ain't perfect, but it does meter well, easier to find, much fewer freckles on me than the old Unique formula, and now usually much lower cost than Unique.

Seems I can buy VV powders for the same or less than many Alliant offerings today.