What's the deal with Universal powder?

[ike1518]

A few months ago I tried using Universal powder in my Redding powder measure and I just couldn't get a consistent powder drop. I have great luck with a number of other powders, such as HP-38 and Sport Pistol, but I struggled with Universal so I just put it on the shelf for another day.

Today was another day and I thought I'd give Universal another try and it was still very inconsistent for me and difficult to use with any confidence so I've just shelved it indefinitely.

So, what's the deal with Universal powder? Is it me? My equipment? Bad karma?

 

[rockquarry]

With my Redding measure with pistol insert (metering chamber may be the proper term), Unique doesn't flow real well, but I do use it occasionally. As for Universal, I haven't tried it in quite a while, but I don't recall a flow problem with it.

Could it possibly be you are using a rifle insert on your measure while trying to throw small pistol charges? This could be a cause for inconsistent charges with some powders.

 

[dwh]

Universal meters and flows well in my RCBS Uniflow with the small drum.

 

[ike1518]

With my Redding measure with pistol insert (metering chamber may be the proper term), Unique doesn't flow real well, but I do use it occasionally. As for Universal, I haven't tried it in quite a while, but I don't recall a flow problem with it.

Could it possibly be you are using a rifle insert on your measure while trying to throw small pistol charges? This could be a cause for inconsistent charges with some powders.

Using the pistol insert.

 

[glenwolde]

I use it all the time, and have never had a problem. Meters great. Maybe a static issue?

 

[Sevens]

I use it in my Lyman 55 and I have been for a heckuva long time. My #1 use for it is in 9mm loads. Tens of thousands of rounds.

 

[ike1518]

I use it all the time, and have never had a problem. Meters great. Maybe a static issue?

When I pull the handle with Universal in the powder measure I feel like I'm cutting through cardboard. I then cleaned out the Universal powder and put in HP-38 and much smoother and more consistent powder drops. Difference was like night and day. Same room, same time of day so if it was static or something environmental it would have affected the HP-38 as well but it didn't.

 

[ike1518]

I use it in my Lyman 55 and I have been for a heckuva long time. My #1 use for it is in 9mm loads. Tens of thousands of rounds.

Must be bad karma between me and the powder. Lol!

 

[Eddietruett]

I switched to Universal from Unique because it meters so much better in my Dillon 650

 

[ike1518]

I switched to Universal from Unique because it meters so much better in my Dillon 650

Maybe I got a bad bottle of powder. If it worked for everyone like it does for me Hodgdon wouldn’t be able to give it away. I’m seriously thinking of just tossing it.

 

[pantannojack]

I use Red Dot and Unique in my Pacific c. 1980, similar to RCBS, with the large drum, 6g, aim low and trickle in. I weigh every charge. After a time, 6- 10 drops, it settles in the powder hopper and becomes more uniform. I never race myself. It is my time and I'd rather do this than vacuum the rug or wash dishes and plates.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Since Universal is a flake powder it won't meter as well as W231 which is a ball powder. It's as simple as that IMO. You are probably doing nothing wrong, it's the nature of the beast.

 

[Forrest r]

Perhaps a powder baffle would help. I use them all the time in a hornady powder throw. Actually 2 different baffles, 1 with small openings and another with large.

A link to instructions on what powder baffles do, how they work. Along with printable templets to make your own.
https://www.shootersforum.com/attachments/powder_baffle_instructions_and_templates-pdf.10528/

I make my own out of aluminum roof flashing but any thin flat metal would work. I don't care what powder I'm using, the powder throw gets a baffle in it.

 

[moosedog]

Are you working in a high humidity? That could be a factor.

 

[gwpercle]

Using the pistol insert.

Maybe you simply need a little practice with the intent being cosistency . Consistent force when working the handle , consistent handle operation and keep the powder level above 1/2 full and / or use a powder baffle .
I don't have a Redding powder measure but when I bought my Lyman 55 and wanted to throw Unique ... I had to sit down and practice ... I found my most consistent method ...was first operation of the handle with the same speed and force every time .
Raise the handle and bump it twice ...same speed same force , lower the handle and bump it twice ...same speed , same force .
Keep the powder hooper above 1/2 full .
If I did consistent handle movements ...Unique measured just fine ... inconsistent handle movements and bumping force ... poor inconsistent drops .
Also , before you start ...the powder in the hopper has to be settled ...10 or 12 throws will get it settled , put the powder back in the hopper and don't even try to drop charges until the hopper powder is settled ... when you add more powder ...settle it also .

If everything isn't consistent and consistently operated every time ...you will get erratic drops ...aka ...inconsistency !

If push comes to shove a most consistent way to measure powder is a little dipper . Consistent dipping method will give you a completely consistent measure of powder ...just use a consistent method of dipping each time ... don't discard the powder ...find a way to measure it ... always more than one way to skin a powder measure cat .
Gary

 

[glenwolde]

Well I don't get it. I use a Lee Perfect Powder measure for Universal and it runs through it like water. They are cheap enough, actually I think the cheapest. Maybe you should try one.

 

[Nevada Ed]

10-15 years ago I tried it out in my 12 Ga. trap loads againts Unique & Green Dot.

It did pretty well in the fps department but it did not pattern as well and
at the lower 1145fps, 1 1/8 oz. loads, it was very dirty, in my shotgun barrels.

In my revolvers is could not match Unique in fps, so I never bought it again.

If it works out for you great and yes it was a Bomb in my Pacific powder unit.

 

[ike1518]

Perhaps a powder baffle would help. I use them all the time in a hornady powder throw. Actually 2 different baffles, 1 with small openings and another with large.

A link to instructions on what powder baffles do, how they work. Along with printable templets to make your own.
https://www.shootersforum.com/attachments/powder_baffle_instructions_and_templates-pdf.10528/

I make my own out of aluminum roof flashing but any thin flat metal would work. I don't care what powder I'm using, the powder throw gets a baffle in it.

Yes, I have a baffle in the powder measure and at a height that seems to work well for my other powders.

 

[ike1518]

Are you working in a high humidity? That could be a factor.

High and dry here in Colorado. Well, maybe I shouldn't say "high" but I'm at 5,000 feet above sea level.

When we moved out here last year we had our car loaded down with slate paving stones and plants my wife took from her garden. I told her that if we were pulled over by the cops to simply tell him we were a rock band hauling weed to Colorado. We laughed about that for many miles but luckily never had to use the line.

 

[mtgianni]

Not my experience. It tends to drop easily and measure well.