Where is the Unique

[murf205]

I have about 4 lbs of Unique but have been using Accurate #5 in it's place for some time now and the results are good. It's not a direct replacement for Unique but the burn rate is pretty close. Works in my 45 acp and Colt loads fine and runs through a powder measure with excellent repeatability. It burns clean (NOT bashing Unique) and works with a std primer just fine. Plus--I can actually find it.

 

[DWalt]

AA#5 is an acceptable substitute for Unique but not a twin to it. No idea about AA#5's current availability. Meanwhile I have a nearly full 8# jug of Universal so I don't need any Unique or AA#5. My main use for the latter is for hotter .38 Super and 9x23 loads, for which it is singularly the best suited propellant made due to its high bulk density.

 

[Model19man]

Unique has been available around here. Midway USA had it in stock three weeks ago for $42 a pound which is the same price they get for most of the Hodgdon stuff. I have close to 5 pounds of Unique so I didn't buy any. I got a pound ech of Green Dot and Herco from them.

 

[johngalt]

Discussions like this make me glad I stocked up on Bullseye when I did. Seems like the last 10 years has been shortage after shortage.

The first time I've seen primers on the shelf in a while was at Fleet Farm this summer, sold in 100 count trays (no bricks) from $8.00 to $11.00 per. I think that is high even for today.

 

[Model19man]

Powder is starting to show up in my area. I have only been reloading since October of 2022. I have never seen Unique in my area. Is it popping up anywhere at all?

Thank you

Midway USA has Herco in stock again. It's a little slower than Unique but a great substitute.

 

[shil]

I haven't seen Unique in years. I found Vihtavuori N32C (Tin Star) a viable alternative for .45 Colt, if you can find it and are willing to pay the price. Woe...... I read it's being or has been discontinued. Once I use up the remainder of my supply, I'll have to go to my remaining Unique. When that's gone and Unique is still a rarity, it'll be time to work up with something else.

 

[CajunBass]

Ok...I'll throw this out to the brain trust. I too normally use Unique, but I'm down the last scrapings in the can. Guy at the shop recommended 244, so I've got that. Looks like it will work in 38/357, and 44 sp/44 mag OK. I don't load anything "hot" I'm more of a starting load guy.

Problem is I can find no information for 244 with the 41 mag, (220 grain Berry's). Anyone ever used it?

 

[DeplorabusUnum]

I'm kind of surprised no one has mentioned CFE Pistol as a good all around powder. I get really good accurate loads in 9mm, 38 Sp., 45 ACP, and 44 Sp. It meters really well. Plus it's cheap! Powder Valley has it in stock right now for $28.79 a pound, or $233 per 8#. These days I'd say that's a smokin' deal, except it's smokeless powder

In terms of finding the hard to find. You have to check your favorite online sites every day, and swing by your LGS as much as you can. Out of nowhere they occasionally show up, but you have to act fast because they sell out quickly. Back at the height of the COVID madness, in summer of 2021, I found Bullseye and 2400 on Powder Valley's site when there was no powder of any kind at the LGS and all the online sites were out. In the meantime, you have to make do with what's available.

 

[rockquarry]

I used Unique for many years, despite the fact it doesn't flow through a measure well. Nowadays, I've gotten away from it altogether. I tried Universal years ago and never could quite get it to equal the accuracy of Unique loads, but it may have been fairly close.

I only load 9mm ,.38 Special, .357 Magnum, .44 Special, .45 ACP and Auto Rim these days. They all do very well using full power loads with either Bullseye or 231, with the exception of the .357 for which I use #2400. Cast bullets for all handgun chamberings.

 

[DeplorabusUnum]

I used Unique for many years, despite the fact it doesn't flow through a measure well. Nowadays, I've gotten away from it altogether. I tried Universal years ago and never could quite get it to equal the accuracy of Unique loads, but it may have been fairly close.

I only load 9mm ,.38 Special, .357 Magnum, .44 Special, .45 ACP and Auto Rim these days. They all do very well using full power loads with either Bullseye or 231, with the exception of the .357 for which I use #2400. Cast bullets for all handgun chamberings.

I agree. I think I'm done buying Unique. The disadvantages of poor metering and sooty casings and barrels outweigh the advantages, at least for me.

 

[glenwolde]

I used Unique for many years, despite the fact it doesn't flow through a measure well. Nowadays, I've gotten away from it altogether. I tried Universal years ago and never could quite get it to equal the accuracy of Unique loads, but it may have been fairly close.

I only load 9mm ,.38 Special, .357 Magnum, .44 Special, .45 ACP and Auto Rim these days. They all do very well using full power loads with either Bullseye or 231, with the exception of the .357 for which I use #2400. Cast bullets for all handgun chamberings.

It was the opposite for me. Universal was more accurate.

 

[Forrest r]

Funny thing is, Hodgdon was threatening to discontinue W231/HP38 for many years and yet here it is one of the most commonly available powders.


That was a fiasco. Three very different powders and the consumer couldn't tell the difference between them. They have since rationalized the names to just Clays, Universal, and International but the damage is done. It's interesting that of the Clays line, only International has no handgun application. In fact Hodgdon is quite adamant on the point, though I am sure someone has experimented with it.

International clays used to have handgun application. It ran into issues with "lite" for caliber bullets so hodgdon pulled all the pistol/revolver data using international clays.

The last manual hodgdon published using international clays in revolvers was their 2003 cowboy action 4th edition. In shows loads for 138gr/38spl, 240gr/44spl, 240gr/44mag, 250gr/45lc.
http://www.castpics.net/LoadData/Freebies/RM/Hodgdon/Hogdgon Cowboy 03.pdf

6-shot groups @ 50ft with 38spl's in a 686. The far right target was shot with a 158gr/interanional clays combo.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Ok...I'll throw this out to the brain trust. I too normally use Unique, but I'm down the last scrapings in the can. Guy at the shop recommended 244, so I've got that. Looks like it will work in 38/357, and 44 sp/44 mag OK. I don't load anything "hot" I'm more of a starting load guy.

Problem is I can find no information for 244 with the 41 mag, (220 grain Berry's). Anyone ever used it?

If you use Unique give Universal a try as a substitute. The It was developed to mimic Unique.

W244 is a good substitute for W231.

 

[Eddie Southgate]

" Where is the Unique "

Mostly at my house.

 

[Norman77]

Adding to the suggestions of Accurate 5, which is in the ballpark of Unique with the vivacity, i would add Shootersworld Auto Pistol, which was once sold as Accurate 5, and can be cheaper. In am just not sure if it is even available, i was waiting for 4 bottles of D036/Auto Pistol for well a year after purchase. But it is doing fine in my 9 mm / .357 loads. A small tad faster, but with the best possible metering qualities is Ramshot True Blue. It really meters like water, at the expense of being a fine dust of little black perfect spheres. So, it can leak out of some powder throwers. Thes powders, however, have a high density. For .45 or .44 Magnum i am therefor not so sure, these might like more case fill.