Alliant Unique Powder
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TimSr
Member
Unique is a great powder for a wide range of applications which make sit very popular as a "one powder for everything" choice, but its pretty dirty and smokes a lot also. the 3 cartridges you mentioned do not require and real versatility, so there are a lot of choices that will work well with tons of published load data. From Alliant I would use Red Dot first, Bullseye 2nd, and Unique would be my 3rd choice. Red Dot and Bullseye are smaller flakes than unique, and should meter better if you are having problems. Unique would be the better choice if you also wanted to do magnum loads, but with your cartridge choices there is no need to tolerate Unique's less desireable attributes to achieve equal or better results.
There are lots of other good powders as well, but my experience is with old school poiwders that still work well today.
There are lots of other good powders as well, but my experience is with old school poiwders that still work well today.
vaalpens
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Everybody talks about Unique not metering well, but it assumes it will depend on what powder dispenser you are using.
I like Unique and has found that it is the powder I pick when I start working up a load. Since I still weigh each load, Unique works great for me. It pours very easy and is not impacted that much by static. There is a lot of load data for Unique, so that also makes it easy to pick.
I like Unique and has found that it is the powder I pick when I start working up a load. Since I still weigh each load, Unique works great for me. It pours very easy and is not impacted that much by static. There is a lot of load data for Unique, so that also makes it easy to pick.
The second powder I ever bought was Unique, mebbe around 1970. Unique meters "differently" than some other powders, but that isn't a problem for me (just today I finished off 100+ 45 ACP reloads using Unique. I ran 100 loads through my C-H 502 powder measure and had no more than .1 grain variation. My older Lee powder measure can keep under .2 gr.). Way back when, I used a dipper and scale for my Unique loads and I got pretty good at hitting within 1/10th grain of my target load. With loads of mid to upper pressures, Unique is almost as clean burning as any powder I've used (my light Unique loads for a wadcutter in .38 Spec. was pretty bad, with yellow kernels left on my gun, but a mid load with a 150 LSWC was clean).
I've only got 2 lbs. of Unique left and when that's gone I'll look for some more. Unique's "bad" qualities are outweighed by it's consistent performance in my handguns...
I've only got 2 lbs. of Unique left and when that's gone I'll look for some more. Unique's "bad" qualities are outweighed by it's consistent performance in my handguns...
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mikemyers
Member
Interesting. I went through the above responses, to see which were most popular:
14 people like Unique
6 people prefer HP-38/Win231
1 each prefer Universal, Alliant BE86, Bullseye, and Red Dot.
14 people like Unique
6 people prefer HP-38/Win231
1 each prefer Universal, Alliant BE86, Bullseye, and Red Dot.
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mikemyers
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Are these essentially the same thing? Is either one preferable to the other?
Frank V
Member
Mike according to a Oct/Nov 2009 Handloader Magazine article & a call to Hodgdon's they are the same.
I have used WW231 & HP38 interchangably & had great results.
A lot of people like to run down Unique, I'm one who'd hate to be without it. I've loaded pounds of Unique & it's my go to powder for the .44 Special. If I could only have one pistol powder but could get all I want, it'd be Unique.
I think HP38/WW231 would be good choices for the cartridges you mentioned, but don't ever count out Unique.
I have used WW231 & HP38 interchangably & had great results.
A lot of people like to run down Unique, I'm one who'd hate to be without it. I've loaded pounds of Unique & it's my go to powder for the .44 Special. If I could only have one pistol powder but could get all I want, it'd be Unique.
I think HP38/WW231 would be good choices for the cartridges you mentioned, but don't ever count out Unique.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
According to Hodgdon/ Winchester and St. Marks Powder HP-38 and W231 are the same exact powder and have ALWAYS been the same. Only the labeling is different.
I see no reason why the plant that makes it and the owners and distributors would lie. I use the one that's available and if both are available I buy the one with the lower price tag.
IMO the reason Unique is so often recommended, it's been around for over 100 years. (and of course because it produces accurate ammo)
I see no reason why the plant that makes it and the owners and distributors would lie. I use the one that's available and if both are available I buy the one with the lower price tag.
IMO the reason Unique is so often recommended, it's been around for over 100 years. (and of course because it produces accurate ammo)
Arkansas Paul
Member
Nope, no difference. When my powder gets low, I just pour into a full container and I've poured HP-38 into a can of W231.
As far as one being preferrable to the other, I've found that in my area, the Hodgdon powders are generally a few dollars cheaper than Winchester. It's like $26 vs $31.
As far as one being preferrable to the other, I've found that in my area, the Hodgdon powders are generally a few dollars cheaper than Winchester. It's like $26 vs $31.
W-231, Unique, red Dot, and Bullseye are all popular powders that work well for certain applications. W231 and Unique are the more versatile of those IMO.
I haven't tried any BE-86, but it has made a good impression with folks so far.
There are many other good powders as well.
A very wise and talented man once said something to the effect that you just might find you can get what you need. Study your mauals and see what powders pop up a lot. Try a lb of a few different types-brands. You might be happily surprised.
I've got to go stand in line with Mr. Jimi. Later.
I've got to go stand in line with Mr. Jimi. Later.
oneounceload
member
I have never had any issues with Unique in my RCBS powder measure over 30+ years. worked great even with small charges for 32 ACP and 32 SWL
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mikemyers
Member
'Ky_Larry' - I sort of did that here. The one that popped up much more than anything else was Unique. That's not really fair though, as the thread was intended to be about Unique, but the reason for my selecting Uniques is that so many people seemed to be saying favorable things about Unique, with only one negative - that I'll have more work to do cleaning my gun afterwards.
Let's see how much (little?) I know.....
Unique is a "slow burning powder". Bullseye is a "fast burning powder". Supposedly, "slower burning powders will give you the fastest velocities" because the bullet is constantly accelerating as it makes its way down the barrel. Also, slow burning powders "generally fill the case more resulting in a much less chance of double or overcharging". Supposedly "The lighter the bullet, the faster the powder and the less the case fill. The heavier the bullet, the slower the powder and the more the case fill." To calculate the weight of any specified powder, for a specified caliber, I need to know the weight of the bullet that will be used. I think that's all correct????
One highly recommended place to get this data is
http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/
So, I go there, and select "Pistol".
Next, for cartridge, I select "38 Special".
Being new to this, I have no idea what I might want for the next three choices, "bullet weight", "manufacturer", and "powder". So, the only thing to do is click on "Get Data" (presumably for everything).
On the next page that shows up, the only thing I know for sure is that I would select from "Starting Loads", rather than "Maximum Loads". There are so many choices, with no obvious way to narrow the list down.
If I know the bullet weight, and if I know the type of powder, this page will then tell me how much powder I should put in each bullet. That's very useful, and easy to look up. But it's not helping select "the best" powder for what I want to do. I need to figure out which powder, and which bullet, before I can use this.....
Let's see how much (little?) I know.....
Unique is a "slow burning powder". Bullseye is a "fast burning powder". Supposedly, "slower burning powders will give you the fastest velocities" because the bullet is constantly accelerating as it makes its way down the barrel. Also, slow burning powders "generally fill the case more resulting in a much less chance of double or overcharging". Supposedly "The lighter the bullet, the faster the powder and the less the case fill. The heavier the bullet, the slower the powder and the more the case fill." To calculate the weight of any specified powder, for a specified caliber, I need to know the weight of the bullet that will be used. I think that's all correct????
One highly recommended place to get this data is
http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/
So, I go there, and select "Pistol".
Next, for cartridge, I select "38 Special".
Being new to this, I have no idea what I might want for the next three choices, "bullet weight", "manufacturer", and "powder". So, the only thing to do is click on "Get Data" (presumably for everything).
On the next page that shows up, the only thing I know for sure is that I would select from "Starting Loads", rather than "Maximum Loads". There are so many choices, with no obvious way to narrow the list down.
If I know the bullet weight, and if I know the type of powder, this page will then tell me how much powder I should put in each bullet. That's very useful, and easy to look up. But it's not helping select "the best" powder for what I want to do. I need to figure out which powder, and which bullet, before I can use this.....
Alliant Steel might be just as good as anything. But I wouldn't know, cuz there's no data for it.
For a new loader, Hodgdon/IMR/WIN powders are nice because of the Hodgdon reloading center website. Easy access to up to date, detailed info.
For someone that shoots any cast rifle or oddball cast bullets, it just seems like there's lots of old data out there for Unique.
But really, do you even have a choice? Seems like you go to the store and take what you can get, anymore. Put every powder everyone has recommended on a list. Find out what you can get. And your job is going to be a lot easier.
For a new loader, Hodgdon/IMR/WIN powders are nice because of the Hodgdon reloading center website. Easy access to up to date, detailed info.
For someone that shoots any cast rifle or oddball cast bullets, it just seems like there's lots of old data out there for Unique.
But really, do you even have a choice? Seems like you go to the store and take what you can get, anymore. Put every powder everyone has recommended on a list. Find out what you can get. And your job is going to be a lot easier.
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mikemyers
Member
(We need a reloading dictionary on THR, so when I pass information like this on, and the follow-up question inevitably is "What do you mean by medium speed?", I'll be able to explain.
The only answer I have right now is that other powders burn faster than Unique, and still other powders burn more slowly. I haven't found any simple answer yet as to why I would want "fast", "medium" or "slow" burning powder. I think it has to do with the weight of the bullet, an the length of the barrel, so all the powder is burnt up before the bullet exits the barrel, but that's just something I'm guessing is a logical reason - I haven't found it in writing anywhere.
Maybe this is one more situation where most people know the "what", but not the "why"...
The only answer I have right now is that other powders burn faster than Unique, and still other powders burn more slowly. I haven't found any simple answer yet as to why I would want "fast", "medium" or "slow" burning powder. I think it has to do with the weight of the bullet, an the length of the barrel, so all the powder is burnt up before the bullet exits the barrel, but that's just something I'm guessing is a logical reason - I haven't found it in writing anywhere.
Maybe this is one more situation where most people know the "what", but not the "why"...
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mikemyers
Member
For 'GLOOB':
http://www.alliantpowder.com/products/powder/steel.aspx
Isn't Alliant Steel only for shotshells, or am I missing something?
http://www.alliantpowder.com/products/powder/steel.aspx
Isn't Alliant Steel only for shotshells, or am I missing something?
oneounceload
member
^^^ You are correct.
I wouldn't get too hung up on powder speed. Too many things can change the "relative burn speed" like powder charge, case capacity, bullet weight. Unique is generally slower than Bullseye, but way faster than H110, but then H110 is very fast compared to Varget.
In any good reloading manual there's a section on powders that give the type, shape, and recommendations for use of most powders available in the US. I know a lot of questions are "I just wanna know" but relative burn speed is much more involved than talking about miles per hour or even bullet velocities...
In any good reloading manual there's a section on powders that give the type, shape, and recommendations for use of most powders available in the US. I know a lot of questions are "I just wanna know" but relative burn speed is much more involved than talking about miles per hour or even bullet velocities...
TimSr
Member
Just for the record, I like Unique for its versatility, and use it a lot. I just recommended Bulleye or Red Dot because you don't need versatility for your applications.
Having said that, you are giving me a headache by way overthnking this to find the "ultimate best powder", when there are a dozen powders that will give you simular good results, so I change my vote to - go get some Unique and start loading already. You can try other powders later after you've leaned to reload.
Having said that, you are giving me a headache by way overthnking this to find the "ultimate best powder", when there are a dozen powders that will give you simular good results, so I change my vote to - go get some Unique and start loading already. You can try other powders later after you've leaned to reload.
For metering...
I use a 550b and have had les than 1/10th gn variance with Unique.
For dirtiness...
There are cleaner powders, but many lack the versatility of Unique.
Unique has very good medium performance in many rounds.
Unique is a powder that I would call a "go to" powder for many things.
LongShot gives better (spot on) metering and cleaner burn with better velocity in most handgun cartridges, but it also takes more. I have not run out of Unique yet and not seen much locally but on my shelf, it owns an important spot!
I use a 550b and have had les than 1/10th gn variance with Unique.
For dirtiness...
There are cleaner powders, but many lack the versatility of Unique.
Unique has very good medium performance in many rounds.
Unique is a powder that I would call a "go to" powder for many things.
LongShot gives better (spot on) metering and cleaner burn with better velocity in most handgun cartridges, but it also takes more. I have not run out of Unique yet and not seen much locally but on my shelf, it owns an important spot!
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Shotgun powder and pistol powders are the same thing. The only difference is the data and marketing.
Unique is excellent in 12 gauge and 20 gauge. Universal Clays (shotgun clays!) is excellent in 45ACP. Red Dot and Promo are commonly used in both handguns and shotgun. LongShot is popular in 40SW and 10mm, but the name comes from its use in longer range magnum shot shells. The list goes on and on. Basically, what you're looking at is operating pressure, velocity, and amount of overbore. Shotguns and pistols operate in similar pressure ranges and are not overbore, or necked down. Almost any useful powder for a shotgun will be usable in some handgun, and vice versa. But it takes time and money for a company to provide safe and reliable data that doesn't put them in a position of liability. They come out with new powders aimed at certain segments, with manufactur-backed data for such. And years later, there may or may not finally be some more data amassed, regarding broader use.
One general difference I am guessing is that shotgun shells might more often be loaded with flakier powders, since they're often compressed. To keep the wad of shot from moving around in the hull. The more dense pistol ball powders are probably not as well-suited.
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