Replacement for Unique

[codefour]

I have been using Unique in my 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP for over a year now. I like the way it shoots aside from being a tad dirty.

There is one problem, It meters HORRIBLY in my Uniflow. I load on a Pro 2000 progressive press. For example, I will set my Uniflow micrometer screw to a setting of 6.2 grains of Unique for .45 ACP. I will then get 6.0 to 6.5 (approaching max) grains. I always lift the ram at the same speed and have a consistant stroke up and down.

Does Power Pistol meter well.? I usually like to keep loads a bit hotter to simulate duty rounds. I have used 231, but for my liking, it is just a bit too low on velocity.

Any suggestions for a good metering, higher velocity pistol powder.? Thanks in advance..

 

[DesertFox]

I have used lots of Unique and AA#7 for my 9mm and 10mm loads. I haven't reloaded much 45ACP...

 

[Galil5.56]

Power Pistol meters great, and it is absolutely superb per my experience in 9mm and .45 ACP; cast or jacketed. Even when used in lower intensity loading, the accuracy has been extremely good, and cleanliness is OK too.

Can't say I have had any issues metering Unique in my Dillon 550B, and for me WW231 easily makes for service type velocities in .45 ACP, and plenty fast in 9mm (1180 fps w/115 grain JHPs), but Power Pistol can REALLY step things up, should you wish to do so, and with great accuracy. Good luck.

 

[cfullgraf]

Unique meters fine in my Uniflow and my Redding 10-x and my Hornady l-N-L.

Trick is to be consistent in your operation. I like to use a powder baffle.

Make sure you are using the small rotor cavity in the Uniflow.

 

[ssyoumans]

I haven't noticed more than 1gr high or low thru my Uniflow and Unique. So, I still use it in 380, 9mm, 38 spec., 45 Acp and 44 Mag. It may not be my first choice but I like it's versatility. That said, I've also used Power Pistol in all of those calibers too. PP does meter very well, however it is very flashy (muzzle flash).
For $19 give it a try. You'll like the metering.

 

[El Chivato]

I use #2 in my .45 acp. and #5 in my .38s and 9mm. They flow very well.

 

[gunlaw]

For those particular calibers try AA#5. It meters great. It is my go to powder for 40 and 45acp.

 

[Walkalong]

Universal, AA #5, N340.

 

[dbarnhart]

I've loaded 45 ACP for years with 5.5 grains of Unique and using an RCBS Uniflow. Any time I was gating more than +/- .1 gr something was wrong.

 

[J2FLAN]

Useing any one powder won`t get the best (what you want) from those 3 calibers, so you won`t see the best results. Look at your load books for one that gets the closest. I load useing the UNI-FLOW on a PRO 2000 and found most the Hodgdon powders meter well, tryed AA5 and BE with no problems. In the long run, buying the best powder for each caliber won`t cost any more.
To answer your question, Universal (Hodgdons answer to Unique) should get you there. But, one powder "does all" sure sounds good.

 

[Fishslayer]

http://www.hodgdon.com/burn-rate.html

Unique is #31 on the burn rate chart. W321 is real close, #29. It meters really well in my Lee Auto Disc and burns pretty clean. Haven't used any of the others.

For light target loads I generally use Bullseye or Green Dot. Those are quite a bit faster.

 

[Sky King]

Dumped Unique and replaced with Universal. Purchase a container of Power Pistol, but haven't tried it yet

 

[CZ57]

One powder that meters like fine sand and loads cartridges from .380 to .454 Casull is Ramshot True Blue. Excellent powder for 9mm, .40 S&W and the .45 ACP. In my opinion it is THE ball powder replacement for Unique.

 

[oneounceload]

Universal Clays works very well

 

[hancjamk]

Autocomp... Very close burn rate to Unique. Meters better, cleaner and I found it has a quicker recovery time, even without a compensator.

 

[kludge]

Universal !!!

 

[Cherokee]

I replaced using Unique with 231 (HP38) many years ago. It works great in 9mm and 45 ACP, don't know about 40. Power Pistol is also good in 9mm, never tried it in 45 since 231 does the trick for me.

 

[Sport45]

I have a jug of Universal that's going to replace my Unique once it's empty.

 

[jfrey]

I've loaded 9mm and .45ACP with Unique for several years and been happy except my press will throw a little powder in 9mm when it automatically changes stations due to the case volume. I'll stick with the Unique in .45 but I recently changed to WSF in 9mm and like it better. It doesn't throw powder when the round advances. WSF meters better through my Dillon press too.

 

[oldreloader]

I had good luck with HP38 but tried AA#5 and AA#7. I like them even better than HP38 for both 9MM and 45ACP

 

[Funshooter45]

Unique, Universal, VV N-330 are all nearly equal in burn rate. I like the N330 a lot but it's a good bit more expensive. AA #5 is pretty close and is supposed to be good but it's rare to see on the shelves around here. That leaves Unique and Universal. They measure out almost to the tenth of a grain as being equal in loads. Except Universal meters better and burns cleaner and often costs less in this area. Don't get me wrong, I like Alliant powders a lot, especially rifle powders and 2400. It's just that Universal is better for my medium handgun loads than Unique.

Someone mentioned True Blue which I also like a whole lot. But it is slower than Unique and Universal. Good stuff though that I use a lot.

 

[jeepmor]

Unique is only dirty whn I under load it IMO. Never ran universal yet, but I do like power pistol.

 

[1SOW]

vv n320=(light loads) or n330 for 9mm, n/330 or n340 for heavier bullets.
IMO: You can "stretch" any one of these powders to do both calibers, but the above is best suited for the caliber.

Costs more, uses less powder, shoots clean, meters very well with Lee powder disc system.

 

[medalguy]

AA #5 and AA #7 meter like water. Very consistent and clean burning.

 

[Rule3]

Autocomp... Very close burn rate to Unique. Meters better, cleaner and I found it has a quicker recovery time, even without a compensator.

I'll second Auto Comp. Either that or HP 38/W 231