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Need Suggestions On Unique Powder Substitute

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bucksarge

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hello,

Question and a story.

1. What would be a viable substitute for Unique powder? I'm presently reloading 9mm, 40S&W, 45 ACP, and 10MM (purchased a G20sf a year ago). All I've ever used is Unique (been reloading for 5 years). My loads are towards the upper end of the Speer manual, Lyman manual, and the Alliant web site...........not max (worked up the load over time). I use Montana Gold cmj and fmj.

Usage is for target practice out in the woods or in an indoor range.

2. Went to my LGS the other day and purchased a few thousand small and large pistol primers....they were in stock. Unfortunately no Unique (I still have approx. 5 lbs.). Asked the pro behind the counter, of all he has in stock, what would be a good replacement for Unique. His answer was "Go check that wall of books over there and tell me what you want." I didn't buy powder.

Now let me say that this shop has always been curt to customers but with their close proximity to my home and the good pricing they have, I've always overlooked that flaw. This time I left the store a little more that perturbed.

Not having been to many reloading retailers I was wondering if this is SOP. Are they afraid of legal problems if they suggest something? Or do I have to branch out and look for another source?

Thanks For Your Input.
 
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#2 · (Edited)
Hodgdon Universal
Winchester 231 / Hodgdon HP-38
Accurate #5
Power Pistol
HS-6

All the Best,
D. White
 
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#3 ·
It could be an attitude problem or it could just be that the clerk really didn't know. My guess is the latter.

You want a single powder to do everything and Unique is as good as it gets, in that regard. It's a fairly slow powder (#31 on the chart) and you could look for powders near that speed range and check the load manuals to see if they can do what you want.

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

But it really does get down to looking through manuals and web sites to decide what you want.

Some of the other fellows around here may have more specific suggestions.

Richard
 
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Discussion starter · #5 ·
I love this Forum!

Thanks for the quick responses.

Sourdough44, F106 Fan, and dwhite53 your input is greatly appreciated.

I printed out the relative burn rates and will use this as a guide and for future reference.

Now to go back to my LGS with knowledge!

Again, thank you all.
 
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#6 ·
I agree with the advice regarding the burn rate tables. With jacketed bullets, all of the medium burners should do about what Unique does. I had tried a pound of Universal with lead bullets and found that it acted more like a faster powder, say 231, than Unique. I didn't find it to be a suitable substitute for Unique for powerful cast bullet loads. But, since you are using jacketed, I wouldn't worry that much about it.
 
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#12 ·
ColoCG said:
I love Unique. If I couldn't get it Winchester Super Field (WSF) is about as good a substitute as you can get. The main difference between them is WSF meters better in powder measures.
Click to expand...
My first two thoughts were that Universal was made to compete with Unique... might be worth a try, and WSF is a good substitute - I use it quite a bit. It is reverse temp sensitive, so if you're loading for power factor leave a little room for those hot days - your loads will go slower than you think. Only other down side I can think of is that it will be harder to find data for. Every manual has a load with Unique... most don't have any WSF data.
 
#15 ·
Of course the substitutes for Unique aren't likely to be available either. I certainly can't find WSF through online resources.

It is easier to get a list of what the LGS has than to just keep searching for a powder only to be told that they don't have it either. Have the clerk mark up a copy of the burn rate table. They're not likely to have enough powder that it takes more than a minute or so to highlight the list.

My LGS keeps their current inventory on a clipboard at the counter.

If you see a likely candidate, buy it!

It just might not be possible to find a 'do-it-all' powder. After all, every other reloader is looking for the same thing.

I see the commercial ammo situation is starting to recover a bit but I don't see that for primers or powder.

Richard
 
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#16 ·
bucksarge said:
Hello,

Question and a story.

1. What would be a viable substitute for Unique powder? I'm presently reloading 9mm, 40S&W, 45 ACP, and 10MM (purchased a G20sf a year ago). All I've ever used is Unique (been reloading for 5 years). My loads are towards the upper end of the Speer manual, Lyman manual, and the Alliant web site...........not max (worked up the load over time). I use Montana Gold cmj and fmj.

Usage is for target practice out in the woods or in an indoor range.

2. Went to my LGS the other day and purchased a few thousand small and large pistol primers....they were in stock. Unfortunately no Unique (I still have approx. 5 lbs.). Asked the pro behind the counter, of all he has in stock, what would be a good replacement for Unique. His answer was "Go check that wall of books over there and tell me what you want." I didn't buy powder.

Now let me say that this shop has always been curt to customers but with their close proximity to my home and the good pricing they have, I've always overlooked that flaw. This time I left the store a little more that perturbed.

Not having been to many reloading retailers I was wondering if this is SOP. Are they afraid of legal problems if they suggest something? Or do I have to branch out and look for another source?

Thanks For Your Input.
Click to expand...
Just checking the Lee book and no other source yet, I find Green Dot loads in all but the 10mm. I have used it very satisfactorily in 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP. It seems to be readily available also, compared to many other good ones.
 
#17 ·
Zombie Steve said:
My first two thoughts were that Universal was made to compete with Unique... might be worth a try, and WSF is a good substitute - I use it quite a bit. It is reverse temp sensitive, so if you're loading for power factor leave a little room for those hot days - your loads will go slower than you think. Only other down side I can think of is that it will be harder to find data for. Every manual has a load with Unique... most don't have any WSF data.
Click to expand...
I have tried substituting Universal for Unique mainly in .40 and was not impressed at all. Accuracy was for me nowhere near what I was getting with Unique or WSF for that matter. Maybe just my loads, I still have at least a half a pound that I have had for about 10 years that I don't use. :dunno:
 
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