Alliant Unique Powder - Label Change

Sergeant · June 10, 2012, 09:58 AM

Started reloading again a year ago. Picked Unique because it seemed a good all round powder, similar to Universal I used back in caveman times. Last two trips to pick up a new supply, everyone was out of stock. Then I realized they changed the label from orange (new cleaner) to grey with an old look.

What gives? Is this the same formula, do I need to redo my new custom load data?

jmortimer · June 10, 2012, 10:11 AM

Unique load data has never changed. Even real old "dirty" formula has same properties as current production. It is "cleaner", especially if loaded mid to mid-high levels.

Jim Watson · June 10, 2012, 10:12 AM

They have changed the label more than once over the years, the powder formulation remains the same.

Sergeant · June 10, 2012, 10:20 AM

Tnx, that is good to know.

moxie · June 10, 2012, 03:06 PM

I've a couple of big jugs of Unique less than a year old; both have orange labels. And yes, the formula hasn't changed except for "cleaner." Use the same load data.

kraigwy · June 11, 2012, 08:50 AM

They changed the label to make me look like an idiot. I pawed all through the powder section then ask the clerk, who promply pointed to several cans that I had been moving around trying to find unique.

Sergeant · June 11, 2012, 09:34 PM

Good to know I'm not the only one to get thrown for a loop. I had to of moved it looking for the big orange label too. Probably twice.

**Unclenick** · June 11, 2012, 10:03 PM

Seargeant,

The only thing that puzzled me about your first post is the "caveman days" comment. Unique is one of the oldest powders available, having been, by some accounts, introduced as early as 1890 by Laflin and Rand as their "Infallible" powder, the name later having been changed either by DuPont, who bought L&R, or by Hercules, the company that resulted from DuPont's divestiture of that business. Universal, on the other hand, is actually rebranded AP70N from ADI in Australia, and is the more modern and cleaner burning powder. Many have gone in the opposite direction you have, and switched to Universal in place of Unique to avoid Unique's well-known tendency to meter irregularly in some measures because of its large flake size. Alliant changed the Unique manufacturing process in the 1990's to reduce it's fouling, so the fouling improvement is not so great now as it was originally, but the flakes are still fairly large.

jmortimer · June 11, 2012, 10:41 PM

Just had a way too long thread on the metering issue. For many, myself included, it is a non-issue.

Jim Watson · June 13, 2012, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Alliant changed the Unique manufacturing process in the 1990's to reduce it's fouling, so the fouling improvement is not so great now as it was originally, but the flakes are still fairly large.

Alliant said the main thing they did to clean up Unique was to tighten the screen size specs and eliminate the fines. So what they are doing is to be sure what you get IS the large flakes. They said they did not change the chemistry.

**Unclenick** · June 13, 2012, 11:38 AM

My mind is probably playing tricks on me, but I thought the flakes looked different. May just be my imagination, though. Been a few years since the last old can was gone. If they just cleaned out the finings, my guess is a lot of loose graphite went with it. That certainly spreads around a good bit.

Sergeant · June 13, 2012, 07:12 PM

Since Universal is similar to Unique. Maybe I will buy some to play with next time. Even pull out my old "reload by hammer" kit.

joneb · June 15, 2012, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Since Universal is similar to Unique. Maybe I will buy some to play with next time.

That maybe my next Unique powder replacement

Peter M. Eick · June 17, 2012, 11:12 AM

Some of us did not get better accuracy with universal which is why we switched back to Unique. I admit universal is more consistent measurement but on paper Unique worked better "for me" with lead in many calibers.

joneb · June 18, 2012, 09:40 PM

Quote:

I admit universal is more consistent measurement but on paper Unique worked better "for me" with lead in many calibers.

Thanks that's good to know. I have been using AA#5 instead of Unique and found it to be excellent for 45acp, 44spl, warm 38spl and 9x18 Mak so I may stick #5 for now, but I would also like to try Ramshot's True Blue for a Unique replacement.

Slamfire · June 19, 2012, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Some of us did not get better accuracy with universal which is why we switched back to Unique. I admit universal is more consistent measurement but on paper Unique worked better "for me" with lead in many calibers.

Excellent answer!

I have been using Unique and Bullseye for more than 20 years. I have measured the velocity, examined the extreme spreads and standard deviations, compared with other powders, such as the ball powder AA#5, and found no improvement in accuracy or velocity spreads with the "better" throwing powders.

Delusional thinking extends to reloading. People think that better metering means better accuracy. That makes sense, better control of a variable must mean better control of the process, right?. Unfortunately, it does not. You have to shoot the load and measure the accuracy and velocity and often you will find that you are controlling a variable that makes no difference on paper.

**Unclenick** · June 19, 2012, 10:49 AM

A gun showing preference for a particular powder is not at all uncommon. Many times it is tied to particular bullets and load levels, but sometimes it's across the board. Unfortunately, the only way to find out if your gun has such a preference is to try different powders. I've had good luck with Universal, but I can't say I've seen any accuracy difference between it and Unique in mid-range to +P level loads for the 1911; nor in the .44 Special. I've not compared them in any of the various thirty-six caliber handguns I have.

Sergeant · June 20, 2012, 08:33 PM

My cavemen days meant when I was reloading way back when with an hand kit and hammer. Could not afford much back then.

I think trying universal or another powder with the bullets and guns one shoots is a good idea. Although Unique seems to work good with everything I shoot, does not mean that there may be a more optimal powder for a certain gun bullet combination.

Thanks for all the great input.

YARDDOG(1) · June 21, 2012, 07:34 PM

Just had a way too long thread on the metering issue. "[For many, myself included, it is a non-issue.]"

Same here No Problems

Y/D

joneb · June 22, 2012, 09:29 PM

I would easily get a .2gr + or - variation with Unique, one charge maybe 5.2 and the next would be 5.6gr. when 5.4gr is the max load this variation would bother me. I can throw AA#5 with no detectable variation so I use that instead.

June 10, 2012, 09:58 AM	#1
Sergeant Senior Member Join Date: July 17, 2011 Posts: 124	Alliant Unique Powder - Label Change Started reloading again a year ago. Picked Unique because it seemed a good all round powder, similar to Universal I used back in caveman times. Last two trips to pick up a new supply, everyone was out of stock. Then I realized they changed the label from orange (new cleaner) to grey with an old look. What gives? Is this the same formula, do I need to redo my new custom load data?

June 11, 2012, 08:50 AM	#6
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	They changed the label to make me look like an idiot. I pawed all through the powder section then ask the clerk, who promply pointed to several cans that I had been moving around trying to find unique. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

June 11, 2012, 10:03 PM	#8
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,057	Seargeant, The only thing that puzzled me about your first post is the "caveman days" comment. Unique is one of the oldest powders available, having been, by some accounts, introduced as early as 1890 by Laflin and Rand as their "Infallible" powder, the name later having been changed either by DuPont, who bought L&R, or by Hercules, the company that resulted from DuPont's divestiture of that business. Universal, on the other hand, is actually rebranded AP70N from ADI in Australia, and is the more modern and cleaner burning powder. Many have gone in the opposite direction you have, and switched to Universal in place of Unique to avoid Unique's well-known tendency to meter irregularly in some measures because of its large flake size. Alliant changed the Unique manufacturing process in the 1990's to reduce it's fouling, so the fouling improvement is not so great now as it was originally, but the flakes are still fairly large. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

June 13, 2012, 11:38 AM	#11
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,057	My mind is probably playing tricks on me, but I thought the flakes looked different. May just be my imagination, though. Been a few years since the last old can was gone. If they just cleaned out the finings, my guess is a lot of loose graphite went with it. That certainly spreads around a good bit. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

June 17, 2012, 11:12 AM	#14
Peter M. Eick Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 1999 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 2,991	Some of us did not get better accuracy with universal which is why we switched back to Unique. I admit universal is more consistent measurement but on paper Unique worked better "for me" with lead in many calibers. __________________ 10mm and 357sig, the best things to come along since the 38 super!

June 10, 2012, 10:11 AM	#2
jmortimer Junior member Join Date: January 24, 2010 Location: South West Riverside County California Posts: 2,763	Unique load data has never changed. Even real old "dirty" formula has same properties as current production. It is "cleaner", especially if loaded mid to mid-high levels.

June 10, 2012, 10:12 AM	#3
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,532	They have changed the label more than once over the years, the powder formulation remains the same.

June 10, 2012, 10:20 AM	#4
Sergeant Senior Member Join Date: July 17, 2011 Posts: 124	Tnx, that is good to know.

June 10, 2012, 03:06 PM	#5
moxie Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2006 Location: TX Posts: 513	I've a couple of big jugs of Unique less than a year old; both have orange labels. And yes, the formula hasn't changed except for "cleaner." Use the same load data. __________________ If you want to shoot...shoot...don't talk! Tuco USAF Munitions 1969-1992 RVN 1972-1973

June 11, 2012, 09:34 PM	#7
Sergeant Senior Member Join Date: July 17, 2011 Posts: 124	Good to know I'm not the only one to get thrown for a loop. I had to of moved it looking for the big orange label too. Probably twice.

June 11, 2012, 10:41 PM	#9
jmortimer Junior member Join Date: January 24, 2010 Location: South West Riverside County California Posts: 2,763	Just had a way too long thread on the metering issue. For many, myself included, it is a non-issue.

June 13, 2012, 07:12 PM	#12
Sergeant Senior Member Join Date: July 17, 2011 Posts: 124	Since Universal is similar to Unique. Maybe I will buy some to play with next time. Even pull out my old "reload by hammer" kit.

June 19, 2012, 10:49 AM	#17
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,057	A gun showing preference for a particular powder is not at all uncommon. Many times it is tied to particular bullets and load levels, but sometimes it's across the board. Unfortunately, the only way to find out if your gun has such a preference is to try different powders. I've had good luck with Universal, but I can't say I've seen any accuracy difference between it and Unique in mid-range to +P level loads for the 1911; nor in the .44 Special. I've not compared them in any of the various thirty-six caliber handguns I have. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

June 20, 2012, 08:33 PM	#18
Sergeant Senior Member Join Date: July 17, 2011 Posts: 124	My cavemen days meant when I was reloading way back when with an hand kit and hammer. Could not afford much back then. I think trying universal or another powder with the bullets and guns one shoots is a good idea. Although Unique seems to work good with everything I shoot, does not mean that there may be a more optimal powder for a certain gun bullet combination. Thanks for all the great input.

June 21, 2012, 07:34 PM	#19
YARDDOG(1) Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: GATOR COUNTRY HA HA HA! Posts: 721	Just had a way too long thread on the metering issue. "[For many, myself included, it is a non-issue.]" Same here No Problems Y/D __________________ There's a GATOR in the bushes & She's Callin my name >Molly Hatchett<

June 22, 2012, 09:29 PM	#20
joneb Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2005 Location: Central , OR Posts: 1,888	I would easily get a .2gr + or - variation with Unique, one charge maybe 5.2 and the next would be 5.6gr. when 5.4gr is the max load this variation would bother me. I can throw AA#5 with no detectable variation so I use that instead.

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