Is it a good buy?

coachteet · February 15, 2013, 07:29 PM

A guy locally is selling an unopened 4 lb container of Unique for $90. Would you guys pull the trigger, or try and haggle? Right now I am accumulating components, totally newb toreloading. But from what I have read, it seems the consensus on Unique is that it is a versatile powder, dirty, but a little goes a long way. Thanks for the help.

USMC EOD · February 15, 2013, 07:40 PM

I use Unique in .45 ACP (typically 6.0 grains behind a 230 grain jacketed bullet), and it works well for me. The last batch I bought was a 4 pound jug at a gun show for about $65 or $70 (if memory serves me correctly) about two months ago. It sounds a little bit like someone is price gouging.

YARDDOG(1) · February 15, 2013, 07:45 PM

IF you can find it,,, On the net you'll pay hazmat,, So not bad as long as you can't by a LGS..JMO
Y/D

serf 'rett · February 15, 2013, 08:11 PM

I would buy it at that price...

You didn't mention what you are planning on loading. I use Unique in 9mm, 40S&W and will be testing in 45ACP if the slow boat ever gets here from eastern Europe with the on order XDm.

WaywardSon · February 15, 2013, 08:40 PM

I think that's a little on the high side, but not really what I would call gouging in this market. I just passed on an 8 lb. keg for $169 at the LGS. He had three. They are gone

Mac Sidewinder · February 15, 2013, 08:41 PM

From a local gun shop with no hazmat - yeah buy it. If you order online you'll pay $28 hazmat fee, so if you're not ordering alot more then it's not worth it.

Mac

coachteet · February 15, 2013, 10:43 PM

9mm, 40, 45acp, 38/357.

serf 'rett · February 15, 2013, 11:42 PM

Unique works for your listed calibers.
Online example- Powder Valley
4 pounds - $58.70
Hazmat - $27.50
Shipping - $9.95

Sevens · February 16, 2013, 05:22 AM

Personally, I hate that stuff. It's wildly popular. It's popularity is certainly NOT why I hate it, but I do hate it.

Hodgdon Universal is a competing product that works anywhere Unique does (different load data) so I use Universal. Last eight pounder I bought cost me $110 plus tax. Of course, that was before our industry turned upside down and everything became so difficult.

This situation right now puts SOME people in to tough positions -- having to make tough decisions. But you are talking about a powder that goes for around $20 a pound in a normal market. In a 4-pound container, there should be a discount from 4x1 lb'ers.

There's nothing about that offer that I like. You might be forced in to it, however.

CrustyFN · February 16, 2013, 11:17 AM

A 4 pound bottle at Powder Valley is $58. Even with the hazmat it's cheaper on-line. I would try to talk him down.

**Mike Irwin** · February 16, 2013, 11:45 AM

That's $22.50 a pound, which is a bit more than what I'm seeing at gunshows in Northern Virginia.

February 15, 2013, 07:29 PM	#1
coachteet Senior Member Join Date: March 7, 2008 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 122	Is it a good buy? A guy locally is selling an unopened 4 lb container of Unique for $90. Would you guys pull the trigger, or try and haggle? Right now I am accumulating components, totally newb toreloading. But from what I have read, it seems the consensus on Unique is that it is a versatile powder, dirty, but a little goes a long way. Thanks for the help.

February 15, 2013, 07:45 PM	#3
YARDDOG(1) Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: GATOR COUNTRY HA HA HA! Posts: 721	IF you can find it,,, On the net you'll pay hazmat,, So not bad as long as you can't by a LGS..JMO Y/D __________________ There's a GATOR in the bushes & She's Callin my name >Molly Hatchett<

February 15, 2013, 08:11 PM	#4
serf 'rett Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2009 Location: Stuttgart, AR Posts: 1,569	I would buy it at that price... You didn't mention what you are planning on loading. I use Unique in 9mm, 40S&W and will be testing in 45ACP if the slow boat ever gets here from eastern Europe with the on order XDm. __________________ A lack of planning on your part does not necessarily constitute an emergency on my part.

February 15, 2013, 11:42 PM	#8
serf 'rett Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2009 Location: Stuttgart, AR Posts: 1,569	Unique works for your listed calibers. Online example- Powder Valley 4 pounds - $58.70 Hazmat - $27.50 Shipping - $9.95 __________________ A lack of planning on your part does not necessarily constitute an emergency on my part.

February 16, 2013, 05:22 AM	#9
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	Personally, I hate that stuff. It's wildly popular. It's popularity is certainly NOT why I hate it, but I do hate it. Hodgdon Universal is a competing product that works anywhere Unique does (different load data) so I use Universal. Last eight pounder I bought cost me $110 plus tax. Of course, that was before our industry turned upside down and everything became so difficult. This situation right now puts SOME people in to tough positions -- having to make tough decisions. But you are talking about a powder that goes for around $20 a pound in a normal market. In a 4-pound container, there should be a discount from 4x1 lb'ers. There's nothing about that offer that I like. You might be forced in to it, however. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

February 15, 2013, 07:40 PM	#2
USMC EOD Member Join Date: January 6, 2013 Location: Virginia Posts: 60	I use Unique in .45 ACP (typically 6.0 grains behind a 230 grain jacketed bullet), and it works well for me. The last batch I bought was a 4 pound jug at a gun show for about $65 or $70 (if memory serves me correctly) about two months ago. It sounds a little bit like someone is price gouging.

February 15, 2013, 08:40 PM	#5
WaywardSon Junior Member Join Date: April 29, 2012 Posts: 13	I think that's a little on the high side, but not really what I would call gouging in this market. I just passed on an 8 lb. keg for $169 at the LGS. He had three. They are gone

February 15, 2013, 08:41 PM	#6
Mac Sidewinder Member Join Date: March 2, 2012 Posts: 84	From a local gun shop with no hazmat - yeah buy it. If you order online you'll pay $28 hazmat fee, so if you're not ordering alot more then it's not worth it. Mac

February 15, 2013, 10:43 PM	#7
coachteet Senior Member Join Date: March 7, 2008 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 122	9mm, 40, 45acp, 38/357.

February 16, 2013, 11:17 AM	#10
CrustyFN Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2,258	A 4 pound bottle at Powder Valley is $58. Even with the hazmat it's cheaper on-line. I would try to talk him down. __________________ I don't ever remember being absent minded.

February 16, 2013, 11:45 AM	#11
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,390	That's $22.50 a pound, which is a bit more than what I'm seeing at gunshows in Northern Virginia. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.