Most versatile pistol powder

Ricky Bobby · February 16, 2013, 11:39 AM

Like the title says ... Which one is it?

black mamba · February 16, 2013, 11:46 AM

W231/HP-38 or Accurate #5.

Powder puff target loads to 80% of the fastest max loads in any caliber.

schmellba99 · February 16, 2013, 11:47 AM

For me it's Universal Clays - because it works in every single pistol and in both shotgun gauges I load for. 1 powder, multiple platforms.

PawPaw · February 16, 2013, 11:52 AM

Unique. It's been a standard for pistol loading for many, many decades.

AL45 · February 16, 2013, 12:11 PM

Only been reloading for a couple of years, but I would have to agree with Unique and Universal.

**Mike Irwin** · February 16, 2013, 12:49 PM

For sheer versatility, and even though I am not fond of it at all, it is very hard to beat Unique.

mikld · February 16, 2013, 01:20 PM

Yep, Unique is "unique". I have been able to use it in all my handgun ammo (9mm through .44 Magnum) and a few rifle rounds too ( it's a hoot to shoot some 45 grain lead bullets in my .223 loaded with Unique

).

parisite · February 16, 2013, 02:46 PM

In Alliant's line up.....I'll pick Power Pistol over Unique any day. Just as versatile and meters much better.

Hammerhead · February 16, 2013, 05:11 PM

I think it would have to be Unique. (even though I prefer Universal)
You can't hardly wipe your back side without finding load data for Unique on the nearest paper.

Damon555 · February 16, 2013, 05:16 PM

bbqncigars · February 16, 2013, 05:17 PM

Unique, hands down. It got its name from the fact that it can be used in danged near any cartridge. It may not be the best load, but it will work. If you were limited to only one powder to reload with, this would be the one to go with.

gwhunran · February 16, 2013, 05:19 PM

unique for my 9mm Makarov and 45acp

rebs · February 16, 2013, 05:28 PM

I am a bit surprised no one mentioned Bullseye. why not ?

jmortimer · February 16, 2013, 05:28 PM

Unique

YARDDOG(1) · February 16, 2013, 05:43 PM

I'll pile on Unique ; )
Y/D

Peter M. Eick · February 16, 2013, 05:44 PM

Unique.

It truly lives up to its name and has so for what a hundred years or so?

mehavey · February 16, 2013, 06:21 PM

Unique = Universal = Unique = Universal = Unique = Universal (ad infinitum)
(except Universal is spherical and meters like water)

willr · February 16, 2013, 06:29 PM

My preferences are: W231, AA#5 and Bullseye. Have had nothing but trouble with Unique -- it doesn't meter at all well in my equipment -- a couple of squib loads is enough to cure me.

willr

4runnerman · February 16, 2013, 06:41 PM

Another Unique fan here. Just all around works great

ATPBULLETS · February 16, 2013, 07:40 PM

Hard for me to say.....love W-231....
but unique is ,,, unique.... just a tough to meter well....

Sevens · February 16, 2013, 08:10 PM

Quote:

You can't hardly wipe your back side without finding load data for Unique on the nearest paper.

This is....awesome. Factual -AND- it imparts some of my love for Unique!

Quote:

Unique = Universal = Unique = Universal = Unique = Universal (ad infinitum)
(except Universal is spherical and meters like water)

Ummmm...kinda -- except a couple problems with your post.

Universal is intended to compete with Unique, as a more modern version. But let's not give anyone the idea that it's a direct swap, and the load data is not interchangeable. Universal can be used anywhere that Unique is used, but you should be using published load data for Universal.

And it's not a spherical powder.
It does meter beautifully! That's why I like it -- and hate Unique.
But it's a small flake powder. Also oddly colored, and often leaves unburnt flakes that turn an even more oddball color.

But it's not a ball powder.

TXGunNut · February 16, 2013, 08:21 PM

Unique or Universal are arguably the most versatile but I tend to use 231 for the loads I shoot the most. For the other end of the spectrum I like 296 or 2400 but for stuff in between Universal is hard to beat.

BuckRub · February 16, 2013, 11:48 PM

Yep Unique for me too. Love the stuff.

chiefr · February 17, 2013, 12:47 AM

Unique.

zxcvbob · February 17, 2013, 12:57 AM

I like Universal; I really do. But Unique is more useful at the top end.

Universal might be in the running with Bullseye for 2nd place.

February 16, 2013, 11:39 AM	#1
Ricky Bobby Member Join Date: October 23, 2011 Posts: 48	Most versatile pistol powder Like the title says ... Which one is it?

February 16, 2013, 11:52 AM	#4
PawPaw Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2010 Location: Central Louisiana Posts: 2,667	Unique. It's been a standard for pistol loading for many, many decades. __________________ Dennis Dezendorf http://pawpawshouse.blogspot.com

February 16, 2013, 12:49 PM	#6
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 14, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 33,306	For sheer versatility, and even though I am not fond of it at all, it is very hard to beat Unique. __________________ "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.

February 16, 2013, 01:20 PM	#7
mikld Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2009 Location: Southern Oregon! Posts: 670	Yep, Unique is "unique". I have been able to use it in all my handgun ammo (9mm through .44 Magnum) and a few rifle rounds too ( it's a hoot to shoot some 45 grain lead bullets in my .223 loaded with Unique). __________________ My Anchor is holding fast!

February 16, 2013, 02:46 PM	#8
parisite Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2005 Location: Paris, TX Posts: 1,062	In Alliant's line up.....I'll pick Power Pistol over Unique any day. Just as versatile and meters much better. __________________ Bullseye is the skill, everything else is just games.

February 16, 2013, 11:46 AM	#2
black mamba Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2011 Location: O'Fallon, MO Posts: 490	W231/HP-38 or Accurate #5. Powder puff target loads to 80% of the fastest max loads in any caliber.

February 16, 2013, 11:47 AM	#3
schmellba99 Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2008 Posts: 312	For me it's Universal Clays - because it works in every single pistol and in both shotgun gauges I load for. 1 powder, multiple platforms.

February 16, 2013, 12:11 PM	#5
AL45 Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 2012 Posts: 128	Only been reloading for a couple of years, but I would have to agree with Unique and Universal.

February 16, 2013, 05:11 PM	#9
Hammerhead Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,203	I think it would have to be Unique. (even though I prefer Universal) You can't hardly wipe your back side without finding load data for Unique on the nearest paper.

February 16, 2013, 05:16 PM	#10
Damon555 Junior Member Join Date: January 11, 2012 Posts: 12

February 16, 2013, 05:17 PM	#11
bbqncigars Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 199	Unique, hands down. It got its name from the fact that it can be used in danged near any cartridge. It may not be the best load, but it will work. If you were limited to only one powder to reload with, this would be the one to go with. __________________ "Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most." A. Brilliant

February 16, 2013, 05:19 PM	#12
gwhunran Member Join Date: January 31, 2013 Location: Southwest Virginia Posts: 30	unique for my 9mm Makarov and 45acp

February 16, 2013, 05:28 PM	#13
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 1,641	I am a bit surprised no one mentioned Bullseye. why not ?

February 16, 2013, 05:28 PM	#14
jmortimer Junior member Join Date: January 24, 2010 Location: South West Riverside County California Posts: 2,765	Unique

February 16, 2013, 05:43 PM	#15
YARDDOG(1) Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: GATOR COUNTRY HA HA HA! Posts: 624	I'll pile on Unique ; ) Y/D __________________ There's a GATOR in the bushes & She's Callin my name >Molly Hatchett<

February 16, 2013, 05:44 PM	#16
Peter M. Eick Senior Member Join Date: August 4, 1999 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 2,571	Unique. It truly lives up to its name and has so for what a hundred years or so? __________________ 10mm and 357sig, the best things to come along since the 38 super!

February 16, 2013, 06:21 PM	#17
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Posts: 2,089	Unique = Universal = Unique = Universal = Unique = Universal (ad infinitum) (except Universal is spherical and meters like water)

February 16, 2013, 06:29 PM	#18
willr Senior Member Join Date: July 23, 2006 Posts: 180	My preferences are: W231, AA#5 and Bullseye. Have had nothing but trouble with Unique -- it doesn't meter at all well in my equipment -- a couple of squib loads is enough to cure me. willr

February 16, 2013, 06:41 PM	#19
4runnerman Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: Minnsota Posts: 1,849	Another Unique fan here. Just all around works great __________________ NRA Certified RSO NwCP- Performance Isn't Optional

February 16, 2013, 07:40 PM	#20
ATPBULLETS Member Join Date: July 31, 2012 Location: Land between the Lakes Posts: 77	Hard for me to say.....love W-231.... but unique is ,,, unique.... just a tough to meter well.... __________________ http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/y...e/photo-25.jpg

February 16, 2013, 08:21 PM	#22
TXGunNut Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: If you have to ask... Posts: 2,843	Unique or Universal are arguably the most versatile but I tend to use 231 for the loads I shoot the most. For the other end of the spectrum I like 296 or 2400 but for stuff in between Universal is hard to beat. __________________ Life Member NRA, TSRA Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call Lonesome Dove My favorite recipes start out with a handful of used wheelweights.

February 16, 2013, 11:48 PM	#23
BuckRub Senior Member Join Date: October 3, 2012 Location: Central Texas Posts: 432	Yep Unique for me too. Love the stuff.

February 17, 2013, 12:47 AM	#24
chiefr Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: AR Posts: 820	Unique.

February 17, 2013, 12:57 AM	#25
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 3,693	I like Universal; I really do. But Unique is more useful at the top end. Universal might be in the running with Bullseye for 2nd place. __________________ "The only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is with a good guy with a gun"