Bullseye or Unique ?

rebs · February 20, 2013, 09:26 AM

Which is your powder of choice for 45 ACP ? Which is cleaner and which meters better ?
Asking about target and also full loads.

Qtiphky · February 20, 2013, 09:46 AM

I started with Unique but have since switched to Green Dot. 5.4 grains pushing 230 grn FMJ bullets works well for me. I switched because I had some old green dot from when I used to load shotguns and wanted to use it up. Unique worked well too, 5.6-6.0 grains. Both meter find for me.

salvadore · February 20, 2013, 10:11 AM

I use to load unique in the 45acp, now use bullseye or titegroup.

**Unclenick** · February 20, 2013, 10:28 AM

Bullseye's smaller grains meter better. Flake powders never meter great, but smaller is better in this regard because it is harder for small flakes to bridge a given span.

Neither powder is pristinely clean burning. Unique's formula was changed a number of years back to burn cleaner than the original, but I haven't used the newer stuff, so I can't say how much cleaner. For the light target loads I was using at the time, the original left a lot of unburned flakes behind, so I never took to it.

The main reason I haven't tried the newer version is that I discovered Hodgdon Universal Clays, which is cleaner burning and better metering than either Bullseye or Unique and which handles the functions of both closely enough for my current purposes. Most pistol loads of Universal seem to lie inbetween Bullseye and Unique charge weights, leaning toward the latter in my experiments.

Shootest · February 20, 2013, 10:42 AM

I use a lot of Bullseye, it is not the cleanest or the dirtiest, it is not the best metering or the worst, it is however one of the most versatile, oldest, and best selling powders available.

bluetopper · February 20, 2013, 11:27 AM

I've tried with other powders to beat Bullseye in performance, versatility and accuracy in 45acp and 38 Special and have not been able to do it.

the Black Spot · February 20, 2013, 01:54 PM

Bullseye

Old Grump · February 20, 2013, 01:56 PM

Couldn't tell you about better but I have been using bullseye in 45ACP and 38/.357 since 1973 and feel no great need to change what works for me.

Sure Shot Mc Gee · February 20, 2013, 02:44 PM

I prefer Bullseye myself.

Slamfire · February 20, 2013, 03:16 PM

I prefer Bullseye in the 45 ACP with 200 LSWC and 230 LRN/FMJ.

However, if you want one powder that covers almost all calibers well, go with Unique.

chiefr · February 20, 2013, 04:07 PM

#1 Bullseye
#2 Unique

rebs · February 20, 2013, 06:45 PM

does anyone know if the new Unique is actually cleaner than the older Unique ?

89blazin · February 20, 2013, 06:56 PM

does anyone know if the new Unique is actually cleaner than the older Unique ?

A little improvement...still pretty dirty.

STW · February 21, 2013, 12:32 AM

If it's like around here, neither Bullseye or Unique is available. I've been using Hodgdon Clays for a few years now and can still find it on the shelf since many folks apparently think of it as a shotgun powder. It's nice and soft shooting in 45 acp. Seems to meter just fine too.

A pause for the COZ · February 21, 2013, 02:18 PM

Bullseye powder was the powder that was used in the 1911 45 acp in World War two.
If it was good enough to tackle the hun. Then its good enough for me.

Kevin Rohrer · February 22, 2013, 07:16 PM

I could care less whether a powder is clean or dirty. I use Unique as it is bulky and I will know if I get a double-charge. Safety first.

oldreloader · February 23, 2013, 12:10 AM

Of the two I prefer Bullseye

02bigdogs17 · February 23, 2013, 12:22 PM

I started using Unique with my 1911 but it was just so dirty when I got done shooting just 150-200 rounds through it I would clean forever on it. I am using AA No.5 now and love it. Its shoots more accurate and is very clean.

m&p45acp10+1 · February 23, 2013, 01:03 PM

I prefer Bull's Eye in .45 auto becasue it still works. Yes Unique will work, though it does not meter well, and in .45 auto it does not hit the pressure level that will make burn cleaner.

If you like to weigh every charge, and trickle up Unique is the way to go. You will get lots of practice. If you want something that you can set a decent powder measure to throw with uber consistincy then Bulls Eye would be my choice.

t45 · February 23, 2013, 06:40 PM

Bullseye for me also.

tekarra · February 24, 2013, 07:48 PM

I have used a lot or 700X and 231, and am now working with Unique and Bullseye. 700X is my favourite powder and I find 231 leaves a lot of residue.

kostner · March 3, 2013, 02:07 PM

Bullseye or Unique in 38's and 9mm I can't see any difference. Am I missing something? I shoot my own cast bullets so smoke is just the nature of the beast. Use W231 for 45 cap and get great results from both my Glock 36 and a couple of 1911's.

CrustyFN · March 3, 2013, 03:26 PM

Bullseye is cleaner and meters better but it's not my choice. I like WST in 45 auto.

**Unclenick** · March 3, 2013, 06:32 PM

Bullseye also burns a little faster, so you can load it to lower target load levels and still have it work consistently, where Unique starts leaving unburned flakes around at low load levels. On the other hand, Unique can be loaded to a little bit more velocity without going over the peak pressure limit.

ragsxd · March 3, 2013, 07:29 PM

clays for plate shooting

February 20, 2013, 10:28 AM	#4
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,747	Bullseye's smaller grains meter better. Flake powders never meter great, but smaller is better in this regard because it is harder for small flakes to bridge a given span. Neither powder is pristinely clean burning. Unique's formula was changed a number of years back to burn cleaner than the original, but I haven't used the newer stuff, so I can't say how much cleaner. For the light target loads I was using at the time, the original left a lot of unburned flakes behind, so I never took to it. The main reason I haven't tried the newer version is that I discovered Hodgdon Universal Clays, which is cleaner burning and better metering than either Bullseye or Unique and which handles the functions of both closely enough for my current purposes. Most pistol loads of Universal seem to lie inbetween Bullseye and Unique charge weights, leaning toward the latter in my experiments. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

February 20, 2013, 01:56 PM	#8
Old Grump Member in memoriam Join Date: April 9, 2009 Location: Blue River Wisconsin, in Posts: 3,144	Couldn't tell you about better but I have been using bullseye in 45ACP and 38/.357 since 1973 and feel no great need to change what works for me. __________________ Good intentions will always be pleaded for any assumption of power. The Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern will, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters. --Daniel Webster--

February 20, 2013, 03:16 PM	#10
Slamfire Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2007 Posts: 5,261	I prefer Bullseye in the 45 ACP with 200 LSWC and 230 LRN/FMJ. However, if you want one powder that covers almost all calibers well, go with Unique. __________________ If I'm not shooting, I'm reloading.

February 22, 2013, 07:16 PM	#16
Kevin Rohrer Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2010 Location: Medina, Ohio Posts: 1,050	I could care less whether a powder is clean or dirty. I use Unique as it is bulky and I will know if I get a double-charge. Safety first. __________________ Member: Orange Gunsite Family, NRA--Life, ARTCA, and American Legion. Caveat Emptor: Cavery Grips/AmericanGripz/Prestige Grips/Stealth Grips from Clayton, NC. He is a scammer

February 23, 2013, 01:03 PM	#19
m&p45acp10+1 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 3,947	I prefer Bull's Eye in .45 auto becasue it still works. Yes Unique will work, though it does not meter well, and in .45 auto it does not hit the pressure level that will make burn cleaner. If you like to weigh every charge, and trickle up Unique is the way to go. You will get lots of practice. If you want something that you can set a decent powder measure to throw with uber consistincy then Bulls Eye would be my choice. __________________ No matter how many times you do it and nothing happens it only takes something going wrong one time to kill you.

February 20, 2013, 09:26 AM	#1
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	Bullseye or Unique ? Which is your powder of choice for 45 ACP ? Which is cleaner and which meters better ? Asking about target and also full loads.

February 20, 2013, 09:46 AM	#2
Qtiphky Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2008 Location: Upper Michigan, above the Mackinac Bridge Posts: 568	I started with Unique but have since switched to Green Dot. 5.4 grains pushing 230 grn FMJ bullets works well for me. I switched because I had some old green dot from when I used to load shotguns and wanted to use it up. Unique worked well too, 5.6-6.0 grains. Both meter find for me.

February 20, 2013, 10:11 AM	#3
salvadore Junior member Join Date: January 1, 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,282	I use to load unique in the 45acp, now use bullseye or titegroup.

February 20, 2013, 10:42 AM	#5
Shootest Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2011 Location: Just outside Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 722	I use a lot of Bullseye, it is not the cleanest or the dirtiest, it is not the best metering or the worst, it is however one of the most versatile, oldest, and best selling powders available.

February 20, 2013, 11:27 AM	#6
bluetopper Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2005 Location: Northeast TX Posts: 1,214	I've tried with other powders to beat Bullseye in performance, versatility and accuracy in 45acp and 38 Special and have not been able to do it.

February 20, 2013, 01:54 PM	#7
the Black Spot Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2009 Location: arkansas Posts: 218	Bullseye

February 20, 2013, 02:44 PM	#9
Sure Shot Mc Gee Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,876	I prefer Bullseye myself.

February 20, 2013, 04:07 PM	#11
chiefr Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: AR Posts: 1,401	#1 Bullseye #2 Unique

February 20, 2013, 06:45 PM	#12
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	does anyone know if the new Unique is actually cleaner than the older Unique ?

February 20, 2013, 06:56 PM	#13
89blazin Senior Member Join Date: March 13, 2009 Posts: 107	*does anyone know if the new Unique is actually cleaner than the older Unique ?* A little improvement...still pretty dirty.

February 21, 2013, 12:32 AM	#14
STW Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2002 Location: Montana Posts: 147	If it's like around here, neither Bullseye or Unique is available. I've been using Hodgdon Clays for a few years now and can still find it on the shelf since many folks apparently think of it as a shotgun powder. It's nice and soft shooting in 45 acp. Seems to meter just fine too.

February 21, 2013, 02:18 PM	#15
A pause for the COZ Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2012 Location: Braham, Minnesota Posts: 1,314	Bullseye powder was the powder that was used in the 1911 45 acp in World War two. If it was good enough to tackle the hun. Then its good enough for me.

February 23, 2013, 12:10 AM	#17
oldreloader Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2009 Location: Magnolia, Arkansas Posts: 251	Of the two I prefer Bullseye

February 23, 2013, 12:22 PM	#18
02bigdogs17 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Location: Indiana Posts: 138	I started using Unique with my 1911 but it was just so dirty when I got done shooting just 150-200 rounds through it I would clean forever on it. I am using AA No.5 now and love it. Its shoots more accurate and is very clean.

February 23, 2013, 06:40 PM	#20
t45 Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2010 Location: Foothills, NC Posts: 782	Bullseye for me also.

February 24, 2013, 07:48 PM	#21
tekarra Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 2007 Posts: 1,164	I have used a lot or 700X and 231, and am now working with Unique and Bullseye. 700X is my favourite powder and I find 231 leaves a lot of residue.

March 3, 2013, 02:07 PM	#22
kostner Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2007 Location: Kommifornia Posts: 120	Bullseye or Unique in 38's and 9mm I can't see any difference. Am I missing something? I shoot my own cast bullets so smoke is just the nature of the beast. Use W231 for 45 cap and get great results from both my Glock 36 and a couple of 1911's.

March 3, 2013, 03:26 PM	#23
CrustyFN Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2,258	Bullseye is cleaner and meters better but it's not my choice. I like WST in 45 auto.

March 3, 2013, 06:32 PM	#24
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,747	Bullseye also burns a little faster, so you can load it to lower target load levels and still have it work consistently, where Unique starts leaving unburned flakes around at low load levels. On the other hand, Unique can be loaded to a little bit more velocity without going over the peak pressure limit. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

March 3, 2013, 07:29 PM	#25
ragsxd Member Join Date: December 29, 2008 Posts: 46	clays for plate shooting