unique or varget?

stimp · July 8, 2009, 11:18 AM

Has anybody seen these on the shelves lately. Been trying to get some locally but the local shop says he gets one every once and a while but gone right after it's on the shelf..
I like the versatility of unique.... so this leads to the next question.. What other powder do you guys recommend and sources of the loads that is compareable to unique. I've heard a little about VV N340 being some what close but don't have much load data for VV so can't say for sure.

Any help would be great..
thanks guys

GeauxTide · July 8, 2009, 11:31 AM

Calibers?

**Unclenick** · July 8, 2009, 11:35 AM

Hodgdon Universal is extremely close to Unique in performance. In some apps it will substitute grain-for-grain. In others it should be slightly reduced. Cut Unique charges about 5% to sub Universal and see how the performance compares and work up if need be?

Varget is not too far from IMR 4320 in performance. The latter has a little less bulk and a little more charge weight may be needed, but not much.

stimp · July 8, 2009, 11:36 AM

[9mm, 44 mag (for revolver and lever guns) ] ->Mostly.... But other various calibers have been considered such as other handguns and even my 30-06.
I also shoot alot of cast.

stimp · July 8, 2009, 11:40 AM

Don't know how to quote someone else here but..
Unclenick.
Thanks for the good info.
I do use universal for most of my loads. Also use hp-38 or blue dot depending on the caliber and load at hand but universal is by far my most used.
However, I have been having problems finding Universal now locally also.
I'm just keeping my eyes pealed and hopeing.
Thanks for the help

**Unclenick** · July 8, 2009, 11:40 AM

I should add a post script that I now use Universal instead of Unique because it meters more easily and burns more cleanly.

P.S. I now notice we had a simul-post (same original time stamp). Sorry you're having trouble getting it. It's not around here, either, at the moment.

Doodlebugger45 · July 8, 2009, 11:51 AM

Unique is plentiful around here. Just about every little gunshop has it. I only started loading last winter so it was all I had at first. Now that there are a few more powders showing up though I have made an attempt to get a bit more variety. I tried to get the powders that were the most versatile for all my needs. It turns out that 231 is pretty plentiful around here and it works in all my handguns. And my favorite is Tite Group. For low power loads the Trail Boss is really nice.

I have yet to see even my first can of Varget or else I would have picked up a can of that too. Same thing with Universal. It just ain't around here.

dipper · July 8, 2009, 12:00 PM

Here you go Stimp, check out the info here:

http://www.eabco.com/VihtaVuori01.pdf

I use VV powders and like them alot....I also like Unique and it is very versatile but is also very dirty compared to VV powders.

I have been using VV N110 in .357 Magnum loads and have found it to be very accurate and clean...it's all I use now.

Anyway, check out the link....look at the burn rate chart and read the discription of each VV powder, lots of info.

stimp · July 8, 2009, 12:06 PM

Thank you all for your help so far.. I'll look into 231 and the VV website.

stimp · July 8, 2009, 12:31 PM

Thanks for the website that has everything I think I'll need to know for the VV powders.

Huntergirl · July 8, 2009, 12:32 PM

And Universal Clays as well. I used it in SASS shooting.

NWPilgrim · July 8, 2009, 12:38 PM

To replace Unique, some other options are:
- WW231 or Hodgdon HP38 (same) is what I used before Unique/universal for .39, 9mm, .40 and .45ACP

- AA#5 is a little slower but good for all of the auto cartridges, not sure about .38

- HS6, Blue Dot, Herco would be good for the magnums at lower velocities.

- WW296, H110, N110, 2400 are all traditional magnum powders

For Varget replacement:
- H4895, IMR 4895, IMR 4064, Reloader15, BLC-2, WW748, N135, N140 are very close is burn rate to Varget

- H335, AA2230, Benchmark are a little faster and perfect for lighter bullets in .223, .308, .30-06

- H380, N150 WW760 are a bit slower and better for the heaviest bullets in .30-06

ForneyRider · July 8, 2009, 01:15 PM

I picked up a lb of Varget last week. There were a couple of other cannisters of Varget left on the shelves. Plenty of other brands, burn rates as well.

Place only had 3 boxes of 308 bullets, all Barnes and cheapest was 38$ for 50.

But powder they had in numbers.

I used IMR4064 and R15 when I couldn't find Varget. R15 has small kernels like Varget, and, usually, within a grain of Varget loads.

stimp · July 10, 2009, 02:11 PM

Thanks for all the help guys..

ISP 5353 · July 10, 2009, 02:34 PM

I am finding Varget on some shelves now. IMR 4064 is a good substitute though. Good luck.

csmsss · July 10, 2009, 03:14 PM

I have no luck finding Varget locally, but saw (and bought) a few cans of it when I was in Dallas last week.

I believe that Vihtavuori N-550 may be the best substitute for it.

July 8, 2009, 11:18 AM	#1
stimp Member Join Date: February 25, 2009 Location: North East, IN Posts: 15	unique or varget? Has anybody seen these on the shelves lately. Been trying to get some locally but the local shop says he gets one every once and a while but gone right after it's on the shelf.. I like the versatility of unique.... so this leads to the next question.. What other powder do you guys recommend and sources of the loads that is compareable to unique. I've heard a little about VV N340 being some what close but don't have much load data for VV so can't say for sure. Any help would be great.. thanks guys

July 8, 2009, 11:35 AM	#3
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	Hodgdon Universal is extremely close to Unique in performance. In some apps it will substitute grain-for-grain. In others it should be slightly reduced. Cut Unique charges about 5% to sub Universal and see how the performance compares and work up if need be? Varget is not too far from IMR 4320 in performance. The latter has a little less bulk and a little more charge weight may be needed, but not much. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

July 8, 2009, 11:40 AM	#6
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	I should add a post script that I now use Universal instead of Unique because it meters more easily and burns more cleanly. P.S. I now notice we had a simul-post (same original time stamp). Sorry you're having trouble getting it. It's not around here, either, at the moment. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle Last edited by Unclenick; July 10, 2009 at 02:34 PM.

July 8, 2009, 12:00 PM	#8
dipper Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2008 Posts: 895	Here you go Stimp, check out the info here: http://www.eabco.com/VihtaVuori01.pdf I use VV powders and like them alot....I also like Unique and it is very versatile but is also very dirty compared to VV powders. I have been using VV N110 in .357 Magnum loads and have found it to be very accurate and clean...it's all I use now. Anyway, check out the link....look at the burn rate chart and read the discription of each VV powder, lots of info. __________________ --------------------------------------------------------- "It is better to die on your feet than live on your knees" EMILIANO ZAPATA SALAZAR

July 8, 2009, 12:06 PM	#9
stimp Member Join Date: February 25, 2009 Location: North East, IN Posts: 15	Thanks everybody Thank you all for your help so far.. I'll look into 231 and the VV website.

July 8, 2009, 11:31 AM	#2
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,424	Calibers?

July 8, 2009, 11:36 AM	#4
stimp Member Join Date: February 25, 2009 Location: North East, IN Posts: 15	[9mm, 44 mag (for revolver and lever guns) ] ->Mostly.... But other various calibers have been considered such as other handguns and even my 30-06. I also shoot alot of cast.

July 8, 2009, 11:40 AM	#5
stimp Member Join Date: February 25, 2009 Location: North East, IN Posts: 15	How do you quote? Don't know how to quote someone else here but.. Unclenick. Thanks for the good info. I do use universal for most of my loads. Also use hp-38 or blue dot depending on the caliber and load at hand but universal is by far my most used. However, I have been having problems finding Universal now locally also. I'm just keeping my eyes pealed and hopeing. Thanks for the help

July 8, 2009, 11:51 AM	#7
Doodlebugger45 Senior Member Join Date: April 15, 2009 Location: Wyoming Posts: 1,717	Unique is plentiful around here. Just about every little gunshop has it. I only started loading last winter so it was all I had at first. Now that there are a few more powders showing up though I have made an attempt to get a bit more variety. I tried to get the powders that were the most versatile for all my needs. It turns out that 231 is pretty plentiful around here and it works in all my handguns. And my favorite is Tite Group. For low power loads the Trail Boss is really nice. I have yet to see even my first can of Varget or else I would have picked up a can of that too. Same thing with Universal. It just ain't around here.

July 8, 2009, 12:31 PM	#10
stimp Member Join Date: February 25, 2009 Location: North East, IN Posts: 15	Dipper-- That website is perfect Thanks for the website that has everything I think I'll need to know for the VV powders.

July 8, 2009, 12:32 PM	#11
Huntergirl Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2005 Location: Wyoming Posts: 907	And Universal Clays as well. I used it in SASS shooting.

July 8, 2009, 12:38 PM	#12
NWPilgrim Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,346	To replace Unique, some other options are: - WW231 or Hodgdon HP38 (same) is what I used before Unique/universal for .39, 9mm, .40 and .45ACP - AA#5 is a little slower but good for all of the auto cartridges, not sure about .38 - HS6, Blue Dot, Herco would be good for the magnums at lower velocities. - WW296, H110, N110, 2400 are all traditional magnum powders For Varget replacement: - H4895, IMR 4895, IMR 4064, Reloader15, BLC-2, WW748, N135, N140 are very close is burn rate to Varget - H335, AA2230, Benchmark are a little faster and perfect for lighter bullets in .223, .308, .30-06 - H380, N150 WW760 are a bit slower and better for the heaviest bullets in .30-06 __________________ "The ultimate authority ... resides in the people alone. ... The advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation ... forms a barrier against the enterprises of ambition." - James Madison

July 8, 2009, 01:15 PM	#13
ForneyRider Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2007 Location: Forney, TX Posts: 725	I picked up a lb of Varget last week. There were a couple of other cannisters of Varget left on the shelves. Plenty of other brands, burn rates as well. Place only had 3 boxes of 308 bullets, all Barnes and cheapest was 38$ for 50. But powder they had in numbers. I used IMR4064 and R15 when I couldn't find Varget. R15 has small kernels like Varget, and, usually, within a grain of Varget loads. __________________ When all is said and done, there is a lot more said than done.

July 10, 2009, 02:11 PM	#14
stimp Member Join Date: February 25, 2009 Location: North East, IN Posts: 15	Thanks for all the help guys..

July 10, 2009, 02:34 PM	#15
ISP 5353 Senior Member Join Date: June 11, 2009 Location: Indiana Posts: 134	I am finding Varget on some shelves now. IMR 4064 is a good substitute though. Good luck.

July 10, 2009, 03:14 PM	#16
csmsss Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Orange, TX Posts: 3,078	I have no luck finding Varget locally, but saw (and bought) a few cans of it when I was in Dallas last week. I believe that Vihtavuori N-550 may be the best substitute for it.