Alliant Unique substitute

Conrad85 · April 8, 2010, 05:11 PM

I currently load 10 grains of Unique with a 240 grain lead cast bullet for my 44 magnum. The only problem I have with the powder is that it does not meter consistently with the Lee Perfect Powder Measure. Can anyone recommend a powder that meters well and would produce similar results as 10 grains of Unique?

mbopp · April 8, 2010, 05:35 PM

Hmmm... Try WW231 or HP38 (same powder). They're a tad faster than Unique but work well in my 44.

Loader9 · April 8, 2010, 09:46 PM

According to the Alliant website, your load is way over max. They say 6.3 grs of Unique as max. But if you want a powder that meters like water, burns ultra clean, and uses about the same amount weight wise as Unique, look to Accurate AA5.

FWIW, I personally think the Alliant website is wrong. The shown velocity is only 820'ps which is a plinker at best.
http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloade...32&bulletid=46

Accurates website shows much more potential in the lead bullets.
http://www.accuratepowder.com/data/P...20to%20135.pdf

Sport45 · April 8, 2010, 10:13 PM

The Alliant data is low because of the bullet they are using. The Speer LSWC is a swaged bullet and pretty soft. They probably chose a velocity that was below the leading threshold in their testing. Accurate doesn't list which bullet they used.

Oops! The swaged bullet is in their .44spcl loads. They do show a cast bullet in .44mag. It does appear to be a fairly light charge of Unique listed as max.

On edit: I forgot to mention that Hodgdon Universal Clays is considered to be a near-twin to Unique and is supposed to meter better and burn cleaner. I hope so, since I have a 8# jug of the stuff that I will open when my Unique is gone.

joneb · April 8, 2010, 10:34 PM

I switched from Unique to AA#5 and I like it, but other suitable options would be Universal or True Blue.
I have a Redding model 3 powder throw and it does not like Unique.

Elkins45 · April 8, 2010, 11:46 PM

It's a shame Unique burns so dirty and hangs up in meters because it's one of the most versatile powders ever made.

10 grains of Unique is my standard load for cast bullets in rifles, for case forming with corn meal, and in several revolver loads.

Universal Clays is similar in burn rate, huh? I may have to try some!

Sevens · April 9, 2010, 07:55 AM

The Alliant data is a cowboy action load which always varies GREATLY from real lead bullet loads for almost any purpose.

And though Alliant's printed guide is useful, their website is the WORST in the industry for getting almost any kind of usable load data with their powders. It's such a cheap imitation of a real resource that it annoys me.

I use a lot of Alliant powders but I feel like I'm on my own when it comes to load data. They either assume that everyone buys high dollar Gold Dot bullets, or they actually think that some poor slobs will read their data and run out and buy those over priced Gold Dot slugs for reloading.

Hodgdon, on the other hand, puts together a very comprehensive web resource for load data.

Sam06 · April 9, 2010, 10:01 AM

I used the last of my unique up last year and I am not going to ever buy it again. I have switched to AA#5 in place of Unique in all my Pistol loads. I was using AA#5 only in 45 ACP but I tried it in my 41 mag and it worked great. In 44 Mag, 41 Mag 45 Colt or 45 ACP with lead or Jacketed bullets at med veloicty AA#5 is my go to powder. AA#9 could replace 2400 at some point in time

AlaskaMike · April 9, 2010, 10:53 AM

I liked 10 grains of Unique with my own cast RCBS 250 grain Keith SWCs, having got the load from seeing it in a couple of John Taffin's books. But once I discovered Power Pistol I ditched Unique. Power Pistol is also a round flake powder, but the flakes are much smaller and because of this it meters much better than Unique. It's a little slower than Unique, so it takes slightly larger charges to make the same velocity, but on the other hand it's much less volatile at the upper end of it's pressure spectrum than Unique.

More importantly, my new loads with Power Pistol (also 10 gr. charge weight) are every bit as accurate as my Unique loads. I also have much less powder residue on my hands and forearms after a range session.

Between 231 and Power Pistol, I don't have much use for Unique anymore.

Mike

dwhite · April 9, 2010, 12:58 PM

Hodgdon Universal makes a very good replacement for Unique. Universal meters very consistently through my Lee Perfect Powder Measure easily holding +/- 0.1 grain.

All the Best,
D. White

CherokeeT · April 9, 2010, 06:48 PM

231 gives me a very accurate 44 Mag mid-range load, but its not for Max loads. 231 is my most used powder in everything from 25ACP thru 45 ACP. It replaced Unique in my loads over 30 years ago.

oneounceload · April 9, 2010, 08:08 PM

Another fan of Universal Clays - while mostly a shotgunner, I use the same powder for my pistols. When I ran out of Unique, (and got tired of its dirty characteristics), I switched to Universal. The loads in both pistol and shotguns are ALMOST identical (consult your manual)

Good Stuff!

Conrad85 · April 9, 2010, 09:42 PM

Thanks for the replies. I guess when I use up the rest of my Unique, I'll give Universal a try.

Powderman · April 10, 2010, 12:01 AM

Hm.

I see on the Alliant website, this data for a Keith-type 250 gr LSWC:

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloade...33&bulletid=47

This recipe calls for a max of 11 grains of Unique under the bullet.

My favorite target/midrange load is the old favorite: 8.5 of Unique under the 250 grain, .430 bullet.

April 8, 2010, 05:11 PM	#1
Conrad85 Member Join Date: March 8, 2010 Posts: 15	Alliant Unique substitute I currently load 10 grains of Unique with a 240 grain lead cast bullet for my 44 magnum. The only problem I have with the powder is that it does not meter consistently with the Lee Perfect Powder Measure. Can anyone recommend a powder that meters well and would produce similar results as 10 grains of Unique?

April 8, 2010, 10:13 PM	#4
Sport45 Senior Member Join Date: May 25, 1999 Location: Too close to Houston Posts: 4,196	The Alliant data is low because of the bullet they are using. The Speer LSWC is a swaged bullet and pretty soft. They probably chose a velocity that was below the leading threshold in their testing. Accurate doesn't list which bullet they used. Oops! The swaged bullet is in their .44spcl loads. They do show a cast bullet in .44mag. It does appear to be a fairly light charge of Unique listed as max. On edit: I forgot to mention that Hodgdon Universal Clays is considered to be a near-twin to Unique and is supposed to meter better and burn cleaner. I hope so, since I have a 8# jug of the stuff that I will open when my Unique is gone. __________________ Proud member of the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association. Registered and active voter. Last edited by Sport45; April 10, 2010 at 02:31 AM.

April 9, 2010, 07:55 AM	#7
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	The Alliant data is a cowboy action load which always varies GREATLY from real lead bullet loads for almost any purpose. And though Alliant's printed guide is useful, their website is the WORST in the industry for getting almost any kind of usable load data with their powders. It's such a cheap imitation of a real resource that it annoys me. I use a lot of Alliant powders but I feel like I'm on my own when it comes to load data. They either assume that everyone buys high dollar Gold Dot bullets, or they actually think that some poor slobs will read their data and run out and buy those over priced Gold Dot slugs for reloading. Hodgdon, on the other hand, puts together a very comprehensive web resource for load data. __________________ *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.

April 9, 2010, 10:01 AM	#8
Sam06 Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2008 Location: Fayettenam Posts: 1,086	I used the last of my unique up last year and I am not going to ever buy it again. I have switched to AA#5 in place of Unique in all my Pistol loads. I was using AA#5 only in 45 ACP but I tried it in my 41 mag and it worked great. In 44 Mag, 41 Mag 45 Colt or 45 ACP with lead or Jacketed bullets at med veloicty AA#5 is my go to powder. AA#9 could replace 2400 at some point in time __________________ The two most abundant elements in the universe are hydrogen and stupidity.

April 9, 2010, 06:48 PM	#11
CherokeeT Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2008 Location: Medina, Ohio Posts: 273	231 gives me a very accurate 44 Mag mid-range load, but its not for Max loads. 231 is my most used powder in everything from 25ACP thru 45 ACP. It replaced Unique in my loads over 30 years ago. __________________ God Bless America US Army, NRA Endowment TSRA Life, SASS

April 8, 2010, 05:35 PM	#2
mbopp Member Join Date: March 6, 2010 Posts: 50	Hmmm... Try WW231 or HP38 (same powder). They're a tad faster than Unique but work well in my 44.

April 8, 2010, 09:46 PM	#3
Loader9 Senior Member Join Date: July 29, 2008 Posts: 949	According to the Alliant website, your load is way over max. They say 6.3 grs of Unique as max. But if you want a powder that meters like water, burns ultra clean, and uses about the same amount weight wise as Unique, look to Accurate AA5. FWIW, I personally think the Alliant website is wrong. The shown velocity is only 820'ps which is a plinker at best. http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloade...32&bulletid=46 Accurates website shows much more potential in the lead bullets. http://www.accuratepowder.com/data/P...20to%20135.pdf

April 8, 2010, 10:34 PM	#5
joneb Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2005 Location: Central , OR Posts: 1,888	I switched from Unique to AA#5 and I like it, but other suitable options would be Universal or True Blue. I have a Redding model 3 powder throw and it does not like Unique.

April 8, 2010, 11:46 PM	#6
Elkins45 Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2010 Posts: 498	It's a shame Unique burns so dirty and hangs up in meters because it's one of the most versatile powders ever made. 10 grains of Unique is my standard load for cast bullets in rifles, for case forming with corn meal, and in several revolver loads. Universal Clays is similar in burn rate, huh? I may have to try some!

April 9, 2010, 10:53 AM	#9
AlaskaMike Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Posts: 941	I liked 10 grains of Unique with my own cast RCBS 250 grain Keith SWCs, having got the load from seeing it in a couple of John Taffin's books. But once I discovered Power Pistol I ditched Unique. Power Pistol is also a round flake powder, but the flakes are much smaller and because of this it meters much better than Unique. It's a little slower than Unique, so it takes slightly larger charges to make the same velocity, but on the other hand it's much less volatile at the upper end of it's pressure spectrum than Unique. More importantly, my new loads with Power Pistol (also 10 gr. charge weight) are every bit as accurate as my Unique loads. I also have much less powder residue on my hands and forearms after a range session. Between 231 and Power Pistol, I don't have much use for Unique anymore. Mike

April 9, 2010, 12:58 PM	#10
dwhite Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2007 Location: Wake County, N. Carolina Posts: 379	Hodgdon Universal makes a very good replacement for Unique. Universal meters very consistently through my Lee Perfect Powder Measure easily holding +/- 0.1 grain. All the Best, D. White

April 9, 2010, 08:08 PM	#12
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	Another fan of Universal Clays - while mostly a shotgunner, I use the same powder for my pistols. When I ran out of Unique, (and got tired of its dirty characteristics), I switched to Universal. The loads in both pistol and shotguns are ALMOST identical (consult your manual) Good Stuff!

April 9, 2010, 09:42 PM	#13
Conrad85 Member Join Date: March 8, 2010 Posts: 15	Thanks for the replies. I guess when I use up the rest of my Unique, I'll give Universal a try.

April 10, 2010, 12:01 AM	#14
Powderman Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2001 Location: Washington State Posts: 2,166	Hm. I see on the Alliant website, this data for a Keith-type 250 gr LSWC: http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloade...33&bulletid=47 This recipe calls for a max of 11 grains of Unique under the bullet. My favorite target/midrange load is the old favorite: 8.5 of Unique under the 250 grain, .430 bullet. __________________ Hiding in plain sight...