Power Pistol or Unique

[gregjc9]

I started out reloading with PP, and recently picked up some Unique to try. I keep reading positives for both, but what I havent seen are a lot of hard reasons why one is preferred over the other. I load 380ACP, 9mm, and 45ACP, primarily use plated RN bullets for range use, with loads in the mid power range, all loaded on my LNL.

I'm pleased with PP, but wondering if I'm missing out by not trying something else. (I did use W231 for a while, but had a lot of unburned powder on my hands and arms, so I've shyed away from it.)

So let me know which you like, and why (one meters better than the other, more accurate, less muzzle flash, etc).

[Qtiphky]

I use Unique because that was all that was available at the time. I use it in 380, 9mm, 357 sig, 10mm, 40, 38 Spcl and 45 ACP. I like it and it works well for me.

Using my Lee press, it meters fairly well, in that I am not worried about the variances as they are within tolerances for these loads. Most of my loads are middle of the road so if it is .1 up or down I am not in any kind of trouble.

[PA-Joe]

Unique has been a lead target round staple for at least 50 years. If is good for what it was designed. Some say it is dirtier that other powders.

[zxcvbob]

Unique is a top performer in .380 loads. It's worth having just for that. (Bullseye is another one you should try in most of those ctgs, especially .38, 9mm, and .45)

[ZeSpectre]

I use Unique because that was all that was available at the time. I use it in 380, 9mm, 357 sig, 10mm, 40, 38 Spcl and 45 ACP. I like it and it works well for me.

Using my Lee press, it meters fairly well, in that I am not worried about the variances as they are within tolerances for these loads. Most of my loads are middle of the road so if it is .1 up or down I am not in any kind of trouble.

Pretty much the same for me. I still use three or four times the amount of Unique that I use for anything else. It's kinda dirty but burns a lot cleaner if you are pushing the loads to the "top" of the scale. (I'm not saying "nuclear loads" I'm just saying warmer than middle loads).

[hogcowboy]

I use Unique because that's what's almost always available. I don't like switching back and forth just because Power Pistol isn't there at the time. Yes I'm lazy.

[Unclenick]

Unique fills a useful niche in that it is applicable in at least some loads in a very wide range of chamberings and still gets to pretty good velocity in most handguns. The drawback to it is it meters less consistently than any other pistol powder in most measures. I have replaced it with Hodgdon Universal Clays in mid range powder loads. Universal meters better and burns cleaner. I usually end up with about 5% less Universal by weight than the Unique charges it replaces, but in a few applications, like light rifle loads, the charge weight has been closer to the same. Universal won't get to quite the same velocity at maximum pressure, but for moderate loads that's not an issue. Just don't mistake Universal Clays for Clays or International Clays. All three are sold by Hodgdon.

Power Pistol is a good powder, but it's not the same burning rate as Unique. It's slower, so you need more just to get to the same pressure and velocity, so it is more expensive to use in a midrange load. It was designed for IPSC shooters loading to Major power level a little more easily. Maximum loads usually beat Unique by 30 or 40 fps or so. Not by a lot, but it makes Major slightly more easily for that reason. For lower pressure loads it burns too inefficiently to be the best choice. You can save money and get less muzzle flash and recoil using a quicker powder for light and middling loads.


Greg,

I'm surprised to hear of 231 burning so dirty for you. It's not clean, per se, but to scatter a lot of unburned powder around you need to be loading it to pressures too low for its consistent burning. That's true of any powder that's burning too dirty. It wants to be running at higher pressure. Increasing start pressure with a heavier crimp can help with that. Changing to a magnum primer can sometimes help with that.

[overkill0084]

Consider AA#5. Similar burn rate. Meters better for me. Seems a bit cleaner burning. Works well for me, YMMV.

[BODAME]

Started Loading back a few years ago and as a lot of us do not want to admit
I have done some Dumb things over the years.
Started with Unique in 45Colt & 45ACP. Did not like the Quick Build Up in my SA Revolvers and Lever Action Rifles that caused issues.
Switched to Power Pistol and including 9MM to the mix. Results were a little
better but had issues making IDPA & USPSA Power Floors with 9MM 124Gr Bullets.
Switched to Clays for 38Special,38Colt Short & 9MM and American Select for 45LongColt & 45ACP .Resolved PF issues in 9MM and was able to make a softer shooting 45ACP Round for IDPA & USPSA.
Also : I think both Powders Cleaner Burning.
My 2 Cents

[gregjc9]

Unclenick:
I ran into the meter inconsistency of Unique making my test loads. I had attributed it to a somewhat dirty powder drop. I have cleaned and re-graphited it, but have not tried to load any more Unique. If it is that inconsistent in metering, then I know I wont be happy with it.

I had posted here some time ago my experience with W231, and the recommendation at that time was a slightly tighter crimp. Which I tried, but the results were basically the same. I had been loading my 45ACP with it mostly for my 16yr old son to shoot in his Kimber. Using plated bullets, and trying to soften the recoil a little, resulted in mid range rounds. They were accurate enough and pleasant to shoot, just couldnt get rid of the unburnt powder flakes. I may try to make some hotter loads with the W231 and see if that helps.

Bodame:
When you stated Clays, or Universal Clays for Clays or International Clays?


Thanks all for the input, very helpful.

[oneounceload]

"Clays" is typically just that Clays, not to be confused with Universal Clays or International Clays, or ClayDot.

I use Clays, and now ClayDot, for my 12 gauge loads and Universal for 20 gauge, 28 guage, 32SWL, 38, 9mm, 45. I used to use Unique, ran out one time and tried this - found load data to be VERY similar and it is, IMO, much cleaner burning than Unique

[NWPilgrim]

If PP is working for you then not much reason to change. I would like to try PP but cannot find it locally and don't want to buy 8# online without trying it first.

I like Unique because it has been around a long time and there is a lot of load data for every bullet type and weight. It seems to be a very flexible powder, that it is it behaves well from light loads to medium loads in a wide range of case sizes and bullet weights. It is one of the least dense powders so it fills revolver cases up more than most powders to at least half full. Makes double charging more obvious that a dense powder like WW231.

The primary downside is that it is a HUGE flake powder. My RCBS Uniflow measure handles it OK, and works fine in my Lee Pro Auto Disk measure, but not using the micro-adjust cavity (does not fill the odd shape cavity consistently at very small volumes).

Unique is like W231 in that you can almost always find a decent load with it for almost any handgun cartridge. Even makes good medium range loads for .357 and .44 magnums.

When metering becomes an issue then I use W231 or Universal or AA5.

[chiefr]

I have been using Unique for over 40 years. IMHO, it is the most versatile of all hangun powders. Some of my most accurate loads are with Unique, however, to get such accuracy, I have to weigh each charge which is slow.

Agree with Unclenick on the metering problem. If I keep my powder dispenser full all the time, I am able to manage more consistent loads, however if I was to compete, I would revert to weighing each charge.

[jmortimer]

I like Unique it is all I use for .45 Colt, .38/.357, and 12 guage slugs/buckshot. I use powder dippers so I don't have metering issues. I agree that if you hit the sweet spot, i.e. "warm load" it is not dirty and way accurate.

[jmortimer]

I like Unique it is all I use for .45 Colt, .38/.357, and 12 guage slugs/buckshot. I use powder dippers so I don't have metering issues. I agree that if you hit the sweet spot, i.e. "warm load" it is not "dirty" and way accurate.