Seabee
Old Timer
CFE223, H4350, Universal
All purpose powders
- Thread starter Cuttyfunk
- Start date
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How good of a powder is Universal? I've read that it's very similar to Unique in it's applications. Is there any advantage of using Universal over Unique?
PowPow
Where's the beef?
Universal is a ball powder whereas Unique is a circular flake. Universal is arguably cleaner if that matters. Ball powders meter better.
Biggfoot44
Ultimate Member
- Aug 2, 2009
- 33,222
Universal is very close to Unique , frequently using the same charges . It's not quite an " Official " direct substitution , but it's very close . As noted , Universal is ball powder, meters well , and is somewhat cleaner .
FWIW , BE-86 was a popular non-canister powder popular with OEM ammo makers for decades before being offered as Canister powder . About the same burning rate as Unique , but denser ( less fluffy ) , so thereby better suited to some semiauto loads . Small flakes to meter comparitively better than Unique , somewhat cleaner .
FWIW , BE-86 was a popular non-canister powder popular with OEM ammo makers for decades before being offered as Canister powder . About the same burning rate as Unique , but denser ( less fluffy ) , so thereby better suited to some semiauto loads . Small flakes to meter comparitively better than Unique , somewhat cleaner .
I've been researching powder lately for pistol reloading, partly due to thinking about what I currently use, and partly to see what alternatives there are. My initial basis of "knowledge," lacking as it may be, came from the reloading data on reloaded ammo I brought back from Nebraska that my father had reloaded. I know he used other powders - I can remember as a kid him showing me the "Dots," red, blue and green, and I remember his powder shelf having canister after canister of various powders on it, but at the end of the day, everything handgun I actually brought home - 38 SPC, 357 mag, 41 mag, 44 mag, 45 ACP, and 45 Long Colt - were all reloaded with just 3 powders.
1. Unique (41 mag, 44 mag, 45 ACP, 45 LC)
2. HP38 (38 SPC, 45 ACP)
3. 2400 (357 mag)
In my own efforts I've added Bullseye (but only because I'd initially ordered HP38, and when Midway called to inform me it was back ordered, and that's what I chose as a substitution) Herco, and Longshot. I have some Power Pistol, but I have yet to use it.
I've been scouring the net to see if there are "better" choices than what Dad loaded with, and honestly, after reading things online, and digging through my reloading manuals, I think the powders in the loads I brought back home in 2008 are solid choices to have on a reloading bench. There might be alternatives, and there are powders that might push a bullet faster, but I'm not sure that there is much out there that is inherently "better" than HP38/W231, Unique, and 2400.
Dad had kept fairly meticulous records on his reloading - notebook ledgers of nearly every round he'd ever loaded from the early 1950s to when he passed in 1997. Unfortunately after he passed away, those notebooks got lost in the shuffle. I sure wish I had them now, if for nothing else to try to extrapolate preferences and pet loads.
1. Unique (41 mag, 44 mag, 45 ACP, 45 LC)
2. HP38 (38 SPC, 45 ACP)
3. 2400 (357 mag)
In my own efforts I've added Bullseye (but only because I'd initially ordered HP38, and when Midway called to inform me it was back ordered, and that's what I chose as a substitution) Herco, and Longshot. I have some Power Pistol, but I have yet to use it.
I've been scouring the net to see if there are "better" choices than what Dad loaded with, and honestly, after reading things online, and digging through my reloading manuals, I think the powders in the loads I brought back home in 2008 are solid choices to have on a reloading bench. There might be alternatives, and there are powders that might push a bullet faster, but I'm not sure that there is much out there that is inherently "better" than HP38/W231, Unique, and 2400.
Dad had kept fairly meticulous records on his reloading - notebook ledgers of nearly every round he'd ever loaded from the early 1950s to when he passed in 1997. Unfortunately after he passed away, those notebooks got lost in the shuffle. I sure wish I had them now, if for nothing else to try to extrapolate preferences and pet loads.
Biggfoot44
Ultimate Member
- Aug 2, 2009
- 33,222
Well , for those ctgs ( all revolvers , plus sn "honorary revolver" ) your Classic Three are very versatile . Heck , you still have untapped possibilities with them .
And the obvious possible gaps , you have already filled : Bullseye for Really Faster , and Longshot for " Slower than Unique , but faster ( and cleaner) than 2400 " . ( Not that I am bothered by " dirty powders , but it's commonly discussed .)
Anything further would be in pursuit of a niche . Absolute highest velocities in magnums, 300gr plus bullets in .44, .45 , max velocity for certain bullet weight in .45 Colt AND keep inside SAAMI pressures , etc .
[ If you had a buncha high pressure semiauto ctgs , they inherently are more specific powder requirements , with powder volume being just as important as burning speed . You would need a bigger powder selection , or be willing for large gap from potentials .
And the obvious possible gaps , you have already filled : Bullseye for Really Faster , and Longshot for " Slower than Unique , but faster ( and cleaner) than 2400 " . ( Not that I am bothered by " dirty powders , but it's commonly discussed .)
Anything further would be in pursuit of a niche . Absolute highest velocities in magnums, 300gr plus bullets in .44, .45 , max velocity for certain bullet weight in .45 Colt AND keep inside SAAMI pressures , etc .
[ If you had a buncha high pressure semiauto ctgs , they inherently are more specific powder requirements , with powder volume being just as important as burning speed . You would need a bigger powder selection , or be willing for large gap from potentials .
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