Why so much Love for Unique?

Versatility is the biggest reason. And while I have for sure not been laoding as long as some here, certainly not 65 years, I think alot of it has to do with the very reason this forum exist. Passing it on.

My dad used Unique in many loads, he is the one who taught me how to load, inherently, I use Unique alot. Point being, if we pass this on to someone new, we use what we use, and sometimes that sticks with the new loader. Just my thoughts.

I'd like to thank the OP for bringing this up.

I discovered that I have always overlooked the versatility of Universal.

I have a big jug stashed away. I haven't loaded shots shells in about ten years.
Out of sight, out of mind.

I have not used any Unique yet. I do like Hodgdon Universal for its versatility. I use Universal for 380, 9mm, 9mm Largo, 40 S&W, and 45 ACP. And I can drag teh old MEC 600 12 gauge reloader and use it for that too. It meters well for me in my Lee Auto Disk powder measures.

If anyone likes to read history, search up Laflin & Rand Smokeless, and their fate after Dupont. There is a downloadable .pdf file.

Edit: Lots of cool advertisement poster pictures included.

I try to keep at least 100lb of unique at all times. Its my go to fast burning powder. Not any dirtier than anything else, meters very well and very accurate.

I love Unique! Been using it for over 50 years to load: .380, 38 spl, 9mm, .357 mag, .45 acp, .38 S&W, .223 and .30-06 with cast bullets, 20 ga and 12 ga.
I clean my firearms every time I shoot them, if it takes 3 patches rather than 2 I'm ok with that.

Constrictor said:

I try to keep at least 100lb of unique at all times. Its my go to fast burning powder. Not any dirtier than anything else, meters very well and very accurate.

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That is a lot to keep on hand. You must shoot alot?

My much used powder.
Use it for a number of pistol calibers.
And for shotshells and for reduced power rifle loads.
My favorite.

LNK said:

That is a lot to keep on hand. You must shoot alot?

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yes and no. I want to be able to weather shortages like now and shoot all i want.

Palladan44 said:

First thing i want to let everybody know I plan on taking some backlash here for asking this question. Im also open minded, and im searching for answers. Maybe i can learn something.

Lots of Love for Unique out there, I know that its extremely versatile, but so are many other powders.

Its Smoky, Dirty, Meters kind of poorly because its such a large flake. Some say its smelly, others like the smell.

In my opinion Unique is nothing special, and I have other powders I like much better for any given application.

Does it simulate black powder for Cowboy shooting or something like that? Im just wondering if theres a secret that im missing.
Thanks guys!

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It was everyone's Grandpa's powder. There is a lot of nostalgia that goes with it.
I've found Universal to do everything better.

To any newcomers, don't mistake International for Universal. And don't ask how I know.

Bought my first pound of Unique last year to test out some plinking loads for 30-30. Haven’t loaded it in 9mm or 380 yet.
I have tried Universal in 9mm and 380. I’ve used a lot of Win 231.

kcofohio said:

To any newcomers, don't mistake International for Universal. And don't ask how I know.

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I have seen people use International Clays instead of Universal Clays. They are NOT interchangeable, especially in pistol calibers.

When I started reloading in the late 1980s, I was told that I needed to have Unique on hand. I bought 2 pounds.

I have never used it in anything.

I have 2 pounds of Unique on my shelf. Still.

It's right next to the unopened 2 pounds of BlueDot.

gunlaw said:

Only “dirty” when it is loaded for reduced loads.

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This. If you are loading it at the lower end of published data, it gets dirty. If you start running near the max load, it burns quite clean.

I use Unique because I want to, if you don't like it, don't use it. Next question?

Have a blessed day,

Leon

If the only pistol powders I could have were Bullseye, Unique and 2400 I could live a happy life.

They are classics for a reason.

Nostalgia is a part of it for me, I admit. Maybe there’s better powders? I’m not inclined to find out. Grew up with the stuff, and it does exactly what I want.
I have plenty... only in the last year did I use the last of my Hercules Unique, and start in on the Alliant Unique.
At the pressures I load, neither one of them was particularly dirty.
Didn’t care for it in 380acp, but it works great in 9x19, 45acp, and 3/4 throttle 357 and 44 magnums.

Palladan44 said:

I suppose since I load Pistol and Only pistol is why I dont really capture the full potential and versatility of Unique. WIN 231 is more my "do all" for most handgun caliber with target loads. Just finished my first 8 lb jug of it, and I have one more 8lb Jug of it.
It took since 2007 to use 8lbs of W231.

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All due respect but, you asked why so many handloaders used and recommended Unique, not why you should use it. The answer is, Unique is universal. Obviously that answer is unimportant in your life. So be it.
What more would you like to know?

I love Unique. It is my go to pistol powder. Followed by 2400.
It has and continues to serve me well when developing pistol loads for new boolits.
If I could have only one pistol powder it would probably be Unique

One thing that I have done is developed favorite loads for each cartridge that I load. In most cases, I have two or three powder choices for each cartridge. It gives me some options in case I cannot find a particular powder.

I load 17 different handgun cartridges and while some other powders may be my first choice for a particular cartridge, Unique is for the most part, at least one of the developed optional powders.

I’ll agree that other powders can almost duplicate Unique’s performance and if one is pleased with their choice for the cartridges they load, there is nothing wrong with that.

But, one cannot fault the flexibility gained by using Unique.