2400 vs Unique?

[sisyphus]

I was looking at a couple calibers I don't currently load and Unique kept coming up. I had it in my head for my revolvers Unique was just for cowboy loads, but when I went to the data for the stuff I already load, I saw that the velocities for Unique loads weren't too far off my 2400 loads, and at half the grain weight of powder!

So what do you guys think about going from 2400 to Unique? I sure like the idea of going through powder slower. I currently load 357, 41, 44 and 45LC, and am thinking of adding 9mm and 45acp. Been happy with 2400 in all my revolvers and lever guns, but if Unique performs and lasts longer it sounds like a win. I defer to your knowledge and experience, as always thanks in advance.

 

[Captcurt]

Unique works great with low to medium loads, plus you can use it in many different calibers. I shoot medium loads of it for practice and use the slower powders like 2400, H110, and AA#9 for hotter loads. It is hard not to like Unique.

 

[sisyphus]

ok but if I am loading toward max with 2400 then Unique may not be for me?

 

[BJung]

Unique is very versatile, so I have read. But, I dislike it because it throws like cornflakes in your powder thrower. Instead of a smooth rotation and your measured powder drops, the cylinder catches and cuts the flakes. I never tried 2400 so I can't comment on it.

 

[fxvr5]

ok but if I am loading toward max with 2400 then Unique may not be for me?

Load data from a manual will answer that question.

 

[Slamfire]

Unique is a versatility champ. I have not found better in the 44 Special and 45 LC in handguns. I have tried 2400 in both cases, and to get the accuracy I want, I have to push the velocities at the upper end, and I don't want that. Not sure the pressures are appropriate for N frame S&W's.

But Unique, in these two cartridges, with 240 grain in the 44 Special, or 250's in the 45 LC, the accuracy at 850 fps with either cartridge is outstanding. And consistent, shot my loads hot and cold.

If you are trying to shoot a rifle, I am sure you will get better velocities with the 2400. Of the magnum powders that I have tried, 2400 is the most flexible. I have shot very accurate and powerful 44 Magnum loads with a 240 grain bullet, with 17.5 grains 2400 and the classic Keith of 22 grains 2400. H110/W296 is a powder that you cannot cut the charges, don't know why, because I stuck to the manufacturer advice. Don't want to experience a Kaboom as part of the learning curve.

I think Unique is the second oldest powder on the market, probably dates to 1899 or something. It has stuck around because of its flexibility in so many pistol cartridges. It is not the best for low end velocities, Bullseye is better for target loads, and it is not the best for magnum loads, 2400 does better. But it works well low and high, and is outstanding in the middle.

I am slowly getting down to three powders: Bullseye Pistol for 32 S&W L, 38 Special and 45 ACP. I have excellent loads in the 38 Special with Unique. Unique for 44 Special and 45 LC, and 2400 for magnum loads in the 357 and 44 Mag. I have excellent loads in the 9mm with Bullseye Pistol, developed some with Unique. The recommended powder for 9mm is Power Pistol, which is, as I understand, a different pressure curve Bullseye Pistol. They can blend the stuff however they want. The recommendation is based on getting the 9mm bullet up to 1200 fps for 50 yard accuracy. This is one reason the 9mm sort of disappeared from Bullseye Pistol Competition, there was no massive recoil advantage as the cartridge has to be pushed for 50 yards. And, it has strange recoil characteristics that shooters have to get used to. So, while the recoil is less, it is not that much less, and it is sharper, and the pistol twists around different.

 

[AJC1]

I like unique even though it's not considered clean. Universal seems to be close in many ways. I am doing an exploration with ramshot silhouette. It's a great powder as well. There are a lot of options if you want to hunt down loads and email powder companies for unlisted information and tests.

 

[Riomouse911]

I am another Unique junky, having used it religiously in pleasant .38 Spl up through pretty stout .44 Mag and .45 Colt loads since I started reloading in 1995. It’s one of those powders that can do so much, across such a wide range of calibers no matter the bullet style, size and weight, that I literally think I can go with buying nothing else until I’m too old to shoot anymore.



My shelf currently has a pretty good selection of revolver and auto pistol powders to choose from, but easily 7 out of every 10 times I’m at the loading bench I’m reaching for Unique. (The 8lb jugs of Unique and Promo are on another shelf .)

I don’t think you’ll be disappointed if you score a pound or two of “The U” and try it out.

Stay safe.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Unique isnt dirty when not loaded light. It is also is no slouch when it comes to near max loads.

 

[Legionnaire]

I use three powders in my revolvers: Trail Boss for plinking loads, Unique for mid power loads, and 2400 for full power loads. All work great for the purpose. If I could only stock one, it would probably be Unique.

 

[Theinkman]

Have to agree with @ColtPythonElite on Unique being dirty. I too have found that light loads of Unique in either .38 special or 9mm luger can be dirty. Up the charge a bit that dirtiness will disappear.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

ok but if I am loading toward max with 2400 then Unique may not be for me?

You won’t get to the velocities of a near max 2400 load, especially in a carbine or longer than 6” barrel revolver, but you will get close in a 6” or shorter barrel and a lot more efficiently with Unique. 2400 was developed as a small bore rifle powder and that’s still where it shines brightest. Unique is a universal powder that can be used in shotgun, pistol or rifle, but it is not the best rifle powder around; it works but it’s not the best in that role.
My suggestion is to load Unique for medium to short barrel revolvers where maximum velocities are second to economy and stick to 2400 where the barrel length is enough to let it shine.

 

[Rule3]

Unique is very versatile.
Not the best at metering or clean burning
It will work for many calibers
Main thing is, it needs to be used towards the high end of the load data.

Not high on my list, but people love it. I use it for 45 Colt.

I use HP38 for my general all around powder.

 

[35 Whelen]

I was looking at a couple calibers I don't currently load and Unique kept coming up. I had it in my head for my revolvers Unique was just for cowboy loads, but when I went to the data for the stuff I already load, I saw that the velocities for Unique loads weren't too far off my 2400 loads, and at half the grain weight of powder!

So what do you guys think about going from 2400 to Unique? I sure like the idea of going through powder slower. I currently load 357, 41, 44 and 45LC, and am thinking of adding 9mm and 45acp. Been happy with 2400 in all my revolvers and lever guns, but if Unique performs and lasts longer it sounds like a win. I defer to your knowledge and experience, as always thanks in advance.

If Unique was the only powder I had for my revolvers, I'd be perfectly happy. I use it in .38 (158 gr. cast @ 900), .357 (158 gr. cast @ 1000), .44 Special (255 gr. cast @ 900 - 1100) and 45 Colt ( 255 gr. cast @ 850 - 950 fps). I just never saw the point of using almost twice as much 2400 to achieve the same pressures and velocities.

35W

 

[bluejay75]

There’s a place for both of them on your bench. I usually keep powders in both of those burn ranges readily available.

If metering is a concern HS6 and AA9 almost mirrors the performance and burn of Unique and 2400.

 

[Kevin Rohrer]

2400 is for full-power loads w/ long-barreled guns. I tried it once w/ a .357mag, 2.5" barreled M19. The sheet of flame that came out the front was almost big enough to hit the target 7-feet away.

 

[Charlie98]

ok but if I am loading toward max with 2400 then Unique may not be for me?

You won’t get to the velocities of a near max 2400 load, especially in a carbine or longer than 6” barrel revolver, but you will get close in a 6” or shorter barrel and a lot more efficiently with Unique.

That right there... ^^^ 2400 in particular excels in something like a carbine, but is not my first choice for handguns. Conversely, Unique works well in handguns, but the velocity edge goes to 2400 in a longer barrel, obviously. There is a place for both... unless you want max velocity all the time.

In my case... the .41MAG... between a 6" Dan Wesson, and my Marlin 1894, 2400 (and IMR4227) give me nearly 400fps more at near max loads compared to Unique, but barely 50fps out of the pistol, and even less out of my 4" Smith. Back Home, Years Ago, I ran Unique up (and over) published data in the .41... it still won't get you to the velocities of the slower burners, although it's close in a pistol; in the end, I decided picking a better powder was the best avenue for Magnum pistol loads. I actually prefer W296 over 2400 for pistol loads, even given it's limitations of a Magnum primer and very little wiggle room on the charge, but I think 2400 is a better choice overall if you are running it in pistols and rifles.

If you are happy with, or have a place for, 75% of max loads, Unique will fill that hand in spades.

 

[Rule3]

I will mention it again. Not to start a powder "war" but for the calibers the OP mentions, compare the data for HP38 vs Unique. (yes Hodgdon data uses a longer 10"barrel vs Alliant 6"

HP 38 will do anything Unique will and probably better, and less flaming dirt! (Blue Dots little brother)
JMHO and experience.

https://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/powderlist.aspx?type=1&powderid=3&cartridge=28

https://shop.hodgdon.com/reloading-data-center

 

[AJC1]

I will mention it again. Not to start a powder "war" but for the calibers the OP mentions, compare the data for HP38 vs Unique. (yes Hodgdon data uses a longer 10"barrel vs Alliant 6"

HP 38 will do anything Unique will and probably better, and less flaming dirt! (Blue Dots little brother)
JMHO and experience.

https://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/powderlist.aspx?type=1&powderid=3&cartridge=28

https://shop.hodgdon.com/reloading-data-center

Ohhhhh a powder war.

 

[Rule3]

Ohhhhh a powder war.

What's the BEST powder for xyz?

 

[murf]

unique is the most accurate powder in my 45 colt blackhawk with the 265 grain lswc bullet. as a bonus, unique is the least position sensitive. it is an excellent high/mid range powder.

luck,

murf

 

[murf]

ok but if I am loading toward max with 2400 then Unique may not be for me?

the 45 colt runs @ 14,000 psi max pressure and unique performs very well at that level.

luck,

murf

 

[murf]

if you are adding 9mm and 45acp, then power pistol and w231 need to be added to your powder collection as well. keep the 2400 for the magnum calibers and add the unique for the 45 colt.

i guess i'm trying to say that a "one powder fits all" solution won't work.

luck,

murf

 

[.38 Special]

Unique is my favorite powder. I've never had trouble metering it - although I don't get upset with a tenth of a grain variation which seems to bother a certain type of fellow - and while it is slightly dirtier than most, those residues don't take any longer to clean than do those from other powders.

I don't like to lean on it really hard, though. I've scared myself on occasion, trying to push it into Magnum territory. It seems to me that beyond a certain point it tends to go decidedly non-linear.

So I keep a keg of 2400 on hand, and any time I want more than 950 fps or so, I put away the Unique.

 

[Slamfire]

I will mention it again. Not to start a powder "war" but for the calibers the OP mentions, compare the data for HP38 vs Unique. (yes Hodgdon data uses a longer 10"barrel vs Alliant 6"

HP 38 will do anything Unique will and probably better, and less flaming dirt! (Blue Dots little brother)
JMHO and experience.

https://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/powderlist.aspx?type=1&powderid=3&cartridge=28

https://shop.hodgdon.com/reloading-data-center

I shot kegs of W231/HP 38 and it is an excellent powder in the same cartridges that Unique excels. When thrown from my Dillion 550B, I did not find that the flattened ball powder configuration made any difference in extreme spreads or standard deviations compared to Unique.

But, at some point I needed to stop buying all the powder du jours and concentrate on a few good ones that met my needs.

Powder fouling.

This is a blued pistol, so the Unique on the cylinder and top strap is not as noticeable as the soot on stainless.



this is Bullseye







this is 2400



Raising combustion temperatures and pressures will result in "cleaner" burning. I don't want higher pressures or higher temperatures, so after shooting, I clean my guns.