Goodbye Unique?

Six shots using 4.5 grains of W231 behind Lyman 452423; Ruger 4 5/8" New Vaquero .45 Colt. My game is playing cards at 7 yards, bullseye stance. I've used Unique almost exclusively in all my handgun loads since 1979 but just can't locate it anymore. I use mid-range (or less) loads, and thus far, like 231. Listed at 238 grains, this new-to-me 452423 drops 272 grain pills using wheel weight alloy.

 

I just found 2 lbs after looking for over 3 years.

 

It's out there, but you have to be patient. Last Shortage I couldn't find it, and wound up with a case of W231... of course, shortly after that, I found Unique at BassPro, then I was able to order an 8# from PV, so I wound up selling the W231 off. Gotta do what you gotta do.

 

Your quite successful

I spent the last 10 years and all I have is 3 pounds, I gave up looking and went over to true blue powder.

ALMOST identical burn rates, pressure, and data.

Best of all its a double spherical ball powder, it flows like water through any powder measure you have.

 

I work at my local gun shows with a friend who sells ammo and components. All Alliant powders have been nonexistent for the last couple years,but we saw some come in last month. Unique,Bullseye,RL -17,and a couple others were available from another booth. The guy running it said it was the first time he’d got any in a long time. With most Alliant being manufactured in Sweden,I’m guessing the unrest in Europe may be part of the issue,but it’s definitely starting to trickle back into the supply chain.

 

The problem going forward: power costs in Europe are unbelievable. Many factories are shutting down due to energy costs, which have gone up 10-fold in many cases.

Anything sourced from Europe will be problematic in the near term. At least until we see what shakes out in terms of power supply plants.

 

If over the past few months you haven’t found unique, bullseye, sport pistol, ar-comp, power pistol, be-86, 2400, just to name a few, then you just haven’t looked much. No, they’re not all available, all of the time, everywhere, but they’ve been available.

This is such a common thread and always wrong.

 

I've bought at least 10 lb of unique over the past 3 years. Never paid over 25 or so a lb. And I don't get out much.....maybe Im Lucky.

I've not had any trouble getting any powder really although finding a 4 lb jug of varget took a couple stops.....That said....ive not bought a primer in several years. Lol. Well before covid I think. I won't pay 7/100. Lol

 

During the obumma reign I couldn't find any Unique, but I did find some Universal, so I bought one pound to try. Liked it so I bought 2 lbs. Further testing show it works in all my handgun handloads (not so hot in 32 ACP though) so I bought a 4 lb jug. I use a lot of it in my 38/357, 9mm, 45 Colt and 45 ACP and now trying it in some 32 H&R handloads...

 

I just found a full pound of Unique I forgot I had, I tried HP 38 ( WIN. 231 ) and never went back

 

Baloney. Plus, I enjoy reloading and shooting more than wasting my time looking for a powder that for my needs, is so easily substituted.

Read my post. I said I couldn't locate it anymore.

 

If it works for you then it works. I’m not sure what the point of the thread is. You can’t swing a virtual dead cat on the THR-R/HL forum without running into a post extolling the virtues (and ignoring the deficiencies) of W231. Ditto for posts complaining about Unique. So what’s the point?

 

If you happen across it, Power Pistol and Hodgdon Univeral are very similar to Unique

 

I've personally decided to stop giving my business to Aliant. They do not seam to be interested in suppling powder to us handloaders, and when they do have enough left over to sell to us they price gouge.

 

Darn lucky if it only took a couple!

 

Thanks! Convince your friends to do the same. I’ll take any advantage I can get.

 

Seriously, if you haven’t found Unique you haven’t been looking much. That’s simply a fact and you actually say so—you’d rather reload & shoot. Good for you, me too. But why even mention it then? Weird.

Enjoy your baloney

 

They have different high and low points. I really don't consider them interchangeable. W231 gets spikey in the high portion of it's pressure range where Unique starts to clean up and play nicer. Unique tends to get position sensitive in very light loads in very large cases where W231 doesn't. Unique runs dirty in low pressure where W231 runs cleaner, especially in smaller cases like the .380ACP and .32Long. Unique is good for lead rifle loads and shotgun where W231 is supposed to be its equal but that hasn't been my experience; Unique works for a huge variety of loadings where I find W231 much more limited or flat-out inappropriate.

I like both, use both, don't get the fist-shaking and side-taking. I've got good loads for Unique and W231 and have no intention of abandoning either one over hurt feelings or a failure to plan on my part. If it works for you, it works. Trying to organize a boycott and/or put a company out of business because they didn't kiss your butt (not you, the folks saying they're boycotting Alliant) is a great way to put EVERY powder company out of business. Folks need to grow some thicker skin - just my opinion.

 

I stocked up on reloading powders and primers when it looked like there might be a President Dukakis. All of mine was made by Hercules. At the current rate it looks like I may have a lifetime supply. It's good for certain loads, especially big bore pistol calibers. It's not for everything, but it can't be beat in certain loads. Of course there are other great powders that Unique does not replace.

 

How does this compare to your Unique accuracy?

 

I just Googled Unique and it’s available a lot of smaller online places.

I don’t know who’s who regarding scams, so buyer beware…

https://www.google.com/search?q=unique+powder&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari#ip=1

 

No point, just sharing information.

 

Let me recommend Accurate Arms #5 as a ball powder subsitute for Unique

This was my test to create 38 Special equivalent velocities in 357 Magnum cases. AA#5 does well in the 38 Special and at 38 Special velocities in the 357 Magnum














It also shoots well in the 45 ACP