AJC1
Member
I don't understand the anger at Alliant. I poke fun, but it's a get what you can market. Unique and universal both blow out during shortages. You might be best served by having a depth of field for loads.
Goodbye Unique?
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Hooda Thunkit
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And it may have happened, but for that ill-advised tank ride.
Random 8
Member
My first can of HP 38 and all things Alliant disappearing in both shortages signaled the end of any desire to shoot unique for me. For a few applications where I need higher pressure, HS-6 did well, and now Longshot is doing well.
I still have about a pound and a half of it that I use exclusively in .41 mag cast loads. It will last me a long time as such, and I've no doubt the H38 will do fine when it's gone. I no longer have any faith in Alliant to supply my reloading needs consistently.
I still have about a pound and a half of it that I use exclusively in .41 mag cast loads. It will last me a long time as such, and I've no doubt the H38 will do fine when it's gone. I no longer have any faith in Alliant to supply my reloading needs consistently.
.45Coltguy
Member
Hmm. I have found/bought Unique locally in the last year here in Ca. Sometimes powders are available sometimes not. Must be patient. I thought Alliant was made in Virginia?
Are they an importer like Hodgdon powders? Well, at my age, I have enough components to last me. Hope you handloaders are supplied well enough.
Are they an importer like Hodgdon powders? Well, at my age, I have enough components to last me. Hope you handloaders are supplied well enough.
Charlie98
Member
Alliant, like any manufacturer, wants to sell the products the manufacture. Duh. The market is a very strange animal right now, I wouldn't base any decision on a company given what I see or don't see on the shelves at the moment. Granted, I don't wear a tinfoil hat, so maybe the chemtrails have gotten to me...
Charlie98
Member
As I mentioned above, during the last shortage I wound up buying a case of W231 as an alternate to Unique... although that also includes some other powders like RedDot, TiteGroup, and IMR4227, but I digress. Unique and W231 are 2 very different powders, even if the burn rate chart puts them very close together. W231 is a good powder for some things, but the bigger the bore, and the heavier the bullet, Unique pulls away quite easily. And I'm not saying Unique is above the clouds by itself, it certainly has some company... but it's not W231. Just MHO.
GeoDudeFlorida
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Thus the reason for the old saying about variety being the spice of life. I keep good - but not insane - amounts of Unique, No.5, W231, and recently added W244, on hand at all times. Why limit yourself to just one of anything? We live in the land of plenty (for now). Enjoy!As I mentioned above, during the last shortage I wound up buying a case of W231 as an alternate to Unique... although that also includes some other powders like RedDot, TiteGroup, and IMR4227, but I digress. Unique and W231 are 2 very different powders, even if the burn rate chart puts them very close together. W231 is a good powder for some things, but the bigger the bore, and the heavier the bullet, Unique pulls away quite easily. And I'm not saying Unique is above the clouds by itself, it certainly has some company... but it's not W231. Just MHO.
bigpower491
Member
I could never find Unique locally when I started playing with handguns, although I had heard what a fabulous powder it is. Power Pistol was the closest I could find, and between that and #5, I got decent enough results that I don't even feel a need to try it if I ever do come across some.
As far as Alliant goes, I'd love nothing more to replenish my stock of Reloder 22, but at this time, odds are better at finding hens teeth. O it comes up here and there, but I'm usually late to the party and just miss it. Changed to it after they quit making the original IMR7828. Not a fan of the SSC version, it just isn't the same burn wise IMO. I reckon if I can't come up with some in the next yr I'll be looking for some H4831.
In this day and age, you gotta Rolling Stone it...." You can't always get what you want...but if ya try sometime, ya get what ya need"......
As far as Alliant goes, I'd love nothing more to replenish my stock of Reloder 22, but at this time, odds are better at finding hens teeth. O it comes up here and there, but I'm usually late to the party and just miss it. Changed to it after they quit making the original IMR7828. Not a fan of the SSC version, it just isn't the same burn wise IMO. I reckon if I can't come up with some in the next yr I'll be looking for some H4831.
In this day and age, you gotta Rolling Stone it...." You can't always get what you want...but if ya try sometime, ya get what ya need"......
Charlie98
Member
Meh... I like steak, I'll keep eating steak (Unique.) Yes, yes, I've tried all those other powders... and while they have their purpose, they are not my purpose. But... to each his own! If you want to eat bologna... let them eat bologna!
Targa
Member
Every one of the sites from that Google search showing Unique in stock is a scam.
someguy2800
Member
Curious did you happen to test the position sensitivity in the 38 cases? I usually like flake powders for low case fill an applications because they seam to ignite more readily, especially at low temps.
For light loads in .38 Spl or .357 Mag cases it would be hard to find (I never have), a powder that's less position sensitive as far as velocity goes than WST or Competition. For midrange loads in .357 Mag cases I've found nothing better than BE-86 for being position insensitive, and I have tried a couple dozen or so. Titegroup touts being position insensitive, but it's average as far as velocity loss goes.
GeoDudeFlorida
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Bologna on French loaf with mustard and dill pickles. Yummy!Meh... I like steak, I'll keep eating steak (Unique.) Yes, yes, I've tried all those other powders... and while they have their purpose, they are not my purpose. But... to each his own! If you want to eat bologna... let them eat bologna!
One of the powders I tried recently which is supposed to be a replacement for Unique is True Blue. It’s okay for 9mm and .40S&W but other than that it’s not something I’d recommend.
AJC1
Member
True blue and Silhouette are very close but one is wonderful and the other I'll not be buying again. True Blue is the only powder I have ever had a stuck case with a book load. To be clear the only stuck case I've ever had.
GeoDudeFlorida
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Didn’t Silhouette used to be sold as WAP? Or am I just remembering wrong … again.
I liked WAP for .45ACP when I first tried LSWC loads in my old Colt Series 80. I started loading in the late 70’s and used to use Bullseye or Unique for all of my pistol loads. Years later I got talked into trying Red Dot and that was that. Then my soon-to-be father in-law talked me into trying 700X. That was 35 years ago and I still load .45ACP light target loads at below 200gr with Bullseye or 700X, and heavier than 200gr with Bullseye or Red Dot.
A real smart fella on this forum talked me into trying Competition for light .45’s and that’s now in the line up for good, too. Might have to give Silhouette a try, too. Can’t never have too many choices.
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I feel like Unique is easy to substitute in any one role, but hard to replace as a do-all powder. I like it because I can load 12 ga, 20 ga, 9mm, 38 sp, 45 auto, and it’s useful for reduced rifle loads. As a pistol powder, a pound lasts forever, but as a shotgun powder not so much. When it’s back and prices stabilize, I’ll stock up.
AJC1
Member
It was wap to the best of my knowledge. I may or may not have used wap data for my 357 load.Didn’t Silhouette used to be sold as WAP? Or am I just remembering wrong … again.
I liked WAP for .45ACP when I first tried LSWC loads in my old Colt Series 80. Years later I got talked into trying Red Dot and that was that. Then my soon-to-be father in-law talked me into trying 700X. That was 35 years ago and I still load .45ACP light target loads at below 200gr with Bullseye or 700X, and heavier than 200gr with Bullseye or Red Dot.
A real smart fella on this forum talked me into trying Competition for light .45’s and that’s now in the line up for good, too. Might have to give Silhouette a try, too. Can’t never have too many choices.
GeoDudeFlorida
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I gave up on it around the late 90’s for some reason. Can’t remember now why though. I don’t use Unique in .45Auto either. Too many better choices. Bullseye is about the best powder around for that cartridge. Red Dot is a close second but it prefers a heavy bullet. 700X and Competition are tied. The No.2/5 loads are okay but not for me; same reason: too many better choices.
If we start talking about the various options available and not, then we get into some sticky regional differences. Around these parts very few shops carry reloading supplies. Even the basic supplies are mail order or a long drive in miserable traffic.
If Unique powder gets discontinued, 20/28 might become its replacement. While load data is not currently published for many, if any, metallic cartridge loads using 20/28, it is similar to Unique. There is some data from individuals out there.
Unique has been one of my mainstay powders for 20 and 28 gauge shotshells. 20/28 has done well replacing that usasage.
Unique has been one of my mainstay powders for 20 and 28 gauge shotshells. 20/28 has done well replacing that usasage.
Aliant is just a company doing business using proven business methods. They are in business to make a profit and probably have little feelings about reloaders, no conspiracys against us. It is easier and cheaper or them to package their procuct in 55 gallon barrels and ship them in train cars than one, four or eight pound containers shipped to their distributors. I don't think they would stay in busines long if they sold most of their inventory to reloaders (probably with much less profit)...
ArchAngelCD
Member.
W231 is my go to powder for most of my handgun loading. I do use different powders for specialty SD ammo in some of those cartridges but W231 is my favorite handgun cartridge powder.
I load the .32 ACP, 9mm Para, 38 S&W, (and the 38/200), 38/357, 45 ACP and 45 Colt. I think that's all of them right now lol...
I load the .32 ACP, 9mm Para, 38 S&W, (and the 38/200), 38/357, 45 ACP and 45 Colt. I think that's all of them right now lol...
CQB45ACP
Member
I thought VA too since the containers say Radford, VA (SW VA near Virginia Tech—all dirt roads lead to VA Tech as any good Wahoo would say). Used to be an Army Arsenal there. Maybe still is.
CQB45ACP
Member
Yuck. Sorry, but give me that grouper sandwich you mentioned elsewhere.
CQB45ACP
Member
Are you starting a rumor about unique getting discontinued?
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