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.
I stocked up on reloading powders and primers when it looked like there might be a President Dukakis.
I don't understand the anger at Alliant.
I have always liked W-231 better than Unique, but many folks couldn't live without it.
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.
Thus the reason for the old saying about variety being the spice of life.
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
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
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It also shoots well in the 45 ACP
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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.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.
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!
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.Bologna on French loaf with mustard and dill pickles. Yummy!
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.
Didn’t Silhouette used to be sold as WAP? Or am I just remembering wrong … again.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.
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.
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.It was wap to the best of my knowledge. I may or may not have used wap data for my 357 load.
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)...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.
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.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.
Yuck. Sorry, but give me that grouper sandwich you mentioned elsewhere.Bologna on French loaf with mustard and dill pickles. Yummy!
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.
Are you starting a rumor about unique getting discontinued?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.