Hodgdons Universal in .40 S&W and .357 Magnum

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Sky King

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I've been using WW231 (HP38) in .40 S&W for a while and WW296 (H110) in .357 Magnums. Has any one used Hodgdons Universal in .40 or .357? Speer's #14 manual is the only one I've found that list Universal for 158gr JHP's in .357. I've read that Universal's pressure spikes in .40. I'm just looking for something slower burning for the .40 for higher velocity with 180gr FMJ, and faster for 158gr JHP's 357 for midrange loads. I don't wish to use Unique and wind up with a hand full of dirt
 
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Speer's #14 manual is the only one I've found that list Universal for 158gr JHP's in .357.
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Well then, you apparently haven't looked at the powder manufactures data on their website.

http://www.hodgdon.com/

Hodgdon shows Universal powder with a 158 Hornady XTP.
5.8 Start - 6.3 MAX.

In actual fact, Universal and WW-231 are too fast burning for best velocity in either the .357 or the .40 S&W.

But Unique will do a pretty fair job in either caliber.

Contrary to Internet rumor, it ain't all that dirty when running higher pressure loads since they revised it for cleaner burning 10 years ago.

rc
 
Yep. Not dirty worth mentioning, just not squeaky clean. I revisited Unique around 8 months ago, and will be buying some in quantity. I do like Universal in the .40, but don't try to get the max out of it. Slower powders would be better for that than Universal.
 
I forgot about the Hodgdon's web site. According to the burn rate charts Universal and Unique are about the same, only Universal meters a lot more constant than Unique thru my powder measure.
 
They are close together on the Hodgdon burn rate chart, but behave quite differently. Universal is quicker than Unique, as well as Unique being more stable as the pressure goes up.
 
Ditto what Walkalong said.

My favorite load(s) in the .357mag is either the Lee 150gr SWC-HP/GC or the Lee 158gr SWC-GC over 6.8gr of Universal. This gives just over 1,200fps from my 4" Ruger Sec-6 with the 150gr and just under 1,200fps with the 158gc (casts to 164gr).

Accuracy is good, (not quite as good as #2400) and almost as fast as either H110 or #2400. It takes 7.8gr of Unique to equal it. It dosen't matter a whit to me, but the Universal is a tad bit cleaner than the "New" Unique. Not that I had a problem with the "Old" Unique.
 
Universal works good in .40. I've loaded it with 165s and 180s and it's plenty accurate for what I'm using it for. I tested both just about a week ago. My 165s grouped about 2" at 15 yards, and my 180s did about the same. I'm sure they could go tighter but that's as good as it gets for my shooting. I dont even need THAT much-I shoot IDPA and that's the reason I reload the .40. I only need to hit the -0 and it's alot bigger than 2 inches.

My data:
165 FMJ-1.130", 5.7 grains of Universal, medium taper crimp (as described by the Lee FCD instructions)

180 FMJ-1.130", 5.0 grains of Universal, medium taper crimp

I have no idea what the velocities are, but it feels like factory to me.
 
i'm looking for load data for .40 s&w 165grain fmj from precision delta. I have w231, unique and bullseye on hand. I have used unique in 140grain lead from MSB, and w231 in Rainiers 165grain plated. Never reloaded fmjs, but i want to start. My .40 is S&W M&P

Thanks for any advice...

If any of you load .45ACP i am interested in 230 grain fmj from precision delta as well. (same powders as above). .45 is tauraus 24/7 C
 
I load almost exclusively with Longshot for 9mm, 40 S&W, and 38 Spcl., but I hadn't really taken notice it has a pretty good application for the .357 too. The only thing that I would be more alert to if used for .357 is, it's burn rate for that application is pretty fast.
 
I load almost exclusively with Longshot for 9mm, 40 S&W, and 38 Spcl., but I hadn't really taken notice it has a pretty good application for the .357 too. The only thing that I would be more alert to if used for .357 is, it's burn rate for that application is pretty fast.
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We are of a different opinion there. I totally agree with Longshot for the 9mm and 40 S&W but wonder about the .38 Special, not the .357 Magnum. Longshot IMO is too slow a powder for the .38 Special for normal pressure loads, not too fast for the .357 Magnum.

On most burn rate charts Longshot is right around Blue Dot and AA#7 and which can be use in the .357 Magnum but tend to be too slow for the .38 Special unless your pushing a heavy bullet to +P pressures. BUT, that's why they make so many powders, we all have our favorites!!
 
i'm looking for load data for .40 s&w 165grain fmj from precision delta. I have w231, unique and bullseye on hand. I have used unique in 140grain lead from MSB, and w231 in Rainiers 165grain plated. Never reloaded fmjs, but i want to start. My .40 is S&W M&P
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Of your powders and calibers, I like Unique for both. Is good. Shoots good. Even though it meters unevenly, the bullets don't seem to notice. I've tried W231 in .45, and at max loading it still feels weak yet snappy. Like there's a baby 9mm stuffed inside my 45. I haven't even tried it in .40, because the velocities are terrible. Bullseye, same deal. So unless you want light paper punchers for lead bullets, I think Unique is the way to go for 40.

For Unique, I just go by Alliant's rec's for Gold Dots. Their load data is apparently higher than most other manuals, so start at 10% less for jacketed or Berry's plated. For Rainier's you might want to start a tad lower.
 
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Universal is good in the 40 S&W, not the best choice in 357 mag. Unique will produce good mid-range loads in the 357 and is ideal in the 40.
 
They are close together on the Hodgdon burn rate chart, but behave quite differently. Universal is quicker than Unique, as well as Unique being more stable as the pressure goes up.
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Years ago on the old Compuserve Firearms forum, it was observed that 7 of the 8 kabooms experienced by forum members who were using Universal (I was one of the 7). One person suggested that perhaps Universal had a tendency to increase pressure rapidly. YMMV but I will never use it in 40SW although I do use it in other calibers.
 
I really like it in .40 S&W, but am not trying to hot rod it. My favorite load with a 165 Gr Zero JHP and Universal is over the online Hodgdon data, but under the Speer #13 data. It shoots great and shows no signs of pressure and velocities are inline.

If you want to make the .40 sing, slower powders would be better.
 
I spent the last 2 weeks working on a load for my 40XDM, and I use Berry 180g FP plated bullet, seated 1.125" and use 5.2g of Universal and it shoots awesomely. Should be right around 975fps and can do 5shot groups usually all touching if I do my part at 25ft.

I got a good deal on an 8lb jug, and reload 9, 40, 45, 357. I wanted to start with 40 since thats what I shoot the most, but am gonna try to find a good load with universal for all of them since i have so much Universal to use.
 
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