Labor Day Score - 16 lbs Hodgdon Universal

[markr6754]

I’ve read a number of posts from Universal shooters. It’s a powder that I’ve never tried, but sits right in between many that I do. I received a $15 off $75 coupon from Gander Outdoors, and I recalled that they carried both 8lb jugs and 14oz bottles of Universal, as well as Clays and assorted other shotgun powders...so off I went with Mrs. to use my coupon. I figured, why take advantage of $5 Hazmat from MidSouth Shooter Supply, when I could get $0 Hazmat from a local shop. I grabbed the 8lb jug of Universal...expecting to pay $160 and change...and use my $15 coupon.

At checkout I had to stifle a gasp as the register rang up $79.83 regular, $65.85 after prorating my coupon across the 3 items I purchased. I carried my purchase to the car, still beside myself with joy and my wife asked if I shouldn’t get another bottle at that price. She actually had to ask twice since I didn’t want to be disappointed if the first bottle was priced wrong.

So I went back, picked up another 8lb jug of Universal, and checked out at the same register. After tax, $83.25. So I picked up 16 libs of powder, a pair of women’s sport sandals, and a sticker and activity book for my granddaughter for a total price of $174.89 out the door.

I checked the 2019 Hodgdon load manual, and it has recipes for every cartridge and bullet weight I load. Color me happy!

 

[Dudedog]

Cool score!
I have some Chrono #s for Universal if you are interested,
what are you planning on loading?

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

$10/lb for Universal ? I'd call that a screaming deal!

I use it anywhere others use Unique. Reduced rifle, almost any handgun, etc.

An excellent powder to stash back for future uncertainty.

 

[FROGO207]

Good score there for sure. Sounds like the pricing for the 4# bottle to me. You get what you pay for as far as employee intelligence goes sadly.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Are you sure you didn't buy 4lb bottles? Universal does come in a 4 lb bottle and it's looks surprisingly big. Check the lable.

 

[markr6754]

Cool score! I have some Chrono #s for Universal if you are interested, what are you planning on loading?

Since I’ve been developing soft loads for my wife in 380ACP and 9mm, those are the first rounds I’ll try. 95gr JHP for the 380, and 100gr Berry’s HBRN for the 9mm. We just shot a bunch that I loaded with HP-38 and Silhouette, so I’m expecting Universal to be similar. We’re just going off felt recoil, and can she hit in the target rings at 7yds. I hope to gain access to an outdoor “range” in a few months, as well as buying a chrono for when that occurs.

As to the intelligence of the employee...the product was scanned... the scanner pulled back $79.83 8lb Universal. If there was an employee error, it occurred far above her pay grade. Oh...they also had all suppressors on sale at 50% off. I was sorely tempted. Probably never come across another deal like that. Sadly, I have a $4500 household project in the proposal stage...and my new reloading room is waiting on the finished project.

 

[markr6754]

Are you sure you didn't buy 4lb bottles? Universal does come in a 4 lb bottle and it's looks surprisingly big. Check the lable.

Yeah...I checked. Even if it had been a 4lb bottle, with my $15 coupon it would’ve made a nice buy...but I wouldn’t have posted about it. Too mundane.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Yeah...I checked. Even if it had been a 4lb bottle, with my $15 coupon it would’ve made a nice buy...but I wouldn’t have posted about it. Too mundane.

Amazing back of a deal. Cool!

 

[GBExpat]

And here I was tickled that I had purchased (from American Reloading, btw) 16lbs of new-mfr WC-844 for $12.50/pound delivered.

They will be sending me two 8lb jugs with the same Lot# so I do not have to duplicate my loads workup.

... but ... $10/lb OTD for Universal?!

 

[Skgreen]

Gander Outdoors,

At checkout I had to stifle a gasp as the register rang up $79.83 regular,

That's 2 of us now, except there was only (1) 8lb'er where I went:



Something like "WAS $17x.x9, NOW $79.81"

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/universal-clays-your-loads.854422/

Didn't seem right, but I confirmed it w/Management before I took it 'up front' to pay!

(Houston store, 7/14/19)

All I can say is, YES! 10/lb., and it feels darn good! LOL!

 

[Dudedog]

Hhmm, I seem to be missing some but here is a zip of what I found.
Files are .csv exported from the chrono software, Open in Excell, Notepad whatever just text.
Might be helpful, might not

 

[markr6754]

Hhmm, I seem to be missing some but here is a zip of what I found.
Files are .csv exported from the chrono software, Open in Excell, Notepad whatever just text.
Might be helpful, might not

I appreciate the aid. Planning to start some load ladders this week. Although, my Hodgdon guide shows 0.3 to 0.4 gr between starting load and Max. Doesn’t leave a lot of room for error. I’ll be sure to check other load books, as I’m focusing on lite loads in .380ACP and 9mm at the moment.

 

[lordpaxman]

Good Deal! I ended up with 16#s of Universal as well but it was during the GPS (Great Powder Shortage), and I gladly paid the inflated price at the time. I worked up loads for several calibers using Universal, however the 9mm I worked up was in 115 and 124gr bullets. I stayed within the Hodgdon load data and found the velocities to be higher than predicted out of a SA 5" 1911. I did not try to download below the minimums for a lighter target load. There are more suitable faster burning powders for that but I think you'll find Universal performs really well. Good luck!