Unique vs AA#5

[cfullgraf]

I find burn rate charts useless.

Well, powders with similar burn rate ratings should perform similarly but you need to have proper reloading data. Without the data, the “burn rate” means squat.

I have loads developed for 45 ACP with Accurate #5 for a backup to my 700-X loads.

 

[bigpower491]

I burn heaps of Accurate 5. I use it in every handgun I own, including 454 Casull. Mid range 357 loads are excellent with it, I use 8.9gr under a 125 Xtreme HP, and all 4 of my revolvers shoot it better than I can shoot them.
I always wanted to try Unique, as it has billions of satisfied users over the last 100 odd yrs, and it really is a great powder, but I could never find any. These days, I've come across it here and there. I believe everything I've heard about it over the yrs, but I always leave it set. Like stated earlier, you find what works and what doesn't, and really there's no need to try a new powder

 

[Soonerpesek]

Universal Clays (currently referred to as just Universal) is a great replacement for Unique, cleaner burning, too. But when was the last time you saw a pound available? Seems like it has not been on shelves or online for years.

Yeah, it's right next to Clays and International on the availabilty shelf..........................

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Yeah, it's right next to Clays and International on the availabilty shelf..........................

Unique is the more available off the three powders named. Hard to think about it that way but, Unique is a good temporary replacement for Universal.

 

[2ndtimer]

Unique is the more available off the three powders named. Hard to think about it that way but, Unique is a good temporary replacement for Universal.

I have adopted BE-86 as my versatile Unique/Universal/ Accurate No. 5 alternative.

 

[Barmcd]

I use No. 5 for lighter 357 Magnum loads with 125 gr Berry's Bullets at a little over 1100 FPS.

In edit: that keeps me below the max velocity for those bullets.

 

[IWAC]

I’ve been doing a lot of research/reading for tier II or midrange/medium loads in 357 and 44. I have large amounts of No 2 and No 5 Available.
I can’t count the number of times I see someone ask about No.5 and someone answers not to use No 5 it is too fast, but they use Unique or recommend BE-86; both faster than No 5.

I have clipped the burn rate chart:
33) Accurate No. 2
34) Ramshot Zip
35) IMR SR-7625
36) Vectan AO
37) Winchester 452AA
38) Scot 453
39) Hodgdon HP-38
40) Winchester 231
41) Alliant 20/28
42) Winchester 244
43) Hodgdon HS-5
44) Winchester WSL
45) Alliant Unique
46) Alliant BE-86
47) Hodgdon Universal
48) IMR Unequal
49) Alliant Power Pistol
50) Vihtavuori N330
51) Alliant Herco
52) Winchester WSF
53) Winchester WAP
54) Vihtavuori N340
55) Hodgdon Hi-Skor 800-X
56) IMR SR-4756
57) Scot Solo 1500
58) Ramshot True Blue
59) Accurate No. 5

I can understand someone saying use 2400 or #9 for max loads, but What is it that I or Them don’t get about Unique??

For years, I have used Unique for everything. Nowadays, it is in short/no supply. I figure I will find a powder that can fill the large need, picking up a can as I find them. so far, I have 2 pounds of older Unique, a can each of AA #5, HP-38, Universal, and Trail Boss. Thinking to try CFE Pistol or Herco when/if I find any.

Somewhere in there I expect to find loads to equal the old "Dade County, FBI, Northwest Mounted Police loads" at ~950- 1,000 fps, which are been proven loads, are definitely effective and contain all the drama I want to subject myself to these days. I even got a box of the Speer Gold Dot 135 gr. "Short Barrel" boolits, which, like the Unique, will be used sparingly. My crystal ball must have blown a transistor, because I sure didn't see this coming!

 

[NMexJim]

It may help if we put your screenshot into perspective. On the chart I have from Hodgdon, there are 176 different powders. One could say that any powder in the top 50 would be considered pretty fast.

And, as has been noted, we talking about the difference between flake and ball powders. I like ball powders for metering accuracy so lean more to the AA side.

Last, application has a place in the considerations. If you're shooting a micro-compact w/ a 1 5/8 " barrel, you might want to consider AA2 over AA5 or Unique.

I have AA2, AA5, AA7 and Unique all on my shelf. They are all good powders and will give good speed. I will say that I don't reach for Unique quite as much as I used to. Metering is one reason, but really I just migrated over to AA spanning a bunch of years. But, I would not be without Unique. In a SHTF world, Unique would be pure gold.

 

[styles]

Good point. I have 2, 5, and 9. I shoot a lot of 2. I like 8 gr in .45 with a 255 gr lswc, which I’m sure most would think is low ’too fast.’ Walkalong shot some thru his crony at about 830 fps iirc. That’s just about perfect.
44 special is new to me and I’ve been reading all the Unique posts about that cartridge. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised the information about Unique is so skewed. I liked reading Skelton too.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I like 8 gr in .45 with a 255 gr lswc, which I’m sure most would think is low ’too fast.’

That’s a tweener load: over max for a 14Kpsi and under start for a 30Kpsi load.
About perfect for a modern proofed “Peacemaker” copy or a Ruger Flattop.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Accurate #5 is an excellent powder. However, it’s close to Unique on the upper end of pressures, but is a “dog” at lower end pressures.
Being a spherical powder, it is more difficult to ignite at low charges and temps.
It’s a poor choice for midrange or target .38spl loads. Whereas that’s Uniques “wheelhouse”.
My favorite use is near top end loads with a 200gr SWC cast bullet in .45acp. With 8.2gr it gives 900fps and fantastic accuracy. It also does surprisingly well in the .380acp with 95gr bullets at upper level loads.
My biggest criticism is that circa 1995-7, I worked up a match load with the 9mm for a match pistol. Shot great! I bought another 1lb container. NOT EVEN the same powder! Shot poorly! To say the least! several years later I was gifted a 5lb container similar to current lot#’s. Different again!
I know of three different manufacturers since it was first introduced by Accurate Powders in early’90’s… I think it’s currently manufactured in the Czech Republic.

 

[IWAC]

My biggest criticism is that circa 1995-7, I worked up a match load with the 9mm for a match pistol. Shot great! I bought another 1lb container. NOT EVEN the same powder! Shot poorly! To say the least! several years later I was gifted a 5lb container similar to current lot#’s. Different again!
I know of three different manufacturers since it was first introduced by Accurate Powders in early’90’s… I think it’s currently manufactured in the Czech Republic.

Seems like that's always the way, anymore!

 

[Charlie98]

In a SHTF world, Unique would be pure gold.

In the regular world, Unique is pure gold.

44 special is new to me and I’ve been reading all the Unique posts about that cartridge.

Because Unique will load well in the .44SPC from low- to mid-range loads, and even tapping on Magnum-level loads if you care to push it that far in the Special.

 

[dannyd]

Number 5 was a good powder and metered well for me, used it in my 30/20 TC for Hunter's pistol silhouette, but I use Unique in my 308 Winchester with cast bullets, works well too.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

In the regular world, Unique is pure gold.



Because Unique will load well in the .44SPC from low- to mid-range loads, and even tapping on Magnum-level loads if you care to push it that far in the Special.

Off topic a little but it’s really shocking how well Blue Dot works in the .44Spl - and without the higher pressures of faster powders. It’s almost as if the magnum shotgun powders were really made for nearly magnum Specials. What you might call a light special magnum.

 

[.45Coltguy]

Universal Clays (currently referred to as just Universal) is a great replacement for Unique, cleaner burning, too. But when was the last time you saw a pound available? Seems like it has not been on shelves or online for years.

Sad, but , very true.

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

I too find that AA #5 is a good replacement powder for Unique, but just a tad slower in burning rate in my applications. It also has a significantly lower flame temperature!

If you are looking for a direct replacement for Unique, Universal Clays has to be the answer! In all the loads I've developed over the last 20+ years with Unique, I've found that I can directly replace it with Universal Clays, grain for grain, and the differences in performance are so small that they aren't worth mentioning. What is significant is the ease with which Universal Clays meters through a measure, and the consistent charges thrown by a variety of measures. Also how stunningly clean it burns.

I also use Unique data for Universal loads, but not at the top end.
I find Universal to be just a hair faster than Unique, and Universal will get a bit sketchy at top end Unique data.

 

[cfullgraf]

In today's environment of various powder availability, one needs to have developed alternate powders for favorite loads.

The individual can decide what is his primary powder and what is his secondary choice. Except for a precision rifle shooting, powder choice with the appropriate load really does not make a difference. Several different powders will yield adequate results.

But you need to do testing during the good times. Waiting to find back up powders until powder availabilities become difficult to find is too late.

For new to reloading, pick a powder to try for your primary load. Once established, pick a alternate powder and develop a comparable load.

Once you have an established alternate powder charge/powder brand established, then you have data that gives you have flexibility to buy powder to keep you in the game.

This is easy for handgun shooting. Not so easy for precision rifle shooting.

Case in point, I ues alot of Unique and 700-X in my various lower power handgun ammunition. I like the way they perform and I do not have problems with powder charges due to the flake powder.

But I have loads developed for these various cartridges, primarily with Accurate #5, W231 or some other powders that I can transition to in a skinny minute if supply becomes difficult to get.

At least for handgun cartridge, there are lots of good powders out there that work for many over lapping services.But you need to do your testing and homework during the good times to prepare you for during the bad times.

This can be applied to rifle cartridges as well, but it can be but more difficult. Rifles seem to be a bit more finicky when getting to optimum accuracy/velocity than hand guns.

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

@cfullgraf ^^^ Preach it, brother!