ArchAngelCD
Member.
Correct!Actually, they are the same powder. Hodgdon originally named it Universal Clays, but then changed it to Universal to avoid confusion with their much faster burning Clays powder. If you check the product info on their website, they refer to Universal as part of their Clays gunpowder technology and Clays gunpowder series. If it has changed, it is only because they have changed their source of production. Originally, it was a name change only.
There are 3 powders in the Clays family.
Clays
International Clays
Universal Clays
All 3 were developed as shotgun powders one faster than the other. Clays is fastest and Universal is slowest. As with many shotgun powders they also have handgun uses. ( just like Unique) The Clays part of the name was removed because of the confusion it was causing just like said above. Same powders, changed labels.
Unlike Unique, Universal can spike pressures at the very top of the pressure range so be aware.